External Monitor - help

[RaphaZ]

Hello community!

I've bought a MSI PRO MP241 X, thinking it would replace a 2010's LED Samsung that I had.
I'm working on my MBA M1 and I wanted this solution, thinking that 10 years of technology would be a huge leap and a relief to my eyes at the end of the day (although my old monitor served me well).
But I'm trying to ameliorate the resolution and it often seems I'm working on the old monitor.
What am I doing wrong, how can I at least have a better image?

Thanks!

 

[Bigwaff]

Can you provide some specifics ...

• how are you connecting MBA M1 to this monitor... USB-C > HDMI ?
• what is the current resolution setting for the display in your system preferences?

 

[RaphaZ]

Can you provide some specifics ...

• how are you connecting MBA M1 to this monitor... USB-C > HDMI ?
• what is the current resolution setting for the display in your system preferences?

So, I'm working with USBC-HDMI connector.
These are the settings:

 

[BrianBaughn]

No! Just No!

You need to get, at the very least, a 4K monitor.

 

[RaphaZ]

No! Just No!

You need to get, at the very least, a 4K monitor.

So, it is worthless? No gain from the previous monitor?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Negligible gain if your previous monitor was also 1080p.

You might find that a 1440p monitor looks as good as a 4K monitor…to you. In my case, my 27" 4K monitor is scaled to 1440 as 2160 (its native) is too small.

The expensive 5K monitors are 2880 but the standard is to scale them to 1440.

Your M1 MBA's native resolution is 1600 which looks pretty sharp on that little screen. You can scale it to lower resolutions to increase the size of everything.

I still use a 1080p monitor to the side and it's "acceptable" for watching streaming TV for sports etc.

 

[RaphaZ]

Negligible gain if your previous monitor was also 1080p.

You might find that a 1440p monitor looks as good as a 4K monitor…to you. In my case, my 27" 4K monitor is scaled to 1440 as 2160 (its native) is too small.

The expensive 5K monitors are 2880 but the standard is to scale them to 1440.

Your M1 MBA's native resolution is 1600 which looks pretty sharp on that little screen. You can scale it to lower resolutions to increase the size of everything.

I still use a 1080p monitor to the side and it's "acceptable" for watching streaming TV for sports etc.

I feel so dumb. I thought I’ve done a great deal… I saw some apps can modify resolution settings, would that be reasonable?

 

[Amethyst1]

I saw some apps can modify resolution settings, would that be reasonable?

You could play with HiDPI modes using BetterDummy or SwitchResX. These modes have vastly improved font rendering, which is what makes 4K and higher resolution monitors look much nicer. However, since you only have 1920×1080 physical pixels to begin with, these will come at the expense of precious screen estate. For example, you could use 960×540, 1440×810 or 1600×900 HiDPI modes: better font rendering, but less screen estate. It would be pointless to use a 1920×1080 HiDPI mode on a 1920×1080 monitor: you wouldn't see a difference.

The "best" solution for font rendering would indeed be to buy a "4K" monitor.

 

[RaphaZ]

You could play with HiDPI modes using BetterDummy or SwitchResX. These modes have vastly improved font rendering, which is what makes 4K and higher resolution monitors look much nicer. However, since you only have 1920×1080 physical pixels to begin with, these will come at the expense of precious screen estate. For example, you could use 960×540, 1440×810 or 1600×900 HiDPI modes: better font rendering, but less screen estate. It would be pointless to use a 1920×1080 HiDPI mode on a 1920×1080 monitor: you wouldn't see a difference.

The "best" solution for font rendering would indeed be to buy a "4K" monitor.

Omg. I'm the worst guy buying technology.
I'll try the 960x540, but it has no sense to have a 27" monitor narrowed like that.

 

[xraydoc]

Omg. I'm the worst guy buying technology.
I'll try the 960x540, but it has no sense to have a 27" monitor narrowed like that.

No. Don't do that. You'll be working within the area of a postage stamp. That's basically the same resolution as an Apple Watch display.

You bought a monitor that likely is no different than the one you just got rid of, perhaps except for diagonal size. A 1080p image blown up to 27" will look worse than a 1080p image at 24".

