How to determine monitor compatibility with Mac Mini (late 2012, Macmini6,2)?

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brsm1990 Author

Level 2

214 points

How to determine monitor compatibility with Mac Mini (late 2012, Macmini6,2)?

How can I tell if a monitor will be compatible with a Mac Mini? In the past I purchased a high resolution Philipps monitor that was sold as Mac compatible but it wasn't [really] compatible with my mini. It would only work correctly with Full HD / 1080p resolution but not the full resolution of the monitor. When in full resolution mode there were weird artifacts and text wasn't sharp. This monitor also worked fine with other newer Mac products (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro). I couldn't get any answers online or from the manufacturer's support. I ended up selling it.

The monitor that never worked was a Philipps 298X4QJAB 29-Inch IPS-LCD 21:9 2560x1080.

I want to buy a new monitor again but I want to make sure that it is going to be fully compatible.

Also can anyone tell me what is the maximum display resolution this computer can handle? It has no problem on a Thunderbolt 27" 2560x1440 display (I tested it) but that's not what I want to buy now.

Thanks.

Mac mini, macOS Sierra (10.12.3), null

Posted on Mar 6, 2017 9:15 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

245,183 points

Mar 6, 2017 10:17 AM in response to brsm1990

So what cble/connection were you using?

Video Card:

HD Graphics 4000

VRAM Type:

Integrated

Details:

This model has an Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system.
Also see: What type of video system is provided by the Aluminum Mac mini models? Which are integrated and which are dedicated? Can the video be upgraded?

Standard VRAM:

512 MB*

Maximum VRAM:

768 MB*

Display Support:

Dual Displays

Resolution Support:

1920x1200*

Details:

*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI display or a DVI display using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring*

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600*

Details:

*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI or a DVI display (using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter) and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i7-2.3-late-2 012-specs.html

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

82,210 points

Mar 7, 2017 5:56 AM in response to brsm1990

Not sure if you have room or are keen on this idea, but instead of using one large monitor I run dual 21.5" Samsung DVI monitors on both my 2010 and 2012 Mac Mini's.

They run at there native 1920 x 1080 resolution, are very clear and I never have any problems. On both Mac Mini's I'm using the Apple supplied HDMI to DVI adapter and a Kanex Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter. I did have problems way back on the 2010 Mac Mini with several Apple branded Mini Display to DVI adapters, so ordered another when I got my 2102.

For kicks, here is a screen shot of Sharks 3D spanned across both monitors. As you can see there is plenty of room for multiple windows including my iTunes mini player which is always open.

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Answer 3

Mar 6, 2017 11:28 PM in response to brsm1990

I am using a UHD 50" TV as a monitor on a similar Mac Mini but with 2.6GHz Core I-7 processor. With an Active HDMI to Display port adapter I am able to get the following screen resolutions.

The adapter is available from Amazon.

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 10

82,210 points

Mar 6, 2017 11:27 AM in response to brsm1990

Did you try a Mini DisplayPort to Display Port cable between the 2012 Mac Mini and the Philipps monitor...?

I'm asking because an HDMI cable from the Mac Mini's HDMI port will only give you 1080P and a Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D adapter from the Thunderbolt port will only give you 1920 x 1200.

Keep in mind, that the Mac Mini's will only correctly drive monitors 27" and larger from the Thunderbolt/Mini Display port using either a Mini DisplayPort to Display Port cable or an expensive Dual DVI-D adapter.

For more info and details, check out Display Support:

at > http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i7-2.3-late-2 012-specs.html

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Answer 5

brsm1990 Author

Level 2

214 points

Mar 6, 2017 11:31 AM in response to den.thed

I used mini display port to display port. It wasn't that the full resolution wasn't available it was that there were artifacts and the quality was awful especially around the text. It was a known issue, I found others with the same issue and it was repeatable on other mac minis while at the same time the monitor worked fine on other newer macs. I just never found a solution and I would like to avoid having the same thing happening again.

Thanks.

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Answer 6

Mar 7, 2017 7:04 AM in response to brsm1990

It's not newer, it just has the faster processor. 2.3 and 2.6GHz were options in the BTO site. I have a HP Envy 34C monitor which when connected by Display port to Mini display port cable would only go up to 2560 X 1600. I never tried the active HDMI to Mini display port adapter with it

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Answer 7

Mar 7, 2017 10:34 AM in response to brsm1990

I believe the Active HDMI toMini Display port adapter allows the computer to read and show the display in its native resolution, whereas with a passive adapter or straight HDMI connection the computer controls the resolution with its set values or maximums. This is only one monitor(TV).

This is the adapter that I use.

Cable Matters Active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Supporting 4K 60Hz Display & Eyefinity Technology

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Answer 8

brsm1990 Author

Level 2

214 points

Mar 7, 2017 5:56 AM in response to garyfromrio linda

Do I understand correctly that your Mac Mini (newer than mine) supports 3840x2160 instead of a maximum of 2560x1600?

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Answer 9

brsm1990 Author

Level 2

214 points

Mar 7, 2017 10:11 AM in response to garyfromrio linda

I'm confused... how do you get an option for 3840x2160 if the computer's max is 2560x1600? Or is this the sum of the resolution of two monitors?

Thanks.

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Answer 10

Mar 7, 2017 10:30 AM in response to brsm1990

If I check the Default for Display button the display will also show in 3840 x 2160 resolution which make me believe what I said in previous reply.

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Answer 11

brsm1990 Author

Level 2

214 points

Mar 7, 2017 10:32 AM in response to garyfromrio linda

So the Mac mini can display even higher resolutions than what Apple's official spec says it can?

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Answer 12

Mar 7, 2017 10:38 AM in response to brsm1990

The Apple specs, I am assuming, are present unless something overrides them such as the adapter. It works for me.

The only thing I dislike is the 30Hz refresh rate. Slows down games.

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Answer 13

brsm1990 Author

Level 2

214 points

Mar 7, 2017 10:42 AM in response to garyfromrio linda

Oh that must be it, 2560x1600 @ 60Hz, more at lower refresh rates. That makes sense.

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Answer 14

Mar 7, 2017 10:57 AM in response to brsm1990

Whatever, it's just Apple and it works. There is SwitchResX but I was always afraid to try it.

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