Benq SW270c & 2018 Mac Mini Question

[turnipfarmer]

Hey everyone.


Just wondering if someone can help, just purchased a 2018 Mac mini which I've yet to setup as waiting for the monitor to come.


The monitor I've bought is a benq sw270c which can't wait to use.


This might sound like a newbie question but it seems the monitor has tons of connections, which is best to use between my Mac mini and this monitor? I'm thinking the USB C connection but do I need a thunderbolt 3 cable for this or is the usb c to usb c cable supplied fine?

 

[icymountain]

I am wondering the same and will watch the answers, as I am currently planning the purchase of some Benq sw display (more and more likely the sw271).

 

[Boyd01]

Just setup a new Mini with a BenQ PD3200Q and love it. This model doesn't have a USB-C input, so I'm using a displayport to USB-C cable, since I've read a number of posts about HDMI problems. Now, my monitor is QHD - 2560x1440 on a 32" screen. This produces very readable text at the native resolution.

If you are getting a screen that you plan to run at a scaled resolution (for example, a 27" screen at 4k resolution will result in tiny text) that can produce a big load on the Mini's graphic chip and result in poor performance and/or loud fans. Have a look at this thread

4k 3rd party display

That "little graphics scaling performance issue" is due to the Intel UHD-630 graphics chip - it's a hardware issue. The Mini has been criticized for using this graphics processor, and that is why some people use an external graphics processor (eGPU) for more demanding applications. I think the...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[turnipfarmer]

Just setup a new Mini with a BenQ PD3200Q and love it. This model doesn't have a USB-C input, so I'm using a displayport to USB-C cable, since I've read a number of posts about HDMI problems. Now, my monitor is QHD - 2560x1440 on a 32" screen. This produces very readable text at the native resolution.

If you are getting a screen that you plan to run at a scaled resolution (for example, a 27" screen at 4k resolution will result in tiny text) that can produce a big load on the Mini's graphic chip and result in poor performance and/or loud fans. Have a look at this thread

4k 3rd party display

That "little graphics scaling performance issue" is due to the Intel UHD-630 graphics chip - it's a hardware issue. The Mini has been criticized for using this graphics processor, and that is why some people use an external graphics processor (eGPU) for more demanding applications. I think the...

forums.macrumors.com

The sw270c I've got coming is only 2k so hopefully should be ok I think?

I've done a bit more digging and it seems I think the USB c connection on this monitor is the one to use as the USB c ports on Mac mini have displayport recognition built in so it seems that's the connection to go for.

I'll keep you updated when monitor comes unless someone is able to confirm it.

 

[Fishrrman]

IF the USBc cable doesn't work, then get a:
USBc (Mini end) to displayport (display end) connector.

 

[Boyd01]

The sw270c I've got coming is only 2k so hopefully should be ok I think?

This is all a matter of personal preference. That monitor has the same resolution as my 32" screen (2560x1440), so the pixels are closer together and text/user interface elements will be smaller. I would find that usable, but a little smaller than I prefer. I'm in my 70's however.

That screen has a dot pitch about the same as a 15" laptop, but I tend to view a laptop screen from a closer distance than a 27" monitor.

 

[ashleykaryl]

I would have thought the easiest option is just to use the HDMI port with a good quality cable. That should work fine and free up one of your USB ports for usage elsewhere.