30" cinema display for new Mac mini 2018

I got a 2018 Mini and tried to hook it up to a 30" Cinema. It doesn't work as others have noted. Today I spoke with an Apple support person and was told it definitely will not work and there is no adapter solution available.

@Beamengine: just to be sure I understand, you have a working 30" Cinema (at full resolution) connected to a 2018 Mini using the TOPELEK adapter from Amazon? I ask because of what the Apple rep said.

Thanks,

-Mario

So VERY glad to see this! I'm setting up my 30" Cinema display and Mac Mini now and will follow your lead. Next challenge will be two Cinema displays (not sure if they are 23" or 27" and try and connect them to my other new Mac Mini. Please post any other details or developments as they occur. There are grateful readers watching and using your info.

Please, please. There are several TOPELEK adapters on Amazon. Which exact connector worked for your 30" display? Do you think it will work for two 23" or 27" Cinema displays also? Thanks! Can't wait to connect!

. . . and here, I think, is part of the problem we’re having over here in America, where TopElek doesn’t show up on our Amazon. The adapters that do show up on Amazon and other places come with this warning note: “This [brand] adapter outputs a single-mode Mini DisplayPort signal and will not work with additional video adapters such as Mini DisplayPort to HDMI, Mini DisplayPort to VGA or Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapters.” And that last part there might be the problem because, like you, I also need the old Apple adapter that takes the Cinema Display’s DVI-D Dual-Link and reduces it down to the Mini Display cable end (to go into my older Mac Mini). Apparently, your TopElek adapter does not come with that warning? Thanks again for your help with this~

My Topelek explicitly says: 'Compatible with Apple Cinema Display, such as 24-inch, 27-inch, 30-inch, need an official Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter...'

However, I only bought it because I am in the UK. If I was US based then I would have followed Malcolm's advice and bought the UpTab. (The UpTab is semi-available in the UK, but it's expensive and slow to arrive via Amazon US, whereas the Topelek is cheap and next-day delivery from Amazon UK.)

Many, many thanks for all your here, Beamengine. (You’ve been more helpful and clearer with this information than the Apple Support people I’ve spoken with; I guess they’re probably learning as they go from you and others who’ve posted on this specific issue.) Cheers! ~T

Yes, thanks to Malcolm, too. However, regarding the Uptab adapter here (California) on Amazon, it says this about it: “This adapter is NOT compatible with other inline adapters between the adapter and the monitor. Before you purchase this adapter please make sure your device (Computer/Tablet/Smart Phone) supports HDMI/DP Alt Mode Over USB Type-C”. This makes me think that it might not work as your TopElek does. Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/UPTab-USB-C-DisplayPort-Adapter-Graphite/dp/B01N4FQNYW/re f=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542502274&sr=8-1&k…

I agree (WT) that doesn't sound too good.

However, look at the reviews of this:

https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-QCEs-Resolution-Thunderbolt-Compatible/dp/B07 117M8B2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_4?ie=UTF8&qid=154…

Note especially the fourth review; it may well do the trick for US Amazon users.

Good luck!

Wildetommy wrote:

Yes, thanks to Malcolm, too. However, regarding the Uptab adapter here (California) on Amazon, it says this about it: “This adapter is NOT compatible with other inline adapters between the adapter and the monitor. Before you purchase this adapter please make sure your device (Computer/Tablet/Smart Phone) supports HDMI/DP Alt Mode Over USB Type-C”. This makes me think that it might not work as your TopElek does. Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/UPTab-USB-C-DisplayPort-Adapter-Graphite/dp/B01N4FQNYW/re f=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542502274&sr=8-1&k…

You left out the sentence just before the one you quoted.

"This adapter will work in combination with Active DVI adapters only. This adapter is NOT compatible with other inline adapters between the adapter and the monitor."

From the manufacturer's site:

https://www.uptab.com/uptab-usb-c-type-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-4k-60hz-sil ver/

"Supports Active in-line DVI-D or DVI to Mini DisplayPort Adapters"

Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-link DVI adapters are active. Most single-link adapters (including Apple's) aren't.

Hey Folks,

Thanks Beamengine for your succesfull feedback !

I understand that your ACD is configured as a second monitor.

This is not my case. Can you test for me a startup with only one monitor, the ACD 30" ?

Regards,

Kara

Wow! Wow! Wonderful! Thanks to you both for bringing us this info! We have two 30" Cinema displays and have been battling to get them up and running with monitors! We so VERY much appreciate the details and your willingness to communicate your efforts and successes! BTW, we waited until after Nov 14 to buy our Mac Mini's from Apple because their Holiday Return Policy gives us until Jan 8 to return them if we need to. Glad we got the extra long time now! Again, please know that your friendship and help will be used and appreciated!

Best,

Rachael and Richard Heller

Hello Klaus,

Thank you for your feedback, this sounds really good !

I definitely don't understand Apple willing regarding its product base line, and way to communicate with its PRO clients.

Those who spent the uge amount of money to buy this great Cinema Display 30" should have been considered with better respect !

Without the MacOS and iOS eco-system, I would have left the Apple product line a long time ago !

Regards,

Kara

Hi,

From the pic you showed on this comment it seems to me that you only need the topelek adapter (usb-c) connect to the mini-display port to Dual-link DVI from the 30 ACD and it works, but there is a normal USB-A from the ACD dual-link dvi cable and it seems you don’t need to connect to the 2018 Mac-mini? Is that only the USB-C+mini display alone will drive the display properly or you need both the USB-C (adpator) and USB-A (dual-link DVI cable) to do so? Many thanks for your answer. I ask so because in the old days I use my MacBook Air 2012 to drive the 30 ACD with both the mini-display port and USB-A connected so as to drive the display properly so I was quite surprised if the USB-C alone on a 2018 Mac-mini can already do the same job with a USB 3.0 port saved up.

I can confirm that this one works too between a 2018 mini and a 30"Cinema with Apple DP->Dual-Link DVI adapter:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2ORP84/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie= UTF8&psc=1

Hi Klaus-Hermann Otto, please let me know if the "UPTab USB-C (Type C) to Mini DisplayPort Adapter 4K@60Hz" worked i have the same setup and i am thinking of getting the new Mac Mini but i want to be sure it works with my 30" Cinema Display

Thanks & Regards

Philip Ziadie

3_16@bellsouth.net