Purchase Help: iMac 2011 vs Thunderbolt Display Mac Mini 2011

Hello,
I purchased Thunderbolt display with Mac mini 2011. I experienced a lot of graphic issues with Mac mini when I connected to Thunderbolt display. I exchanged Mac mini 3 times but the same result. The Thunderbolt display is working fine with MacBook Pro 2011.
I'm going to return both Thunderbolt display and Mac mini and interested to get iMac. Is there any differences between iMac and Thunderbolt display + Mac mini 2011? i.e., in technology, release update cycle, features etc? My main intention to buy Thunderbolt display is to use with both Mini and MacBook Pro.
Any further help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I don't know why you are surprised at the similar sizes of the 27-inch iMac, the 27-inch Cinema Display, and the 27-inch Thunderbolt display. The 27-inch iMac came first, and the others are "monitor-only" products that seem to use the same LCD panel(s).
As to a current 27-inch iMac vs. a current 27-inch Thunderbolt display,
* The iMac serves as a standalone computer, and can also serve as a dumb monitor for an external computer that has a Thunderbolt port. When operating as a dumb monitor, the iMac only serves as a monitor; it does not offer breakout connections to USB 2.0, Firewire 800, or Gigabit Ethernet.
* The Thunderbolt display is a dumb monitor for an external computer that has a Thunderbolt port. It also serves as a breakout box for USB 2.0, Firewire, 800, and Gigabit Ethernet connections (which is convenient if your main machine is a laptop; you can do all of your docking with one Thunderbolt cable + one power cable).

Similar Messages

Help with Boot Camp Internet Drivers (Mac Mini 2011)

Hi all- I've come here looking for some help / advice with regards to internet access on Boot Camp I have recently installed.
I have recently bought a Mac Mini i5 2011, and installed Windows 7 onto it. When I run OSX, I can access the internet with no issues, however when in Boot Camp, I come up against problems with Broadcom drivers and being able to connect.
I have put my Snow Leopard disc (from the MBP I'm transferring from) into my superdrive, and installed the 64-bit drivers.
I've also installed Boot Camp 3.1 and 3.2 updates.
I have also tried installing the Broadcom wireless n drivers after searching for them in the list.
Plugging an ethernet cable into the router doesn't work either, and I'm beginning to run out of options to try.
Re-installing Windows hasn't worked.
Any help will be appreciated, hope I'm not the only one to encounter this issue!

Google is your friend. An OEM DVD from another Mac is not though would think/hope - and forget reinstalling.
Blame Apple. Goes same for audio, graphics.
Broadcom drivers search on this forum.... should find lots of folks running into issues.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=windows+broadcom+drivers

IMac 21" vs 27" (or Mac Mini?)

I am having trouble deciding between the two. Visiting an Apple Store would make my decision however this is not available so I am posting here.
I mainly read/write Word documents/PDFs, use e-mails, do a small amount of Stock trading, and some light gaming - so no reason to see higher specs as a pro of the 27" - the computer will probably be used for 2-3 years meaning futureproofing is not really a reason to value the higher specs either. I do like to multitask however after the introduction of the multiple desktops in Lion, I have been very comfortable swiping between screens rather than using applications side-by-side.
I was considering a Thunderbolt display for my MacBook Air however I think I would rather have a second computer. Not actually considered the Thunderbolt Display + Mac Mini however I believe the Mini is aimed at people who already have a display - I would need to purchase a Thunderbolt display as well bringing the price up to, or less than, that of a superior iMac?
I have several questions:
To 27" owners, can you comfortably see the whole screen when sitting in one position or is it awkward to read content around the edges?
Does the 27" display make things bigger, or if I opened a document on the 27" would it simply leave more empty space?
How dense are both the displays? For example if I opened a 1,000 x 1,000 pixel square on both the 21" and 27" computers would they have the same dimensions in inches?
What is the recommended viewing distance to sit from both screens?
Off topic from my main question - where is the best location to position the iMac to reduce screen glare? It will be used in room with a south-facing window. I have the option of putting the iMac right in front of a window (with the back to the window obviously) - is this the best position?

