An interesting product, aimed at users of ‘headless’ Mac systems, has been released by US-based Newertech. The HDMI Headless Video Accelerator plugs into a Mac Mini’s HDMI port to fool the computer into thinking that a display is attached – activating the GPU.
The Mac Mini is often used as headless networking, storage, production studio media and home theatre servers. However, when accessed remotely (used without a monitor), the GPU is not active; this leads to a lagging interface, choppy screens and slow video, animations, cursor movements, navigation and typing. Newertech’s product bypasses this problem.
Designed for use with the 2010 – 2014 editions of the Mac Mini, the HDMI product does not require drivers, but does require OS X 10.6.8 or later to be installed. It is supplied with a three-year limited warranty, and is available now for $19.50.
