I have two 1440p 170Hz monitors that I want to use with the new Mac Mini, but I’m a bit concerned whether they can reach their full potential. Apple’s spec page says

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

Doing some math, it seems like it should be supported. 5K at 60Hz should be equivalent bandwidth wise as 1440p at 240Hz. They say that can be paired with an 8K display at 60Hz, and 1440p at 170Hz should be lower bandwidth than that. But I would like to hear from others who have first hand experience.

Another question I have is if it’s possible to get a Thunderbolt 4 hub that has two HDMI 2.1 ports or DisplayPort 1.4 ports and use that. Based on some Amazon listing warnings, it seems that MacOS only lets you use one of those ports to extend your display, the other would be just for mirroring. Though this shouldn’t be the end of the world since the the Mac Mini has HDMI 2.1, I would just need to get a thunderbolt to HDMI 2.1 cable for my second monitor.

I would also appreciate Thunderbolt to HDMI 2.1 cable recommendations that are known to work at high refresh rates. Some Amazon reviews report the cables maxing at at 4k 60Hz (and not mentioning anything about 1440p max Hz).

  • misk@sopuli.xyz
    2·
    14 days ago

    Based on some Amazon listing warnings, it seems that MacOS only lets you use one of those ports to extend your display, the other would be just for mirroring.

    I think this is because base M1-M3 can only drive single external display in MacBooks.

    You’re probably right on most of your assumptions but I don’t want sound like I’m sure either.