Jpdunford wrote:
I have several questions:
To 27" owners, can you comfortably see the whole screen
Yes
Does the 27" display make things bigger, or if I opened a document on the 27" would it simply leave more empty space?
It would depend on the resolution. Mine is set to 1600 x 900 because I am a "baby boomer." I do not need to wear my glasses.
How dense are both the displays? For example if I opened a 1,000 x 1,000 pixel square on both the 21" and 27" computers would they have the same dimensions in inches?
What is the recommended viewing distance to sit from both screens?
For the 27": This would depend on how good your eye sight is & the screen resolution.
Off topic from my main question - where is the best location to position the iMac to reduce screen glare?
There is no glare.
It will be used in room with a south-facing window. I have the option of putting the iMac right in front of a window (with the back to the window obviously) - is this the best position?
NO! The reason is because, if your window is open & it rains, there is a chance that the back of your iMac will get wet. Also, direct sun light can do some damage.
My iMac is actually next to a window. However, my computer desk has a very high back wall & is enclosed.

I have a mid 2011 27 inch iMac and a late 2012 mac mini. I am using the 27 inch iMac as the display for the mac mini. I was trying to use bootcamp on the mini but after I started downloading windows I can't get it to display on the iMac.

I have a mid 2011 27 inch iMac and a late 2012 mac mini. I am using the 27 inch iMac as the display for the mac mini with a thunderbolt cable. I was trying to use bootcamp on the mini but after I started downloading windows I can't get it to display on the iMac.

Hi there,
The simplest way is to drag it across wirelessly using the 'Airdrop' application once both computers are near one another. 'Airdrop' can be found near the top, on the left hand side menu, within 'Finder'.
AJ

Connect Mac Mini 2011 to iMac 2011 via Thunderbolt

Is it possible to connect the new Mac mini 2011 to the new iMac 2011 via Thunderbolt to use the Display Target Mode of the iMac ?

See Target Display Mode And Thunderbolt.

