Setup for MacMini to support video in and out

I have a new MacMini with the M4 chip..I have a Dell monitor (

and a new keyboard and mouse for Macs…I want to use my Mac for the Microsoft Office apps (primarily Word, Excel and occasionally Powerpoint), my Website (on Squarespace), Photos (storage and a bit of formatting for the web or print use), some Zoom meetings and some Canva for marketing materials my glass work. The transition to the Mini should be fine and plenty powerful to support my use…but challenging to make sure I get set up to work smoothly…so I’ve always had Apple devices…am moving to the Mini from an iMac…so haven’t had to deal with audio and video input and output. So need recommendations about what/how to equip the components and any tips or good to know info about transitioning from years of big powerful Macs (and from being a sort of old time power user to a more moderate user whose major technical knowledge and experience is too many years old to be really effective!)


[Edited by Moderator]

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 10:26 AM

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4 replies

Sep 23, 2025 10:47 AM in response to virtualterri

dell display S2721QS is a 4K display 3840 x 2160 at 8 bits/color and up to 60Hz refresh rate

interfaces include:

DisplayPort 1.2

2x HDMI 2.0


Your Mac mini M4 has HDMI 2.1 port, so best use is to connect to that port with a high-spec HDMI cable. That will leave all USB-C ports (front) and ThunderBolt ports Rear) free for other uses.


HDMI cables you want for HDMI-only Displays (higher resolutions than 720p TV sets) are marked as Certified with an anti-counterfeiting tag and are labeled:


"PREMIUM High Speed HDMI cable" or that + "with Ethernet" (up to 4K at 30Hz) --OR--

ULTRA High Speed HDMI cable" or that + "48G" (supports higher resolutions and backward-compatible)


Cables with No Certification tags are good for your standard 720p TV set, and not much more.


HDMI was invented for HD TV sets. it works great at its original resolution of 720i or 720p. At higher resolutions, it quickly develops issues that are complex to solve, and the cables and adapters required to solve are NOT intuitive.



Setup for MacMini to support video in and out

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