I currently have a M1 Mini hooked to two Dell U2412M (1920x1200). They work great! I want to replace one of them with a larger size monitor, possibly 27 or 32inch. I'm not interested in running higher than 1920x1080. That resolution works great for me and my video editing is only 1920x1080 anyway. What monitor in the 1920x 1080 range would you recommend??? I thought about a Dell P2722H or a Samsung 32". Tell me what you guys like. Thanks
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M1 Mini monitor recommendation?
- Thread starter kenny1wk
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I'm not sure you're going to like the results unless my particular 32" 1080p Dell monitor had something wrong with it. See my thread here:
forums.macrumors.com
I had to go with 4K to get a sharp image with my M1 Mini or MBA.
MacBook looks awful on external monitor
At work, I now use a 2-way HDMI switcher to connect both our Windows 10 PC and my MacBook Air to one 32" 1080p display and I switch between them using the button the switcher. For some reason, my Windows 10 PC looks nice and crisp on the display, but the MacBook's output looks awful in...
forums.macrumors.com
I had to go with 4K to get a sharp image with my M1 Mini or MBA.
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I make recommendations on monitors and what I've found is that QHD at 27 inches is a better option for most people than HD or 4K unless they are doing 4k editing. I am partial to Dell Ultrasharps and I have 3 Dell 4k 27 inch Ultrasharps on my desk hooked up to my M1 mini. I run two at native resolution for production and one at 3,008 x 1,692 for office stuff. I generally do 4k video editing as YouTube supports it (you don't have to be a Premium member to watch them now) as it gives the viewer the options to pick whichever resolution they want and 4k editing performance on M1 is quite good.
I've used computer monitors for over 40 years and one thing I've learned is that I prefer adjacent monitors to be the same size and resolution if I'm going to move programs from one to the other. I don't like to have to deal with programs changing sizes and then adjusting the scaling of the program to get the same view or having to adjust how I look at things one one monitor or the other.
I've used computer monitors for over 40 years and one thing I've learned is that I prefer adjacent monitors to be the same size and resolution if I'm going to move programs from one to the other. I don't like to have to deal with programs changing sizes and then adjusting the scaling of the program to get the same view or having to adjust how I look at things one one monitor or the other.
Whatever you do, 1920x1080 is going to look blocky on a 27-32" display after a 24" 1920x1200, unless you are looking for a larger screen so you can move it further away.
Personally, I'd stick with the dual 1920x1200 until/unless you want to go to 4k. Otherwise, at least go to 2560x1440.
For 4k, I really like the Huawei Mateview as a Mac display (unfortunately, they're hard to get in the US for reasons that belong in another forum) and may be out of your price range - it's a 4k+ 28.2" display with 3840 x 2560 resolution - essentially its the same width and pixel density as a 27" 4k but with another couple of inches of space tacked on the bottom. You can either run it with non-integer scaling to get massive real estate, or use 2:1 scaling ("looks like 1920x1280" - but it really doesn't) to get a 4k-sharp image without scaling artefacts (so your 1920x1080 video will display fine). On a regular 27" 4k, 2:1 scaling makes everything a bit large and you lose space to the menu , toolbars, dock etc. - leading to compromises with non-integer scaling - but I personaly find the extra 2" of vertical space on the mateview makes up for that. (Note that, however, on a Mini, you'll either have to use a DisplayPort to USB-C or put up with 50Hz refresh via HDMI).
People have been blaming this on Apple's disabling of "Sub-pixel anti-aliasing".
The flip side of that is that while, when SPAA worked it was really good, but when it failed (e.g. display runs in ycbr mode rather than RGB, or has a non-standard sub-pixel layout like OLED) it looked horrible - I've had a few displays that suffered from that. Every display manufacturer tests their displays on Windows, few test them on Macs...
However, OP is currently using a 1920x1200 display on a M1, so they're already seen the effects of no SPAA.
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...but not that much smaller, going from 16:10 to 16:9 the height only changes by about 1/2", then possibly sitting further away to compensate.
As I said, I wouldn't touch 1080p at 27" or larger, unless it was for long-distance, anyway.
All I can say is I hope it works out for him. There was definitely no way i'd ever get used to my 32" 1080p blurry mess with my Mac!
I've tried HD on 27 inches (scaled 4k) and it's fine on my M1 mini but I like to see more information on the screen. I think that QHD is the sweetspot on 27 inches but there are variances between people and how they use their monitors.
OP wrote:
"I want to replace one of them with a larger size monitor, possibly 27 or 32inch. I'm not interested in running higher than 1920x1080."
Although 1080p looks "good enough" (for me) on a 27" display, I would not want 1080p on a 32" display.
1080p on 32" will look "overly blown up" in size.
For 32", you'll want 1440p native resolution -- 2550x1440 (I believe they call this "QHD").
This yields a pixel size slightly smaller than 1080p on 27", but the effect is that the text will seem sharper.
You could get a 27" 4k display, and run it in "HiDPI" mode (which is the default on the Mac anyway). The text will still be at 1080p, only sharper.
As I mentioned, I'm currently using a 27" 1080p display. Still looks decent to me at 8 years old. However, if I get a new display, I'll go for 32" with a native resolution of 1440p (QHD). I'd consider 32" @5k, but nobody makes a 5k panel in that size (yet).
"I want to replace one of them with a larger size monitor, possibly 27 or 32inch. I'm not interested in running higher than 1920x1080."
Although 1080p looks "good enough" (for me) on a 27" display, I would not want 1080p on a 32" display.
1080p on 32" will look "overly blown up" in size.
For 32", you'll want 1440p native resolution -- 2550x1440 (I believe they call this "QHD").
This yields a pixel size slightly smaller than 1080p on 27", but the effect is that the text will seem sharper.
You could get a 27" 4k display, and run it in "HiDPI" mode (which is the default on the Mac anyway). The text will still be at 1080p, only sharper.
As I mentioned, I'm currently using a 27" 1080p display. Still looks decent to me at 8 years old. However, if I get a new display, I'll go for 32" with a native resolution of 1440p (QHD). I'd consider 32" @5k, but nobody makes a 5k panel in that size (yet).
I appreciate the feedback. I use two monitors a lot for spreadsheet type of stuff, and would like one monitor wider so I can put more on the particular program I use. A 32" QHD seems to be a better choice.Is there any brands of monitor to stay away from??? Thanks Kenny
I appreciate the feedback. I will stay away from a 1920x1080 on a 27 or 32 display. Any particular brands to avoid??? Thanks Kenny
Monitor companies usually have levels of quality and features at different price tiers. I like the Dell Ultrasharp line. I don't know about their consumer lines.