Macbook pro 17 inch primo 2011 and thunderbolt display crashes

I have a Macbook pro 17 inch primo 2011 and thunderbolt display which has recently started to crash.
Only modifications I have doen lately is I swapped the CD/DVD drive for a harddrive and put in 16 GB of ram
but it has been running for more than a month with these hardware additions without problems.
Today my Macbook has started to crash frequently within 10 min to 1 hour after plugging in my thunderbolt display.
I tried to check CPU heat, change RAM but it keps crashing.
When it crashes it either gives me a blue screen, a black screen or a distorts everythings and freeze up.
When rebooting I have to press Command-Option-P-R to clear NVRAM / PRAM.
I found a few support threads from people having similar problems so I started to disconnect the thunderbolt display
and without plugging it in my laptop works fine.
I have done a SMC reset also but that has not resolved my issue.
Below is the crash report and if anybody has any suggestions what to do to resolve this please let me know
My thunderbolt display was purchased in late 2011
If this is not solveable what options do I have ?
Thanks !
Interval Since Last Panic Report: 2527129 sec
Panics Since Last Report:          6
Anonymous UUID:                    5309BD58-3CBB-321E-545E-6EE6BED7E0E2
Tue Feb 5 17:02:21 2013
Machine-check capabilities 0x0000000000000c09:
family: 6 model: 42 stepping: 7 microcode: 26
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2720QM CPU @ 2.20GHz
9 error-reporting banks
threshold-based error status present
extended corrected memory error handling present
Processor 0: machine-check status 0x0000000000000004:
machine-check in progress
MCA error-reporting registers:
IA32_MC0_STATUS(0x401): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC1_STATUS(0x405): 0x0980000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC2_STATUS(0x409): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC3_STATUS(0x40d): 0xbe00000000800400 valid
MCA error code:            0x0400
Model specific error code: 0x0080
Other information:         0x00000000
Threshold-based status:    Undefined
Status bits:
   Processor context corrupt
   ADDR register valid
   MISC register valid
   Error enabled
   Uncorrected error
IA32_MC3_ADDR(0x40e): 0x00003f7f85769a95
IA32_MC3_MISC(0x40f): 0x000000000003ffff
IA32_MC4_STATUS(0x411): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC5_STATUS(0x415): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC6_STATUS(0x419): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC7_STATUS(0x41d): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC8_STATUS(0x421): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
Processor 1: machine-check status 0x0000000000000005:
restart IP valid
machine-check in progress
MCA error-reporting registers:
IA32_MC0_STATUS(0x401): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC1_STATUS(0x405): 0x0980000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC2_STATUS(0x409): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC3_STATUS(0x40d): 0xbe00000000800400 valid
MCA error code:            0x0400
Model specific error code: 0x0080
Other information:         0x00000000
Threshold-based status:    Undefined
Status bits:
   Processor context corrupt
   ADDR register valid
   MISC register valid
   Error enabled
   Uncorrected error
IA32_MC3_ADDR(0x40e): 0x00003f7f85769a95
IA32_MC3_MISC(0x40f): 0x000000000003ffff
IA32_MC4_STATUS(0x411): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC5_STATUS(0x415): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC6_STATUS(0x419): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC7_STATUS(0x41d): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
Package 0 logged:
IA32_MC8_STATUS(0x421): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
Processor 2: no valid machine-check state
Processor 3: no valid machine-check state
Processor 4: machine-check status 0x0000000000000004:
machine-check in progress
MCA error-reporting registers:
IA32_MC0_STATUS(0x401): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC1_STATUS(0x405): 0x0980000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC2_STATUS(0x409): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC3_STATUS(0x40d): 0xbe00000000800400 valid
MCA error code:            0x0400
Model specific error code: 0x0080
Other information:         0x00000000
Threshold-based status:    Undefined
Status bits:
   Processor context corrupt
   ADDR register valid
   MISC register valid
   Error enabled
   Uncorrected error
IA32_MC3_ADDR(0x40e): 0x00003f7f85fa3e1f
IA32_MC3_MISC(0x40f): 0x000000000003ffff
IA32_MC4_STATUS(0x411): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC5_STATUS(0x415): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC6_STATUS(0x419): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC7_STATUS(0x41d): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC8_STATUS(0x421): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
Processor 5: machine-check status 0x0000000000000005:
restart IP valid
machine-check in progress
MCA error-reporting registers:
IA32_MC0_STATUS(0x401): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC1_STATUS(0x405): 0x0980000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC2_STATUS(0x409): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC3_STATUS(0x40d): 0xbe00000000800400 valid
MCA error code:            0x0400
Model specific error code: 0x0080
Other information:         0x00000000
Threshold-based status:    Undefined
Status bits:
   Processor context corrupt
   ADDR register valid
   MISC register valid
   Error enabled
   Uncorrected error
IA32_MC3_ADDR(0x40e): 0x00003f7f85fa3e1f
IA32_MC3_MISC(0x40f): 0x000000000003ffff
IA32_MC4_STATUS(0x411): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC5_STATUS(0x415): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC6_STATUS(0x419): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC7_STATUS(0x41d): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC8_STATUS(0x421): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
Processor 6: no valid machine-check state
Processor 7: no valid machine-check state
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff80048b83c9): "Machine Check at 0xffffff7f85769a95, registers:\n" "CR0: 0x000000008001003b, CR2: 0x000000010cd0e30c, CR3: 0x00000000072b4000, CR4: 0x00000000000606e0\n" "RAX: 0xffffff802516f800, RBX: 0xffffff802516f800, RCX: 0xffffff80253ab800, RDX: 0x0000000000000001\n" "RSP: 0xffffff8207ad3e90, RBP: 0xffffff8207ad3ec0, RSI: 0xffffff8207ad3edf, RDI: 0xffffff802520e000\n" "R8: 0xffffff8004ebec60, R9: 0x7fffffffffffff00, R10: 0xffffff8004ebdc20, R11: 0x0000000000000201\n" "R12: 0xffffff80253ab800, R13: 0xffffff81d60d2000, R14: 0xffffff8207ad3edf, R15: 0xffffff802520e000\n" "RFL: 0x0000000000010282, RIP: 0xffffff7f85769a95, CS: 0x0000000000000008, SS: 0x0000000000000010\n" "Error code: 0x0000000000000000\n"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-2050.18.24/osfmk/i386/trap_native.c: 280
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff800470bd20 : 0xffffff800481d626
0xffffff800470bd90 : 0xffffff80048b83c9
0xffffff800470bf00 : 0xffffff80048cedbf
0xffffff8207ad3ec0 : 0xffffff7f856d75b4
0xffffff8207ad3ef0 : 0xffffff8004c472a8
0xffffff8207ad3f30 : 0xffffff8004c45daa
0xffffff8207ad3f80 : 0xffffff8004c45ed9
0xffffff8207ad3fb0 : 0xffffff80048b26b7
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
         com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331(602.15.22)[5BDCA43F-AD42-3F05-BCCF-BC364D17E1 5F]@0xffffff7f856ca000->0xffffff7f858bbfff
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.2)[B1B77B26-7984-302F-BA8E-544DD3D75E73]@0xffff ff7f84e72000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family(500.15)[4282DF5A-86B9-3213-B9B1-675FAD842A94]@0xf fffff7f8565e000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily(3.0)[28575328-A798-34B3-BD84-D708138EBD17]@0 xffffff7f85015000
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Mac OS version:
12C60
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 12.2.0: Sat Aug 25 00:48:52 PDT 2012; root:xnu-2050.18.24~1/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 69A5853F-375A-3EF4-9247-478FD0247333
Kernel slide:     0x0000000004600000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff8004800000
System model name: MacBookPro8,3 (Mac-942459F5819B171B)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 6197670207287
