Can a 2011 Mac Mini handle 3 screens? - Page 2

agentx · 10-12-2012, 08:33 AM

@benwiggy
Yes I am but think i am wrong ;-)

The Mac Mini 2011 supports two monitors.
The 2011 Mini supports up to two screens, either one on HDMI and one on Thunderbolt (in Thunderbolt, mini Displayport, DVI-single-link, or VGA mode), or if your have AMD graphics version you can have two daisychained Thunderbolt Displays , but then you can't use the HDMI port.

Slydude · 10-13-2012, 01:51 PM

True but that does not answer the question of whether a third monitor is possible using one of the USB devices already mentioned.

I am not entirely sure these devices rely on the GPU chip. I used one for a while and discovered that while screens connected directly to my MacBook Pro supported screen effects requiring OpenGL screens attached to the device did not. You can find my review here. I am not sure all of the available devices have the same limitations. Before considering/purchasing one I suggest contacting the manufacturer.

DeltaMac · 10-13-2012, 02:47 PM

@Slydude
The devices mentioned (from Matrox) are not USB devices.
They connect to the video output, offering connections for 2 or 3 displays that share the existing video connection.
And, yes, they rely on the GPU.

It appears that the GPU, and the GPU outputs of the current mini will support a maximum of 2 displays.
And, the addition of a USB adapter certainly might allow that additional device (maybe more?)
Looks like the current USB device that OWC sells is Newer Technology branded - and I agree, contacting the supplier is a great suggestion, or OWC tech support may have a better answer, too...

Slydude · 10-13-2012, 03:59 PM

@DeltaMac

Thanks for clarifying that for me. I became aware of the Matrox devices while writing the review of the OWC/Newer Tech device.

BTW for anyone considering the OWC device make sure that you have current drivers. During one of the OS upgrades, don't remember which, I experienced a situation where the device worked well unless my Mac went to sleep. Updating drivers fixed the problem.

I have not tried the device under Lion or Mountain Lion because I loaned it to my nephew. Unfortunately he is running Windows.

agentx · 10-14-2012, 05:14 AM

Display out on USB is certainly not something I would ever implement.

The Retina MacBook Pro supports 3 external screens and internal at same time if you have 2 TB screens :-)

anthlover · 10-14-2012, 11:40 AM

Yes. One thunderbolt port can support two thunderbolt displays. And a Mac mini with AMD graphics can support an HDMI compatible device on its HDMI port when using two Thunderbolt displays.

See link below:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5219#dispnum

Note a small correction to an above post that a system with 2 Thunderbolt ports and an HDMI port should be able to support 3 Non Thunderbolt displays, e,g. Retina or future iMac, and I suppose a current Imac's two Thunderbolt ports should be able to drive 3 displays as long as there all Thunderbolt but I am not positive of that.

agentx · 10-15-2012, 02:46 AM

And overall to clarify the INTEL HD graphics mac mini can support 2 displays.
1 Thunderbolt Display (or display adapter to VGA/dvi/HDMI etc) and 1 display on HDMI not 2 thunderbolt displays :-)

10-14-2012, 11:40 AM	#26
anthlover Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,703	Yes. One thunderbolt port can support two thunderbolt displays. And a Mac mini with AMD graphics can support an HDMI compatible device on its HDMI port when using two Thunderbolt displays. See link below: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5219#dispnum Note a small correction to an above post that a system with 2 Thunderbolt ports and an HDMI port should be able to support 3 Non Thunderbolt displays, e,g. Retina or future iMac, and I suppose a current Imac's two Thunderbolt ports should be able to drive 3 displays as long as there all Thunderbolt but I am not positive of that. Last edited by anthlover; 10-14-2012 at 11:51 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

10-12-2012, 08:33 AM	#21
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,832	@benwiggy Yes I am but think i am wrong ;-) The Mac Mini 2011 supports two monitors. The 2011 Mini supports up to two screens, either one on HDMI and one on Thunderbolt (in Thunderbolt, mini Displayport, DVI-single-link, or VGA mode), or if your have AMD graphics version you can have two daisychained Thunderbolt Displays , but then you can't use the HDMI port.

10-13-2012, 01:51 PM	#22
Slydude Prospect Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 3	True but that does not answer the question of whether a third monitor is possible using one of the USB devices already mentioned. I am not entirely sure these devices rely on the GPU chip. I used one for a while and discovered that while screens connected directly to my MacBook Pro supported screen effects requiring OpenGL screens attached to the device did not. You can find my review here. I am not sure all of the available devices have the same limitations. Before considering/purchasing one I suggest contacting the manufacturer.

10-13-2012, 02:47 PM	#23
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,996	@Slydude The devices mentioned (from Matrox) are not USB devices. They connect to the video output, offering connections for 2 or 3 displays that share the existing video connection. And, yes, they rely on the GPU. It appears that the GPU, and the GPU outputs of the current mini will support a maximum of 2 displays. And, the addition of a USB adapter certainly might allow that additional device (maybe more?) Looks like the current USB device that OWC sells is Newer Technology branded - and I agree, contacting the supplier is a great suggestion, or OWC tech support may have a better answer, too...

10-13-2012, 03:59 PM	#24
Slydude Prospect Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 3	@DeltaMac Thanks for clarifying that for me. I became aware of the Matrox devices while writing the review of the OWC/Newer Tech device. BTW for anyone considering the OWC device make sure that you have current drivers. During one of the OS upgrades, don't remember which, I experienced a situation where the device worked well unless my Mac went to sleep. Updating drivers fixed the problem. I have not tried the device under Lion or Mountain Lion because I loaned it to my nephew. Unfortunately he is running Windows.

10-14-2012, 05:14 AM	#25
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,832	Display out on USB is certainly not something I would ever implement. The Retina MacBook Pro supports 3 external screens and internal at same time if you have 2 TB screens :-)

10-15-2012, 02:46 AM	#27
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,832	And overall to clarify the INTEL HD graphics mac mini can support 2 displays. 1 Thunderbolt Display (or display adapter to VGA/dvi/HDMI etc) and 1 display on HDMI not 2 thunderbolt displays :-)