You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Can I use the Mac Mini M2 with an Apple Cinema HD Display (23"- 2005 - DVI)?

My beloved 21.5" iMac 2009 has drawn its last breath, so I am considering other (not too expensive) avenues. I happen to have a 23" Cinema HD Display from late 2005 (DVI), which is in as new condition and works perfectly well (I have just double-checked). Would I be able to use it as a display for the latest Mac Mini M2?


In addition to the tech specs of the Mac Mini M2 provided on Apple's website, I have read as many threads as possible on this forum to try to understand how this might work (and the various problems that people reported) and what would be needed to this end, but most of the posts are about the Mac Mini M1, so I am still unsure. I have also read this useful article published in Macworld: https://www.macworld.com/article/233993/connect-old-apple-display-to-a-new-mac-to-give-it-new-life.html


Based on the information that I have found so far, it seems that I would need to get a USB-C to DVI adapter (this is, indeed, what Apple recommends here Connect a display to Mac mini – Apple Support (UK)) and that this would be the best solution, since a lot of people, it seems, ran into problems with a HDMI to DVI adapter, at least with the Mac Mini M1. Is this still the correct solution with Mac Mini 2 given that it uses Thunderbolt 4?


Others wrote that they managed to have their old Cinema Display work with Mac Mini M1 using a combination of an HDMI to DVI adapter and an Apple USB-C to Digital AV adapter.


If anyone has heard of or uses such a set-up, especially if it working successfully, I would be most grateful for any insight and advice regarding the kind of adapter/set-up that it most recommended. Many thanks in advance for your help.

Mac mini (2023 with M2)

Posted on Feb 24, 2023 5:35 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 25, 2023 12:42 AM

https://www.startech.com/display-video-adapters/cdp2dviw

Similar questions

11 replies

Feb 25, 2023 10:06 AM in response to Ebo!

Another thing, please: what you are saying, then, is that this type of old display works well with older versions of the Mac Mini (Intel chip), though? I have thought about buying a refurbished older Mac Mini with an Intel chip, although this means that I would be stuck with an older OS. Is this a solution that you would recommend, please?

Feb 25, 2023 10:50 AM in response to lm-woods

Because Apple does not support these displays any longer they have not provided a definitive answer to your question. Seems the issue crops up with the M1 and M2 chips. My experience is with a 2012 Thunderbolt 27” display that randomly will not turn on after sleep or restarting with a Mac Mini M1.

Can I use the Mac Mini M2 with an Apple Cinema HD Display (23"- 2005 - DVI)?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.