Thinking of switching to Mac

[Rambilt]

Hello everyone,

I’m thinking of replacing my desktop PC with a basic Mac studio for Adobe Lightroom photo editing. My question is can I use my current monitor that I am currently using with my PC or do I need to replace it with apple specific product. I really like to minimize my expenses that’s why I’m asking.



v/r


Rick

 

[chevyboy60013]

you may need to get an adapter for it like I did with my mac mini, but then should be able to use your current display.

 

[mmkerc]

As chevyboy60013 indicated if you current monitor does not have a thunderbolt connection (USB-C) or HDMI you will need to get an adapter. I currently use two Dell 32" monitors with no issues.

 

[Rambilt]

Chevyboy6001 and mmkerc, Thank you very much for your reply. So I would need an HDMI to USB-C adapter to make my monitor work for Mac Mini?

 

[zakarhino]

Chevyboy6001 and mmkerc, Thank you very much for your reply. So I would need an HDMI to USB-C adapter to make my monitor work for Mac Mini?

No actually, both the Mac Studio and Mac Mini have a single HDMI port. So if you only have one monitor with HDMI, no adapter necessary. More monitors and you will need adapters or cables that terminate in USB-C (USB-C to DisplayPort for example)

 

[Rambilt]

No actually, both the Mac Studio and Mac Mini have a single HDMI port. So if you only have one monitor with HDMI, no adapter necessary. More monitors and you will need adapters or cables that terminate in USB-C (USB-C to DisplayPort for example)

zakarhino, thank you very much for your reply this will help me a lot with my transition to an Apple computer. You are very kind thhanks again.



v/r

Rick

 

[zakarhino]

zakarhino, thank you very much for your reply this will help me a lot with my transition to an Apple computer. You are very kind thhanks again.



v/r

Rick

If you have any more questions @ me or reply to this message directly so it pops up in my notifications. Glad I could help.

Cheers

 

[chevyboy60013]

My mini is older, it is a late 2014 and I do not use hdmi, but got an adapter that connects the vga monitor cable to I think the thunderbolt port or maybe it is a dedicated video port, if I remember correctly it cost about $39.99 from the apple store in Chicago

 

[Ben J.]

HDMI is fine. And you could attach a cheap usb-c hub with hdmi and extra ports to get another hdmi. And use any tv or monitor that takes hdmi. I use two hdmis on my mini.

 

[wonderings]

Mac mini ports on the top, Mac Studio ports on the bottom. Connections are pretty much the same as on your PC computers. If your monitor has HDMI or thunderbolt, or anything else they will work with a Mac, just might need an adapter if it is something older like VGA. Lots of adapters out there for everything as well.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

What displays do you currently use?
- manufacturer
- model number
- inputs on back

If you want answers, we need information.

 

[Rambilt]

Hi, thank you all for the responses. My monitor is an "HP M32f FHD Monitor" Its got 2 HDMI port and 1 VGA. The max resolution is 1920 X 1080.

 

[Ben J.]

If you've used this monitor for photo work before, it's just plug and play. One HDMI cable, that's it. Most modern monitors will automatically install its own color profile the first time you use it, and you'll be able to select it in systemsettings/display/color. Or you can use a standard sRGB or any other profile.

 

[Ben J.]

If you really want to minimize expenses, you should know that the mac minis with M1/M2 are plenty powerful for most folks. The Mac Studios have more cores, more ports etc., but they're the same basic processors, so the extra $$ is maybe not necessary. Depends on your needs. I used a M2 mini 16GB for a year with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop last year, and the performance was fantastic.

 

[EdwardC]

Hi, thank you all for the responses. My monitor is an "HP M32f FHD Monitor" Its got 2 HDMI port and 1 VGA. The max resolution is 1920 X 1080.

You will definitely want to move up to 4K on your display. 1080P just looks crappy on a Mac.

 

[Ben J.]

You will definitely want to move up to 4K on your display. 1080P just looks crappy on a Mac.

Nonsense. "on a mac"? 1080 is a resolution - number of pixels vertically. A good, well-calibrated monitor looks the same on a pc or mac, and if you can can fit what you're doing into that space, it's fine.

 

[chevyboy60013]

The display I am using on my late 2014 mac mini definitely is not 4k, and it likely is only 1080, and it works and looks just fine, and I use it for weather radar anytime my storm team is activated due to severe weather in the Chicago area.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

You will definitely want to move up to 4K on your display. 1080P just looks crappy on a Mac.

1080p looks like 1080p on a Mac. 4k is sharper. I would not qualify 1080p as “crappy” - it just depends on your needs.

If 1080 supports what you’re doing, go for it. 4k will look “better” - but if you already have the 1080p display, 4k comes with a cost & you need to weigh that against the display improvement.

