1st time on MacOS (Mini M2) which monitor (and monitor problems)?

[Dochartaigh]

Just....no. How can you even claim that in 2023? Let alone say that to someone who has already said it looks blurry. The Mac has had 2x scaling for retina displays for 11 years already! Come on.

What are you talking about? Just off the top of my head I know no less than 5 professional designers (working at high level Fortune 500 companies) who use dual-screen 23-27" 1080p or 1200p monitors to this day (including myself, I have dual 24" NEC's - the size I prefer to limit neck strain looking left-right and back over and over again all day long).

Several of us, office budget/equipment-time-out dependent, even tried Apple's LG Ultrafine 4K? 5K? offerings a few years ago and literally returned them - they were/are POS (image retention after literally 2-3 minutes... no thank you). Many of us also have a VERY limited selection of which monitors we can even order - up to purchasing and their list of approved vendors (with crazy hoops to jump through to even get a vendor added to...) and/or how flexible our boss wants to be with their company credit card... Sure, at some point I'll make the jump and upgrade, but have been perfectly fine (actually super happy equipment-wise) with what I have now.

 

[Thisismattwade]

What are you talking about? Just off the top of my head I know no less than 5 professional designers (working at high level Fortune 500 companies) who use dual-screen 23-27" 1080p or 1200p monitors to this day (including myself, I have dual 24" NEC's - the size I prefer to limit neck strain looking left-right and back over and over again all day long).

Several of us, office budget/equipment-time-out dependent, even tried Apple's LG Ultrafine 4K? 5K? offerings a few years ago and literally returned them - they were/are POS (image retention after literally 2-3 minutes... no thank you). Many of us also have a VERY limited selection of which monitors we can even order - up to purchasing and their list of approved vendors (with crazy hoops to jump through to even get a vendor added to...) and/or how flexible our boss wants to be with their company credit card... Sure, at some point I'll make the jump and upgrade, but have been perfectly fine (actually super happy equipment-wise) with what I have now.

I like using our (base) M1 MBA on our Dell S2722QC monitor - 4k 27". It's def not as sharp as the built-in retina display, but at the distance I sit I can barely tell a difference. It's currently $399 at Dell, or $299 if you don't want the USB-C version (it does have 2 HDMI ports).

OP, why not spend a little bit more money and get a new monitor for your shiny new computer! (How do you like the M2 mini? It's tempting to me!)

 

[PauloSera]

What are you talking about? Just off the top of my head I know no less than 5 professional designers (working at high level Fortune 500 companies) who use dual-screen 23-27" 1080p or 1200p monitors to this day (including myself, I have dual 24" NEC's - the size I prefer to limit neck strain looking left-right and back over and over again all day long).

Several of us, office budget/equipment-time-out dependent, even tried Apple's LG Ultrafine 4K? 5K? offerings a few years ago and literally returned them - they were/are POS (image retention after literally 2-3 minutes... no thank you). Many of us also have a VERY limited selection of which monitors we can even order - up to purchasing and their list of approved vendors (with crazy hoops to jump through to even get a vendor added to...) and/or how flexible our boss wants to be with their company credit card... Sure, at some point I'll make the jump and upgrade, but have been perfectly fine (actually super happy equipment-wise) with what I have now.

How does being forced to deal with out dated crap due to corporate difficulties translate into buying advice for someone looking for the right thing to buy?

 

[Dochartaigh]

How does being forced to deal with out dated crap due to corporate difficulties translate into buying advice for someone looking for the right thing to buy?

Hi. I guess you missed me saying there's 5 of us (probably more if I actually cared enough to ask around lol), all professionals, who are perfectly happy (if not STILL thrilled, even several years later) with our "out dated [sic] crap", AND how even after trying the fancy 4/5K ones, several of us CHOSE to stay with our previous type for the time being... finding it way better for our current needs.

The OP also specifically mentioned a "budget", so I wanted to let him know that he's not alone with corporate purchasing mayhem like I described lol, AND that he doesn't have to buy the newest-of-the-new highest-res ones and can still find something that fits his budget which can still be super nice. With myself personally liking (again, couple years ago tech, when I purchased) 1200p, right now I would probably suggest a 1440p for the OP, which many find to be the sweet spot AND tend to be a lot more affordable (this article is goes into what many find to be the sweet spot - lots of 1440p's in there - here's a good video about why as well).

