Dual Monitor Resolution Issues

Question

Level 1

137 points

Dual Monitor Resolution Issues

I have a Late 2012 Mac Mini with 16 Gb of Ram that I would like to run a setup with identical dual monitors. However I noticed with the graphics card that HDMI can only run up to 1920 x 1200 while the Mini Display Port can support a resolution up to 2560 x 1600. Obviously I wouldn't want to run a setup with on which one monitor is at a lower resolution than the other, so I was wondering if there's a cord of some sort that will allow 2 monitors to be ran off of the Mini Display Port. Or would it work to have 2 monitors in which the second monitor can be hooked up to the first, but not mirroring it either. Sorry if its a tad confusing and any help is appreciated 🙂

Posted on Jul 24, 2017 9:58 AM

Reply

Answer 1

CBennett2498 Author

Level 1

137 points

Jul 24, 2017 10:10 AM in response to Danny Dorazio

I haven't decided on the monitors yet because I would hate to spend the money on 2 monitors with a higher capacity than my computer can handle. Based off the specs, DVI is also limited to the same resolution as HDMI, at least that's the way I took it.

Reply

Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

91,618 points

Jul 24, 2017 4:20 PM in response to CBennett2498

Then perhaps you should consider getting an iMac or Mac Pro, because your Late 2012 does not support dual hi-res 27" monitor.

Like the iMac and Mac Pro, the latest 2014 Mac Mini also support dual 2560x1600 monitors. However you would need to find or order an upper-end i7 with the maximum amount of memory. see > Mac mini - Technical Specifications - Apple

Reply

Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

91,618 points

Jul 24, 2017 12:55 PM in response to CBennett2498

Your best options with the Late 2012 Mac Mini, are

1. get matching 21.5" or 24" DVI monitors that run at 1920x1080 or 1920x1200. Then connect them using the Apple supplied HDMI to DVI adapter and a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter. You can also use HDMI monitors and connections, but DVI seems to be more stable and less problematic.

2. get a single 27" or 32" DisplayPort equipted monitor. Then connect it to the Mini DisplayPort using a Mini DisplayPort to Display Port cable.

FWIW we have 2 Mac Mini's running dual monitor. One has dual 21.5" monitors and one has dual 24" monitors. To be honest I actually prefer using the one with dual 21'5' monitors, because it requires less head turning and mousing to get all the way from one side to the other.

Reply

Answer 4

CBennett2498 Author

Level 1

137 points

Jul 25, 2017 12:05 PM in response to den.thed

As a college student I don't necessarily have money to spend on a new Mac, especially with the upwards trending prices for their products that are actually worth it. I suppose maybe I could either find a Mini Display port splitter to 2 DVI outputs, but still don't know what the end resolution would be. I might just have to end up using the lower resolution and save money on the monitors. Are there any 1920 x 1200 monitors with a high ppi count?

Reply