macMini monitor with camera? or without? in that case what external camera?

[phillyman]

Hi All,

I've waited long enough for a new large iMac. The writing was on the wall with the mini and studio being updated and the iMac still not updated to m2 and no larger iMac in the near future rumored. I'll probably go with a higher end mac mini. I know many people have made the switch. So what did you decide to do when it came to videoconferencing and facetimes with family/friends? Is there a monitor you can recommend with a solid screen 27 - 32 inch range with an integrated camera that plays nice with the mac?

I find the price of the cheaper Apple monitor insane but that is probably mostly because I'm sure it is pure overkill for my needs. I'm not editing nor in the creative fields. I was thinking 700 - 1000.- Range? But I really have no clue how much I should budget

If you decided to go with a better monitor without a camera, can you recommend an external one that you use (and hopefully mounts to your screen). until about 3 years ago I still used the original external apple made isight camera.

Thanks for the advice,
Philly

 

[rocketbuc]

Working on the same question here for my wife’s new setup. We have identified possible monitors but none of them have webcams. Maybe Continuity Camera could also be an option…

 

[phillyman]

Working on the same question here for my wife’s new setup. We have identified possible monitors but none of them have webcams. Maybe Continuity Camera could also be an option…

Thank you for the thought... Seems overly complicated... Sometimes Apple just can't leave it alone . I don''t need a super high def camera... I know people always complained about the built in cameras were too cheap (laptops). I'm sure they are right but they are enough for most peoples basic needs ....

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I just got a cheap USB camera from Amazon. Whatever’s on sale. I use it very rarely, just wanted it for the occasional Zoom call or whatever.

 

[rocketbuc]

Thank you for the thought... Seems overly complicated... Sometimes Apple just can't leave it alone . I don''t need a super high def camera... I know people always complained about the built in cameras were too cheap (laptops). I'm sure they are right but they are enough for most peoples basic needs ....

We just ordered a new Mac Mini so need to figure something out rather soon. Will test Continuity Camera (it should be very easy to use...apparently) as my wife is not a huge fan of putting an ugly webcam on top of her screen.

I realize that the 27“ iMac is (rather, was) a really great all-in-one computer. If you buy a Mac Mini and the start to puzzle webcam, speakers, and microphone together…it is just a mess!

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Hi All,

I've waited long enough for a new large iMac. The writing was on the wall with the mini and studio being updated and the iMac still not updated to m2 and no larger iMac in the near future rumored. I'll probably go with a higher end mac mini. I know many people have made the switch. So what did you decide to do when it came to videoconferencing and facetimes with family/friends? Is there a monitor you can recommend with a solid screen 27 - 32 inch range with an integrated camera that plays nice with the mac?

I find the price of the cheaper Apple monitor insane but that is probably mostly because I'm sure it is pure overkill for my needs. I'm not editing nor in the creative fields. I was thinking 700 - 1000.- Range? But I really have no clue how much I should budget

If you decided to go with a better monitor without a camera, can you recommend an external one that you use (and hopefully mounts to your screen). until about 3 years ago I still used the original external apple made isight camera.

Thanks for the advice,
Philly

Do you own an iPhone? If you do, you can just forgo the webcam and just use Continuity Camera like I do. An iPhone would provide better image quality of you than an integrated webcam would.

Anker sells iPhone mounts for monitors that you could use for Continuity Camera

 

[phillyman]

We just ordered a new Mac Mini so need to figure something out rather soon. Will test Continuity Camera (it should be very easy to use...apparently) as my wife is not a huge fan of putting an ugly webcam on top of her screen.

I realize that the 27“ iMac is (rather, was) a really great all-in-one computer. If you buy a Mac Mini and the start to puzzle webcam, speakers, and microphone together…it is just a mess!

100% agree. I guess the family desktop is out of fashion. Most people have laptops for their kids since they also need them at school. The 27inch desktop was/is still used a LOT and all in one solution just is convenient and cheaper. For apple though modularity is easier. They do offer the screen, but I struggle with paying more for the screen than the bloody brains. But again I guess the monitor isn't really meant for the consumer.

I know one can make the case that an M1 iMac is more than enough for a regular family. I'd still like to future proof etc.

Philly

 

[meson]

When it was released, I thought of continuity camera (CC) as a gimmick feature. After I picked up an M1 mini over the winter, I started using CC when teaching my remote course. It worked very well. I used a 3-D printer to make a little s-shaped bracket to hold my phone, and it’s great for my needs.

I went with an LG 32UL500-W, an inexpensive 32” 4k display wit a VA panel. While the colors don’t match perfectly with my M1 MBP, the display doesn’t look out of place either. An IPS panel would be nice for better viewing angles. I don’t do color critical work, so a little distortion in my peripheral vision is fine.

I use the display at near max brightness all the time, so a little brighter panel would not be a bad thing. There was a week or so when the light from the sun at sunset was just right that made want for a brighter display (window behind my desk chair). I have an HP rebadged version of an Ergotron LX on the way that will make moving the display a little easier for those moments and office hours.

I normally run in full 4k mode, but the high dpi resolutions of 3008x1692 and 2560x1440 both look plenty sharp to me at a normal viewing distance.

LG certainly has some models in your price range that address the shortcomings of my display and include port hubs as well. I thought very hard about a Samsung M8 when I got my display, but their sale price ended before I pulled the trigger. The M8 does include a magnetically attachable camera, is a bit brighter, but is a VA panel rather than IPS.

As long as your expectations are reasonable, modern 4k displays are fantastic. If you come in expecting things to look exactly like a 5k iMac, you may be disappointed a bit. Apple’s glossy displays are a thing of beauty.

I made compromises that I was willing to make to get the screen real estate I needed in a single display within my budget and am very satisfied with my current setup.

 

[phillyman]

Thank you for your detailed answer. I've always appreciated a nice mac Screen and can the difference to a different brand but certainly not NEARLY enough for it to be any deal breaker. Out of nowhere (scary algorithm, since I don't use google). This popped up on my youtube page: Competitors to Apple monitor .. A bit more than I want to pay but someone might find it an interesting watch