Possible to do dual display with a mini?

I have an early 2008 Mac mini (Intel) - with the standard DVI connector; using the supplied DVI/VGA adapter to connect to an LCD monitor.
I'm just wondering if it is possible to use two displays with this model and if so, how do I connect the second monitor?

Several ways of doing it in this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8335705&#8335705
If you want to go the usb route, see also:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/VIDU2DVIA/
Be sure to examine the limitations of each method.
(I'd also consider that your 2008 Mini likely has substantial resale value and that you might prefer getting a 2009 Mini which natively supports dual displays.)

Similar Messages

  • Dual Displays with Mac Mini

    Hi,
    I have 2 identical BENQ G2420HDB (24") displays, and am looking at getting a new desktop computer. My thought was to go with the Mac Mini but I need to ensure compatibility.
    Currently one is plugged into my Mac Book Pro 2.33 (one of the first Duo Core 2) and it reports a natural resolution of 1920x1080 (Normal HD), and wish to use both displays with the new computer. Will a Mac Mini support both monitors as extended desktop in this resolution? If so what adapters (if any) do I need to buy with the Mac Mini? The inputs on the monitors are: DVI, VGA. Is there an minimum model of Mac Mini that I would need to get?
    Thanks,
    Michelle

    Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    The Mac mini has two video ports; mini-DVI and mini-DisplayPort. The mini ships with an Apple mini-DVI to DVI-D adapter. You could also purchase a mini-DisplayPort to DVI-D adapter and then use DVI-D cables to connect the adapters to your displays' DVI-D ports. This setup can support up to 1920 x 1200 pixels, and can be configured in extended desktop mode.
    Dah•veed

  • Is it possible to use 2 displays with the mac mini

    is it possible to use 2 displays with the mac mini

    I wanted an extended desktop using 2 monitors.
    I am using a Dell Ultrasharp ( has 1 VGA and 1 DVI-D) and a LG W2286 (has 2 HDMI, 1 DVI-D and 1 VGA)
    I ran into a similar issue where initially the mac would not detect the 2 displays and I thought I would share my solution.  I have a Mac Mini 10.8.2 i7 Late 2012.
    I bought a "Cable Matters" brand Mini Display Port | Thunderbolt to DVI Male Cable to have dual monitors.
    I am also using the included in the box  HDMI to DVI-D Adapter from Apple.
    Initial configuration was:
    Mini-Display (Thunderbolt connector) to DVI connected to the LG DVI-D input.
    Apple HDMI to DVI Dongle connected to the Dell DVI-D input.
    What happened was that my desktop was on the LG clear as day but OSX did not see the dell monitor.
    I called apple support and they could not figure out why the mini cant see the dell monitor. I think I discovered that the mac mini could not support 2 dvi monitors.
    I switched the monitor connections.
    The connections that works:
    HDMI out to HDMI in on the LG using a standard HDMI cable.
    Display port | Thunderport to DVI-D on the Dell's DVI-D in.

  • Is it possible to use multiple displays on mac mini?

    Is it possible to use multiple displays on mac mini?
    I have a mac mini that I think is from 2009. The processor is 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 2 gb memory that I´d like to use with multiple displays (2). Is this possible??

    Baddoll wrote:
    Is this possible??
    yes.
    connect monitor #1 with the Mini DVI to DVI adapter (should have come with your Mini)
    connect monitor #2 with the mini-displayport to DVI adapter (needs to be procured separately)

  • Dual displays on mac mini

    I'm trying to connect a new Mac mini to 2 displays. The Hdmi cable is connected to a plasma TV and is working great. I bought a mini display port to VGA cable from monoprice and have that connected to a projector. If I go into settings and select mirror displays I get the same image I have on the plasma TV on the projector, but the image lasts only for an instant then become a blank screen. I've tried different resolutions but they all have the same result. I get the image on the projector for an instant then nothing.

    Eric. wrote:
    Danny Young1 wrote:
    The Mac Mini never came with an HDMI to DVI adapter. 
    The second display has VGA only, is there an adapter for this as well?
    You said you bought a MC816B/A, which is a 2011 Mini 2.5 i5. The 2011 Minis have an HDMI to DVI adapter right in box. See here (scroll down to "In the Box"): http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html
    That will handle one DVI display with the Mini's HDMI port. If yours is missing then I'd look in the box again and/or take advantage of your AppleCare.
    The other monitor only has VGA, so you can use Apple's Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, which plugs into the Mini's Thunderbolt port. See http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572Z/A
    Eric,
    So according to Apple's specs, the maximum resolution on the HDMI output (hence DVI with adapter) is 1920x1080. What are the other resolution choices?
    Are the quality of the two outputs (the HDMI, the Thunderbolt via adapter) otherwise the same (for the same resolution)? Refresh rate, etc.? I can't find any details on Apple's sites. I'm connecting two indentical monitors (Gateway FHD2401). Need them to look identical.
    Natively this monitor supports 1920x1200 (1.6:1). Tried my adapter (MacPro) on 1920x1080 (1.3:1) and it doesn't look so good. So that may answer my question...

