Monitors can be the most important part of your Mac setup – after all, you can’t use a computer without one. Because you will spend a lot of time looking at it, you will want to invest wisely. Not only will you want a monitor that provides a pleasurable experience, but the quality of the screen images can also affect your work.
However, choosing a new monitor can be difficult. Not only are there plenty of manufacturers to choose from, but there are plenty of sizes, resolutions, and features to consider এবং and when we say many, we mean Lots. We’re here to guide you as you shop, and we have some tips on what to look for on a monitor.
Apple sells displays for its Macs and you can take its offers, but its displays are a bit more expensive than third parties. Buying from a different company may mean you don’t get the features Apple offers, but it can also be a feature you don’t need, depending on how you use the monitor. Note that the M1 Mac has compatibility issues. We have monitors for M1 Macs and a guide to what you need to know before you buy.
Fortunately, there are many companies that have great monitors that you can use with your Mac, without having to take a second mortgage. Our sister publication, PCWorld, has tested several non-Apple displays, and we’ve listed the top-rates below. Here are our recommendations.
Best Mac Monitor: Recommendations
Acer K242HYL – Budget-friendly general-purpose monitor
You’ll make some compromises for the price of this display, but it does a good job of hitting the most important features, including good image quality and speed feedback, as well as tossing in a few amazing extras like the 75Hz refresh rate.
Acer Nitro XV272 – Budget color accuracy
Acer’s Nitro XV272 costs a lot more than 1080p monitors, but the IPS, 165Hz screen offers average image quality, excellent color accuracy and motion performance, and a full range of monitor-stand compatibility and a generous array of ports make it valuable. Price.
Alienware AW3423DW – Ultrawide with high refresh rate
The AW3423DW isn’t perfect, but the QD-OLED panel makes it a top-of-the-line 34-inch ultraviolet monitor.
Apple Studio Display – Apple’s ‘affordable’ production monitor
As a production display, the Studio Display Pro display is an affordable alternative to the XDR. Buyers will enjoy its sleek design, good image quality and impressive spatial audio.
Read our full studio display review
Apple Pro Display XDR – Apple’s top-of-the-line monitor
MSRP:
$ 4,999 (standard), 5,999 (nano-textured glass)
This is an amazing piece of engineering, and we found it difficult to find flaws with image quality and color output, but it is extremely expensive and can cost upwards of 5,000 depending on how you configure it.
Read our full Pro Display XDR review
For budget-conscious Asus ProArt PA279CV – 4K
Asus ProArt PA279CV targets content creators with accurate image quality and wide connectivity – and it hits the mark.
Dell U3223QE – Large screen with 4K resolution
The Dell U3223QE uses LG’s IPS Black technology to deliver a top-notch, professional-level, 31.5-inch 4K display with a built-in USB-C hub.
Gigabyte M27Q X – Affordable Media Monitor
The G27GB M27Q X doesn’t look like the outside of the box, but this 1440p / 240Hz IPS panel provides a great media experience with excellent speed clarity and stunning image quality where it counts.
How To Choose A Mac Monitor
Display technology is an ongoing feast, with many confusing sounds and technical features, as well as a variety of interfaces and cables used by Apple itself and various monitor manufacturers. So it’s important to take a closer look at some of the things you need to consider when buying a monitor for your Mac.
Screen size
Size is not everything, as has been said, but it is a good place to start. Your decision will be influenced by how much space you have on your desk and how comfortable you are when using the display. Some people think that a big screen is best, but then when they start using it every day, they see that it is too big. And the same goes for customers who think a small screen is best.
If you are looking for a size to start with for your own personal research, we recommend 24 inches. It seems to be a good size for most people and it is easy to go up or down from that point. Most people tend to go between 24 and 27 inches for home use.
For professionals গ্র graphics, video, audio, and even spreadsheets একটি a larger screen will help you become more productive. Think 27 inches and higher. You’ll be able to fit more elements to the screen and not waste your scrolling time.
