Adapting monitor to 2020 mac mini

[curtis c]

I just bought a 2020 mac mini and was gifted a monitor that appears to be a 2003 - 2004 Cinema Display. What adapters do I need for this ?

 

[MightyGem]

This should tell you all you need to know:

Connect an old Apple display to a new Mac to give it new life

Many people still have working Apple displays from years past. Here’s a guide explaining how to connect an old Mac monitor to a new Mac.

www.macworld.com

 

[curtis c]

This should tell you all you need to know:

Connect an old Apple display to a new Mac to give it new life

Many people still have working Apple displays from years past. Here’s a guide explaining how to connect an old Mac monitor to a new Mac.

www.macworld.com

I've already seen this thread but the specs on compatibility from the manufacturer don't mac mini, only other mac products and I don't want to buy the wrong cable. Every article or manufacturing info lists all of the computers that will work but the mac mini isn't listed with any of them

 

[MightyGem]

It's not so much the computer as the connections required. Your 2003/2004 Apple Cinema Display should have one of these connectors:

Apple Display Connector - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You can connect it to the Thunderbolt 3(USB C) ports on your Mini with one of these:

USB C to DVI Adapter, BENFEI Type-C to DVI Adapter [Thunderbolt 3 Compatible] for MacBook Pro 2018/2017, MacBook Air/iPad Pro 2018, Samsung Galaxy S10/S9, Surface Book 2 and More - Grey - BENFEI

Buy USB C to DVI Adapter, BENFEI Type-C to DVI Adapter [Thunderbolt 3 Compatible] for MacBook Pro 2018/2017, MacBook Air/iPad Pro 2018, Samsung Galaxy S10/S9, Surface Book 2 and More - Grey at Amazon.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

It doesn't list the Mac mini probably, because the Mac mini wasn't introduced until 2005. The clear acrylic Apple Cinema Displays were discontinued in 2004 and replaced with the aluminum DVI Cinema Display models in 2005.

Can you upload some photos of the display and its connector(s)?

C

 

[MightyGem]

The article doesn't mention any Macs, apart from a passing reference to the discontinued 12" MacBook. It just details how to connect to old Cinema Displays using the various ports available on various Macs: ie, Thunderbolt 2, Mini DisplayPort, ADC, and DVI (including dual-link DVI for larger displays).

 

[Effinucked]

Has anyone managed to get the Mac Mini M1 working with a Cinema Display? I have two Cinema Displays, 30" and 23" and using two connectors recommended on another site, I still cannot get a picture on either monitor.

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello,

-Which exact models are the Cinema Displays?
-What adapters are you using?

C

 

[Effinucked]

Hello,

-Which exact models are the Cinema Displays?
-What adapters are you using?

C

Hi Cory,

The 23" monitor is 'A1082 (EMC None)'
The 30" monitor is 'A1083 (EMC None)'

The adapter setup I have for Dual-DVI to HDMI connection is:
A1 – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Displayport-Adapter-Converter-FOINNEX-Connector-HDMI-Mini-DP/dp/B086MM1VKP
A2 – This is attached to: https://www.apple.com/sg_smb_5200/shop/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter

The second adapter setup I have, for Single-DVI to USB-C is:
A3 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DRPHG9B/ref=twister_B07Z44BY12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
A4 – This is attached to: https://www.apple.com/sg_smb_5200/shop/product/MB570Z/B/mini-displayport-to-dvi-adapter

If I swap the A3 adapter for the A1 adapter, I can get a picture on the 30" monitor only. However, it flickers, slowly at first, and then flickers progressively worse. When I have a flickering picture on the 30" and attach the 23" using the other adapter and then check the Display Preferences, the 23" display is recognised, but there is no picture.

 

[dvilkins]

I have successfully connected my 2000 acrylic Apple Cinema Display to several USB-C mac laptops (including both intel and M1 chips). I have only found one way that works:

ADC > DVI > HDMI > USB-C

Here are the parts that work for me:
Apple ADC to DVI adapter M8661LL/B
Any brand of HDMI male to DVI-D single link female adapter
Any brand of HDMI to USB-C seems to work.