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MBP 13 M1 what external monitor to get for it?

M

mindquest

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 25, 2009
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Buying a MBP 13 M1 and wanted to know what monitor would be a good choice for it? I don't need the high end monitor since I don't need the horsepower.

Saw this Dell Ultrasharp but not even sure if it can connect to the MBP

www.dell.com

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www.dell.com

Any help is appreciated
 
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Both those models should work, but you would need to buy the "USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter" that retails for $69.00 to hook it up (via HDMI).

As an alternative, you might look at something like the LG LG 27BL85U-W (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1467177-REG/lg_27bl85u_w_27_27bl85uw_4k_ultra.html). This monitor hooks up directly to the MBP with no dongle via USB-C. As an added benefit, the monitor will charge your laptop (so you can keep the included charger somewhere other than your desk) and provide a couple USB-A 2.0 ports to plug in some accessories that don't need the full speed of USB 3.0.
 
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greg5green said:
Both those models should work, but you would need to buy the "USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter" that retails for $69.00 to hook it up (via HDMI).

As an alternative, you might look at something like the LG LG 27BL85U-W (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1467177-REG/lg_27bl85u_w_27_27bl85uw_4k_ultra.html). This monitor hooks up directly to the MBP with no dongle via USB-C. As an added benefit, the monitor will charge your laptop (so you can keep the included charger somewhere other than your desk) and provide a couple USB-A 2.0 ports to plug in some accessories that don't need the full speed of USB 3.0.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that! So we know for sure that the M1 can drive 4K monitors?
 
mindquest said:
Thanks for that! So we know for sure that the M1 can drive 4K monitors?
Click to expand...

It can for sure, Apple says it can handle up to 6K. The downside of the current M1 machines, however, is that they can only run ONE external display compared to the previous Intel machines which could run 2+ displays.
 
Cookie18 said:
It can for sure, Apple says it can handle up to 6K. The downside of the current M1 machines, however, is that they can only run ONE external display compared to the previous Intel machines which could run 2+ displays.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply! SO the biggest issue for me is to figure out which 4k monitor need an adapter plug and not just one cable to connect, right?

Am I right that to need only ONE cable the monitor will have to have a USB-C connector otherwise I will need to connect via HDMI with an adapter?


Any help is appreciated on this!
 
mindquest said:
Thanks for the reply! SO the biggest issue for me is to figure out which 4k monitor need an adapter plug and not just one cable to connect, right?

Am I right that to need only ONE cable the monitor will have to have a USB-C connector otherwise I will need to connect via HDMI with an adapter?


Any help is appreciated on this!
Click to expand...

The connections on the monitor don’t matter. You can connect anything that you can get a USB C end for so that it can plug into the MacBook. For example, I have two monitors connected to my 15” 2018 MBP. I have one connected via the Apple USB-C adapter with a HDMI port so it is a regular HDMI cable to the adapter which then goes into the MacBook. My other monitor is hooked up via a USB-C to HDMI cable so there’s no adapter necessary. I prefer the USB-C to HDMI method as it is cleaner.
 
greg5green said:
Both those models should work, but you would need to buy the "USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter" that retails for $69.00 to hook it up (via HDMI).

As an alternative, you might look at something like the LG LG 27BL85U-W (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1467177-REG/lg_27bl85u_w_27_27bl85uw_4k_ultra.html). This monitor hooks up directly to the MBP with no dongle via USB-C. As an added benefit, the monitor will charge your laptop (so you can keep the included charger somewhere other than your desk) and provide a couple USB-A 2.0 ports to plug in some accessories that don't need the full speed of USB 3.0.
Click to expand...

Why would you need that adapter and not a $12 USB-C to HDMI cable which works on all other Thunderbolt 3 Macs?
 
Agree with many thoughts above. The M1 can connect to any practical single display, so really about finding one that suits your needs / budget.

I also echo @CheesePuff 's comment that you don't need the more expensive AV multiport adapter, but can just buy a USB-C to XXX ended cable (HDMI, Displayport, whatever your monitor needs). Before I bought a Thunderbolt 3 dock, I used a simple and cheap USB-C to Displayport adapter (this one from Monoprice, https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13234) which worked great.

In terms of monitor, either of the Dell ones would work great. LG also makes some solid, affordable 27" 4K monitors as well (I personally have used the LG 27UD68 for many years now). I personally run it at "Looks like 2560 x 1440", which I think most ppl will agree is the sweetspot for a 27" monitor in terms of window / font sizes (it's how the 27" iMac runs). Even though doing this on a 27" 4K monitor is not perfectly pixel-doubled (like the 27" iMac, you'd need to get the LG 27" 5K Superfine to get a 5120 x 2880 monitor to do that), macOS is really good at making it still look great.
 
As you only have two ports on the M1 macbooks, it will be nice to charge the laptop via the same cable that's connected to the monitor. That leaves your other port open for any accessories you want to add. If you're buying new, I'd recommend a monitor that supports direct USB-C connections, and not limit yourself to a monitor that only supports HDMI or Displayport inputs, since those don't pass power.
 
greg5green said:
Both those models should work, but you would need to buy the "USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter" that retails for $69.00 to hook it up (via HDMI).

As an alternative, you might look at something like the LG LG 27BL85U-W (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1467177-REG/lg_27bl85u_w_27_27bl85uw_4k_ultra.html). This monitor hooks up directly to the MBP with no dongle via USB-C. As an added benefit, the monitor will charge your laptop (so you can keep the included charger somewhere other than your desk) and provide a couple USB-A 2.0 ports to plug in some accessories that don't need the full speed of USB 3.0.
Click to expand...
Something with usb-c connectivity and extra USB ports on the back makes such a difference to the desk setup. its so nice just having a single cable to plug-in to your laptop and things like your time machine drive, webcam etc plugged in to the back of the monitor.
 
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