 

[Rambilt]

Hi, you all are very helpful thank you very much. I'll probably stick with my current monitor and probably follow Ben J's advise on Mac Mini M2 with 16GB. I've been retired for awhile and took on photograph as my hobby. My Windows Laptop just doesn't cut it when editing photos in Lightroom Classic. That is one of the reasons I'm switching to an Apple Mac computer.

Will my Logitech keyboard K520 and Logitech Mouse M310 work with Mac Mini?

 

[EdwardC]

Nonsense. "on a mac"? 1080 is a resolution - number of pixels vertically. A good, well-calibrated monitor looks the same on a pc or mac, and if you can can fit what you're doing into that space, it's fine.

MacBook looks awful on external monitor - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

6 Ways To Fix External Monitor Resolution & Scaling Issues On Macs (inc. M1, M2 & M3 Macs, Sonoma, Ventura & Monterey)

If you've bought an external display for your Mac Studio, MacBook Pro or Mac Mini and found that the resolution and scaling is poor or the picture is

machow2.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/raaw9e

M1 Macbook Pro - External Monitor Blurry … - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

External monitor blurry text at 1080p on … - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

This is not nonsense, I can go on and on but yes 1080P on a Windows machine looks crisp but as I said due to Apple and Mac OS 1080P looks a little blurry. The original OP may be disappointed in what he sees.


I tried this hack as well with the results being just a little better but not much, I bought a 27" Dell 4K UltraSharp on sale for $250.00 and its a huge difference......

How to Change or Remove Font Smoothing on MacOS Monterey & Big Sur

Are you noticing blurry text on your Mac’s display while navigating through the menu and across apps? More specifically, has this been an issue ever since you updated to macOS Monterey or Big…

osxdaily.com

 

[Ben J.]

Will my Logitech keyboard K520 and Logitech Mouse M310 work with Mac Mini?

Yes. Most any bluetooth or usb keyboard/mouse will work on a mac. But a lot of keys will have slightly varying functions and many key symbols are different. But they will work. (There's a little app that you can have easily accessible in the menu bar, that can help show what key comes with what key combinations. I think it's called 'Keyboard display' in english.) And many of the special functions/symbols like loudness, brightness, play, mute, etc are different.

Hi, you all are very helpful thank you very much. I'll probably stick with my current monitor and probably follow Ben J's advise on Mac Mini M2 with 16GB. I've been retired for awhile and took on photograph as my hobby. My Windows Laptop just doesn't cut it when editing photos in Lightroom Classic. That is one of the reasons I'm switching to an Apple Mac computer.

Great. If you're very new to the mac experience, I think you'd better prepare for a transitional period. Maybe try and keep the old system running for a few weeks, while you get familiar with how the macOS and basic apps work. Take your time, watch some videos on moving from windows to mac, 'getting started' stuff etc. One of my favourite places for anything on mac explained is Macmost.com on Youtube.

I'm confident that you will find that the M2 Mini is super powerful, can race thru thousands of photos in Lightroom like a breeze, and will last you for many years. Oh, and it's cool and completely silent.

 

[picpicmac]

External monitor blurry text at 1080p on … - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

There is a difference between the zoomed UI to look-like-1080, and a monitor whose native resolution is 1080p.

The link above, which you embedded, is about a 1440p monitor for which macOS has been set to zoom 133%.

 

[EdwardC]

There is a difference between the zoomed UI to look-like-1080, and a monitor whose native resolution is 1080p.

The link above, which you embedded, is about a 1440p monitor for which macOS has been set to zoom 133%.

I’m going off personal experience of running a M2 Pro Mini and a HP Z2 workstation into a 1080p monitor, the Mac text is not at all crisp as the HP is. Fact! It’s useable but not a great experience. Going to 4K or 5k makes a world of difference in regards to text.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Yeah I would definitely recommend 4k on a monitor. I have just used basic LG ones that cost around $200 and they work fine. You do need the right cables...like usb-c to displayport....

Here is the one I am literally using with my m1 MBP 13":

LG 27” IPS LED 4K UHD 60Hz AMD FreeSync Monitor with HDR (DisplayPort, HDMI) Black 27UP600-W.AUM - Best Buy

Shop LG 27” IPS LED 4K UHD 60Hz AMD FreeSync Monitor with HDR (DisplayPort, HDMI) Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

 

[Rambilt]

Hello everyone, thank you all for all the help especially to "Ben J." whom I followed the advised and bought me a Mac mini Pro with 16gb ram and and 512gb hdd. So far I loved that it recognized my old monitor and keyboard and mouse. I immediately updated the software to Sonoma 14.4. So far I'm loving it. Haven't really done any photo editing yet. I just want to let you all know that I appreciate all your help. It made my transition from PC to Mac so much easier. Again thank you all.


v/r


Rick