 

[brucewayne]

Thanks for the clarification. About CEC I read it somewhere on Reddit when searched for a solution.

Yes, when I click the speaker icon in the Control Center I see two outputs, one is the Mac Mini and the other is the Dell monitor.
When selecting the Mini I can control it’s volume (apparently), when I select the monitor the volume stays stuck at 100%.
Even, with the ControlMonitor app (I’ve posted the GitHub link in my first post), it gives me the ability to control the volume slider but it has no effect on the speakers.

With the 2x scaling you’re referring to, makes a 4K monitor almost useless if we have to use it in 1080p. Damn, paying for 4K and full use it at 1080p. I feel so exhausted it, all day searching for solutions, even paying for a new monitor and I’m still stuck.

Unfortunately that is the way Apple wants it to work - you are able to control the mac mini speaker volume, but when you select the dell it is expecting that volume to be controlled on the monitor. typically there is some sort of menu option on the monitor itself that allows you to control the volume if there aren't physical controls


I can't speak to the effectiveness of this software since I last used it for another project at least 10 years ago, but they claim to be able to adjust volume at the HDMI port with the system volume controls....

SoundSource - A Superior Sound Control

Access your Mac's audio devices, control per-app audio, and much more, all from the menu bar.

rogueamoeba.com

SoundSource: Adding volume control to unsupported devices

SoundSource can end the frustration of output devices that won't let you adjust their volumes.

rogueamoeba.com

 

[Soondae]

In my opinion; HDMI for monitors is a very poor interface. When I purchased my 2018 Mini to replace my 2012 27 iMac that died, I had been using display port monitors for years so I bought an inexpensive ViewSonic that supported and also purchased a quality (UGreen) Thunderbolt to DisplayPort cable, none of the complaints I read about from HDMI users. You will be very happy that you spent the little bit of cash to use DP from your mini, I also used DP on my windows machines and the quality was far better than HDMI.

 

[salamanderjuice]

You could also try the lunar app (https://lunar.fyi/) to control your monitor's brightness with the keyboard keys. Not all monitors are compatible though. Might also let you control the volume.

The volume thing is such a dumb thing about MacOS. Really crud design decision.

 

[vded]

Good morning guys, these are the supported resolutions of my Dell S2319H. I tried the HiDpi ones. Clarity is a bit better but I can't stand how big everything gets.

So, I took the plug, moved up on budget and ordered the Dell S2722QC (at 419€ here in Greece). Also, it's monitor recommendation from Rtings for the Mac Mini https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/best/mac-mini
It isn't on stock, so I'll have to wait some days.

Thank you all for the great insights, will come back with feedback for anyone interested. ☺️

 

[leifp]

Does your monitor have a DisplayPort (DP) connection? Every one of my display issues in my recent history of Mac use have been from HDMI connections and all of them were resolved by switching to DP

AND just took too long! Good luck with the new display, which will absolutely have a DP connection, so keep that in mind if your problems persist (or just plug the NUC into HDMI and the mini into DP)

 

[vded]

Current display (Dell S2319H) has only 1 HDMI.
The new one will have a USB-C DisplayPort connection which I've read the best compared to HDMI (at least for Mac usage).
I'll go for double setup. Will keep the old monitor for NUC and the new one for Mac Mini.

Small Update: SoundSource works flawlessly with old monitor. I can change the volume through its settings, even with the keyboard Logitech MX Keys. It's kinda steep to purchase at 49€ but I won't need it now. Just to let you know if anyone else facing the same issues. Of course SoundSource can't control brightness, it's just for audio output/input.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"Good morning guys, these are the supported resolutions of my Dell S2319H. I tried the HiDpi ones. Clarity is a bit better but I can't stand how big everything gets."

You want to be using the default of 1920x1080 on that display.
End of story.

If that doesn't please you, I'd advise you to start shopping for a 27" 4k display.
It should have HDMI and displayport (or minidisplayport) inputs.

 

[enc0re]

Good luck with your new monitor! I hope it works out.

