Mac Mini connection to Apple 20 inch Cinema Display

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Hi,

I am buying a second hand Mac Mini which is only 3 three months old - in fact it comes in the specs for a Mid-2011 model. Model No. 1347. It hasn't come yet but I am concerned about the connection to my existing Apple Cinema Display 20 inch.

I have researched it on the web but really it is very complex and information differs. Without seeing it, KRCS (Apple shop in Hull) say on phone that I will need a Mini Display Port to DVI adaptor. These are £25, so I don't want to make a mistake.

The included HDMI to DVI adaptor is for...?? Only for TV? I've seen a message on an Apple Support page dated 2010 saying that he used this for his Mac Mini > Apple 20", but I am not sure.

I shall not buy any adaptor until I see the Mac Mini. But please can someone reassure me that I WILL be able to connect the two items?

The Apple Cinema Display 20 inch that I have has a cable which ends in a male connector which I can see has a small flat (male) slot beside 18 pins which are arranged in 2 square blocks of 9 pins each. Clearly I need a connector to the Mac Mini which has a female end.

Does this connector go into the Thunderbolt port or into HDMI? If HDMI, then I can use the given cable. If Thunderbolt, then which do I need to buy?

And, crucially, am I going to be able to connect them?? Or should I cancel the order for my Mac Mini!!

Confused!
 
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You will be able to use the HDMI - DVI adapter that was supplied with the Mac Mini with your 20" Cinema Display.
 
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You will be able to use the HDMI - DVI adapter that was supplied with the Mac Mini with your 20" Cinema Display.

Thank you, this is interesting.

And further on I see that by resolution, my Apple 20" will be okay using the cable supplied with the MacMini (HDMI to DVI).

So perhaps I won't need to buy anything extra for the connection.

But I would be very interested to see a better picture of this supplied cable (better than I can see on the Apple site), if anyone can find one? Just so I can be sure that the male end of my Apple 20" will fit into it. See above for description.

Thank you, that would be great!
 

bobtomay

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All sorts of pics already in post # 4 here.
 

bobtomay

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And yes, the HDMI to DVI adapter will have the female DVI.
 
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But I would be very interested to see a better picture of this supplied cable (better than I can see on the Apple site), if anyone can find one? Just so I can be sure that the male end of my Apple 20" will fit into it.

It will fit and work, your proposed configuration is a common one I've used/seen many times, not just a 'likely to work'. Your 20" Cinema Display resolution is within the resolution capability of the HDMI port, and the HDMI - DVI adapter is made to mate with the DVI connector used by your display. I would only spec a Mini DisplayPort - DVI adapter for higher resolution displays outside the HDMI ports resolution capability or if you were using multiple displays.
 

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