I found this question and the answers earlier in this forum, but I want to point out that Amazon.nl has on other solution to this connection.
It saves the 2 fast USB C ports for 2 SSD drives. One for the Time machine backup and the other one for data files; f.e. my photo library, music and video collection.
Mac mini
From your link you listed and according to its function, that HDMI-MiniDisplay adapter should work..
There are few points I want to point out:
Unless your external SSDs are Thunderbolt SSD - that USB-C devices can use "USB-A --> USB-C adapter" to achieve your need. TimeMachine can definitely uses USB-A/USB-C interface for its backup purpose.
That been said, I do use Thunderbolt 3 external SSD for extra storage (mainly for my music editing gigs) - I can see the significant difference between Thunderbolt vs USB-C.
Apple Cinema display also needs USB input for the speakers/Mic and webcam (a very outdated 720 grainy quality) plus three USB 2.0 ports. I do enjoy the speakers for casual purpose. If the additional functions from the Cinema display are important to you: there is OWC TB3 14 ports dock (It has the Mini Display Port; plus 1 TB port at back and 1 USB-C at front + 5 USB 3.1 Gen 1) might worth of taking a look.
Best
Thank you @samtenor,
For musical experiences I have connected a Shure Microphone with an Alesis MultiMix4, an old one but still a good performance, and I have the USB connector tot one of the USB-A inputs.
For data a Samsung T9 2TB and a T5 Samsung T5 1 TB for Timemachine. Both I will connect to the Thunderbolt/ USB 4 ports. The T5 is already connected to one of the Thunderbolt/ USB 4 ports. So I want to use the HDMI port for my CInema Display. That gives me the second Thunderbolt/ USB 4 port for my Samsung T9 2TB for faster data transport. I hope and think this will work
Thanks for the link to the OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt Dock. I will keep this in mind, when I do not more storage.
Greetings Paul
The converter adapter cable 4K X 2K HDMI connector to Mini DP female cable Elecbee does not work on my Mac mini 2020 M1. After booting my Mac Mini 2020 M1 with the screen of my Cinema Display 27" connected to HDMI port the screen stays black. It looks like the handshake between the mac mini and the Cinema Display 27" does not work properly. I had to send this convertor cable back to Amazon.nl.
Does anybody know a proper method, or cable, to connect my Cinema Display 27" to the HDMI port of my Mac mini 2020 M1. I want to free my 2 Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports for fast data transport to 2 external SSD's.
How to connect the Apple Cinema Display 27 monitor to a Mac mini 2020 1M with HDMI
