Can I put three monitors on a 2014 Mac Mini?

Question

Can I put three monitors on a 2014 Mac Mini?

This is both an answer to my question, as well as asking if anyone knows more than me.

I have a new Mac Mini (2014). I had hoped I could plug 3 monitors into it.

Apple's web site ( https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs/ ) says:

Support for up to two displays at 2560 by 1600 pixels, both at millions of colors

That is unclear: is the limit 2 monitors or is it 2560 * 1600 * 2 pixels?

I asked some of the staff at a nearby Apple store, and the answer was: We're not sure, but it seems like the limit should be the 2560 * 1600 * 2 pixels.

So, I've bought the mac, and bought two monitors to supplement the one I have and have tried to plug them in.

The short answer is: Nope. The Mac Mini only recognizes two monitors.

More details:

Mac Min 2014
Yosemite
3 monitors at 1920x1080 pixels (two Dell, one AOC)
Two monitors are on VGA cables, one on DVI
I have a DVI -> HDMI connector, and two VDA -> Mini display port connectors
WARNING: you can't do VGA -> HDMI

The mac only recognizes two monitors, even when I plug a third in. (e.g. I plug A and B in, then add C, or I reboot with ABC connected, or I plug A and C in and then add B, or plug B and C in and then add A).

If someone knows of some other combination that would work, let me know.

Otherwise, this is word to other folks wanting real estate like me: The Mac Mini probably won't give you 5760 x 1080 pixels.

Posted on Nov 21, 2014 9:32 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Nov 22, 2014 1:25 AM in response to 柏大衛 (David)

Apple says:

Video Support

Support for up to two displays at 2560 by 1600 pixels, both at millions of colors

http://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs/

Note the words "up to two displays".

You can get a USB video adopter but users say they have lag.

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Answer 2

Nov 28, 2014 3:24 PM in response to lllaass

Lllaass,

True enough. These things seem a bit hard to interpret sometimes. For instance, I've seen this claim:

MacBook Pro with *3* external displays: http://blog.macsales.com/14241-macbook-pro-15-with-retina-display-can-run-3-exte rnal-displays

Yet, the claims for the MacbookPro at MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) - Technical Specifications says "Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors"

So, I hope my info here would help someone else confused about what the exact limits are.

Thanks for your help,

david

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Answer 3

1shaunp1

Level 1

37 points

Dec 10, 2014 9:44 AM in response to 柏大衛 (David)

I'm curious, which model do you have? Seems there's two video cards depending on the model, HD 5000 and Iris.

I'm considering a Mini but I have 3 1920x1200 monitors. It seems like I may be stuck getting an iMac, or waiting for Broadwell.

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Answer 4

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Dec 10, 2014 10:04 AM in response to 柏大衛 (David)

The reference you provided for the four-total display utilized two additional iMacs used in Target Display mode

Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support

In that mode the iMacs are doing the graphics for the iMac's displays, The source Mac, the MacBook Pro is not doing the graphics calculations for the iMacs.

柏大衛 (David) wrote:

Lllaass,

True enough. These things seem a bit hard to interpret sometimes. For instance, I've seen this claim:

MacBook Pro with *3* external displays: http://blog.macsales.com/14241-macbook-pro-15-with-retina-display-can-run-3-exte rnal-displays

Yet, the claims for the MacbookPro at MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) - Technical Specifications says "Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors"

So, I hope my info here would help someone else confused about what the exact limits are.

Thanks for your help,

david

Reply

Answer 5

Dec 10, 2014 7:30 PM in response to lllaass

Hey, Lllaas!

Thanks for pointing that out. I'd not noticed that detail in all the comments. That's excellent feedback. So, it sounds like if someone has some old imac's around they might be able to put more than 2 monitors on a mac min if they can put them in target display mode.

Cool little factoid!

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Answer 6

Dec 10, 2014 7:32 PM in response to 1shaunp1

Chicagofilms,

I had the MacMini released in 2014, the $699 model (2.6ghz) with 16gb ram and 256gb flash drive space. I think that as far as graphis goes, it says Intel Iris Graphics.

Hope that helps.

dj

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Answer 7

1shaunp1

Level 1

37 points

Dec 10, 2014 8:09 PM in response to 柏大衛 (David)

Yes, that's the better model. If that can't do 3, I guess I'm not buying one now. I'll pro wait until after the holidays at this point. Maybe some new stuff will be out by then.

THanks for for the Info

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