last loaded kext at 6133447331639: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC          4.1.22 (addr 0xffffff7f86cb5000, size 16384)
last unloaded kext at 5379727445407: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC          4.1.22 (addr 0xffffff7f86cb2000, size 12288)
loaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC          4.1.22
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient          3.5.1
com.apple.filesystems.smbfs          1.8
com.apple.filesystems.afpfs          10.0
com.apple.nke.asp_tcp          7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC          1.60
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor          1.9.5d0
com.apple.filesystems.autofs          3.0
com.apple.filesystems.ntfs          3.10
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager          4.0.9f33
com.apple.driver.AGPM          100.12.69
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver          122
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA          2.3.1f2
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet          1.0.0d1
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X          7.0.0
com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl          3.2.11
com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport          4.0.9f33
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient          3.5.10
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHD3000Graphics          8.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl          1.0.33
com.apple.kext.AMDFramebuffer          8.0.0
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor          3.0.2d6
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin          1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver          2.3.1f2
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC          1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCLMU          2.0.2d0
com.apple.AMDRadeonAccelerator          1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCPDRC          1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMuxControl          3.2.11
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB          8.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons          235.4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard          235.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController          320.15
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless          1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib          1.0.0d1
com.apple.BootCache          34
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter          404
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage          2.2.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub          5.2.5
com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet          3.2.5b3
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331          602.15.22
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI          4.9.6
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort          2.4.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI          5.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM          1.6.1
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient          196.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager          161.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons          1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC          1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET          1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS          1.9
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC          1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC          1.6
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall          4.0.39
com.apple.security.quarantine          2
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement          196.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice          3.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireSerialBusProtocolTransport          2.1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireSBP2          4.2.0
com.apple.security.SecureRemotePassword          1.0
com.apple.kext.triggers          1.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily          3.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily          10.0.6
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib          2.3.1f2
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily          1.8.9fc10
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib          1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface          86.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily          4.0.9f33
com.apple.iokit.AppleBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport          4.0.9f33
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy          1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController          1.0.10d0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI          1.0.10d0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC          3.1.4d2
com.apple.iokit.IOAcceleratorFamily          19.0.26
com.apple.kext.AMD6000Controller          8.0.0
com.apple.kext.AMDSupport          8.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController          2.3.1f2
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily          2.3.1f2
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily          5.2.0d16
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl          3.2.11
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert          1.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport          2.3.5
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily          2.3.5
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP          2.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPInAdapter          1.8.5
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPAdapterFamily          1.8.5
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltPCIDownAdapter          1.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch          235.7
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver          5.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub          5.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite          5.2.5
com.apple.driver.CoreStorage          274.7
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltNHI          1.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOThunderboltFamily          2.1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient          5.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController          1.0.2b1
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family          500.15
com.apple.iokit.I
Model: MacBookPro8,3, BootROM MBP81.0047.B27, 4 processors, Intel Core i7, 2.2 GHz, 16 GB, SMC 1.70f5
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000, Intel HD Graphics 3000, Built-In, 512 MB
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6750M, AMD Radeon HD 6750M, PCIe, 1024 MB
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 8 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x029E, 0x434D534F384758334D314131333333433920
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 8 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x029E, 0x434D534F384758334D314131333333433920
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0xD6), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.81.22)
Bluetooth: Version 4.0.9f33 10885, 2 service, 11 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: APPLE SSD TS256C, 251 GB
Serial ATA Device: ST750LX003-1AC154, 750,16 GB
USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2514, 0xfa100000 / 3
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, apple_vendor_id, 0x0246, 0xfa120000 / 5
USB Device: BRCM2070 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0xfa110000 / 4
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, apple_vendor_id, 0x821a, 0xfa113000 / 6
USB Device: FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in), apple_vendor_id, 0x8509, 0xfa200000 / 2
USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2514, 0xfd100000 / 2
USB Device: USB Receiver, 0x046d (Logitech Inc.), 0xc51b, 0xfd130000 / 5
USB Device: iPhone, apple_vendor_id, 0x12a0, 0xfd120000 / 4
USB Device: IR Receiver, apple_vendor_id, 0x8242, 0xfd110000 / 3
FireWire Device: My Book 111D, WD, 800mbit_speed

