Mac Mini With Existing 27" PC Monitor?

Question

Mac Mini With Existing 27" PC Monitor?

Hello All!!

I currently have a PC that is using a 27" Acer monitor. (It's not the best monitor in the world but it suits me just fine. 🙂 ) Here are the specs:

27" Widescreen LCD display

1920 x 1080 HD resolution

12,000,000:1 contrast ratio

white LED backlight

1080p support with HDCP

2ms response time

2 x HDMI®

VGA

http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/ET.HS3HP.001

The monitor has two HDMI inputs but I am only using one. I want to buy the $799 (actually it's on sale for $739) Mac Mini from Best Buy and connect it to the second HDMI input on my monitor.

Here is the Mac Mini I want to get:

Apple® - Mac mini / Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 4GB Memory / 500GB Hard Drive

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple%26%23174%3B---Mac-mini-/-Intel%26%23174%3B-Cor e%26%23153%3B-i5-Processor-/-4GB-Memory-/-500GB-Hard-Drive/2658129.p?skuId=26581 29&productCategoryId=pcmcat268200050003&id=1218343208945

I noticed that the Mini has an HDMI output. Can I plug my monitor straight into the Mac Mini's HDMI output and use it? Will it look crappy with such a low quality display (I am not that picky so "crappy" to you is probably good to me. 🙂 ). If so, what monitor do you recommend (I can't afford the Apple monitor)?

Thanks!

M

Posted on Sep 23, 2012 12:29 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Sep 23, 2012 12:38 AM in response to ChainOfFlowers

That is low quality for a 27" display, but the Mini supports that with the included HDMI adapter.

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Answer 2

Sep 23, 2012 12:41 AM in response to BDAqua

Do you think I could get a monitor that would be well suited for the Mini for about $300-$500? The last thing I want to happen is to spend $799 on a Mini and not get the outstanding video quality that Apple is known for. (I am blown away every time I look at my MacBook Pro. 🙂 )

Maybe I am pickier than I originally thought. 🙂

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Answer 3

Sep 23, 2012 12:48 AM in response to ChainOfFlowers

I just noticed the 27" Apple monitor is on sale at Best Buy for $832. This changes things. Maybe I should just buy that monitor and connect it to my MacBook Pro. (I just got a 15.4" MacBook Pro ~5 months ago.)

*UPDATE*

Ugg I am so helpless when it comes to Apple products... 😝 There are actually two monitors. One for $832 and one for $999.

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Sep 23, 2012 10:33 AM in response to ChainOfFlowers

Looks like any good monitor is going to run about the same as the Apple ones.

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Answer 5

Sep 24, 2012 2:40 AM in response to ChainOfFlowers

ChainOfFlowers wrote:

Ugg I am so helpless when it comes to Apple products... 😝 There are actually two monitors. One for $832 and one for $999.

There is only one monitor currently produced by Apple

and is called "Thunderbolt Display". This has been

out for more than a year now.

What you saw at Best Buy for $832 was likely one of their

"open box" specials, i.e. a returned product for whatever

reason other than being faulty.

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Answer 6

Nov 13, 2012 10:00 PM in response to ChainOfFlowers

A Mac Minis is a great value if you can pair it with the right monitor. I have been a huge fan of the Dell UltraSharp Monitors. They are very crisp and clear - pictures look absolutely stunning. This was a big upgrade over my 19", and it's really amazing. You really don't know what you're missing on these big monitors until you get one!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JN9310

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