If it doesn't and you return it, now that you have increased your budget, I would recommend checking into a refurb or used LG 24MD4KL. Good PPI for Mac, glossy finish, good brightness, fully controllable from the Mac, two inputs (both USB-C/Thunderbolt), and built-in speakers. It's a good match for your requirements.

 

[vded]

OP wrote:
"Good morning guys, these are the supported resolutions of my Dell S2319H. I tried the HiDpi ones. Clarity is a bit better but I can't stand how big everything gets."

You want to be using the default of 1920x1080 on that display.
End of story.

If that doesn't please you, I'd advise you to start shopping for a 27" 4k display.
It should have HDMI and displayport (or minidisplayport) inputs.

Yup, just made the step up and bought the Dell S2722QC.
It’s on back order so I’ll wait a few days.
From Rtings review read it accompanies the Mac Mini very well and it’s their recommendation.

 

[vded]

Good luck with your new monitor! I hope it works out.

If it doesn't and you return it, now that you have increased your budget, I would recommend checking into a refurb or used LG 24MD4KL. Good PPI for Mac, glossy finish, good brightness, fully controllable from the Mac, two inputs (both USB-C/Thunderbolt), and built-in speakers. It's a good match for your requirements.

Here in Greece, the return policies are very strict, we can’t return an item just if we don’t like it, only if it’s defective.
Although, thanks for the recommendation. But, the LG 24MD4KL is way beyond my budget. It costs almost double the price compared to Dell, at 700€!

 

[PauloSera]

Hi. I guess you missed me saying there's 5 of us (probably more if I actually cared enough to ask around lol), all professionals, who are perfectly happy (if not STILL thrilled, even several years later) with our "out dated [sic] crap", AND how even after trying the fancy 4/5K ones, several of us CHOSE to stay with our previous type for the time being... finding it way better for our current needs.

The OP also specifically mentioned a "budget", so I wanted to let him know that he's not alone with corporate purchasing mayhem like I described lol, AND that he doesn't have to buy the newest-of-the-new highest-res ones and can still find something that fits his budget which can still be super nice. With myself personally liking (again, couple years ago tech, when I purchased) 1200p, right now I would probably suggest a 1440p for the OP, which many find to be the sweet spot AND tend to be a lot more affordable (this article is goes into what many find to be the sweet spot - lots of 1440p's in there - here's a good video about why as well).

The world moved on from these displays 10+ years ago. Get real.

 

[enc0re]

Here in Greece, the return policies are very strict, we can’t return an item just if we don’t like it, only if it’s defective.
Although, thanks for the recommendation. But, the LG 24MD4KL is way beyond my budget. It costs almost double the price compared to Dell, at 700€!

For a new one yes. I think the new price on that monitor is unreasonable.

 

[AlixSPQR]

Here in Greece, the return policies are very strict, we can’t return an item just if we don’t like it, only if it’s defective.

That is not entirely true. You always have 14 days to cancel an online or in-store purchase for no reason. It's EU law.

”Αν αγοράσατε προϊόν ή υπηρεσία στο διαδίκτυο ή εκτός καταστήματος (τηλεφωνικά, με ταχυδρομική παραγγελία, ή από πωλητή κατ΄ οίκον), έχετε επίσης το δικαίωμα ακύρωσης της αγοράς και επιστροφής των χρημάτων σας εντός 14 ημερών, για οποιοδήποτε λόγο και χωρίς καμία δικαιολογία.” Source.

 

[vded]

That is not entirely true. You always have 14 days to cancel an online or in-store purchase for no reason. It's EU law.

”Αν αγοράσατε προϊόν ή υπηρεσία στο διαδίκτυο ή εκτός καταστήματος (τηλεφωνικά, με ταχυδρομική παραγγελία, ή από πωλητή κατ΄ οίκον), έχετε επίσης το δικαίωμα ακύρωσης της αγοράς και επιστροφής των χρημάτων σας εντός 14 ημερών, για οποιοδήποτε λόγο και χωρίς καμία δικαιολογία.” Source.

Yup, I know, this is the European Union law.
Although it’s far from reality, at least in my country. The retailers every time are searching for excuses so won’t be in return hassle.
And that’s the reason we should make a good research before purchase, and in marketplace local sites you see products slightly used.
Let alone we don’t have the opportunity to see the product in store. Most of the times the products are back ordered so the stores don’t have to pay much money to make stock and have them unsold.