The other day I got the blue screen, the fan going on high, and then when I disconnect my thunderbolt connection from my macbook pro - i get a shutdown.
Today I got flickering followed by the fan on high and then again I disconneced my thunderbolt cable and after a minute or two a shudown.
This never happened before. Actually I was suprised to hear about a firmware update for flickering since that's never happened to me but since updating I now get the flicker.
Any ideas?? Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is my work labtop.

Mac Mini 2011 - Monitor Problems - Help

My picture is not sharp... just blury. Icons, pictures, text, mostly everything is bad except high quality video files.
I just purchased a Mac Mini 2011 second option and a Samsung TA531 monitor that arrived today. Hooked it up and to my surprise, it is blury and bad quality no matter what kind of resolution i use. I also try to text smoothening through terminal.. nothing helps.
My setup:
Mac Mini 2011 - second option stock
Samsung SyncMaster T27A531
Cable: HDMI
After reading about this issue, some people recommends to use a DVI or VGA cable and claims that HDMI is not suitable for computer monitors, especially Samsung.
Please, feel really sad and lost among a lot of new computer equipment that doesn't work properly

I had the same issue and didn't want to give up my Thunderbolt port, so I opted to get a Gefen HDMI Detective Plus. What this does is make the CPU think an HDMI display is attached so that your graphics CPU 'unlocks' and full speed is back. The Gefen box can either 'learn' the code of any HDMI display in your office/home, or you can preset it as a stock 1080p display. TOTALLY solved my problem... even though it did cost $85.
Apple needs to fix this as so many people use the MINI headless.
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/ext-hdmi-edidp.jsp?prod_id=8005

What display is more suitable for a macbook pro, an iMac or a Thunderbolt Display?

