Monitor for Mac Mini and Studio

[Aspen]

Hi-I'm looking for either a two monitor set up for the mini or a three monitor setup for the Studio. Though I've searched and read, it's still not clear to me.

Any suggestions for excellent 27" monitors for these options? Scaling is my primary concern as I've tried Macs previously with a non Apple display and didn't care for it.

Thanks much.

 

[Bigwaff]

Desired display sizes (i.e. 24", 27", 32", etc) and budget would be useful information.

 

[Aspen]

Yup, I did leave that info out! 27" and edited in the original post. Budget isn't an issue. All I want is an excellent monitor preferably tilt and height adjustable.

 

[Bigwaff]

Yup, I did leave that info out! 27" and edited in the original post. Budget isn't an issue. All I want is an excellent monitor preferably tilt and height adjustable.

If budget isn’t an issue and you didn’t care for non-Apple brand displays… what are you asking then? The only 27” Apple display is the Studio Display.

 

[seggy]

I assume budget is an issue if you're aware of the Studio and asking.

The Benq reviewed in an MR article not so long ago might be an option, but at $1200 that's close to what Amazon is discounting the Studio to.

Moreover, my personal pov as the owner of some recent Minis but only a couple of Studio monitors out of the gazillion other monitors, I feel at this point I might as well wait for the new one apparently coming this year in terms of a monitor refresh... then look around after that to see if there are other options as well (e.g. these days I'm actually more after 5K2K HRR monitors that will play flawlessly nice with Macs than a 27" 16:9 5K). Until then I'm making do with what I have atm.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

If budget isn’t an issue and you didn’t care for non-Apple brand displays… what are you asking then? The only 27” Apple display is the Studio Display.

I *think* he means that he has tried non-5k displays, and that was the issue. Their wording is a bit strange.

 

[drrich2]

ASUS has a 27" 5K display for roughly $800 already on the market and it gets good reviews.

They are expected to come out with a 32" 6K display rumored to cost around $1,200.

Those are the 2 I'd have an eye out for.

 

[Bigwaff]

There a big thread covering 27” 5K displays…

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-complete-list-of-27-5k-displays.2390249/

 

[Aspen]

Budget is not an issue and PREVIOUSLY did not care for the non Apple displays, not sure how to make that more clear. Do not care for the speakers on the Apple display and did not like the scaling on non Apple displays. Just simply wondering if there is an awesome option.

Last I checked in the complete list of 27" 5k displays, I didn't see much enthusiasm.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Are you looking for a monitor with speakers that you like? macOS doesn't require the use of the ones on the Studio Display.

 

[PaulD-UK]

@Aspen "Just simply wondering if there is an awesome option."

Apple's absolutely 'awesome' display (with zero internal speaker problems ) is of course their Pro XDR Display...

My choice of display, which I happily describe as 'awesome', is to use the screen from an iMac Pro turned into a DIY 5K monitor.
It can be done a lot more simply than my conversion, but I was a bit fussy about the audio experience... 😀
Three of those come in for about the price of one Apple Studio Display, and you get perfect Apple-designed scaling.

Not for everyone of course, but ideal for those that appreciate that the effort achieves the desired end result.

 

[drrich2]

Any suggestions for excellent 27" monitors for these options? Scaling is my primary concern as I've tried Macs previously with a non Apple display and didn't care for it.

So you want a 5K 27" Display. That narrows the field of options down a great deal.

Last I checked in the complete list of 27" 5k displays, I didn't see much enthusiasm.

But pay attention to why someone isn't enthusiastic, and see if what they disdain matters to you.

I've seen a number of posts on MacRumors deriding competitors because their largely plastic body and stand are supposedly 'ugly' and the display, being lighter, is more prone to 'wiggle' a bit if you jostle your desk, etc...

Not everyone thinks mainstream computer display stands are ugly. For that matter, from the front, we often just see the screen, a thin bezel and the lower part of the stand. I don't jostle my desk a lot. Worrying about how my display looks from the rear isn't really a concern. If I feel a slight flex when I grip and shift it about a bit, as long as no harm is done, is that so terrible?

Another factor is that most competitors have some degree of matte screen, and the ASD and 27" iMacs default to glossy. Some think matte has an effect on text sharpness, which seems to vary from 'tiny, doesn't matter' to 'ugh, no!,' depending on who you listen to.

 

[Aspen]

Agree with you there. I don't care if the stand is "ugly", plastic with some flex. It just sits on the desk and I don't admire anything but the screen. There are bigger problems in life.

 

[Chardo47]

Hi-I'm looking for either a two monitor set up for the mini or a three monitor setup for the Studio. Though I've searched and read, it's still not clear to me.

Any suggestions for excellent 27" monitors for these options? Scaling is my primary concern as I've tried Macs previously with a non Apple display and didn't care for it.

Thanks much.

