Mac Mini - Mini Displayport 4k support?

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Level 1

107 points

Mac Mini - Mini Displayport 4k support?

Is there any information on whether the Mac Mini (in my case 2012 model) can output via the mini display port to a 4k monitor at 60hz with Mavericks 10.9.3?

I can see this article on apples website: support.apple.com/kb/ht6008 but this only mentions the Mac Pro and Macbook Pro.

As far as I can see there's no technical restriction as to why the display port cannot output 4k, but do not want to invest in such a display if I cannot use it with my Mac Mini or Macbook Air.

Thanks.

Mac mini, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on May 22, 2014 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

May 22, 2014 10:55 AM in response to stoobloo

No, As you said only a recent MacBook Pro and the new Mac Pro support 4K monitors

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Answer 2

May 23, 2014 3:18 AM in response to stoobloo

Displayport 1.2 may indeed support 4K but the video chip in the Mac mini does not support 4K for two reasons.

The video chip in the Mac mini is the Intel HD 4000, this has a maximum resolution as per Apple's own specifications (and Intels) of 2560x1600 via a Displayport/Mini Displayport connection, or 1920x1200 via HDMI

The HD 4000 chip and hence the Mac mini only supports Displayport 1.1a

In order to drive a 4K monitor you need Displayport 1.2 which can support the higher resolution of 4K either via a single stream at 30fps, or by using multiple streams via MST which is supported by Displayport 1.2 it can also then do 4K at 60fps, by using two streams it can send twice as much data.

The new Mac Pro and the Retina MacBook Pros support Displayport 1.2 and hence can do 4K.

You will just have to join the rest of us and impatiently wait for an updated Mac mini, or get a new Mac Pro.

Official Intel specifications can be seen here

https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/quick-reference-guide-to-intel-process or-graphics

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