Mac Mini Monitor Help

[RavingMac]

If you go with a 4K device, check the specs to see if it supports 2560x1440 through HDMI (if that is the way you plan to go). Even though the display supports higher resolutions it may jump from 1080p to 4K, bypassing 2560x1440 unless you use DisplayPort

 

[10Arrows]

I didn't think the 2014 Mini could handle a 4k monitor. True? Also what is DisplayPort, an app? Thanks!

 

[ferrarr]

I think the 2014 Mini will handle 1 4k display, https://support.apple.com/kb/SP710?locale=en_US. Display Port, is a type of port, just like HDMI, USB, etc.

 

[10Arrows]

Thanks for that. So is there a Displayport on the Mac Mini? Or is it called something else on the Mac?

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Thanks for that. So is there a Displayport on the Mac Mini? Or is it called something else on the Mac?

It's the Thunderbolt 2 port mentioned earlier. It uses the same connection and serves double duty as both types of ports.

 

[ferrarr]

Macs used to have Display Ports, then Mini Display Ports. Next they had Thunderbolt ports (both 1 & 2), which were the same as Mini Display ports. Current Macs have USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I didn't think the 2014 Mini could handle a 4k monitor. True? Also what is DisplayPort, an app? Thanks!

It can't, but it should be able to drive a 4K display at a lower resolution.

 

[10Arrows]

It can't, but it should be able to drive a 4K display at a lower resolution.

Love all the different names for the same thing. So Verrry helpful. NOT!

So we're probably talking 1920 x1080 at 4k resolution? That's still better than what I am finding in non-4k as the max resolution on those is 1920 x 1080 anyway.

 

[10Arrows]

I was looking at the video support specs before. It seems to suggest that I can run up to two displays at 2560 x 1600 through Thunderbolt.
I only need one monitor. I'm still not understanding why I seem to be stuck at 1920 x 1080, which contradicts the stated specs. Confused (but then I spend a lot of my time that way).....

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I was looking at the video support specs before. It seems to suggest that I can run up to two displays at 2560 x 1600 through Thunderbolt.
I only need one monitor. I'm still not understanding why I seem to be stuck at 1920 x 1080, which contradicts the stated specs. Confused (but then I spend a lot of my time that way).....

You aren't stuck at 1920x1080. What RavingMac was referring to may be more a limitation of the resolutions sent over HDMI, since that's typically used for TV sets. You will get the maximum resolution that the Mac mini supports using mini-DisplayPort (this is also the Thunderbolt 2 port on your Mac mini). I can vouch for that. My wife is using a 2014 Mac mini with that ASUS monitor that I mentioned running at 2560x1440 using miniDP.

 

[ferrarr]

If you look at the HDMI port, it offers more options.

 

[krs]

If you look at the HDMI port, it offers more options.

View attachment 32485

Yes, but to get the higher resolution with HDMI the refresh rate drops below 60 Hz
I would consider a refresh rate below 60 Hz unacceptable for a monitor

 

[chscag]

Yes, but to get the higher resolution with HDMI the refresh rate drops below 60 Hz
I would consider a refresh rate below 60 Hz unacceptable for a monitor

Also bad for your eyes. Refresh rates below 60 Hz cause framing (blinking) that even though may not be very noticeable, put a strain on your eyes.

 

[10Arrows]

You aren't stuck at 1920x1080. What RavingMac was referring to may be more a limitation of the resolutions sent over HDMI, since that's typically used for TV sets. You will get the maximum resolution that the Mac mini supports using mini-DisplayPort (this is also the Thunderbolt 2 port on your Mac mini). I can vouch for that. My wife is using a 2014 Mac mini with that ASUS monitor that I mentioned running at 2560x1440 using miniDP.

Yeah, thanks all. Definitely looking to get 60Hz at the minimum. LaB, your wife getting that great screen resolution, is that using an HDMI to mimiDP cable? I've looked at a lot of monitors at this point at the ASUS still appeals to me more than most for some reason.

 

[krs]

As far as I can tell, the Mini you have supports HDMI 1.4
That supports 4K only at 30Hz

The ASUS monitor in post #2 has HDMI 2.0 which supports 4K at 60Hz

I think with your Mini you need to use the Display port output of the Mini to get the higher resolution at 60Hz.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Love all the different names for the same thing. So Verrry helpful. NOT!

So we're probably talking 1920 x1080 at 4k resolution? That's still better than what I am finding in non-4k as the max resolution on those is 1920 x 1080 anyway.

That's not at all what this means. The display is simply downscaled to what it will support. 1920x1080 is exactly that (colloquially known as 1080p). 4K is something else (usually 3840x2160). Your Mac mini can't drive the 4K monitor at its full native resolution of 3840x2160, so instead it should be trying to use an alternate resolution that the monitor will support. In the case of that ASUS 4K monitor I first mentioned,

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Yeah, thanks all. Definitely looking to get 60Hz at the minimum. LaB, your wife getting that great screen resolution, is that using an HDMI to mimiDP cable? I've looked at a lot of monitors at this point at the ASUS still appeals to me more than most for some reason.

No. Using a cable identical to what I linked to earlier. You need to leave HDMI out of the equation here completely.

 

[krs]

LaB posted this - this is the best you can get with the 2014 Mini

You will get the maximum resolution that the Mac mini supports using mini-DisplayPort (this is also the Thunderbolt 2 port on your Mac mini). I can vouch for that. My wife is using a 2014 Mac mini with that ASUS monitor that I mentioned running at 2560x1440 using miniDP.

 

[10Arrows]

No. Using a cable identical to what I linked to earlier. You need to leave HDMI out of the equation here completely.

Okay, got it. No HDMI. Very much appreciated. Apologies for asking the same types of questions, this stuff is just SO confusing when one is not familiar with it.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Love all the different names for the same thing. So Verrry helpful. NOT!

Actually, it hasn't been explained very well to you. There aren't different names for the same thing.

USB-C is a port type. It can be a regular USB-C port, or it can use the Thunderbolt (usually Thunderbolt 3) *protocol*.

mini-Displayport is a port type. It can be a plain mini-Displayport (used exclusively for video connections) or it can use the Thunderbolt (usually Thunderbolt 2) *protocol*.

Any port that uses the Thunderbolt protocol is significantly faster than the same port that doesn't use the Thunderbolt protocol.

I originally suggested that you go with a 1080p monitor that I recommended because 1) I doubt that you will even notice that it is a lower resolution than a 4K monitor, 2) a 1080p monitor should be cheaper (but the one that I recommended should still look fantastic), 3) using an HDMI connection should be more straightforward and less confusing (assuming that you get a high quality HDMI cable, which I gave a link for), 4) I think that if you try and run a 4K monitor with your 2015 Mac mini you will be disappointed with the results. 2015 minis didn't have particularly powerful graphics cards.

You are listening to a lot of cooks right now trying to help you make the same stew. I won't try to confuse you further.