Seeking a clear description of getting dual monitors to work

Question

I've spent a long while researching the issue of getting dual monitors to work on a new mac mini - which I will be purchasing as soon as I figure this one out! But I am bamboozled by references to the various types of connections and ports. If anyone has the patience to explain this really simply and clearly, I'd be very grateful.
Interestingly, the Apple guy on the phone today told me it isn't possible - it's either/or for the display connections. But clearly it IS possible, because there is so much discussion about it here...
Here's where I confess my technical limitations, and say that I am confused about what I need (to purchase, presumably) to get my two existing monitors to work with the new mini.
They are presently connected to my PC (soon to be ceremonially consigned... etc) with cables which have regular D-sub connectors at each end. This means they are vga, right? There is no digital connector on either monitor.
So I am trying to figure out
a) is it possible to use these two monitors in a dual display setup with a mac mini? If so:
b) How?! And then;
c) what leads and/or connectors do I need to buy in order to connect them up?
Thanks for being here, I hope for some patient guidance.
Jeff

Answer 1

Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
An '09 Mac mini has two video out pots on the rear; a mini-DVI port and a mini-DisplayPort. The Mac mini comes with a mini-DVI to DVI-D adapter. If you use what came in the box with the mini, you need a DVI-D to VGA cable to connect one of your monitors. Otherwise you need a mini-DVI to VGA adapter and a VGA to VGA cable for one monitor. For the other monitor you need a mini-DisplayPort to VGA adapter and a VGA to VGA cable.
Dah•veed