Is there a display for my needs?

[r6mile]

I am currently using two 20" Apple Cinema Displays. Through a StarTech 4-port dual-DVI KVM switch, this set up is connect to my 2012 Mac Mini (using the HDMI and mDP ports, with DVI adapters), and my Dell XPS work laptop (with two USB-C to DVI adapters). I also have connected to it a keyboard, mouse, crappy Logitech webcam, and USB printer.

I have been thinking lately that this set up is quite clunky, so am thinking about ways to streamline it.

Ideally I would like:

- 32 inch display ideally (but even 27 inch would work) with 2560x1440 QHD resolution, as this is the maximum resolution supported by my Mac Mini)
- USB-C and HDMI (or DVI, mDP) connections, with built-in KVM so I can get rid of my KVM switch. USB-C would also allow me to connect my new iPad Air 4
- optional: built-in 720p/1080p webcam (and maybe speakers). this is not a must but would be very nice.

Does a (reasonably priced) decent display exist that has these features?

 

[Fishrrman]

I have yet to see any 32" 1440p (QHD) displays that have USBc connections or webcams.

They may exist.
But again, I haven't seen one.
You will of course find displayport and HDMI inputs.

A list that might be of some use:
IPS Monitor List: Best AHVA, PLS & IPS LCD Displays

 

[r6mile]

Hi all,

Just in case anyone is looking for a similar display (I have now narrowed my search to a 27' display due to space constraints, and wall-mount it with a VESA stand).
I have narrowed it to the following, all of which are 27' QHD displays with USB-C and HDMI inputs.

- Dell U2721DE. Has four USB3 ports, plus Ethernet connection. No speakers. Can daisy-chain another DisplayPort display (which I have no need for).
- Dell P2720DC. Very similar to above, but no Ethernet and no 3.5mm audio. No DP daisy-chain.
- Lenovo Q27h-10. Has two USB3 ports, plus speakers. Is cheapest. Not as bright as above, but higher refresh rate of 75Hz.

Currently leaning for the U2721DE, which is more expensive but has more features and a better display. I don't love the big 'Dell' logo at the front but I'm sure I could get over it.

I realise these are very specific requirements, but if anyone has other displays to add to this list, please let me know!

 

[CitizenK]

I have been very pleased with my BenQ PD2705Q, which I've had for a couple of months. It meets most of your requirements... 27", QHD, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort (in and out/daisy chain), KVM with 4 USB-A ports. No web cam, but it has speakers (weak) & an audio-out port. I have been using it with my new M1 MacBook Air, connected via USB-C. It has a color mode to specifically match Macintosh default colors, and it does match well. About $400 on Amazon.

 

[r6mile]

Thanks @CitizenK - that BenQ monitor I think ticks pretty much all my boxes! Compared to the Dell U2721DE, it doesn't have Ethernet but it does have the built-in KVM feature which is very attractive to switch between my MacMini and the laptop, as well as those little speakers. Have you used the KVM feature - is it intuitive and does it work well?

 

[CitizenK]

Hi r6mile,

I have only briefly used the KVM… I don’t currently have two connected computers, though I plan to in the future. I did test the KVM when I first got the monitor and was exploring the menus. Given it was just to try it, it worked as expected.

The KVM accepts two inputs… one is the USB-C for all functions (video/audio/USB). The second input can be either HDMI or DisplayPort for video/audio, plus a USB-B input for the hub.

The monitor’s menus to choose between the inputs is a series of buttons on the bottom edge… not necessarily “intuitive” but easy enough. The KVM also has an “Auto Switch” setting which detects the input, but I haven’t tried that.

I connect my MacBook Air via a USB-C cable and it works great… a single connection for power, video and USB. The built-in hub works perfectly and I have four USB devices connected.

 

[retta283]

CitizenK, although not the intended person for the recommendation, I must say thank you for recommending that monitor. Looks like the perfect one for me as well, great price and features. Being that I am now in a mixed ecosystem setup, with an M1 mini and a Windows laptop, the KVM is a killer feature.

 

[r6mile]

So Ive ended up ordering a different monitor that I found online - the Viewsonic VG2755-2K. It has good reviews online, and features and connectivity-wise it looks almost identical to the BenQ, including the built in KVM, though it lacks a 3.5mm audio out and has one fewer USB ports. These would have been nice to have, but in the UK the BenQ sells for £390, whereas I found an open box deal for the Viewsonic for £230 - the difference was just too steep to justify the BenQ. will let you know how I get on!

 

[CitizenK]

Good luck with your new ViewSonic. I'd be interested in your review after you get it.
I don't know the manufacturing relationship, but I suspect some crossover between ViewSonic and BenQ. I was glancing through the ViewSonic info, and the included software (called Display Manager on ViewSonic, and Display Pilot on BenQ) is almost identical screen for screen on both.

 

[r6mile]

Received the monitor this morning and have been using with my work Dell laptop it all day. So far, I'm very pleased with it. The design is very smart, almost edge to edge on the sides and the top. And the ViewSonic logo is barely visible as it is black on black, which is nice. I'm coming from a couple of old Apple monitors, so perhaps not the best comparison, but the picture quality is very nice, sharp and bright, and I find 2560x1440 to be a great resolution. And 27 inches is great, and USB-C is so convenient.

Annoyingly I hadn't realised that the 2012 Mac Mini cannot drive that resolution over HDMI, so have had to order a miniDisplayPort-DisplayPort cable. But have tested the KVM feature and while it does require a total of 4 few button presses to switch, it is seamless enough and all the USB devices (in my case, keyboard+mouse, webcam, and printer) work with no issues.

Compared to the BenQ, as I said it doesn't have a 3.5mm jack, and it has one fewer USB port. The USB ports are positioned differently - one at the bottom, and two on the left-hand side. So there are two ports on the side that are perhaps more easily accessible, but on the other hand whatever you plugin is more visible than if they were at the bottom - so it depends on whether you prefer a seamless look, or need to plug devices in more often. The pair of 2W speakers are not amazing, but will do the job for just some background music and conference calls.

I haven't tried vDisplay Manager as my work's security settings won't allow it, so can't vouch for that.

Overall very pleased, especially for the price I paid for it.

 

[CitizenK]

Sounds very good, and very similar to my experience with the BenQ at a better price. The ViewSonic seems physically similar to the BenQ, with minimal side and top bezels. The BenQ control buttons are in the same place, but face down, and the stands are very similar. I don't move my monitor around, but the handle on the stand is awesome. The side USBs would be more convenient, but I leave my USB devices connected so the downward facing rear ports are OK. I have two external drives, a mouse and USB powered external speakers. Most of the features of the Display Manager/Display Pilot software are duplicated in the button menu structure, so no functional loss there.

I debated heavily on getting a 4K monitor, but also decided on the 2560x1440, and am pleased with that. Running at native resolution, there is no performance hit or visual artifacts from scaling. And even though it's not truly retina, it looks great to me.