3 displays on 2011 mini?

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3 displays on 2011 mini?

I currently have 2 displays on a mac mini mid-2011 (macmini5,2). I've been researching how to add a 3rd display and came across this specifications page and the description about display support:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i5-2.5-mid-20 11-specs.html

“ *This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI or a DVI display (using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter)and2560x1600 ontwo Thunderbolt or MiniDisplayPort displays or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).”

What pops out at me is:

“…simultaneously…[one] on HDMI… AND… on two TB or Mini DP displays…”

I count 3 displays supported: one 1920x1200 and two 2560x1600 (these are max res. of course).

I presume that the "TB or MDP displays" includes using TB or MDP-to-whatever (DVI, VGA) adapters?

How am I wrong?

I know: fixed video RAM, yada, yada, yada. Nonetheless...

Thanks.

Posted on Mar 10, 2016 9:21 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Mar 10, 2016 9:48 AM in response to NoPod

The 2011 Mini can natively only support two monitors:

Max of 1920x1200 on the HDMI port and 2560x1600 via the Thunderbolt (mini displayport subset is used for video)

To get a third monitor you need either:

- A USB video adopter. those ae limited to 1920x1200

- A triple or dual head adopter

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/digital_me/

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/digital_se/

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Answer 2

NoPod Author

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8 points

Mar 10, 2016 10:09 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks for your reply.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i5-2.5-mid-20 11-specs.html

"Display Support: Three Displays"

Please note that all 2011 mini's are not the same. The one I have (2.7 GHz i7) has dedicated AMD graphics GPU, not "integrated" graphics as most other (older) minis do:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/mac-mini-aluminum-unibody-faq/mac -mini-aluminum-video-processor-display-support.html

And:

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/16/apple-thunderbolt-display-with-multiple-moni tors/

"- Mac mini (Mid 2011): Two Thunderbolt displays. Mac mini with AMD graphics can support a HDMI compatible device on its HDMI port WHEN USING TWO Thunderbolt displays." (emphasis mine)

So it seems that the question is: with one display using the HDMI connector, how does one connect 2 displays to the Mini-Display Port? I will not be buying MDP or TB displays, likely just DVI or VGA.

Thanks.

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Mar 10, 2016 10:37 AM in response to NoPod

Only by connect the Thunderbolt port to a dual-head adopter like the one in a link in my previous reply.

As I said and as Apple says here:

Mac mini (Mid 2011) - Technical Specifications

Video Support

Works with almost any display or HDTV.

Thunderbolt port with support for up to 2560-by-1600 resolution
HDMI port with support for up to 1920-by-1200 resolution
DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (included)
Support for dual display and video mirroring

Natively the Mini only support a total of two monitors; one via HDMI and the other via Thunderbolt/mini displayport

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Answer 4

NoPod Author

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Mar 10, 2016 10:52 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks for your reply.

Not convinced.

"Support for dual display and video mirroring" doesn't call out any difference between the 2 models that have "integrated" and "dedicated" GPU. The other references in my previous posts seem to support the additional power & features ("3 moiitors") of the dedicated GPU.

I'm going with "misprint" re. the statement from the specs in Apple's support page for 2011 mini...

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Mar 10, 2016 11:01 AM in response to NoPod

The type of graphics, integrated or discrete does not make a difference. Only two monitors natively

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Answer 6

NoPod Author

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8 points

Mar 10, 2016 11:22 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks for your reply.

With respect, the source of your knowledge for this answer is the Apple specifications page?

Not flaming, just want to know if you have other expert references I haven't seen...

Thanks.

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Mar 10, 2016 12:33 PM in response to NoPod

I have no idea where the words in the everymac webpage came from. It does not make sense. One video output can only drive one monitor unless you uses a splitter. When using a splitter the same image is display on each screen connect to the splitter.

Even the 2014 Mac Mini which has one HDM port and two Thunderbolt ports only natively supports two monitors based on the Apple specs and users unsuccessfully trying three monitors (one connect to each port)

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Answer 8

NoPod Author

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Mar 10, 2016 12:56 PM in response to lllaass

The review comments by purchasers of this* Belkin splitter (with 2 DVI outputs) seem to support "expanding" the desktop on both monitors:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Splitter-F2CD060-Compatible-Versions/dp/B00OJZNPK4# Ask

This, of course, doesn't address the question of whether or not it will work on a 2011 Mini, but splitters when designed right "pass through" multiple MDP channels to the output connectors making them unique (not mirroring). Of course, you can choose to mirror the connected monitors in OS X's System Prefs for Displays...

Thank you for your thoroughness in helping me research this.

I'll report back any success.

Cheers.

*(Those thinking of purchasing this splitter, read the Q & A in the Comments section of the Amazon page for the Belkin splitter. A Belkin representative answers several questions and says that a new version with updated firmware will be released soon. (Comment date 1 Feb 2016) )

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Answer 9

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Mar 10, 2016 1:04 PM in response to NoPod

Belkin's site for the splitter

http://belkinbusiness.com/products/f2cd060-mini-displayport-2x-dvi-f-splitter-do ngle

and the specification sheet

http://belkinbusiness.com/sites/default/files/belkin_product_files/27716-Belkin- Dual%20View%20Adapter%20Dongles-DS-PROD-…

just say it is a splitter. A splitter splits one signal into two monitors. It may extend the screen to two monitors but it does not add an independent screen.

It seems like the discussion is whether it extends one screen across two monitors or if both screens are identical.

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Answer 10

NoPod Author

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8 points

Mar 10, 2016 1:32 PM in response to lllaass

From the Q&A on the Amazon page for the splitter:

"this device worked displaying my Lenovo W530 mini display port 1.2 across two Apple cinema 23" monitors. extended across both screens no problem. not the same mirror image on both."

And:

http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?articleNum=156304

Seems there is a bug in the firmware that gave mirroring all the time and not unique displays which is being fixed.

Cheers.

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Answer 11

lllaass

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210,519 points

Mar 10, 2016 3:42 PM in response to NoPod

I do not think hey are separate displays. If you have two 1920x1200 you will just have a 3940x1200 screen. For Macs there ae things you can do with each display

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH18757?viewlocale=en_US

but the two connected to the splitter are only seen as one wide screen.

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Answer 12

NoPod Author

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Mar 10, 2016 3:52 PM in response to lllaass

"but the two [displays] connected to the splitter are only seen as one wide screen."

Which is the DEFINITION of an "extended desktop".

Mirrored displays have identical content in each (a moving cursor is seen to move on both screens at the same time). Displays that are part of an "extended desktop", the cursor passes from one display into the other display.

So, you're saying that yes, the Belkin splitter will give you an extended desktop (unique, not-mirrored displays)?

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Answer 13

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Mar 10, 2016 4:08 PM in response to NoPod

Yes but it is not really an extended desktop since the Mac does not recognize it as two displays, just a one wide display.

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Answer 14

NoPod Author

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8 points

Mar 10, 2016 4:15 PM in response to lllaass

This is not my definition but Apple's and others'.

A single monitor shows your desktop.

An additional monitor *extends* that desktop. Or, if you choose to mirror the original monitor, shows the same area of desktop.

But we agree and are quibbling over semantics...

Cheers.

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Answer 15

NoPod Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 15, 2016 8:24 PM in response to NoPod

For those interested in the Belkin Mini Display Port-to-2 DVI port adapter (Belkin F2DC060), it is being updated with new firmware to be able to work under OS X 10.8 and later:

http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?articleNum=156304

Cheers.

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