1080p or QHD display for 2011 Mac Mini?

[alexeiphone]

Hi,

It’s time for me to get a new display and I’d like some advice please.

I have a PC which can output up to 4K, but I also have a 2011 Mac Mini with SSD, 16GB RAM and AMD graphics, which is actually still very usable (putting aside boot issues).

I can output 2560 x 1600 from the Mac via DisplayPort (if I can find a decent monitor with that), however, I really have no idea if it would look good.
VIA HDMI, the output is 1920 x 1200.

I’m planning to buy a 27” display and I like the Dell S2719DC (although it doesn’t have DisplayPort). It’s a 2560 x 1440 display.

Should I play it safe and go for a 1080p display instead?

 

[Agent Smith]

I use an Apple Thunderbolt Display with my 2018 Mac mini (27”, QHD resolution) and it looks quite good for me. It is definitely not retina, but it is not a pixelated mess either.

In terms of performance, it was previously used on a 2012 Mac mini, and there were zero issues with it there as well. My usage was simply browsing, email, Office 365, and the occasional non-intensive game. The 2012 uses Intel’s HD 4000 integrated graphics; the 2011 uses the HD 3000 graphics. As long as you keep it simple, it will be fine!