Get a modern 4K display. You don't need to buy the most expensive one. An OK one can be had for $375 USD. If you need something less expensive, then a 1440p monitor ($250 neighborhood) would be next best bet. But 4K is most advisable.

 

[RaphaZ]

No. Don't do that. You'll be working within the area of a postage stamp. That's basically the same resolution as an Apple Watch display.

You bought a monitor that likely is no different than the one you just got rid of, perhaps except for diagonal size. A 1080p image blown up to 27" will look worse than a 1080p image at 24".

Get a modern 4K display. You don't need to buy the most expensive one. An OK one can be had for $375 USD. If you need something less expensive, then a 1440p monitor ($250 neighborhood) would be next best bet. But 4K is most advisable.

Well, that's too much, even here in Europe is not easy to buy around that price, but I can check it.
Can you guide me? I mean, now I don't know if the old monitor (which I still have) is weaker than the new one.
Old: https://www.samsung.com/pt/support/model/LS22A300BS/EN/#downloads
New: https://www.pccomponentes.pt/msi-pro-mp241x-238-led-fullhd-75hz

If the different is negligible, I'll return the new one and use the oldest.

 

[BrianBaughn]

I got a $250 4K LG from Amazon USA and it's fine for me. Like you, I was using a 1080p monitor before…so I haven't been spoiled by a 5K iMac monitor like a lot of folks have.

I've seen 1440p monitors on there in the $150 range.

Maybe you could just search the US Amazon site to get some model numbers and then see if you can get a decent price from a seller in your region.

 

[xraydoc]

I got a $250 4K LG from Amazon USA and it's fine for me. Like you, I was using a 1080p monitor before…so I haven't been spoiled by a 5K iMac monitor like a lot of folks have.

I've seen 1440p monitors on there in the $150 range.

Maybe you could just search the US Amazon site to get some model numbers and then see if you can get a decent price from a seller in your region.

Edit: Sorry ^^ Meant to quote the OP.

Original post:

Your old monitor is 1366x768 @ 19”. Your new one is 1920x1024 @ 24”. Better, but still pretty low by modern standards. 82 PPI on the old one versus 90 PPI on the new one. Not a huge difference. More desktop space, but text will be similarly blocky with such a low PPI.

I can’t guide your shopping with any more specificity that I already have, but if you’re not happy with the new one, return it and shop carefully for a replacement. Don’t just go by size and price. Look at other specs. If you’re unsure, post here with your potential purchases and we can help guide you towards one or the other.

 

[LuisN]

Well, that's too much, even here in Europe is not easy to buy around that price, but I can check it.
Can you guide me? I mean, now I don't know if the old monitor (which I still have) is weaker than the new one.
Old: https://www.samsung.com/pt/support/model/LS22A300BS/EN/#downloads
New: https://www.pccomponentes.pt/msi-pro-mp241x-238-led-fullhd-75hz

If the different is negligible, I'll return the new one and use the oldest.

Amazon.es: Monitor 27 1440

Amazon.es: monitor 27 1440

www.amazon.es

Amazon.es: 4k Monitor

Amazon.es: 4k monitor

www.amazon.es

 

[adrianlondon]

Omg. I'm the worst guy buying technology.
I'll try the 960x540, but it has no sense to have a 27" monitor narrowed like that.

You have a 24" monitor. You're running it at its full resolution of 1920x1080.

Don't lower the resolution; everything will look too big imo. Monitor technology hasn't changed a great deal over the years in the cheaper models.

I recently bought a 25" 2560x1440 usb-c monitor and I'm really happy with it. I run it at that resolution, and despite the people who typically post that one should only buy 4K (or 5K) and scale it down to a low resolution, 2560x1440 is perfectly legible for many people. Plus, usb-c means only one cable and it also charges my laptop.

However ... it cost €270 in a sale (Dell u2520D). For me, it was worth it.

 

[RaphaZ]

Edit: Sorry ^^ Meant to quote the OP.

Original post:

Your old monitor is 1366x768 @ 19”. Your new one is 1920x1024 @ 24”. Better, but still pretty low by modern standards. 82 PPI on the old one versus 90 PPI on the new one. Not a huge difference. More desktop space, but text will be similarly blocky with such a low PPI.

