1920x1200 Dell U2412M sharp in Win10, soft on M1 mini, is this normal?

[ilex27]

Yeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh about that. After Dell pushed my ship date back twice then missed the third one but did not update my order I rage-ordered a pair of P2721Q from Amazon. Probably overkill but after many unproductive calls and chats with Dell I decided to bail. It was absurdly satisfying to cancel the original order. The b@stids are still getting my money but maybe I'll get my equipment sooner. Maybe. I am no longer hopeful as clearly the market is tight right now.

 

[pldelisle]

Yeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh about that. After Dell pushed my ship date back twice then missed the third one but did not update my order I rage-ordered a pair of P2721Q from Amazon. Probably overkill but after many unproductive calls and chats with Dell I decided to bail. It was absurdly satisfying to cancel the original order. The b@stids are still getting my money but maybe I'll get my equipment sooner. Maybe. I am no longer hopeful as clearly the market is tight right now.

Stocks are so low. One must be patient when ordering anything right now

 

[ilex27]

REPORT: My Dell P2721Q screens arrived today, ON TIME, from Amazon. They are everything I wished for AND MORE. I'm running at the default setting (scaled to look like 1920 x1080) and text is crisp and sharp. I will need to tone down the brightness and calibrate before I fire up my Photoshop but 4K is indeed what the mini is looking for.

EDIT TO ADD: Both are connected by HDMI through a kvm switch.

 

[satchmo]

Wow, I guess I should have looked at this thread before I ordered my Mac mini which arrived yesterday.

I assumed my ‘ancient’ Dell U2412m would still be decent enough to use.
Heck I didn’t realize it doesn’t even have an HDMI port.
So I was going to run out and get a DP to HDMI cable, but after reading this thread, maybe I need a new monitor altogether.

Hmm…now really considering going 24” iMac to avoid these headaches.

 

[dimme]

Hmm…now really considering going 24” iMac to avoid these headaches.

I originally ordered a mini but after researching monitors and finding issues with what I wanted I cancel the mini and ordered a imac. i wanted a 27” display but seems there are lots of issue. I figure I can always and a 2nd display later.

 

[Fishrrman]

Satchmo wrote:
"I assumed my ‘ancient’ Dell U2412m would still be decent enough to use.
Heck I didn’t realize it doesn’t even have an HDMI port."

The Dell U2412m has displayport and dvi ports.
There's no reason why you can't use this with the Mini -- with the proper cable, of course.

I'd suggest USBc (mini end) to displayport (dell end) as a good place to start...

 

[satchmo]

Satchmo wrote:
"I assumed my ‘ancient’ Dell U2412m would still be decent enough to use.
Heck I didn’t realize it doesn’t even have an HDMI port."

The Dell U2412m has displayport and dvi ports.
There's no reason why you can't use this with the Mini -- with the proper cable, of course.

I'd suggest USBc (mini end) to displayport (dell end) as a good place to start...

Thanks for the suggestion, but I tried the following and surprisingly both worked:

HDMI (mini) to DVI (monitor)
USB-c (mini) to DisplayPort (monitor)

I believe DVI is limited to 1080p but I'm getting full 1920x1200.
Not the sharpest, but it'll do for now until I get a 4K display down the road.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I tried the following and surprisingly both worked:

HDMI (mini) to DVI (monitor)
USB-c (mini) to DisplayPort (monitor)

I believe DVI is limited to 1080p but I'm getting full 1920x1200.
Not the sharpest, but it'll do for now until I get a 4K display down the road.

It's depend on the refresh rate, too. DVI-D can go upto 2k (2560x1440/1600). Many 2k monitors still feature DVI-D port.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"Not the sharpest, but it'll do for now until I get a 4K display down the road."

Have you "worked your way" through these adjustments?

How to Fix Blurry Fonts on macOS Mojave (With Subpixel Antialiasing)

Apple's macOS Mojave disables subpixel antialiasing, also known as font smoothing, by default.

www.howtogeek.com

Try EVERY POSSIBLE SETTING (of the four) and keep notes.
You may find one that improves the view.
(no promises, but worth trying)

 

[Amethyst1]

It's depend on the refresh rate, too. DVI-D can go upto 2k (2560x1440/1600). Many 2k monitors still feature DVI-D port.

The pixel clock is the limiting factor.

