External Monitor for 13” MacBook Pro M2 or Separate setup with a Mac Mini ?

[jwar1976]

Hi all, I absolutely love my 13” M2 MacBook Pro, for editing photos while away from home. But now as i will be doing more editing at home, i am now wanting a bigger screen. So have been going through the options of either an external monitor and hopefully get the MBP working in clamshell mode, or buying a Mini with a monitor. While I do plan to learn video editing in the near future, storage isn’t a problem, as I have a Synology nas with about 4tb, on my home network.

I was wondering if anyone here could offer any advice, on what step would be ideal to take ?

Many thanks

 

[drrich2]

Either way, you're going to get a monitor. I suggest you get that, try it out with your notebook, then consider the Mini option later if, experience suggests you need it.

Back in November 2024, I was display-shopping. You can read about my exploration of the market options here. Of course, late year holiday pricing is over, and newer models have come out, but it should give you some idea.

I suspect you'll get a 27" 4K (or maybe 5K) IPS panel display, but that's up to you.

 

[jwar1976]

Either way, you're going to get a monitor. I suggest you get that, try it out with your notebook, then consider the Mini option later if, experience suggests you need it.

Back in November 2024, I was display-shopping. You can read about my exploration of the market options here. Of course, late year holiday pricing is over, and newer models have come out, but it should give you some idea.

I suspect you'll get a 27" 4K (or maybe 5K) IPS panel display, but that's up to you.

Thank you very much for that, I will take a look at your write up.

 

[Fishrrman]

I agree that a 27" 4k display would be the possibility to consider first.
Many choices out there at all price points.

 

[zqbobs]

I had a similar decision to make about a year ago, except I had a 27" iMac and wanted to downsize my monitor a little. Simultaneously, I got a MacBook Air M3 and thought I would try it out in closed mode rather than go for a new Mini. Went through a lot of stress on whether 4K or 5K was better for photo editing. I wound up with a 24" 4K LG Ultrafine (used), which has worked out fine for me. The LG requires a Thunderbolt USB-C connection, but has extra downstream ports on the back. Recently got a Satechi Pro Hub Slim to attach to the Air, giving some extra ports also. Finally, don't forget you'll need a keyboard. I really recommend the Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac. Have been happy with this setup for months and seldom miss the larger 27" iMac display.

 

[jwar1976]

I agree that a 27" 4k display would be the possibility to consider first.
Many choices out there at all price points.

I have measured up my desk and in all honesty, anything above 27” would be pushing it, as my desk is 28”, so a 27” monitor would probably have a physical width of 24”. I am currently looking at the Dell S2722QC for £277 and the Benq PD2705U for £344.

I had a similar decision to make about a year ago, except I had a 27" iMac and wanted to downsize my monitor a little. Simultaneously, I got a MacBook Air M3 and thought I would try it out in closed mode rather than go for a new Mini. Went through a lot of stress on whether 4K or 5K was better for photo editing. I wound up with a 24" 4K LG Ultrafine (used), which has worked out fine for me. The LG requires a Thunderbolt USB-C connection, but has extra downstream ports on the back. Recently got a Satechi Pro Hub Slim to attach to the Air, giving some extra ports also. Finally, don't forget you'll need a keyboard. I really recommend the Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac. Have been happy with this setup for months and seldom miss the larger 27" iMac display.

Thank you very much for that, I had no idea that choosing the right monitor was going to be such a pain in the nether regions. I will check out the 24” LG, and have heard good things about the Logitech MX.