I can’t guide your shopping with any more specificity that I already have, but if you’re not happy with the new one, return it and shop carefully for a replacement. Don’t just go by size and price. Look at other specs. If you’re unsure, post here with your potential purchases and we can help guide you towards one or the other.

Thank you, this information was really helpful. I just regret I don't have asked earlier!
From what you've said, I'm closer for returning the product and using the old monitor. I've done a basic research and found this HP monitor from the same retailer (HP V28 LED), and 50 euros cheaper in other store.

Honestly I don't think I want a purchase like that. This old resolution doesn't affect my eyes (am I right...right?!), only bothers me to have two resolutions but well, I can live with that. I just thought 10 years could have made a difference within these price range.

 

[RaphaZ]

You have a 24" monitor. You're running it at its full resolution of 1920x1080.

Don't lower the resolution; everything will look too big imo. Monitor technology hasn't changed a great deal over the years in the cheaper models.

I recently bought a 25" 2560x1440 usb-c monitor and I'm really happy with it. I run it at that resolution, and despite the people who typically post that one should only buy 4K (or 5K) and scale it down to a low resolution, 2560x1440 is perfectly legible for many people. Plus, usb-c means only one cable and it also charges my laptop.

However ... it cost €270 in a sale (Dell u2520D). For me, it was worth it.

Wow! I saw that monitor, seems very cool. Nothing that compares to this.
Not even a brand new HDMI connection - replacing VGA - seems to have made any substantial difference.

 

[Aggedor]

27" 4K LG monitor here with my M1 MBA, connected via HDMI. Looks amazing.

 

[adrianlondon]

Wow! I saw that monitor, seems very cool. Nothing that compares to this.
Not even a brand new HDMI connection - replacing VGA - seems to have made any substantial difference.

It was double the price, which is the trade-off.

There isn't much difference between a VGA and HDMI connection until you use a resolution higher than HD, or a higher than 60Hz refresh rate. If you aren't doing that then the picture quality will look the same (despite the fact VGA is analog and HDMI is digital). HDMI can transmit audio as well as video, but again if the monitor is a standard one (no speakers) then it doesn't matter.

 

[floral]

No! Just No!

You need to get, at the very least, a 4K monitor.

You don't "need" anything.. some people can't spare the money to buy a flashy 4K monitor.

Personally, I think 1080p quality is very nice.

 

[RaphaZ]

It was double the price, which is the trade-off.

There isn't much difference between a VGA and HDMI connection until you use a resolution higher than HD, or a higher than 60Hz refresh rate. If you aren't doing that then the picture quality will look the same (despite the fact VGA is analog and HDMI is digital). HDMI can transmit audio as well as video, but again if the monitor is a standard one (no speakers) then it doesn't matter.

Oh, I see...that makes sense...

 

[BrianBaughn]

The 4K monitor I bought last fall didn't cost much more than the first (and smaller) 1080p monitor I purchased years ago.

But a budget is a budget.

 

[xraydoc]

You don't "need" anything.. some people can't spare the money to buy a flashy 4K monitor.

Personally, I think 1080p quality is very nice.

I understand. But he wanted a technology jump for his 10 year wait, and, well, going from 768p to 1080p isn’t really much of a jump. And even OP couldn’t figure out why it didn’t really make much difference.

 

[RaphaZ]

I understand. But he wanted a technology jump for his 10 year wait, and, well, going from 768p to 1080p isn’t really much of a jump. And even OP couldn’t figure out why it didn’t really make much difference.

OP is a cabbage - the expression we use here in Portugal for people who behave naively!
I tend to inform myself before purchasing something, and my feeling was that I was doing a great thing.

 

[floral]

OP is a cabbage - the expression we use here in Portugal for people who behave naively!
I tend to inform myself before purchasing something, and my feeling was that I was doing a great thing.

Well, depends. If you need a big jump for stuff like viewing super high definition videos, or modelling for work, then 4K is for you.

Otherwise, 1080p is about the same as a Retina display and will work fine if you don't need amazing quality.