Single-link DVI can go up to 165 MHz pixel clock, making e.g. the following modes possible (using CVT-RB timings; pixel clock in parentheses):

• 1920×1080 at 60 Hz (138.5 MHz; although I've also seen 148.5 MHz modes)
• 1920×1200 at 60 Hz (154 MHz)
• 2048×1152 at 60 Hz (156.75 MHz)
• 2560×1440 at 41 Hz (163.5 MHz)
• 2560×1600 at 37 Hz (163.75 MHz)
• 3840×2160 at 18 Hz (156.75 MHz)
• 3840×2400 at 17 Hz (164.25 MHz)

Dual-link DVI can officially go up to 330 MHz pixel clock (modern GPUs may go even higher), allowing for e.g. (when using CVT-RB timings):

• 2560×1440 at 60 Hz (241.5 MHz)
• 2560×1600 at 60 Hz (268.5 MHz)
• 3840×2160 at 37 Hz (325.25 MHz)
• 3840×2400 at 33 Hz (321.5 MHz)

 

[satchmo]

The pixel clock is the limiting factor.

Single-link DVI can go up to 165 MHz pixel clock, making e.g. the following modes possible (using CVT-RB timings; pixel clock in parentheses):

• 1920×1080 at 60 Hz (138.5 MHz; although I've also seen 148.5 MHz modes)
• 1920×1200 at 60 Hz (154 MHz)
• 2048×1152 at 60 Hz (156.75 MHz)
• 2560×1440 at 41 Hz (163.5 MHz)
• 2560×1600 at 37 Hz (163.75 MHz)
• 3840×2160 at 18 Hz (156.75 MHz)
• 3840×2400 at 17 Hz (164.25 MHz)

Dual-link DVI can officially go up to 330 MHz pixel clock (modern GPUs may go even higher), allowing for e.g. (when using CVT-RB timings):

• 2560×1440 at 60 Hz (241.5 MHz)
• 2560×1600 at 60 Hz (268.5 MHz)
• 3840×2160 at 37 Hz (325.25 MHz)
• 3840×2400 at 33 Hz (321.5 MHz)

It's depend on the refresh rate, too. DVI-D can go upto 2k (2560x1440/1600). Many 2k monitors still feature DVI-D port.

View attachment 1818596

Thanks, this is good to know about DVI.
That said, I’m guessing I use the USB-C to DP cables instead, if I plan on moving up to a 4K display in the future.

 

[Amethyst1]

That said, I’m guessing I use the USB-C to DP cables instead, if I plan on moving up to a 4K display in the future.

That's the recommended route - if the new display doesn't have native USB-C input

 

[pshufd]

I have not tried using old monitors on the M1 mini. I have an old Dell WSXGA monitor on my desk that I use with a 2008-era PC. I use a Dell 4K and a Dell QHD display on my mini and the displays are great. I have been running Mojave on my Macs with only Big Sur on the M1 Mini so it may be why I haven't seen this problem before.

 

[Kjs100]

I have not tried using old monitors on the M1 mini. I have an old Dell WSXGA monitor on my desk that I use with a 2008-era PC. I use a Dell 4K and a Dell QHD display on my mini and the displays are great. I have been running Mojave on my Macs with only Big Sur on the M1 Mini so it may be why I haven't seen this problem before.

What model is your Dell 4K?

Just received my mini. Anyone any idea how my old panel E196FP 19" would look if I hook it up with a VGA to usb c adapter?

I've looked at the monitor list wiki. I thought the Dell U2720Q/QM seemed a good choice albeit pricey. Maybe I need to bite the bullet and leave the old monitor behind.

Edit. No picture at all on the Dell with an hdmi adapter. Mac ok connected to TV so looks like I'm buying a new monitor.

Edit 2. My brain engaged for a moment and I remembered Id a 32" Panny HD ready TV sitting doing nothing. Hooked up and its a bit blurry at the text edges but it'll do for now. In terms of screen size, Im surprised how much I like the real estate. I sized a window down to 27" to see the difference. I used to think 27 might be a bit big for me. That's certainly not the case. 27" actually looks a bit small.

Mac mini M1 compatible monitor list

Hi all ! With the threads multiplying about monitor choices for the Mac mini M1 and since I got many likes about my proposition to create a wiki thread listing compatible monitors, I decided to create a wiki thread where everyone could contribute. If you have a monitor which is compatible with...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[pshufd]

What model is your Dell 4K?

Just received my mini. Anyone any idea how my old panel E196FP 19" would look if I hook it up with a VGA to usb c adapter?

