Connecting Mac Mini M4 2024 with Apple Cinema Display 2011

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Connecting Mac Mini M4 2024 with Apple Cinema Display 2011

I connected the appropriate connecter mini display port female -> USB C male to female USB C of the Mac Mini : My screen remained black. Reading older questions I grabbed that some daring users had successfully tried instead the Mac Mini female Thunderbolt. I tried and it worked.

So this is not a question, it is an answer : yes, you can use your Cinema Display with a Mac Mini M4 Pro, but just c c connect the female USB C to a thunderbolt male.

Posted on Dec 10, 2024 08:31 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 12, 2024 07:00 PM in response to Henri79

Are you saying that

When you plugged the adapter cable into a front-panel port on the M4 Mac mini, you did not get a video signal?
When you plugged the adapter cable into a rear-panel port on the M4 Mac mini, you did get a video signal?

That's to be expected.

The two front-panel USB-C ports on the M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini are USB-only. Only the three rear-panel USB-C ports – the ones that Apple calls "Thunderbolt" ports – can provide a DisplayPort Alt Mode signal.

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Answer 2

Dec 13, 2024 04:06 AM in response to Henri79

From the Apple site:

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Answer 3

Henri79 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 13, 2024 03:14 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Thank you for your clarification.

Now I know why.

However my question was intended for those who don’t.

I was first instructed by Apple to buy a connector USB C to mini display, and naturally connected it to the USB C port. It didn’t work.

The AppleCare team told me : either your connector is out of order, or it’s your Mac Mini video. No mention of back or front plugs on the Mini.

I bought a new connector : same result (to be expected).

I read the comments of the Apple Community on the subject. One mentioned the connection to the thunderbolt which worked, as by miracle.

So now after this discussion I hope some new non expert Mac Mini buyers won’t loose their time and money as I did and dare plug the USB C, not in front but at the back which is not shown as USB C on the instructions.

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Connecting Mac Mini M4 2024 with Apple Cinema Display 2011

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