External monitor for MBP

[Jarousin]

I am trying to find the best monitor to use with both my 13” MBP 2020 (previously had 2018) and a gaming PC. I have 2 27” LG monitors right now - one is 4K USB-C 60hz and the other is 2K 144hz with Gsync. I can’t fit both monitors on my desk at home so I’m trying to pick one, or perhaps another option.

The 2K monitor connects to my MBP with a HDMI to USB-C cable but the text looks blurry. It’s not a very good experience. However, since it is 144hz the gaming performance is better. The 4K monitor stresses my gaming PC (I have a 2070 GPU) but if I run games at 1440p it’s better, although capped at 60hz.

Is there any way to get the clarity of the 4K monitor on the 2K gaming monitor with my MBP? I don’t necessarily need 4K but i don’t want blurry text. Any recommendations for one monitor that will fully support both devices?

 

[Lucas284]

Maybe, in your situation, u should look at ultrawide curved monitors

 

[Jarousin]

I’m definitely open to an ultra wide but ultimately I’d like something with a retina quality display (smooth text) and high refresh for gaming (1440p, 144hz). My biggest issue is the blurry text on my current 1440p monitor. I read about font smoothing in settings but it didn’t work. I guess I could try the “forced RGB” solutions out there...

 

[Mark McM]

Hi, This week I bought a Philips 346B1c ultra wide monitor to connect to my MacBook Air 2020 running Catalina. I attempted to connect using the Apple USB-C but it just won't connect. Telephone Apple support couldn't fix (the very polite person took control of the Mac and eventually decided all I was attempting was correct). The monitor works with other my Firestick (HDMI). Apple support suggested I might need to update firmware on the monitor. I can't find any firmware that works on line. Philips customer services are not open until Monday in the UK. Can anybody out there help point me in the right direction to solve this weekend?

 

[no girls]

u need to use display port instead of hdmi if you want 1440p and 144hz at the same time

 

[Mark McM]

Hi, I'm using - or attempting to use - the supplied Thunderbolt to USB-C for the MacAir connection.

The reference to HDMI was for the Firestick which I used to make sure the monitor was working. Which it is.

I'm worried the Philips 346B1c is not compatible with Catalina and there is no firmware to help.

 

[triangletechie]

I'm having an issue with an external monitor on my new 2020 MBP. I'm using a 24" Dell USB-C monitor. When I first connected, everything was fine. This morning, when I woke the MBP from sleep mode, the Dell stayed blank and said something like no USB-C signal detected. also, when the MBP was asleep, it took about a minute before it woke up from me tapping on the keyboard.

This is the first time I've used an external monitor. I had to unplug the USB-C cable and re-attach to get the Dell monitor to receive the signal. This is not something I want to have to keep doing in the future.

Is this a known quirk with external monitors and Apple computers?

 

[pshufd]

I’m definitely open to an ultra wide but ultimately I’d like something with a retina quality display (smooth text) and high refresh for gaming (1440p, 144hz). My biggest issue is the blurry text on my current 1440p monitor. I read about font smoothing in settings but it didn’t work. I guess I could try the “forced RGB” solutions out there...

What's the size of your monitor. I run Dell U2515H QHD 25 inch monitors and they are fine. I also run U2718Q monitors which are 4K 28 inch and they are fine though the font is small. I run one at native resolution and the other at QHD resolution.

 

[edubfromktown]

QHD is an awesome option for all-day sorts of use IMO. Whichever route you choose to go, just get something that has a quality USB-C connection (that can trickle charge your MBP).

4k is quite compact by comparison and doesn't work for my vision corrected and aging eyes. HP E324q has worked well- my 13" runs cool in clamshell mode and the battery runs down (slowly) with the only the display connected more often than pivoting to charging mode.

 

[interbear]

Hi, This week I bought a Philips 346B1c ultra wide monitor to connect to my MacBook Air 2020 running Catalina. I attempted to connect using the Apple USB-C but it just won't connect. Telephone Apple support couldn't fix (the very polite person took control of the Mac and eventually decided all I was attempting was correct). The monitor works with other my Firestick (HDMI). Apple support suggested I might need to update firmware on the monitor. I can't find any firmware that works on line. Philips customer services are not open until Monday in the UK. Can anybody out there help point me in the right direction to solve this weekend?

I have exactly the same monitor connected to my MBP16, connected via USB-C and powering the MBP. No problems. Other than the fan noise / heat issue that seems to be prevalent with the MBP16 when connected to an external monitor.

One thing to check is the cable. The first USB-C cable I used did not work as it wasn't rated to handle power and media. So I got this one instead - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073KCPS2M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - not cheap but it works and allows me to have the single cable into the MBP for power and monitor connection. The USB hub on the Philips monitor works fine too.

I highly doubt it's a firmware issue on the monitor as these are very new models.