I am currently deployed in Afghanistan and will be purchasing a Macbook Pro upon my return. This will be my first time owning a mac as I have always been a Windows user so I am unaware of which product works the best with one another. I am curious to know though which display will work the best with a macbook pro; an iMac or a Thunderbolt Display? Any guidance or advice anybody could offer would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Both work very well with the MBP.
In essence the iMac is the ThunderBolt Display with an added Mac computer inside.
If you don't need a second Mac computer save the money, get the Display and invest the money in more RAm or a bigger harddisk for the MBP.
Stefan

Mac Mini (2011) can't boot, no screen display.

Hi, my mac mini (2011) finally won't startup today.
It was since two weeks ago, the mini goes freeze very frequently, I discovered that the fan speed was always below 2000rpm, meantime, the CPU temp was around 80-90 degree, it is around 25 degree in the room, last Friday I installed a software named smcfancontrol, which can manually speed up the fan, and it seems better, and the computer runs faster, I think the CPU is running in full speed.
Today, I opened a video to watch, after about ten minutes, the computer goes freeze again, and of course I force powered it down by pressing the power button on the back, then the tragic came:
- when I try to boot up the machine, the front light turns on, then off with a "ka" sounds like the hard drive shutting down(force powering it down)
- after around two seconds, the light goes on again, and the fan smoothly goes to full speed, there is nothing shows up on screen, as well as no apple boot up sound.
- I tried to reset smc (power down, unplug power cable, wait 15 seconds, plug in power cable, wait 5 seconds, power on), no luck.
- I tried to reset pmu (at least internet says it's pmu, it seems apple website did not mention how to reset pmu on mac mini, power down, hold power button for five seconds, power on), no luck
- I also tried to unplug the memory, try with every single one to boot, no luck
- last Friday, when I can still boot up the computer, I thought there might too much dust, I removed the fan and cleaned it up, it looks a small piece of plastic on the fan plug were damaged, but the smcfancontrol app still can control its speed, therefore I think the fan is OK.
- during many retry, there was one time, the fan goes full speed at startup, with no front light off,(my current status is fan goes to full speed gently).
- the computer is connected with an AV amplifier, then output to a plasma TV, when the computer is powered off, the TV displays a background of amp, when I startup the computer, although no video output from computer, the TV goes to a "No Signal" status, I dont's think this is related to my problem.
the computer is out of warrentee, but bought only for less than two years... I really want it back to work, can someone help me? many thanks!
wish you all have a good day.

Hard to troubleshoot when you can't turn on the computer on any more. One option is to bring it to an Apple store to have them look at it. They will tell you what is wrong and how much it will cost to fix. I have never heard of them charging for a diagnostic and an estimate.
If your CPU was running hot all the time and your fan had small plastic pieaces, in my opinion, something got fried. The mini is so compact, that the excessive heat may have also over heated your hard drive causing thd "ka" sound.
If you decide to continue in to use a Mac Mini as a media server, may I would suggest using iStat to monitor it. I use iStat on my 2011 Mac Mini Media Server to monitor CPU usage, all sensors, and internet incoming and outcoming.

Hello, I am interested in buying this week of a mac mini 2011 with intel graphics HD3000 but I'm not sure it looks good with my Samsung SyncMaster933HD monitor. How would it look better with the hdmi-dvi connection or a built-in display adapter port-vga

Hello, I am interested in buying this week of a mac mini 2011 withintel graphics HD3000 but I'm not sure it looks good with my Samsung SyncMaster 933HD monitor. How would it look better.... with the hdmi-dvi connection built in, buying a HDMI 1.3 cable and HDMI-making or buying an adapter hdmi display port - vga and connected through the port thunderbolt
Thanks

I originally set up my mini with the included HDMI -> DVI adaptor to connect to a Sycmaster monitor. The graphics were very good.

