Trouble connecting 27" LED Cinema Display to Mac Mini M4

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Level 1

9 points

Trouble connecting 27" LED Cinema Display to Mac Mini M4

So, I just replaced my 2013 trash can mac pro with a Mac Mini m4.

The Mac Pro was connected to 3 monitors, a 43" HDMI 4k display as it's main, and 2 27" LED Cinema Displays with Mini Displayport interface (MC007LL/A).

The Mini just refuses to work with the 27" apple displays. Works fine and typing on it now with the 43" 4k display, plugged into the single HDMI port.

I've tried 2 different adaptors from Amazon, both of which said they should work with the MC007LL/A displays. I've tried on both monitors, with both front USB-C ports on the Mac Mini. I've also tried initially in one of the rear Thunderbolt 4 ports before I learned enough to know that wouldn't work.

These adaptors are from 2 different mfg's.

I was at an apple store today, and they don't sell any cables/adaptors for their 27" display to their Mac Mini.

Has ANYONE had luck getting this to work? If so - what source for an adaptor?

I presume this should be plug-n-play, as in: When I have the right cable adaptor, I just plug in and the 27" display will come on.

I've tried rebooting, yes. Twice. And both of the 27" displays were working a few days ago when I detached them from the powered off Mac Pro.

Posted on Nov 21, 2024 1:47 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 21, 2024 2:11 PM in response to Dean Heistad

As I read the tech specs for the Mac mini M4, it seems that the rear Thunderbolt/USB ports are the preferred ports for DisplayPort video output.

Mac mini - Technical Specifications - Apple

❝ M4

Simultaneously supports up to three displays:

Up to three displays: Two displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI
Up to two displays: One display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI

Thunderbolt 4 digital video output

Support for native DisplayPort 1.4 output over USB-C ❞

❝ On back (M4):

Gigabit Ethernet port (configurable to 10Gb Ethernet)
HDMI port

Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports with support for:

Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
DisplayPort ❞

It may be that the DP adapters you bought do not meet spec. Apple's devices can be very finicky where adapters and peripheral accessories are concerned. You might give the folks at OWC/macsales a call and see what they offer and/or recommend for cabling.

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Answer 2

Nov 23, 2024 5:41 AM in response to Dean Heistad

Yes, although after multiple tries. The solution that worked used https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V828R4Q?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 for one monitor through one of the Thunderbolt 5 rear ports, and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099Z3P12J?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 through the HDMI port. Both displays work great.

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Answer 3

Dean Heistad Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 21, 2024 5:19 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Superfine idea actually. Talked to their customer support, and although they don't have any viable adaptors or cables, they do have a (hopefully) nice dock that has one mini displayport on it. If that works (will get tmrw thanks to Amazon), then at least I'll have 2 monitors again (and hopefully an iSight camera for zoom/teams/facetime again).

If it doesn't work - I'm back to square one. But if it does - at least I can still just keep buying different adaptors and when they don't work, send 'em back.

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Answer 4

Dean Heistad Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 23, 2024 7:30 AM in response to macminim4pro

Huh that’s interesting - the thunderbolt to mini DisplayPort that worked for you didn’t work for me. I have one, and have tried it in both front and rear ports on the Mac Mini, and tried on both of my displays :-(

I’ll have to consider using the second one to switch from Mini DisplayPort to HDMI. Might be useful for the 14-port OWC Thunderbolt hub…

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Answer 5

Nov 23, 2024 10:09 AM in response to Dean Heistad

The Answin Thunderbolt to Mini DisplayPort Adapter would only work for one monitor. After that, I tried the Elecbee HDMI to Mini DisplayPort Adapter. While the screen came on, it was very yellowed, The Answin adapter solved this.

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Answer 6

Nov 21, 2024 5:27 PM in response to Dean Heistad

Good to know that you've got a plan to get a handle on this. I hope all works out. Please keep us updated if and how you make it happen. 🙂

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Answer 7

Nov 23, 2024 7:00 AM in response to macminim4pro

Nicely done. Thank you for the update.

Happy to know you have this sorted. 🙂

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