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A bit lost with a choice of monitor

gigatoaster

gigatoaster

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 22, 2018
1,661
3,235
France
Hello there

I just bought a mini M1. It’s the basic model with 256 Gb / 8 Gb. It’s for my mom. She just does internet, nd Word/Excel.

I’m looking for a monitor and I’m a bit lost with all the references at Dell. There is also LG but I don’t know if I should trust this brand.

I think 4K would be nice to have crisp fonts. Which DELL or LG reference would you recommend? Ideally something that can do scaled at 1080p. I did it on my 55 OLED TV & it looks perfect.

Size would be 24 inches.
 
Unless you go for the LG Ultrafine (and pay the premium for doing so), you're not going to find much in the 24" range that's 4K.
 
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I'm also looking for a 4K monitor for my new M1 Mini and (I think) I've settled on the Dell S2721QS, but it's not available anywhere (I'm in the UK).

There's a few LG monitors I'm considering too that are slightly more expensive than the Dell, but I see conflicting reports about their quality long-term.
 
There are generally three 24" 4K displays in the market (ish): The LG 24" 4K UltraFine, The LG 24" 4K 24UD58, and the Dell P2415Q, if you can still find it.

The Dell display is excellent IMO (I have two) but is essentially discontinued now, so it's just a matter of whether you can find stock of it.

The Ultrafine is probably the "easiest" option (no adapter required and it's designed to use with Macs), but it's also going to be the most expensive by far.
 
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OP wrote:
"Size would be 24 inches."

How's your mom's vision doing?

I asked because I've found with age, often the size of text is as important, or MORE important than it's "clarity".

She might be more satisfied with a 27" display, which will have the overall appearance of "slightly larger text" (when text is displayed at normal font sizes).

Combine this with the sharpness of 4k, and I predict she'll be quite happy.
 
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Fishrrman said:
I asked because I've found with age, often the size of text is as important, or MORE important than it's "clarity".
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This is why scaling exists.

Anything from LG or Dell will likely do the job. That said, I’d personally go with 27’’ 4k because there is a lot more availability. Dell P series would be my choice if she can afford it. The S2721 could also be a good choice if color accuracy is less important.
 
Thanks. Yes I gave her my mini 2014 and I zoomed everything. Maybe 27 inches is better? It allows bigger fonts and interface than 24 inches you think?
 
gigatoaster said:
Thanks. Yes I gave her my mini 2014 and I zoomed everything. Maybe 27 inches is better? It allows bigger fonts and interface than 24 inches you think?
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Running at the 'macOS default' for a 4k display ("looks like 1920x1080") everything will appear bigger than a 24" display: it's the same number of pixels on a physically bigger screen.

A 27" 4K display is definitely easier to find.
 
Great. I’ll get a 27, then. Any recommendations? Or things to be aware of when choosing one?
 
For my M1 mac mini I found this Samsung UR55 to be economical and perfect for general purpose use. It is also 28" and 4k - while Best Buy has it for $350, I found it for about $90 less during a sale. In any event check the reviews here and notice that people find it pretty good value for money without any real downsides save that the monitor tilts but is not height-adjustable.

www.bestbuy.com

Samsung 28” ViewFinity UHD IPS AMD FreeSync with HDR Monitor Black LU28R550UQNXZA - Best Buy

Shop Samsung 28” ViewFinity UHD IPS AMD FreeSync with HDR Monitor Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
www.bestbuy.com www.bestbuy.com
 
Thanks for your recommendations. Unfortunately, most are unavailable and was considering if the HP Z27 was a good alternative. I would love the Dell but out of stock everywhere.

I’m considering maybe waiting March for new Apple announcement, maybe there will be a new monitor.
 
gigatoaster said:
Thanks for your recommendations. Unfortunately, most are unavailable and was considering if the HP Z27 was a good alternative. I would love the Dell but out of stock everywhere.

I’m considering maybe waiting March for new Apple announcement, maybe there will be a new monitor.
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I doubt. When this kind of rumor is leaked, it usually takes 18 months before ever seing something released IF it’s released. I can be wrong, but I doubt. It’s not supply chain rumors neither.

Dell USA and Canada have U2720Q in stock.
 
U2720Q. It clearly seems to be the best build quality, power delivery over USB-C, ergonomics, while maintaining the same great picture quality of the LG 27UL850.

Others from Dell use lower end panels.
 
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True. And the LG 27UN850 is still a very great monitor. It's very difficult to chose between this one and the Dell. I'm still debating a lot between both. But Dell has a 3 year warranty.
 
pldelisle said:
True. And the LG 27UN850 is still a very great monitor. It's very difficult to chose between this one and the Dell. I'm still debating a lot between both. But Dell has a 3 year warranty.
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I‘m in a similar position to you. Thinking about the LG 27UL/UN850 or the Dell P2721Q. Both at a similar price in the UK. I‘d prefer the Dell, but it‘s not available anywhere, so may just go for the LG rather than waiting an indefinite amount of time.

Truthfully I’d rather a 24/25” screen. But as you know 4K options are very limited at this size. The Dell P2415 can’t be found anywhere, the LG 24UD58 has mixed reviews, and the Ultrafine is too expensive.

The compromise option is the the smaller Dell U2520D. Being a U series it‘ll be high quality and reviews are excellent. It’s ‘only’ 1440p though, and I worry that it won’t be sharp enough. I can see the pixels on my 24” 1080p screen, and 1440p isn’t that much better in terms of PPI.
 
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