 

[AlixSPQR]

Yup, I know, this is the European Union law.
Although it’s far from reality, at least in my country. The retailers every time are searching for excuses so won’t be in return hassle.
And that’s the reason we should make a good research before purchase, and in marketplace local sites you see products slightly used.
Let alone we don’t have the opportunity to see the product in store. Most of the times the products are back ordered so the stores don’t have to pay much money to make stock and have them unsold.

That’s depressing. I’m sorry. Here in Sweden a return within 14 days is rarely a problem.

 

[vded]

That’s depressing. I’m sorry. Here in Sweden a return within 14 days is rarely a problem.

Unfortunately that's the price we're paying for not having a strong economy and consumer wallet capabilities to spend on products.

 

[JaraCz]

Yup, I know, this is the European Union law.
Although it’s far from reality, at least in my country. The retailers every time are searching for excuses so won’t be in return hassle.
And that’s the reason we should make a good research before purchase, and in marketplace local sites you see products slightly used.
Let alone we don’t have the opportunity to see the product in store. Most of the times the products are back ordered so the stores don’t have to pay much money to make stock and have them unsold.

Just choose a seller who proceed according to laws and not some unknown shop and you will be fine. I think you are looking for problems where are none.

 

[JaraCz]

Hey guys, what do you think? I am thinking to upgrade 29UW LG monitor for my m1pro 14.
I am still thinking about Apple Studio Display or cheaper Dell from this thread (S2722QC).
I do not like 60Hz, Old HDMI and old processor in ASD but I like design as I made new home office desk setup.
Do you think it is still reasonable to buy ASD right now? There are rumours that there can be new ASD but maybe not this year.. So I can not decide

 

[leifp]

Hey guys, what do you think? I am thinking to upgrade 29UW LG monitor for my m1pro 14.
I am still thinking about Apple Studio Display or cheaper Dell from this thread (S2722QC).
I do not like 60Hz, Old HDMI and old processor in ASD but I like design as I made new home office desk setup.
Do you think it is still reasonable to buy ASD right now? There are rumours that there can be new ASD but maybe not this year.. So I can not decide

1. The ASD is DP via USB-C, there is no HDMI port. Just a Thunderbolt 3+ cable from laptop to monitor.
2. If you dislike/require more than 60Hz avoid the ASD (totally fine: I have the ASD on my Mac where I photo edit and I never notice the refresh rate. I have a 144Hz display for my gaming PC because that 60Hz was unpleasant to my eyes)
3. I bought mine because I failed to achieve a pleasant method for using my 2014 iMac 5K as an external display. The only issue I truly have with it is that I’ve outgrown 27” as a display size. I’ve survived… I also bought mine because the only competition for a screen of such quality has been the LG UltraFine series (where I dislike all other elements: the chintzy plastics, the bizarre bezel dimensions, the absence of a webcam [YMMV: I buy other monitors because they don’t have webcams]) and the upcoming competition from a few others (can’t buy what‘s not available and I needed a monitor ASAP)

 

[vded]

Good morning guys, installed my new Dell S2722QC. The connection is via ThunderBolt Type-C. I'm using at 2K resolution because I find it's the best balance. In 4K resolution everything is tiny and can't see them.
Although again I have the same issue with monitor's speakers and volume adjustment. I can hear the sounds/music through them but only at max sound level and can't adjust the volume at all.
I thought I wouldn't have this issue with ThunderBolt.
Any suggestion please?

 

[leifp]

Good morning guys, installed my new Dell S2722QC. The connection is via ThunderBolt Type-C. I'm using at 2K resolution because I find it's the best balance. In 4K resolution everything is tiny and can't see them.
Although again I have the same issue with monitor's speakers and volume adjustment. I can hear the sounds/music through them but only at max sound level and can't adjust the volume at all.
I thought I wouldn't have this issue with ThunderBolt.
Any suggestion please?

Check the audio setup in Settings. I’ve had issues where macOS decides that it wants to route my audio (and mic) through my closed MBPro rather than through the attached ASD