Basic monitor handling question

[DaveWT]

Being an iMac guy since 2006, I was used to just stepping away at night and letting the display settings dim the screen and with energy settings, eventually go black. Now that I have a Mac Mini and a separate monitor, is that still the common wisdom on how to behave? Or should I hit the "OFF" button on the monitor and let the Mini take care of itself?

 

[chas_m]

Typically, the monitor attached to the Mac takes its cues from the Mac's status. So if you put the Mac to sleep, the monitor will go dark a moment later and stay off until you wake the mini back up. This will also be the case if you just walk away, depending on how you have your energy settings for sleep set up.

 

[DaveWT]

OK, I have reviewed the settings for all this and will not hit the OFF button tonight and see what happens.

 

[Cougurr]

Dave
I believe I saw on another post you purchased one of the new M2 mac mini's? I was wondering what you are using for a monitor on your new mac mini, if in fact i got this correct? I have an older 27" Cinema Display which I thought might be a solution with a newer Mac Mini. Seems they stopped using this Mini Display port on the 2018 Mac Mini. Was wondering what you use on your new version to connect to your monitor??

My older monitor has a cord with three connectors on it. One is the mag port charger connection (I use from it to my older MacBook Pro), the second is the older standard USB and finally the Mini Display plugin. I started considering a change but first decided to try testing this monitor connected to my M1 iMac as a second Monitor. Even with a borrowed Apple adapter for Plugging into my M1 with USB-C and same shaped (like the mini display port but) thunderbolt it did not work. Am thinking I might be out of luck trying to consider this a monitor suitable to connect to a new M series Mac Mini. I might also be going down a rabbit hole sorting out an adaptor suitable for this display.
Thanks Colin

 

[DaveWT]

Yes, you are correct. I have a new M2 Mini. Having used iMacs since 2006, being faced with a monitor decision was daunting. After the 27" 5K iMac, but not wanting to pay $2000 for Apple's 5k Studio Display, I had to decide whether I could live with a 4K display but wanted no smaller than 27". That ruled out the M1 24" iMac. I finally decided to go with a 27" Asus ProArt display. It has a built in hub with 4 USB ports. But for inputs has a USB-C port, 2 HDMI ports and a DisplayPort. I have the Mini connecting to the monitor via the USB port, and I have my Telus Optik set top box hooked to the monitor via one of the HDMI ports. So I can have the computer using the screen, have the TV show using the screen, have picture in picture with either the computer output or the TV occupying the small inset window, or finally, have picture beside picture where each output shares half the screen. So I can still keep a good solitaire game going while watching my Formula 1 races. Not quite as nice a sharing setup as my old Elgato EyeTV 200 provided but better than nothing. This setup is far more computer than I will ever need but I wanted to sell my 2017 while it still had value on the used market or before the aging Fusion drive decided to give up.
Dave

 

[Cougurr]

Thanks for your reply Dave. Nice to know others are out there trying to find reasonably priced options to resolve these kind of issues. I have struggled with the 24" screen since getting my new M1 iMac after years on the 27" iMac. Mine was a urgent replacement as the 27" was my main work computer for working on cabinetry drawings for estimating. I love the speed and all aspects of the 24" M1 except the screen size. Fortunate to have the older 27" Cinema Display but having to run it on an older MacBook Pro to be able to have the same nice area for the plans. Now just getting a sore neck back and forth to each end of the work desk between the two computers. I envy you upgrade to M2 with a 27" monitor solution. I am sure you will enjoy the combination you have described.