Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

qdreesmann

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 14, 2017
10
2
Dear all,

I have the new 2020 MacBook Air and I want to connect it to a 22-24 inch display (27 inch too big for me).
Almost all 22-24” displays have a 1920x1080 resolution. Is that enough to get the same text sharpness and detail as I get on the MacBook Air screen, or should I try to find a 22-24” display with a 2560x1440 resolution?

Many thanks for your advice.

ps I find it strange so few displays have speakers and a webcam. If someone knows of any, pls let me know.
 

adrianlondon

macrumors 603
Nov 28, 2013
5,525
8,338
Switzerland
Put each resolution and screen size into this tool, and compare the PPI. Click the "remember" button after each one so you can compare.

I did this yesterday as I have my new Air and am also wondering whether to get a 1080p 22" monitor or a 1440p 24" one.

I'm currently looking at the Dell p2219hc and the Lenovo p24h. I'm also still trying to decide whether I want to run my Air at the default (1440x900) or the higher (1680x1050) resolution. if I was 10 years younger and didn't need reading glasses it'd be the latter all the time. At the monent (I've only had the laptop 3 days!) I use the higher res during the day and the default/lower res in the evenings/night.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MecPro

MecPro

macrumors 6502a
Mar 6, 2009
586
414
London
I have this issue now!

The monitors are for my Mrs, and she doesn't want 27" and tbh Mac is terrible at handling external resolutions and I'm running my screens at 2560x1440 which still has the text a bit blurry but I just measured and I sit 3ft away from my monitors so it's not that bad

I think I will take a look at the Lenovo P24h, as the resolution is a little higher, I don't know what it will look like in person though
 
  • Like
Reactions: adrianlondon

adrianlondon

macrumors 603
Nov 28, 2013
5,525
8,338
Switzerland
There's also the Samsung s24h850 but that's more expensive than the Lenovo. I have a feeling, as I live in a small place and don't have a desk (I'll be using the dining table) that I'll end up with the 22" Dell. I really can't decide :)
 

venom600

macrumors 65816
Mar 23, 2003
1,310
1,167
Los Angeles, CA
Dear all,

I have the new 2020 MacBook Air and I want to connect it to a 22-24 inch display (27 inch too big for me).
Almost all 22-24” displays have a 1920x1080 resolution. Is that enough to get the same text sharpness and detail as I get on the MacBook Air screen, or should I try to find a 22-24” display with a 2560x1440 resolution?

Simply put, if you want the same working space as your internal display, a 1080p or 1440p monitor is a fine choice. If you want the "retina" style look, you need a display with four times the resolution to enable HiDPI mode. That means a 4k display uses four pixels to replicate one. So 4k turns into 1080p and 5k turns into 1440p. 5k displays don't exist except for the LG, so you are looking at a 4k display to get that HiDPI sharpness.
 

adrianlondon

macrumors 603
Nov 28, 2013
5,525
8,338
Switzerland
After a few days' use, I'm running my Air at 1680x1050 most of the time and am no longer sure I even need an external monitor. I've put the purchase on hold.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.