  • Mac Mini (mid-2011) dual display with extended desktop

    Can Mac Mini (mid-2011) dual display different picture on HDMI TV and DVI monitor. I can only get it to mirror and not display different programs or extended desktop. Can i "extend" instead of "mirror"? and how

    Hi David it should...
    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).
    Are you using splitter maybe?

  • Is it possible to run dual display monitors on a KVM switch between my mac mini and a PC desktop?

    I have two 23" monitors utilizing DVI that I currently have plugged into my PC desktop.  I'd like to purchase the mac mini and utilize the same monitors for both systems and switch back and forth between the two.  So, I'm wondering if it's possible.  The only two hangups I can anticipate is dual display capability on the mini (I expect that some adapter will be necessary), keyboard compatibility between the two systems, and finding a switch that will handle all the above.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

    I think this video could help you
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYoC2teAbmE
    Other question is the switch box, You will have eight income cables (4 video, 4 usb) and four output cables
    http://www.showmecables.com/viewItem.asp?idProduct=10778
    http://www.networktechinc.com/pdf/cat-kvmsplit-usb-hdmi.pdf

  • Intel iMac won't recognize external display with Dynex mini-DVI adapter

    I've got an original Intel iMac with a Mini-DVI connection on the back. I'm attempting to hook it up to an external display (a plasma screen, in fact). I picked up a Dynex Mini DVI to Video Adapter DX-AP100 for Apple. This connector has a mini-DVI connector on one end, and both a video-out and an S-video-out on the other.
    When attempting to use the adapter, the iMac does not recognize that there is an external display connected. Here are the facts:
    The external display: I've tried this with a Panasonic Plasma screen connected directly through S-video, as well as a Pioneer receiver (one that switches video) connected both through s-video and composite video. And yes, I've got the settings on the TV correct. I've also tried this with a Polaroid LCD TV connected via S-video and composite video.
    I did notice that when I click "Detect Displays" while the Plasma was connected, the plasma briefly "flashed", implying SOMETHING was happening, but still no dice.
    Anyone have any experience with this Dynex DX-AP100 that could share some wisdom?
    OS: v10.5.6
    System Profiler:
    ATI Radeon X1600:
    Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1600
    Type: Display
    Bus: PCIe
    PCIe Lane Width: x16
    VRAM (Total): 128 MB
    Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
    Device ID: 0x71c5
    Revision ID: 0x0000
    EFI Driver Version: 01.00.068
    Displays:
    iMac:
    Resolution: 1440 x 900
    Depth: 32-bit Color
    Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
    Main Display: Yes
    Mirror: Off
    Online: Yes
    Quartz Extreme: Supported
    Built-In: Yes
    Display Connector:
    Status: No display connected

    Yeah, I realize S-video is limiting, but I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible. The TV is mounted to the wall and there are not currently any DVI or HDMI cables coming out of it. There's an S-video input from my receiver that I'd prefer to use since it's readily accessible already. In the end my goal is to use Netflix "Watch Now" on the TV, so I'm not too worried about video quality.
    and before someone asks if I considered that the receiver's S-video input might be the problem...I tried taking the s-video wire from the stereo and plugging it directly into the adapter. No dice.
    ONE ADDITIONAL PIECE of information...while trying to get this to work on an LCD monitor, I plugged the composite video connection from the TV into the adapter. Suddenly the Mac recognized an additional monitor, but it saw it as a VGA monitor, not as s-video or composite video, and no signal went to the TV.
    I'm considering trading in this adapter for a mini-DVI to VGA adapter, but that really won't help me with the connection to the TV.

  • Dual display options, Mac Mini

    I have connected an 1440x900 LED display via the Thunderbolt port and have set it up to be a secondary display with a DVI display 1920x1080 as primary . However, using the Thunderbolt port for a VGA interface seems like a bit of a waste! Is there any better way to achieve dual monitors on the Mac Mini?

    Another option...
    Up to 4 additional Monitors via USB...
    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/VIDU2DVIA/
    Supports resolutions up to 2048 x 1152.

  • Dual Display on Mac Mini

    Hi there,
    I want to have a dual display setup with my Mac Mini. There's also a twist. One of the displays is a regular monitor. The other display is a 46" TV. I am not too technically minded - is there a splitter or some kind of dual display "kit" I can pick up?
    Thanks!

    Which Mac mini? The new one has two video outputs on it, so two displays is not a problem.

