Macbook Air M1 external monitor connection (HDMI vs. USB C)

[dbures05]

I have a question regarding external monitors.

Currently I find HDMI output inferior to TB2 on my 2013 Macbook Pro.

Now that my M1 Macbook will arrive, I am not sure, if HDMI will give me sufficiently good quality vs USB C (to Mini DP). I want to stay with my current LG monitor (34-inch), which only has HDMI and Mini DP ports.



Thanks for the advice.

 

[deeddawg]

IMHO I prefer displayport (thus miniDP) but I'm not sure there's a huge difference. You're going to need either a USBC to HDMI cable or a USBC to MiniDP cable - unless you're going to use a hub or dock, in which case that choice may determine which you choose.

 

[BrianBaughn]

I've seen weird reports about folks having issues with their existing monitors (and/or cables) and the new M1 Macs. Unless you find someone using your exact model on one of them I don't think general suggestions are going to help.

 

[nikhsub1]

I found HDMI to be sluggish on the external as compared to USB-C. I have since upgraded my monitor to the 27"

Dell UltraSharp U2720Q and since it has 60W of charging thought the USB-C I use that to kill 2 birds, one stone. Great monitor for me BTW.​

 

[haralds]

I have a Dell UW3818DW and it works great via USB-C incl. charging.

 

[southerndoc]

My MBA also works great with a Dell U3421WE via USB-C (including charging). Since also hooking up a SonnetTech SFP+ adapter via Thunderbolt 3, I sometimes get a beeping noise from the monitor every half second when I awaken the MBA. Turning monitor off and then on again fixes it.