Mac mini 2011 to displayport display

How do I connect the new Mac mini 2011 (thunderbolt port) to an displayport display?
What kind of cable do I need?

Somewhere else I found a hint to use a mini displayport to displayport cable and plug the mini displayport end into the thunderbolt port because of backward compatibility.
It is my understanding that is correct.
From the Mac mini page;
http://www.apple.com/macmini/design.html
Many ports. Major possibilities.
Built-in Thunderbolt technology lets you daisy-chain up to six Thunderbolt peripherals, including the new Apple Thunderbolt Display, to a single port. It also supports Mini DisplayPort peripherals you might already have, including the Apple LED Cinema Display. The HDMI port lets you connect Mac mini to your HDTV with a single cable. And a built-in SDXC card slot makes speedy work of transferring photos and videos from your digital cameras.

Opinions about if Mac Mini 2011 works ok with VGA monitors

Hi Community,
I have a old HP PC, I want to buy my first Mac Mini and used the keyboard, mouse and VGA monitor (Mod. HP Pavillion mx50) that I have.
Before I purchase the new Mac Mini 2011 and Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, I would like to know if it works ok with my old components, specially with the VGA monitor? I've read on this Community there some persons have monitors problems.
I don't want spend my money and then have problems with the Mac Mini.
Thanks in advance,

MiniDisplayPort-VGA adapters. Available in the online store, at Apple stores, or at BestBuy/MicroCenter/Fry's. Plugs into the Thunderbolt port.
Usually works without issue. But then I use monitors made by LG and Samsung. Others use lesser known brands or models know to have quirks and encounter issues.
Some things to watch for:
Soem adapters have too much plastic coveing the "connection plate", and the cable cannot seat fully. If you just look at one that has too much plastic, you will know what I am talking about.
VGA signals from Macmini are not strong enough to get through mutliple adpaters. If you want a VGA signal, buy 1 VGA adapter. If you want a DVI signal, buy only 1 DVI adapter. Do not get a DVI adaper, than add a mid-line converted to change the DVI adapter to a VGA port.
If you plan to run Windows under BootCamp, the Windows driver for the Tunderbolt port does NOT output snalog (VGA), just digital (DVI, HDMI). So if you plan to use VGA to display Windows output, run Windws under "VM software" (Parallels or VM Fusion) so that OSX can make the VGA signal for you.

Mac mini 2011 with samsung UA32D5000PM

I purchased a mac mini 2011 recently and hooked it up to my samsung UA32D5000PM with HDMI cable. I am getting terrible image quality setting the display to 1080p. This is very frustraing, someone pls help!

I managed to solve in my Samsung LED TV 40 -
I clicked on the Source button on my TV remote control. Then click on Tools on the HDMI port on which the mac mini is connected.
Then select Edit Name. not type the name, chosen from the list option DVI PC and it was amazing, it worked fine for me, so I have to improve the contrast now.

How do I downgrade mountain lion back to my mac mini 2011 lion server

Hi,
Previously, my mac mini mid 2011 was installed with mac os lion server then I have purchase and upgrade to mountain lion via iTunes.
Somehow I decided to downgrade back to lion server due to use of my mac as server, unfortunately I have no idea how to downgrade with the following reasons:
1. I don't create any time machine backup before so can't use that option.
2. I have enable vault function so now the startup has hide the recovery HD icon
3. In the Recovery mode (command + R), I only see an option to download and reinstall a fresh Mountain Lion only.
4. I can't download and install Lion server from iTunes because this os was bundle with purchase of mac mini 2011 mid version.
Any comments and helps here are appreciated. Thanks.

