M1 Mac mini monitor needed

[Lareplus]

Sharp text needed. Text intensive not for games or graphics. Poor student so not going to spend big bucks. Less than $500. Even less is okay. 24" is okay. Don't need bells and whistles just an HDMI port if it works.

Please don't make a recommendation unless you have used such a monitor. I have already bought a recommended monitor and it did not work trying multiple cables.

 

[Lareplus]

Sharp text needed. Text intensive not for games or graphics. Poor student so not going to spend big bucks. Less than $500. Even less is okay. 24" is okay. Don't need bells and whistles just an HDMI port if it works.

Please don't make a recommendation unless you have used such a monitor. I have already bought a recommended monitor and it did not work trying multiple cables.

I want to buy new not second hand.

 

[robertosh]

This maybe is a good choice:

Huawei MateView review

Funky, if a little flawed

www.techradar.com

 

[benwiggy]

Sharp text needed.

You need to consider the pixel density of the display. MacOS will display text as blurry and pixelated on low-density displays, because it doesn't do sub-pixel rendering. It's designed for Retina displays, which are 218ppi or higher!!

A 1920 x 1080 display at 24" is 92ppi, and that will look really crappy.
A 2K display at 24" is 122 ppi., which is just about acceptable. At 27", a 2K display gives 108ppi.
A 4K 27" will be 162ppi.

You can buy some 4K 27" display quite cheaply, as it seems to be the most-commonly manufactured size.

Because a desktop screen is usually further away than a laptop screen, you don't need quite the density of a laptop screen, but the higher you can go, the better the sharpness.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Where in the world are you?
I'd suggest a 27" 4k display.
In the USA, Dell puts out some good ones.

I helped a friend get set up with a Dell s2722qc:

Dell 27 Inch 4K UHD Computer Monitor with USB-C Hub - S2722QC | Dell USA

View the Dell 27 Inch 4K UHD Monitor with USB-C Hub (S2722QC) featuring simplified USB-C connectivity, or shop all Computer Monitors at Dell.com.

www.dell.com

Very nice, worked without problems from first power-on.
You DO need to have the display's internal settings set properly.

See this video:

 

[meson]

Which recommended monitor did you try that did not work out? Which Mac mini are you using?

I opted for an LG 32" 32UL500 for my monitor. The screen real estate from being able to run in full 3840x2160 resolution is what pushed me to a 32" 4k monitor. It plays nice with my M1 mini via HDMI and DisplayPort, although I prefer to connect with DisplayPort, as it offers more scaled resolutions and Apple's implementation of HDMI can be a bit fussy at times.

I'll echo that a 27" 4k display is going to be best for keeping text sharp. My recommendation is to find a model that looks interesting and check rtings.com for reviews. They'll have some comments about how the monitor behaves with Macs and provide setup instructions for a great picture (won't be perfectly calibrated, but you don't need it to be for your use). LG's supplied cables work just fine. If you choose to use DisplayPort, you will need a usb c to DisplayPort adapter. Avoid using a preset modes, such as gaming modes, that favor sharpness. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one of LG's 27" models, but I don't have first hand experience with any of them.

You shouldn't need to spend much more than $300-$400 for a monitor with a good display panel for your needs. Spending more gets you more adjustment on the stand, more inputs/ports on the back, and/or a bit nicer display panel (more beneficial if you were concerned with color accuracy). This leaves room in the budget to buy a nice vesa arm if you want more adjustability. It's one of those things that you didn't know you want/need until you have it.

 

[theluggage]

This maybe is a good choice:

Huawei MateView review

Funky, if a little flawed

www.techradar.com

Heads up - when I visit the techradar site, it is giving an incorrect link to a different, and much cheaper, "Huawei Mateview" display at Amazon UK - not the 28.2" one in the review. The 28.2" doesn't seem to be available from Amazon UK at the moment.

I have two of the 28.3" 4K+ ones (paid £400 for one and £500 for the other) and they are excellent at the price, considering that they are "4k+" (3840x2560) and 3:2 format rather than regular "4k UHD" (3840x2160) 16:9. Think a 27" 4k display with an extra inch-and-a-half of vertical space. Personally, I find that extra space makes them usable in "larger text" mode without resorting to non-integer scaling - but the other scaled modes are good too and give an insane amount of on-screen text.

However - fair warning: I have a M1 Max studio so I can't speak for a M1 Mini (although I believe that plenty of people are using them with Minis) and - even on a M1 Max - the HDMI port tops out at 50 Hz refresh, so its best connected via USB-C/DisplayPort if you want 60Hz. (My second display is on HDMI and I don't really notice the difference but I probably wouldn't want my only display running at 50Hz). Occasional glitch with start up/sleep (hint, when starting from cold - i.e. power disconnected - give the display a minute to complete its own startup before starting the Mac) but not a show-stopper.

(The built in speakers are pretty terrible, though....)

 

[Darth.Titan]

Sharp text needed. Text intensive not for games or graphics. Poor student so not going to spend big bucks. Less than $500. Even less is okay. 24" is okay. Don't need bells and whistles just an HDMI port if it works.

Please don't make a recommendation unless you have used such a monitor. I have already bought a recommended monitor and it did not work trying multiple cables.

I use 2 of these on my M2 Mac Mini:
LG 24UD58-B
4K, 24 inches, 2 HDMI ports and 1 DisplayPort, and less than $300
They've been trouble free for me since I bought them in 2019 for my old Intel Mac mini.

 

[dmt43]

I helped a friend get set up with a Dell s2722qc:
Very nice, worked without problems from first power-on.

I have a Macbook Air 15”. Am searching for a monitor. I purchased an OWC thunderbolt 5 port hub bc after searching for HOURS, I could not find any monitors with more than one USBC port. But wouldn’t you know it, I just found this one - Dell UltraSharp U2722DE 27” - any comments/info on this monitor? If I get it, I can cancel the OWC order bc this monitor has 2 USBCs and 3 USBs. But now I have questions on the ports - what is USBC upstream? data only? USB Type-A downstream port? It’s confusing!

Ports & Slots on the U2722DE:
1. Security lock slot | 2. Power connector | 3. HDMI port | 4. DisplayPort | 5. Stand lock feature | 6. USB-C upstream port | 7. DisplayPort (out) | 8. USB-C upstream port (data only) | 9. Super speed USB 10 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen2) Type-A downstream port Type-A downstream port | 10. Audio line-out port | 11. RJ45 port | 12. Super speed USB 10 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen2) Type-A downstream port Type-A downstream port with power charging | 13. USB-C downstream port (10Gbps, 15W)

I could also keep the OWC and get the S2722QC (Or similar monitor). But in that case, the monitor has to be plugged in directly to the computer for the USBs to work, correct? Or can I plug the monitor into the OWC hub? And If the monitor supplies power, can I plug in the Macbook’s Magsafe power supply? Sorry for so many questions! I am struggling with this purchase ; ) thanks! Donna

 

[Lareplus]

I use 2 of these on my M2 Mac Mini:
LG 24UD58-B
4K, 24 inches, 2 HDMI ports and 1 DisplayPort, and less than $300
They've been trouble free for me since I bought them in 2019 for my old Intel Mac mini.

Thanks. That's good to know!

 

[ignatius345]

I use 2 of these on my M2 Mac Mini:
LG 24UD58-B
4K, 24 inches, 2 HDMI ports and 1 DisplayPort, and less than $300
They've been trouble free for me since I bought them in 2019 for my old Intel Mac mini.

4K at 24" sounds like a solid pixel density. I'd recommend that over a 27" 4K display if text sharpness is the largest concern.