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Best external Monitor for 13 inch retina MacBook Pro

S

samcema

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 19, 2015
40
3
Kolkata
So right now I want to buy an external monitor for my 13 inch retina macbook pro (mid 2014). I have heard that this model can't drive 4k display in 60 Hz via mini display port. So other than that what is the maximum resolution it does support via mini display port @ 60Hz. I need a monitor of size about 28 inch+. Any suggestion?:)
 
gr4z said:
I have just got 2 Dell U2515H 1440p monitors and they are excellent. They do a 27" version as well. The 13" rMBP drives them fine at 60Hz.

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/p...ell-u2515h-monitor?c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&l=en&s=bsd
Click to expand...
I'm VERY intrigued by the U2515H. Looks like this was just recently released. It offers the same resolution as the Apple Thunderbolt display, with 2" less size. Great pixel density. USB hub in the back... I may pick it up! Let us know how it ends up working for you. Do you have the two lined up vertically or horizontally?
 
spaceballl said:
I'm VERY intrigued by the U2515H. Looks like this was just recently released. It offers the same resolution as the Apple Thunderbolt display, with 2" less size. Great pixel density. USB hub in the back... I may pick it up! Let us know how it ends up working for you. Do you have the two lined up vertically or horizontally?
Click to expand...

So far so very good :)
 

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spaceballl said:
I'm VERY intrigued by the U2515H. Looks like this was just recently released. It offers the same resolution as the Apple Thunderbolt display, with 2" less size. Great pixel density. USB hub in the back... I may pick it up! Let us know how it ends up working for you. Do you have the two lined up vertically or horizontally?
Click to expand...

So 13inch rmbp runs both the monitor simultaneously at 60Hz? BTW its looking really nice.

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gr4z said:
I have just got 2 Dell U2515H 1440p monitors and they are excellent. They do a 27" version as well. The 13" rMBP drives them fine at 60Hz.

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/p...ell-u2515h-monitor?c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&l=en&s=bsd
Click to expand...

What about Asus PB278Q WQHD monitor?
 
So I'm just about ready to click buy on this monitor...

Do you find text too small at 1440P? Or just right? Any last minute thoughts / recommendations / issues?

The coupons I have aren't working at Dell.com so it looks like a flat $500. Only about $120 more to get the U2715H, which also looks pretty darn nice.
 
ASUS PB278 Display

I am very happy with my 27" ASUS PB278 Display which I ordered from Amazon using some Christmas gift cards I received. I use an Elgato ThunderBolt II Hub and from the hub go mini display port to the full size display port in the PB27B monitor. The monitor comes with speakers but I do not use them and use external speakers (plugged into the hub). So far so good.
 
spaceballl said:
So I'm just about ready to click buy on this monitor...

Do you find text too small at 1440P? Or just right? Any last minute thoughts / recommendations / issues?

The coupons I have aren't working at Dell.com so it looks like a flat $500. Only about $120 more to get the U2715H, which also looks pretty darn nice.
Click to expand...

For me text is "just right". I find 27" pixel pitch to big. So far no issues, have tested with riMac, 13" rMBP, 15"rMBP. This display is really a great compromise until HiDPI/4K is the norm. Wonderful monitor, excellent AG coating, very bright, low power consumption. Very satisfied with this monitor.
 
U2515H looks great, but the new 27" looks great too :D. The U2515H is $500 at Dell.com, but I'd have to pay tax... The U2715H is only $550 @ B&H Photo - no tax, free shipping. Gonna get that one for my 15" rMBP.

Of course, this is just a stopgap monitor until I get a Skylake MacBook Pro with 5K monitor :D.
 
spaceballl said:
U2515H looks great, but the new 27" looks great too :D. The U2515H is $500 at Dell.com, but I'd have to pay tax... The U2715H is only $550 @ B&H Photo - no tax, free shipping. Gonna get that one for my 15" rMBP.

Of course, this is just a stopgap monitor until I get a Skylake MacBook Pro with 5K monitor :D.
Click to expand...

Here's review of U2715H in case you have not seen it before.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2715h.htm
 
samcema said:
Hoping of pulling the trigger on dell 34 inch curved monitor dell U3415W.
Click to expand...

It's definitely a nice monitor.

qTfJ6hO.jpg


Has backlight bleed in the corners though, when dark content is displayed.

samcema said:
Will the rmbp run it at 60Hz? Any suggestion?
Click to expand...

For OS X, check your GPU.

If you have an Iris 5100, I'm not sure. As I understand it, those will not do 4K@60Hz. Maybe they will do 3440x1440, as it's not that much more than a relatively common 2540x1440 monitor, but can't say for sure.

If you have Intel Iris Pro 5200 then I bet that you wouldn't have a problem. As of 10.9.3 that GPU will support 4k@60Hz, which is even higher resolution than that Dell's 3440x1440.

For Windows, I suspect both the 5100 and 5200 are okay.
 
ActionableMango, do you lean over your desk a lot?

I ask because the display seems so far back that it would be hard to read things, and the keyboard is far back too.

The set up looks great though.
 
Sorry for the delay in responding...here is my desk from another post in case you hadn't seen it
 

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Sorry to barge in on the thread, but what is the difference between the Dell U2415 and the U2515? I've been looking for an external monitor but I can't figure out the difference between these two models except for size.
Does the U2515 have a glossy screen while the 2415 is matte?
 
Last edited:
nehas91 said:
Sorry to barge in on the thread, but what is the difference between the Dell U2415 and the U2515? I've been looking for an external monitor but I can't figure out the difference between these two models except for size.
Does the U2515 have a glossy screen while the 2415 is matte?
Click to expand...

Do you mean the U2515H and the U2415? I can't find specs for a U2515 without the "H" on the end of it....Am I just missing it?
 
JCCash said:
I am very happy with my 27" ASUS PB278 Display which I ordered from Amazon using some Christmas gift cards I received. I use an Elgato ThunderBolt II Hub and from the hub go mini display port to the full size display port in the PB27B monitor. The monitor comes with speakers but I do not use them and use external speakers (plugged into the hub). So far so good.
Click to expand...
Can you give some screenshot? I am pretty much in love with the contrast of asus pb278q panel. But the dell has such a wide space for work. But i guess the color accuracy or vibrancy is not that compared to asus in case of dell. Seems like some washed out.
 
samcema said:
Can you give some screenshot? I am pretty much in love with the contrast of asus pb278q panel. But the dell has such a wide space for work. But i guess the color accuracy or vibrancy is not that compared to asus in case of dell. Seems like some washed out.
Click to expand...

What do you mean when you save the Dell has such a wide space for work? The PB278Q has the same resolution as the Dells been discussed here.
 
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