Well, did you save a Carbon Copy Clone (http://www.bombich.com) of the Lion installation by chance? That would be the easiest to go back to and use / update. Outside of that, or having saved the original Lion installer, I know of no way to get the OS that you are after. For future referece, on a mac mini with two harddrives, I have always made a backup partition on the second drive using CCC, and schedule clone updates to that. You can't rely on TM, inmo, so something like CCC or SuperDuper is essential. Cheers,
jigs

Unable to Troubleshoot Power Issues on Mac mini 2011

I have been having odd and intermittent power issues with my Mac mini 2011 and could really use some help before I resign myself to taking it into an Apple Store. It's under warranty, but I now live in another country so I hope I don't need to ship it should it come down to that.
However, I have searched this topic a lot, and not only have I tried troubleshooting it, I haven't seen any power issues with other owners of this model. That leads me to think that the power supply itself is probably OK.
First of all, I live in China and the building I live in seems to have a questionable power supply. The air conditioner for example simply would not work and the repairman spent two hours messing around with wires inside the outlet and in the breakers. That did the trick, so I wonder if I'm simply not getting enough juice?
Main symptoms:
- My monitor recognizes an analog signal but will not light up (black monitor). Unplugging and replugging adaptor doesn't do anything.
- Startup Keyboard Commands (e.g. Cmmd-R) may work, but I can't tell because the monitor won't light up. Letting the computer boot up though I can hear keyboard volume keys and such making the standard sounds. I can usually restart using the keyboard too.
- My 2T external HD more often than not dismounts as well.
- I can't hear any computer activity after the chime (hard drive, etc.).
- Since I can hear the chime and there is audio feedback through the keyboard, I think that eliminates hardware problems such as logic board failure or bad RAM.
- I can't boot even if I unplug all USB peripherals.
- Holding down the power button (I have it set to make the computer sleep as well as shut down) often won't shut down the computer, but it seems to stay in sleep no matter how long I hold it. Unplugging the computer finally shuts it down, obviously.
- Unplugging and waiting 5 minutes or so and powering up again doesn't seem to make any difference, nor does switching sockets, plugging directly into the wall, etc.
Problems began about two weeks ago, got better, and then worse again. Now I'm just keeping the computer and monitor on (never sleep 24/7).
Miraculously, after much frustration and countless restarts, suddenly the screen will turn on to reveal a fully booted system that was running all along in the background. No startup screen- the monitor just magically comes on again. Often I find that my external has unmounted, but it's no big deal to get to remount. At this stage, the Mac is still very quiet and for a while the system is sluggish, though it hops back into action in 5 or 10 minutes.
At first I thought it was just my monitor, and though that's possible I suppose, it seems I'm just not getting enough juice. Once the monitor is on though, everything is fine: I can power it off and on with no problems. But I can't just leave my computer on forever though.
Any help appreciated.

Well, with the other monitor (which did not work with the mini either but worked fine on a laptop), I was able to narrow the trouble spot down to either a faulty Mini Display to VGA adaptor or a damaged port. I could determine that all the other ports (incld. the USB drive, programs, internet, etc., were all working fine behind the big black GUI all through sound feedback, so I seriously doubted it could be a supply problem or a residential electric problem.
I took my mini and adaptor to a "Mac Shop" (reseller) here in China, and found it quite professional, just like a Mac Store. They tested my machine, and although they didn't have VGA monitors, they said I could return the new $30 USD adaptor if it didn't work. But as I'm writing this on the monitor now, the new adaptor did the trick.
The long and short of all this is that I've read a lot about display problems with the mini and I suspect that most of these problems are adaptor related. I myself tried to save some bucks by buying a third party plug and lived and learned. I hope the Apple adaptor works like a champ, and if it doesn't, I'll know the first thing to eliiminate next time.

Purchase Help: iMac 2011 vs Thunderbolt Display Mac Mini 2011

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