Macbook Air M1: Monitor Recommendations

[spyros95]

Hello Everybody,
I recently bought a Macbook Air M1 and I'm looking for a monitor, as I connected it to the monitor I have on my desktop (LG 28UM59-P) and I was disappointed with the resolution.

My budget is at most 500€. I'm located in Greece, so I can purchase it from local stores or Amazon (Germany, France, Spain, UK, Italy).
Ideally the display size must be 32-34, but if theres any good recommendation for 27" (for example this Benq) I will look at it. It's solely for browsing and office work (office suite, Photoshop, Lightroom).

So far, I have seen the following monitors:

BenQ PD2705U Graphic Monitor (AQCOLOR Technology, 27 Inches, 4K UHD, IPS, P3 Colour Space, USB-C Charging, DP / HDMI, KVM, Hardware Calibrated, Height Adjustable), MacBook Compatible

BENQ PD2705U 27" UHD 99% SRGB HDR10 KVM HDMI/DP/USB-C

www.amazon.de

LG 32UN650-W LED IPS Panel 4K UHD AMD FreeSync HDMI 5ms

LG 32UN650-W LED IPS Panel 4K UHD AMD FreeSync HDMI 5ms

www.amazon.de

HUAWEI MateView 28 Inch (71.63 cm) 4K+ UHD IPS Wireless Monitor, 98% DCI-P3, Slim Design, Smart Bar (3840 x 2560, 3:2, HDR 400, HDMI, Full-Function USB-C), Eye Comfort, Silver

HUAWEI MateView 28 Inch (71.63 cm) 4K+ UHD IPS Wireless Monitor, 98% DCI-P3, Slim Design, Smart Bar (3840 x 2560, 3:2, HDR 400, HDMI, Full-Function USB-C), Eye Comfort, Silver

www.amazon.de

LG 32BN67U-B 80.01 cm (31.5 Inch) UHD 4K Monitor (IPS, HDR10, 95% DCI-P3), Black

This LG UHD 4K monitor creates ideal conditions for an efficient workplace. The viewing angle-stable, colour-calibrated IPS panel impresses with powerful colours and first-class playback quality of all content. Experience productivity to a new level thanks to various features, such as OnScreen Co...

www.amazon.de

Thank you!

 

[Amethyst1]

I recently bought a Macbook Air M1 and I'm looking for a monitor, as I connected it to the monitor I have on my desktop (LG 28UM59-P) and I was disappointed with the resolution.

That monitor's resolution is "only" 2560×1080, so yeah. You need at least "4K" resolution on an external monitor to get the HiDPI modes with their vastly better text rendering on macOS.

Ideally the display size must be 32-34, but if theres any good recommendation for 27" (for example this Benq) I will look at it. It's solely for browsing and office work (office suite, Photoshop, Lightroom).

If you don't need super-high colour accuracy, the MateView's 3:2 aspect ratio provides 18.5% more vertical real estate compared to the other (16:9) monitors you linked to. I have two MateViews and their extra vertical real estate really benefits me for browsing, office work and programming. This is the forum's main thread on the MateView.

Generally speaking, the higher the pixel density (in pixels per inch; PPI), the sharper text will be. 32" "4K" monitors are ≈138 ppi, 27" "4K" monitors and the MateView are 163 ppi.

 

[spyros95]

Amethyst1, Thank you very much for the reply. So, spec wise (connectivity, accuracy etc), the Huawei is better than the other models I've attached above?

 

[Amethyst1]

So, spec wise (connectivity, accuracy etc), the Huawei is better than the other models I've attached above?

I can't speak with regards to colour accuracy (it's best to check out reviews if that matters to you) but the MateView won't do 10-bit colour (required for HDR) at its native 3840×2560 resolution, only at 3600×2400. This is a limitation of its DisplayPort 1.2 interface.
In terms of connectivity, it has USB-C (includes DisplayPort 1.2) with Power Delivery, miniDisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0. USB-C and miniDisplayPort are preferred since it will only run at 50 Hz refresh via HDMI 2.0. This is, again, a limitation of the interface.

The MateView is unique in terms of its 3:2 aspect ratio, which will give you more vertical real estate than a 16:9 monitor. That is its main selling point. If you don't care about that, the other monitors look like solid choices too. But I'd be slightly worried that the somewhat lower pixel density of the 32" might make text not quite as sharp as I'd want it to be. The MateView's 163 ppi is fine to my eyes, and that is with a 220 ppi monitor right next to it (which is sharper, but the MateView is still "good enough" to my eyes).

 

[Mark.g4]

Hi there,
I bought an LG32 4k UN880 for 499€ and I love it, now the cost is a little bit over 550€ but offers often arrive, both on amazon and on the LG website. There is also a 27" version and a 28" upright version.
On this forum you will find a topic dedicated to Lg 32 UN880.
Lg32 un880 is a good monitor, it has a gas arm that comes as standard, so it's great for ergonomics, the panel has good color coverage and brightness specs, especially if you calibrate with a colorimeter. Power delivery 60W (so you need only one cable to power and connect your MacBook to the monitor.
Hub usb (2 usb-a), 2 speakers, 2 hdmi, 1 usb-c, 1 DP, 1 jack 3,5mm...

Also look at MSI's 32 4k monitors, there are great monitors heavily discounted every once in a while.
For example, now,
MSI Summit MS321UPDE 32 Inch 4K UHD is at 550€

 

[spyros95]

Hi there,
I bought an LG32 4k UN880 for 499€ and I love it, now the cost is a little bit over 550€ but offers often arrive, both on amazon and on the LG website. There is also a 27" version and a 28" upright version.
On this forum you will find a topic dedicated to Lg 32 UN880.
Lg32 un880 is a good monitor, it has a gas arm that comes as standard, so it's great for ergonomics, the panel has good color coverage and brightness specs, especially if you calibrate with a colorimeter. Power delivery 60W (so you need only one cable to power and connect your MacBook to the monitor.
Hub usb (2 usb-a), 2 speakers, 2 hdmi, 1 usb-c, 1 DP, 1 jack 3,5mm...

Also look at MSI's 32 4k monitors, there are great monitors heavily discounted every once in a while.
For example, now,
MSI Summit MS321UPDE 32 Inch 4K UHD is at 550€

Thank you for the reply! UN880 was my first thought spec and size wise. The only thing, except of budget, that I didn't like in this monitor is the arm. My desk is screwed on the wall and I've also screwed bookcases both in left and right, so there's no place to attach the arm.

Somewhere I've read that the LG 32UN650-W wears the same panel as UN880, it just misses the arm and the usb-c port.

 

[Mark.g4]

I don't think 650 has the same quality of 880, but maybe I'm wrong.
The product serial tells us that the 650 series is one step down from the 880.
A solution is a VESA mount on the Wall, so you can drive your monitor in any direction.
Other very performing monitors are the Asus ProArt, take a look at these too.