If on-screen real estate is valuable to you, consider a multi-display setup. A small screen can be used for chat, email, web and more, while the big screen is your main workplace. Or get screens of the same size and maximize space.
Screen resolution
Screen resolution can go hand in hand with screen size. Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels used to create what you see on the screen. The higher the resolution, the more detail you will see. Larger displays have the option of higher resolution, as well as the ability to support higher resolution.
Often, when you find two displays that have the same size but a wide price difference, this is mostly due to the screen resolution. Monitors with higher resolution are more expensive. For example, Apple’s $ 1,599 Studio display is 27 inches, and it has a high screen resolution of 5120 × 2880 (5K resolution). LG, on the other hand, sells the 27-inch 27UK650-W, but it’s a 3840 × 2160 (4K) resolution display for content makers, and it’s $ 350 – lower resolution, but $ 1,249 cheaper. (A 27-inch 5K monitor other than the $ 1,449 LG Ultrafine 27MD5KL-B is not actually available.)
So you need to get the screen resolution? Here are some suggestions; These are guidelines that you can adjust based on your preferences
- For general purpose use, such as web browsing, email, media viewing, small photo and video projects and viewing: 1920 × 1080 or 2560 × 1440
- For more engaging content creation, productivity and media viewing: 2560 × 1440 or 4K
- For creating pro-level content, productivity and media viewing: 4K or higher
Connecting to a Mac
How to connect a monitor to a Mac can be confusing. The traditional HDMI and displayport connectors used by many monitors are being replaced বা or replaced by USB-C and Thunderbolt ports. And although USB-C and Thunderbolt wires may look similar, there are some important technical differences between them, so it’s important to check which port your new monitor is using and make sure you’re buying the right cable and adapter.
Most Mac models have a Thunderbolt port, so if you only buy a monitor with HDMI or a displayport interface, you’ll need an adapter to connect to the Mac. This can be a bit confusing, but Apple provides a list of ports included in the latest Mac models so you can determine what you need.
Apple also provides a guide to HDMI and DisplayPort technology, covering Mac models dating back to 2008, so that you can provide all the information you need for all Macs you use at home or at work. Less expensive monitors still tend to use HDMI and DisplayPort, and while it’s not too expensive to buy adapters that allow you to connect your Mac, we think it’s worth getting at least one with USB-C to prove your new monitor in the future. Precious. Or Thunderbolt port.
If a display uses Thunderbolt to connect to the Mac, it may have an additional USB-C or Thunderbolt port so that the display can act as a hub. In this case, if you have a device that you want to connect to your Mac, you can connect it to a port on the monitor, which is already connected to the Mac and probably in an easy place to access.
Read our article on how to connect a second screen to a Mac which explains what port you have, what adapters you will need and how you need to set things up.
Ergonomics
If you are going to spend a lot of time sitting at a desk looking at your beautiful new display, you need to remember ergonomics. Ability to tilt the angle of the monitor front and back, rotate it around for easy viewing and adjust the height of the monitor to avoid back or neck pain.
As a rough guide, there is a point about 2 to 3 inches from the top of the screen that should be at eye level. Obviously, eye level varies from person to person, so it’s important that you adjust the screen for your own personal comfort. You can also choose a monitor that does not suffer from glare, or you will always relocate the monitor (or your head) to compensate for it.
Other considerations
When shopping for a monitor you may want to consider other. Much of this depends on your personal preferences or the work you need to do. They include:
- Color space (gamut): A monitor can show the number of colors. Professionals need specific color space.
- Refresh rate: Frequency when refreshing the screen. High rate smooth animation production.
- Webcam: Some displays have a built-in camera that you can use for FaceTime and other video conferencing apps or to record yourself.
- Speaker: If you plan to watch or listen to the media frequently, a good set of speakers makes for a great experience.
Cliff Joseph contributed to this article.