MacMini M4 Pro (extended monitors) nightmare

Have just spent innumerable hours with Apple techs trying to connect Mini M4pro with (Studio display) to two 27" Samsung 4k 60 hz monitors for a total of three. I have purchased numerous cables, adapters and splitters, all to no avail. SD is connected via thunderbolt with included cable. A second monitor the Samsung connected via hdmi to hdmi was recognized and worked. The second Samsung, when connected, was never recognized either in System settings or by forcing the recognition or by using the option key to detect the monitors. I set it up using hdmi to usb-c/thunderbolt, using a hdmi splitter, and even an adapter that apple said would work. When connected it only worked when one of the other two monitors was unplugged. Tried different ports on the Mini, and different cables. Spec's for the mini M4 pro, claims these two monitors should work (4K 60hz). However there doesn't seem to be any information on the correct setup. I recently started researching thunderbolt 5 docks, I found an obscure thread somewhere which mentioned that they might work but still could be dicey. What am (I or Apple) doing wrong, any ideas?

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Mar 23, 2025 1:41 PM

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Mar 25, 2025 8:17 PM in response to Ace1944

Re: MacMini M4 Pro (extended monitors)


Wondering which MacOS version is installed: What's new in the updates for macOS Sequoia - Apple Support

Eg: says: macOS Sequoia 15.3.2 is the latest version:

"This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users."

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Re: What am (I or Apple) doing wrong, any ideas?


Am no expert in this area, yet your post to the community deserves responses.

Seems there can often be a small detail that, when known or attended to, can make all the difference.

Checking through the basics may (or may not) help uncover an overlooked detail:


Re: "Spec's for the mini M4 pro, claims these two monitors should work (4K 60hz).

However there doesn't seem to be any information on the correct setup."


How many displays can be connected to Mac mini - Apple Support

Eg: says:

Mac mini (2024) with M4 Pro chip

supports up to three external displays simultaneously, depending on the resolution (up to 8K) and refresh rate (up to 240Hz) of each external display.

Supports three external displays in this configuration:

    • Three displays up to 6K at 60Hz (or 4K at 144Hz) over Thunderbolt
    • Two displays up to 6K at 60Hz (or 4K at 144Hz) over Thunderbolt, and one display up to 4K at 144Hz over HDMI


Tips on how to: Connect a display to your Mac - Apple Support


and: If your external display is dark or low resolution - Apple Support


Also: Connect one or more external displays with your Mac - Apple Support

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Re: "Tried different ports on the Mini, and different cables."


See: How to: Identify the ports on your Mac - Apple Support

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Re: "I recently started researching thunderbolt 5 docks, I found an obscure thread somewhere which mentioned that they might work but still could be dicey."


Info. on Adapters for the Thunderbolt or USB-C port on your Mac - Apple Support

Eg: says:

The adapters and cables in this article work with Mac computers with Thunderbolt 5 ports, Thunderbolt 4 ports, Thunderbolt 3 ports or a USB-C port. If your Mac only has one port, it doesn’t support Thunderbolt connections.


If needed: Studio Display - Technical Specifications - Apple


Website: Displays - Official Apple Support


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Apr 7, 2025 5:38 PM in response to Ace1944

Ace1944 wrote:

And to the Sony's: It wasn't me, it was you.


FYI,


Each monitor is supposed to have a unique serial number. Sometimes vendors cheat and program batches of monitors with a single serial number, so they can use one image for all of them. If you're unlucky, and get two monitors from the same batch that have the same serial number, and hook them up to the same computer, the duplicate serial number may cause problems with the computer properly recognizing both monitors. To make things worse, I'm not sure if there's an easy way to double-check the serial numbers on a Mac to confirm or to deny the presence of such a monitor bug.


I have no idea if this was the issue with the monitors you returned. Whatever the issue, I'm glad to hear that the new monitors worked out for you.

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Apr 7, 2025 7:11 PM in response to Ace1944

To add, Mac's do not do well running dual displays thru splitters, switches or hubs.


For the best results, the M4 Mac mini needs to see each display on a different output port.

(two on different TB/USB-C ports or one on a TB/USB-C port and one on the HDMI port)


see "Display Support" at > Mac mini (2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

and > Connect a display to Mac mini - Apple Support

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Mar 26, 2025 9:33 AM in response to Ace1944

Hi everyone, and thank you all for your responses. Here are my answers to the various points you've raised:

MacOS Version:

I am currently using macOS Sequoia 15.3.2.

Regarding the setup of the two monitors, I’ve followed the specifications for the Mac mini M4 Pro, which says: "For Mac mini with Apple M4 Pro, you can connect up to three external displays in the following configurations:

  • Connect up to three displays, each with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI.
  • Connect up to two displays, one with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt, and one with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or 4K resolution at 240 Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI."  

I figured the two Sony GS60 SD 4K monitors running at 60 Hz were well within Apple's parameters for two additional monitors.

Regarding the splitter. Thunderbolt on one end into the computer and two HDMI adapters on the other end, for both or one monitor. I sent it back when it didn't work.

I appreciate the suggestions to check for small details that can make a big difference. So, I am going to purchase some Cable Matters HDMI 4K high-speed 3 ft cables and see how that works out. Hopefully, this will be the fix.

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Mar 25, 2025 7:16 PM in response to Ace1944

Which 27” Samsung monitor? (A review of the 27” ViewFinity S70A 4K reports it is not compatible with Macs. There’s also the 27" ViewFinity S7 (S70D) 4K. Probably others.)


What has Apple already suggested? What happened? Without these details, suggestions will be repeated.


Firmware current?


Tried different displays, or just these two unspecified Samsung monitors with the Studio Display?

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Mar 26, 2025 2:50 PM in response to Ace1944

The original post stated Samsung 4K, this reply states Sony, and the monitor part number appears to be Samsung 2K.


I’ll assume this is a Samsung G6 GS60SD 2K.


Use the model number from your particular monitor, and check for and load monitor vendor firmware updates.

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Apr 7, 2025 12:00 PM in response to Ace1944

Hello all,


Just a quick update on my nightmare monitor issue. My final attempt to get the Sony monitors working was to try more expensive cables.That never happened. I was so tired of fiddling around with the monitors that I ended up returning them to Best Buy. It wasn’t an easy decision, but with the return window for one of the monitors closing fast, I figured I was done wasting time.


I then ordered two Dell 4K monitors (model# S2725QC) at almost half the price of the Sonys. And wouldn't you know, the minute I plugged them in, ( one usb-c, and one hdmi ) they worked flawlessly. No fuss, no hassle. I still have no idea what the deal was with the Sony monitors, but these Dells are the bomb. The colors are also better than the Sony’s, so I’m a happy camper now.


I want to thank everyone who chimed in with questions and suggestions. You’re all legends in my book.


And to the Sony's: It wasn't me, it was you.

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MacMini M4 Pro (extended monitors) nightmare

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