  • How to Dual Display with Dell U2711

    Hi,
    I am looking to connect my iMac (late 2013) to a Dell U2711 in a dual display configuration. I'd like to be able to use all 2560x1440 pixels of the Dell.
    the Dell has DVI-D (dual channel), Displayport (not mini displayport), HDMI and VGA.
    which port will give me the cleanest picture and best performance and what cable do I need to buy ? (obviously thunderbolt to something...)
    thanks !

    stqn wrote:
    Expi1 wrote:Thanks, I'm mostly struggling with how to partition for Arch and then how to do the bootloader. I'm using Win8 64-bit and from what I understand a Legacy BIOS bootloader. I'm not entirely sure what I should be partitioning the C: into, I've done partitions before, just not for Arch and then I'm not sure whether to use GRUB or syslinux, or if I even need those. Or if I need to use GPT or MBR?
    Your disk is already partitionned so you don’t have to choose between GPT or MBR, the choice is already made.
    You don’t partition “C:”, that is the name of a Windows partition. You partition a drive.
    Grub or syslinux, use whatever the beginners guide tells you to. Personally I think syslinux is simpler which is why I’m using it (but I’m not dual-booting, if that matters).
    You’re not saying what your problem is with partitionning, so it’s hard to help.
    Thanks for getting back to me, I'm not sure if I just create one large partition for Archlinux or if I have to create multiple? Where I'm also confused is with the Creating Filesystems part of the guide. I don't understand how I'd do this in Windows, or what /dev/sda1 is referring to.
    As for the bootloader part, the Beginner's Guide gives you a choice between syslinux and grub, what I'm not sure about is which to use considering I'm dualbooting. How it will affect my windows bootloader, do I disregard that and use GRUB now? I'm unclear on how that works.
    I'm also aware I need to disable Secure Boot, I just searched my BIOS options and couldn't find anything remotely relating to that, so I'm assuming it's not an issue since this computer was originally on Windows 7 anyway?
    Thanks again, Expi.
    Last edited by Expi1 (2014-03-06 19:54:30)

  • Can't use my apple displays with Mac mini

    Hey everyone,
    I've got a pretty strange problem, and I'm hoping you guys know of a solution to this.
    Thing is, I can't use any apple displays with my Mac mini box. Whenever I try to do so I can see that the monitors are turned on, but the screen is completely black (doesn't flicker or anything like that). I know for a fact that both of the apple monitors I tried work.
    However, monitors from other manufacturers work just fine! This has got me baffled, what is it about apple monitors that's got my Mac so confused ?

    It's possible the analog VGA is working on your mini whereas the DVI digital output is broken. They are two completely different interfaces that just happen to share a common connector on the mini.
    Can you possibly get your hands on another, non-Apple monitor that has a DVI input? I would say if all three are not working (two Apple monitors and a third-party one), then definitely something is up with the mini's DVI output.

  • Dual display with MacPro?

    I've seen lots of posts about this subject but haven't yet found a definitive solution to my problem... Recently got a MacPro (2 x 2.26GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon/6GB 1066 MHZ DDR3/NVIDIA GeForce GT120 if that helps) I still have the 2 Apple Studio Display monitors which I used with my old G5, connected to it via DVI-ADC adapter. As the new MacPro only has a single DVI input which I need the adapter for (the monitors have ADC connectors) Is it possible to connect the second monitor? I've yet to find a mini display port - ADC adapter and budget wise, new displays are pretty much out of the question. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    There are good displays in the $250 range while some MiniDisplay adapters run $99. Probably worth checking Dr Bott and MacSales for ADC adapter or monitor.
    Best to put your hardware config in your sig profile at bottom.
    Mac Pro 8-core (Xeon goes without saying, as does DDR3, but helps to know video card!)
    Maybe leave one ADC display with whatever you do with G5.
    Tip: migrating applications from G5 is not a wise idea, reinstall clean.
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435350

  • There is a lot of talk aout there about using a 27" iMac as a display with the mini displayport to displayport cable. It is so exciting! I am trying to connect a PC laptop with a VGA port to a 27" Dell Latitude D620?

    In 2010 there was a question about using a 27" iMac as a display with a Dell laptop.
    I am trying to connect a work Dell laptop Running Windows XP via a VGA cable to my personal iMac 27"
    running iMac 27", Mac OS X (10.6)
    Has anyone tried this or know if imac 27" Mini port with a VGA adapter can work?
    I apologize if I missed this discussion already
    Kind Regards
    Gilly

    Hi Gilly,
    I have no proof, but I think it will not work with an adapter, only Mini Display Port or Thunderbolt.

  • Using a non Apple Display with the Mini

    I am considering purchasing a Mac Mini.
    It will be installed in my living room and connected to my stereo to play music from iTunes.
    In this area I only have about 19 inches of width. So I'm looking at purchasing a non Apple display that will fit in this width.
    What requirements should I look for in a display (hopefully to avoid adapters)?

    Recommend you buy from someplace that has a good exchange/return policy.
    Thanks, I always do, especially with a display.
    Some places have a policy that requires a certain number of dead pixels before they will accept a return.
    I ALWAYS test a display with 'Pixel Tester' immediately. If I find ANY defective pixels I return the display, and I never say the word "pixel" to them.
    having one dead pixel that is white, for example, while all others show color, can be annoying.
    And hard to re-sell later. Look on ebay, you will find many ads for used computers and displays that say "No Dead Pixels".

Maybe you are looking for