I am using a low mileage Apple Thunderbolt Display I picked up locally for $80. If you are patient, those $200 and less will pop up now and then. I am talking about good condition runnign monitors. Mine works perfectly with the T2 to T3 adapter. The sound is good, and it has a microphone and camera and supports resolutions up to 1440p. If you don't require 5k, this one does 4k just fine. You have already stated a preference for Apple Displays, and I understand. So do I. I have never had an Apple Display (I even had a 30" Aluminum Apple Cinema Display for several years, and it was great. I tried to get one for my M4 Mac Mini, but am glad I ended up with the Thunderbolt Display.

 

[Bigwaff]

If you don't require 5k, this one does 4k just fine.

TBD is a 2K display.

 

[Chardo47]

TBD is a 2K display.

It displays in 1440p, 4K resolution. 2560 x 1440. I'm using one right now communicationg with you. I am ecstatic to have an old Apple Display that works seamlessly (with one adapting cable) with my up-to-date, 2024 M4 Mac mini. I love that I can keep the basic form factor of the 27" Apple iMacs, which I like, and from which I am upgrading. It is even more attractive without the chin, even if the bezel is a little wide for 2025 standards. If 5K is necessry for editing video or some other use, this may not be the monitor for you. But for everyone else .....

Note - the M4 Mac mini comes with an HDMI port. If I wanted to get crazy, I could use my 75" LG Smart TV as a monitor. You have some specific criteria - keep asking and keep looking. That worked out for me.

 

[techishi]

If you want some anecdotal data, I picked up 2 of the Asus ProArt 5K 27" monitors. I've been using them for about a week now, coming from a pair of old Dell 4K 27" that I used for years.

The matte is a bit more aggressive than my Dells, it works great for me since I get a ton of direct light in my office. There is a bit of grain that is really only noticeable to me on a white screen and being close up. I will say it does an incredible job at reducing any reflections. If you are used to glossy screens or prefer that, you might have an issue with this. Kind of depends on your sensitivity to this sort of thing.

Color and brightness are fantastic out of the box, most reviews also make it a point to mention this. Brightness is also undersold at 400 nits, a couple reviewers got at least 560 when testing max brightness. In my well lit office, I don't ever have to go past 70% brightness.

Build quality is fine. I have them both on VESA arms so I never messed with the stands given.

Compatible with a Thunderbolt 4 dock, DDC/CI works with brightness and volume (better display/monitor control)

They are great no frills monitors, I wanted 5K badly for years but couldn't afford the cost since I need two (software engineer). I got them simply since they are the cheapest 5K option and probably will be for the foreseeable future. To me monitors aren't something I need to get excited about, quite the opposite. They are tools that just need to work, be resilient and fade in the background. Which by my account, this monitor does pretty well.

Note:

The ViewSonic 5K just released the other day (https://www.viewsonic.com/us/vp2788...wWblsxiK_Gm68Q24z-e7oE_ZQZKBGtoP7ghLnu43KueOE)

Thunderbolt 4 and all for just $50 more, seems like a deal. However my biggest issue is that it requires an external power supply. I know it's a silly qualm but to each their own.

 

[Bigwaff]

It displays in 1440p, 4K resolution. 2560 x 1440. I'm using one right now communicationg with you. I am ecstatic to have an old Apple Display that works seamlessly (with one adapting cable) with my up-to-date, 2024 M4 Mac mini. I love that I can keep the basic form factor of the 27" Apple iMacs, which I like, and from which I am upgrading. It is even more attractive without the chin, even if the bezel is a little wide for 2025 standards. If 5K is necessry for editing video or some other use, this may not be the monitor for you. But for everyone else .....

Glad you are happy with your set up... but 4K is 3840 x 2160, which the Apple Thunderbolt Display is not. I have both the TBD and the Apple mDP Cinema Display. Both are considered 2K QHD resolution displays.

 

[drrich2]

Note:

The ViewSonic 5K just released the other day (https://www.viewsonic.com/us/vp2788...wWblsxiK_Gm68Q24z-e7oE_ZQZKBGtoP7ghLnu43KueOE)

Thunderbolt 4 and all for just $50 more, seems like a deal. However my biggest issue is that it requires an external power supply. I know it's a silly qualm but to each their own.

Thanks for posting the link. I tend to associate a display being 'Thunderbolt' with a substantially higher up charge, so I followed your link to try to figure out what was up.

Check this out! 75Hz refresh rate! A number of people wanted a 5K display with > 60-Hz refresh rate. Granted, they wanted 120-Hz, I think but still...this is good news!

"

• Brightness: 500 cd/m2
• Static Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1
• Panel Type: IPS

"
Nice brightness.

The ASUS 27" 5:

"
Brightness (Typ.) : 400cd/㎡
Contrast Ratio (Max) : 3000:1
Contrast Ratio (Typ.) : 1500:1
"

So, contrast maybe better (depending on what 'static' means - I think the ASUS used an IPS Black panel), manufacturer-rated brightness a bit less but should be good.