Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacBook M2 Air - Best Display Monitor Under £600?

W

wagmi

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 24, 2022
21
39
Hi, I’ve searched past topics but struggling to see the same dilemma being discussed.

Recently switched my personal MBP 2016 for a MacBook Air M2.
At the same time I WFH a lot and have switched from windows laptop across to Macbook Air M2 also… therefore my setup very recently now has x2 MBA.

Looking to replace my work supplied monitor (a basic 22” Dell display from March 2020), but don’t have lots to spend.

Due to MBA limitations only one monitor will be an option, I’m therefore tempted by the concept of Ultrawide for extra screen estate but this is not essential.

Looking for help on the following:
1. Any advice on Ultrawide QHD displays vs standard 4k/5k displays? (my ideal is to find a Ultrawide monitor in at least true 4k, but believe these do not exist for my budget?)

2. Given my budget, what manufacture and model/size would you recommend? Ideally something that integrates seamlessly with Apple and thunderbolt.

I liked the look of the LG Ultra fine displays but it seems some of these are now particularly old models.

Unlikely to use the monitor for gaming, purely for work and personal use + some graphic design.
 
Last edited:
It’s probably smaller than you want, but for that budget I would at least look at the Ultrafine 24MD4K. There’s something to be said for monitors made to work with Mac.
 
  • Love
Reactions: sorgo †
Jonr515 said:
I have this one with a M1 MBP and I like it. I wouldn’t recommend it for editing photos, but for my day to day work stuff it’s been great!

https://www.samsung.com/us/computin...eries-34-curved-taa-compliant-lc34h890wgnxgo/
Click to expand...
enc0re said:
It’s probably smaller than you want, but for that budget I would at least look at the Ultrafine 24MD4K. There’s something to be said for monitors made to work with Mac.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Sounds a good option.

The more I‘be researched in recent days the more I think I need to stretch my budget to be happy:

27MD5KL - available £899 direct from LG UK site

or even; the below 4k models that seem to be available cheap on Amazon (are these even older models?)
27UN83A-W
32UN880-B

I read that the monitors above don’t have HDR - is this a major drawback?

I also feel reluctant to purchase a monitor from 2019 but I am guessing this industry doesn’t move particularly quickly?
 
Don’t bother with ultrawide unless you have a lot of money to spend on a 5K2K one… anything with lower resolution is going to make text look like absolute ass.
 
This is an absolute steal at this price; if the ASD did not exist this is what I'd be using. I paired it with my work laptop and it offers an incredibly good display:

www.amazon.com

SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32-Inch 4K UHD (3840x2160) Computer Monitor, HDMI, Display Port, Eye Saver/Flicker Free Mode, FreeSync (LU32J590UQNXZA),Black

Bring your gaming to the next level with the Samsung 32 Inch UJ59 UHD 4K Gaming Monitor (LU32J590UQNXZA) that offers breathtaking picture quality like you’ve never seen before, greatly enhancing PC viewing, gaming and more. Thanks to over 8 million pixels that support a rainbow of colors (over on...
www.amazon.com
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
wagmi said:
Thanks. Sounds a good option.

The more I‘be researched in recent days the more I think I need to stretch my budget to be happy:

27MD5KL - available £899 direct from LG UK site
Click to expand...

Only £250 more than the 24". That's what I would choose if I were in your shoes and you can afford to blow your budget by that much.
 
Just posted this on another similar topic, but here you go:

I use an LG 27UL650 with M1, it's an excellent low cost 4K IPS (60Hz) monitor for around $299 and I can recommend it to anyone with M1 Mini/Air or actually any mac. It has thin bezels and it works excellently with macOS in Hi-DPI. So 4K on a 27" on desktop-eye-distance almost feels like retina. I think you shouldn't go much larger than 27 though, otherwise you'll need 5K or more for the same retina effect.

The price of this LG is a bit lower because it has DisplayPort and not USB-C, but I ran it without any problems simply with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable. Nowadays I mostly run it through a CalDigit TS3+ thunderbolt dock, but it's the same idea. 4K 60Hz over HDMI is also supported, but in general I think using a direct USB-C to DisplayPort cable (or through a thunderbolt dock) is best.
The 27UL650 has an even lower cost brother with the same panel, but it has thicker bezels and different stand, I didn't like that.
 
Thanks everyone for the comments so far.

Currently swaying towards scraping extra funds together and buying the LG 27 5K Ultrafine... but need to wait a bit longer to organise the cash.

One other check, inspired by the bigger Dell Thread.
If I'm considering the LG Ultrafine 5K, should I also consider the Dell Ultrasharp 27 4K U2723QE instead?
Or is LG still the winner despite being years older?
 
My new monitor arrived today.

Despite my above dilemma and budget I somehow managed to find the funds to justify the purchase of ASD Tilt + Height :O
 
  • Like
Reactions: xraydoc
xraydoc said:
By far the best solution for the Mac.
Click to expand...
Agreed! So happy with the purchase.

Feel fortunate to have found the cash for it.

It’s incredible.

I already want a second one now but I’m lucky that the MBA doesn’t allow it as that will stop me from recklessly buying another.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back