Mac Mini M2 Pro Display Port Cable

[richard4911]

Hello,
I've just purchased my first Apple product, the Mac mini M2 Pro to replace my old windows computer.

I'm really frustrated as I have tried two different USB to Display Port cables and neither of them work; Just bought the mini and can't even see an image on the monitor (BenQ SW240) yet.

I'm in the UK and am desperate to get a cable that will work so if you know where I can get one that will work really quickly I'd be very appreciative.

I really don't know why some cable don't work when they should do, is it the cable or something I'm doing?

I'm on the verge of taking the Mac back for a refund as I can't see anything from it.

 

[Jimmysb]

I bought the Mini M1 in December, and bought the Apple VGA adaptor, and it works great, I bought it at the same time as part of the planning:

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MJ1L2ZM/A/usb-c-vga-multiport-adapter

 

[Raz0rEdge]

You were using this cable with a computer previously? The ports on the Mac Mini as TB4 with a USB-C interface. If you are only using a single monitor for your Mini, you might want to go with a HDMI to HDMI to make it simple.

 

[richard4911]

Jimmysb; not sure how this will help because of the connection from my monitor, very confused now.

Raz0rEdge; Interesting, might try that., thanks.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Your BenQ monitor as the following connectors..

• HDMI (v1.4)
• Card Reader
  SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC
• DisplayPort (v1.2)
• DVI-DL
• USB Type B ( Upstream )
• USB 3.0 ( Downstream )

The Mac Mini supports

• Simultaneously supports up to two displays:
  • One display 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
• Thunderbolt 4 digital video output
  • Support for native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
• HDMI display video output
  • Support for one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz

So as you can see the HDMI cable is limited to 4K at 60 Hz. But that's the "easiest" cable to use for the bulk of the use cases. If you have > 4K screen, then obviously you want to go to DisplayPort with a USB-C -> DP cable.

Don't bother with VGA or DVI since those are older technologies. Stick with either HDMI or DP.

 

[richard4911]

Thank you Raz0rEdge, your advice is very welcome.

Ive ordered another cable (USB C to DisplayPort Cable) arriving tomorrow, so I'll see how that goes and report back.

Failing that I'll try both the HDMI to HDMI and the Display Port to HDMI cables and see what happens.

It's just so frustrating having just bought a new Mac Mini M2 Pro and not being able to anything on my monitor; very frustrating. The fact that you have to do so much research to find a cable that works is also frustrating as it shouldn't be that hard.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If your existing cables were working with another TB->DP source, then it should work here as well. While I acknowledge your frustration.

If you purchased the Mini at your local Apple Store and asked them about connectivity, based on your monitor, they would/should've directed to the cable you needed. They would have either sold it to you or told you what to get.

However, I will say that display connectivity is one of the "easiest" and basic thing that virtually anyone interfacing with electronics knows about since things like HDMI are universal for audio/video in general.

Things like FireWire,TB and DP are all a little more computer-specific than general audio/video.

 

[richard4911]

Managed to get a HDMI to HDMI cable and it finally worked; I'm so pleased.

Now just have to arange to send back the cable I ordered to see if they worked.

At lease using the HDMI port on the Mac meant I didn't take up one of USB ports; which is a result.

Thaks everyone for your patience with a complete newbie to the world of Mac; there's still alot of other 'things' I can't figure out yet but that's for another day.

It's difficult transferring from Windows to Mac after many years.