I've looked at the monitor list wiki. I thought the Dell U2720Q/QM seemed a good choice albeit pricey. Maybe I need to bite the bullet and leave the old monitor behind.

Mac mini M1 compatible monitor list

Hi all ! With the threads multiplying about monitor choices for the Mac mini M1 and since I got many likes about my proposition to create a wiki thread listing compatible monitors, I decided to create a wiki thread where everyone could contribute. If you have a monitor which is compatible with...

forums.macrumors.com

U2718Q.

Moniitor prices right now are nuts. The first U2718Q I bought was $368. The current version is $647. Just the pandemic pricing that we see for a lot of computer components.

 

[gradi]

I have a Dell U2415 - 24" - 1920x1200 - 16:10:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/cty/dell-ultrasharp-24-monitor-u2415/spd/dell-u2415

I want to buy an M1 Mac Mini and use it with the U2415, which I like a lot. Reading about all the people having problems connecting a monitor to the M1 Mac Mini I am getting concerned. I would prefer to use HDMI so that I don't use one of the USB-C/Thunderbolt ports.

Are people successfully using the U2415 with no problems? Is it only early M1 Mac Minis that have problems?

Thank you.

 

[kenny1wk]

I have a Dell U2415 - 24" - 1920x1200 - 16:10:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/cty/dell-ultrasharp-24-monitor-u2415/spd/dell-u2415

I want to buy an M1 Mac Mini and use it with the U2415, which I like a lot. Reading about all the people having problems connecting a monitor to the M1 Mac Mini I am getting concerned. I would prefer to use HDMI so that I don't use one of the USB-C/Thunderbolt ports.

Are people successfully using the U2415 with no problems? Is it only early M1 Mac Minis that have problems?

Thank you.

Were you able to get your Dell U2415 to work okay with the M1 mini???? I have 2 Dell U2412M 1920x1200 I'm hoping will work with an M1 mini.
Thanks for your time, Kenny

 

[gradi]

Were you able to get your Dell U2415 to work okay with the M1 mini???? I have 2 Dell U2412M 1920x1200 I'm hoping will work with an M1 mini.
Thanks for your time, Kenny

No one replied to my question so I decided to wait until the March 8th announcement of new Macs to see what came out. After seeing what was announced I decided to order a 14" M1 Pro Macbook Pro 16gb/512gb (base model). It is supposed to be delivered 3/22-30. I have my fingers crossed that it will work properly with my Dell U2415. When I am not at home I can disconnect the laptop and take it with me. I decided to go this way because earlier I had sort of thought of getting the M1 Mac Mini 16gb/512gb (for home) + M1 Macbook Air 16gb/512g (for not at home), but then decided getting only the 14" M1 Pro Macbook costs less, is more powerful, and can handle both at home and not at home situations.

Let us know if your monitors work okay with the M1 Mac Mini. I will report back after I get the Macbook.

 

[kenny1wk]

REPORT: My Dell P2721Q screens arrived today, ON TIME, from Amazon. They are everything I wished for AND MORE. I'm running at the default setting (scaled to look like 1920 x1080) and text is crisp and sharp. I will need to tone down the brightness and calibrate before I fire up my Photoshop but 4K is indeed what the mini is looking for.

EDIT TO ADD: Both are connected by HDMI through a kvm switch.

Just a couple follow-up questions. Are your Dell P2721Q still working good? Also, did they come with the cables needed in the box??? Thanks, Kenny

 

[kenny1wk]

Satchmo wrote:
"I assumed my ‘ancient’ Dell U2412m would still be decent enough to use.
Heck I didn’t realize it doesn’t even have an HDMI port."

The Dell U2412m has displayport and dvi ports.
There's no reason why you can't use this with the Mini -- with the proper cable, of course.

I'd suggest USBc (mini end) to displayport (dell end) as a good place to start...

I wanted to thank you for your excellent insights. I just got a new M1 mini and hooked up my 2 old dell U2412m monitors as you said and they work pretty good for me.

 

[kenny1wk]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I tried the following and surprisingly both worked:

HDMI (mini) to DVI (monitor)
USB-c (mini) to DisplayPort (monitor)

I believe DVI is limited to 1080p but I'm getting full 1920x1200.
Not the sharpest, but it'll do for now until I get a 4K display down the road.

Thanks for your post. I just got a M1 mini and hooked up my 2 old Dell u2412m to it and behold; it works pretty good for me.

 

[pshufd]

DVI supports WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200). I've been using this mode for at least 15 years I think.