Can I daisy chain 2012 Mac Mini --> Thunderbolt 27" Cinema Monitor --> Display Port 27" Cinema Monitor to achieve two monitor set-up?
No, daisy chaining only works with another TB monitor.
I have read that it can be accomplished with a thunderbolt device in-between the thunderbolt display and the display port display...ala:
2012 Mac Mini --> Thunderbolt 27" Cinema Monitor --> Thunderbolt Device --> Display Port 27" Cinema Monitor
Thoughts?
Just where did yo read that?
Here
Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
Apple says
5. Can I connect a Mini DisplayPort display to my Apple Thunderbolt Display for computers that support using more than one display?
Mini DisplayPort displays will not function if connected to the Thunderbolt port of an Apple Thunderbolt Display. Displays connected via Mini DisplayPort video adapter or cable to the Thunderbolt port of an Apple Thunderbolt Display will not work.
...understood and is consistent with I read on the support forums...however, I located the the information in the following article from 2011...
http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/thunderbolt-display-daisy-chaining-spec-clear ed-up/
...there is more detail on this page...
http://www.macworld.com/article/1162365/first_look_apple_thunderbolt_display.htm l
...seems odd that adding a TB peripheral in the middle clears the path...sounds like something is not implemented on apple's side...
I assume that I could use two ports on the back of the mini, but the problem is just that...using two ports and diminishing the connectivity to the mini...
The articles you link to to me only say that you can have a TB display at the end of TB chain which is true
Perhaps I misunderstood this portion of the article...my understanding is:
2012 Mac Mini --> Thunderbolt 27" Cinema Monitor --> Thunderbolt Peripheral --> Display Port 27" Cinema Monitor
I can't tell from the article how everything is connected/
I can confirm this on a MacBook Pro 2015.
Plugging in an older display port monitor into the back of a Thunderbolt 27" will not work.
MBP ---- TB 27" Monitor --- Display Port monitor
will not show anything on the display port monitor
But if you do put a dual port peripheral in between (such as a hard disk in my case). The display port monitor will work.
MBP ---- TB 27" Monitor --- Thunderbolt HD with 2 ports --- Display Port monitor.
Is it possible to connector a mini display port monitor to a thunderbolt monitor for dual displays?
