External Monitor Spec Recommendations for my 2019 iMac 17" i9

[jsunem]

Hello, I am looking for recommended specs I should consider when shopping for 2 monitors for my home office. I'll primarily be using them for my work assigned Lenovo Thinkpad laptop, BUT I'd also like to ensure they work with my 2019 iMac core i9.

Work Needs: My work needs are simple I'll just be looking at construction plans/blueprints (PDFs) so I don't need anything crazy in terms of resolution or refresh rate. The laptop has USB-C support but also a single displayport.

Personal Needs: Pretty basic, not doing video production or photo editing beyond the very basic. And since there don't seem to be a ton of games available I'm not sure how much my refresh rate matters. this iMac has Thunderbolt digital video output and supports up to 4096x2304 for 2 displays. I have a LaCie 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3, model# STGB16000400 which has 3 Thunderbold/USB-C's and a displayport as well: "DisplayPort: Connect to high-resolution 720p to 1080p or 4K displays"

So with that in mind and the knowledge that I'm personally paying for these monitors and not getting reimbursed. What specs or models do you recommend?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

2019 is about 2 years from "vintage" and 4 years from "obsolete" in Apple's eyes. So you might want to also consider a monitor into which to plug your NEXT Mac too.

You need one with at least 2 inputs to also plug in that PC, so that somewhat rules out the one that many Apple fans will push: ASD.

I had similar wants & needs except I did want high resolution and chose the Dell 40" 5K2K ultra-wide. It has PLENTY of inputs, so you can connect BOTH your present & next Mac AND a PC or two... or three too. It offers a vertical "canvas" much like the iMac you own but adds significant width to it, giving you plenty of space to spread things out, have more things on screen at the same time and/or split screen so you can have some Mac and some PC on screen at the same time.

The built-in hub has a good mix of present and future use ports, and facilitates sharing the same keyboard and mouse (and other accessories like a hub, speakers, etc) if you like...

Between it and your iMac, you'd have a LOT of usable screen space. But after you retire/sell/give away that iMac in only a few years, you'd still have a substantial screen for both Mac and PC.

Price is about the same as ASD. If you give it some time and keep checking Dell direct offers it below $1800 from time to time.

Having used iMac 27" screens for > 10 years before switching to this, I would never go back to a more square screen again. I'd just immediately replace this one if it conked today. While you imply you don't care that much about resolution, looking at plans & blueprints on a higher resolution screen should be a much better experience than looking at them on a lower resolution screen. The latter will be cheaper but paying up buys you something you probably look at in all computer usage for the next 6-10 or more years.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hello, I am looking for recommended specs I should consider when shopping for 2 monitors for my home office. I'll primarily be using them for my work assigned Lenovo Thinkpad laptop, BUT I'd also like to ensure they work with my 2019 iMac core i9.

Work Needs: My work needs are simple I'll just be looking at construction plans/blueprints (PDFs) so I don't need anything crazy in terms of resolution or refresh rate. The laptop has USB-C support but also a single displayport.

Personal Needs: Pretty basic, not doing video production or photo editing beyond the very basic. And since there don't seem to be a ton of games available I'm not sure how much my refresh rate matters. this iMac has Thunderbolt digital video output and supports up to 4096x2304 for 2 displays. I have a LaCie 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3, model# STGB16000400 which has 3 Thunderbold/USB-C's and a displayport as well: "DisplayPort: Connect to high-resolution 720p to 1080p or 4K displays"

So with that in mind and the knowledge that I'm personally paying for these monitors and not getting reimbursed. What specs or models do you recommend?

I would suggest an LG 48C1 or 55C1 (or C2) to display big blueprints.
I use an LG 48A1 and very happy with it.

Please be minded that 55in monitors are best for a standing user, and 48in monitor require 1m~1.2m distance from your eyes to its central point.

LG C1 OLED Review (OLED48C1PUB, OLED55C1PUB, OLED65C1PUB, OLED77C1PUB, OLED83C1PUA)

The LG C1 OLED is the 2021 replacement for the LG CX OLED. As expected, it's an amazing TV, but aside from a few minor tweaks and upgrades—like the new 'Game Opt...

www.rtings.com

 

[iLondoner]

I run my 27-in 2019 iMac at the highest standard resolution of 3200x1800 resolution (I can run it higher but it gets a bit unreadable).

I've just bought a 27-in Dell S2722QC to act as a second monitor which is connected using a HDMI cable with USB-C at the Mac end, and I've then adjusted the height so the two 27-in monitors are perfectly aligned horizontally.

The Dell doesn't support 3200x1800 as a standard resolution, but I can easily configure it with the QuickRes app to that resolution, so now when I move windows from one screen to another, they are the same size. The only slight downside is that I can't get the Dell and iMac screens to perfectly match each other in colour and contrast, but they are pretty close.

I have also connected the Dell monitor to my 16-in 2021 Macbook Pro using USB-C to USB-C.

This is a really inexpensive solution as the Dell monitor is only about $300. QuickRes costs $15, https://thnkdev.com/QuickRes/

 

[iLondoner]

I might have gone for a wide screen monitor if looking for my MacBook Pro or a Mac Mini but I only just managed to fit the 27-in Dell on my desk alongside the 27-in iMac.

 

[drrich2]

I run my 27-in 2019 iMac at the highest standard resolution of 3200x1800 resolution (I can run it higher but it gets a bit unreadable).

I've just bought a 27-in Dell S2722QC to act as a second monitor which is connected using a HDMI cable with USB-C at the Mac end, and I've then adjusted the height so the two 27-in monitors are perfectly aligned horizontally.

How satisfied are you with the look of the Dell for general use, given that you can compare directly to the 27" iMac?

I'm using a 2017 iMac and have an M4Pro Mac Mini on order; I'm considering that Dell model as a monitor option, since 5K displays are so expensive. I read a lot via browsing the Internet, so text clarity matters.