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Mac mini display downscaling to 1080p

The display to my Mac mini 2012 is downscaled to 1080p, despite my 2k monitor. I’m using the lightning port for my display, which is supposed to do 2k, but it’s not fixing anything. My monitor is hdmi, and the cable is a lightning to hdmi one. Is that the issue?

iPhone SE, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 24, 2024 10:38 AM

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5 replies

Sep 24, 2024 12:45 PM in response to archer261

The 2012 Mac mini does not have a lighting port.

It has a Mini DisplayPort and an HDMI for video output.


see "Video Support" at > Mac mini (Late 2012) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support


If you use an HDMI connection at the Mac mini or at the monitor..? Then the default will be 1080p.

If your 2K monitor has DisplayPort input..? Then you can get 2560 by 1600 using a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable.

Sep 24, 2024 2:32 PM in response to archer261

No Macs have Lightning ports. The 2012 Mac mini has a Thunderbolt 1 port with a Mini DIsplayPort connector that can double as a Mini DIsplayPort.


The maximum resolution that Mac supports on that port is 2500x1600 pixels (the resolution of a 30" Apple Cinema Display). Most of the 27" monitors today are either 2560x1440 pixel (2.5K) or 3840x2160 pixel (UHD 4K) ones.

Sep 24, 2024 7:27 PM in response to archer261

archer261 wrote:

Theyre... the same thing? lightning and minidsplay look the same, for the old version. in anycase, there is a minidisplay port cable in the mac, and an hdmi in the monitor. sorry for the confusion!
do i need a minidisplay compatible monitor for the upscaling to function?

Thunderbolt 1 & 2 use the same physical connector as Mini DisplayPort. All Thunderbolt 1 & 2 ports that are built into Macs have the ability to sense whether Thunderbolt accessories are plugged in. This lets them automatically adjust themselves to support either Thunderbolt accessories or Mini DisplayPort ones.


Sounds like you have a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or adapter cable.


If it is a one-piece adapter cable, check the maximum resolution it supports. If there is an adapter and a separate HDMI-to-HDMI cable, make sure the HDMI cable is one that can support 2.5K resolution. (Some HDMI cables are only adequate to drive HDTV sets with resolutions of 1920x1080 or less.)

Mac mini display downscaling to 1080p

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