Monitor Help Needed

[jparker402]

About four weeks ago I lost vision in my left eye. My MacBook M1 Pro 14 has been about my only serious diversion. Now, since my right eye is strained to the point of not working well in the evening, reading what is on the screen is has become a challenge. The characters are dim and indistinct. A supplemental monitor has been suggested, but I know absolutely nothing about the specifications I see. Like 1140 x 1200 or whatever it is, HD, just call kinds of things that I don't understand. And I don't know what would be compatible with the MacBook Pro either. I would like a bit of guidance on what kind of monitor I should look for to fit just the basic need of screen size large enough and characters clear enough in brightness and contrast that I can read them in well. I would love to be able to do the research myself, but I can't read what is in front of me. Thanks! Oh, I will read your responses by holding my magnifying glass up to the screen. And I am not looking for top-of-the-line!

 

[ovbacon]

I would get a large screen so you can set things larger as you need it... I just got a AOC U32P2CA (32" 4K) for my MBA M1 and it is a fabulous screen that nice a crisp at a decent price as well (around $400).

 

[herbert7265]

Do you have, close to where you live, a computer or electronics store?

A theoretical evaluation of the countless options of external screens is one thing, the support of a (hopefully friendly and skilled) specialist with the possibility to see potential options live may be the better solution in your case. Maybe take even your laptop with you, to see what can be done (connections, resolutions, and so on).

Herbert

 

[MacGizmo]

First and foremost, I'm so sorry to hear about your vision issue. That's just horrible, and I hope you're able to overcome the troubles it brings.

Theoretically, any display that can connect to the laptop should be fine (Thunderbolt, or any other connector with a Thunderbolt/USB-C dongle at one end).

Setting the display to a lower resolution (which gives you larger fonts and user interface) is what you probably need to do. When you talk about the "1140 x 1200 or whatever" – what you want are those numbers, whatever they actually are, to be smaller. This means the resolution of the screen will be set to be lower, but that results in everything on the screen being larger. This isn't optimal because it also means everything will be less crisp - but I suspect in your case, larger is a better alternative than smaller and crisp.

 

[PaulD-UK]

Two things:

Are you using the Mac OS ACCESSIBILITY system setting to adjust CONTRAST and ZOOM?

If you do buy a monitor consider getting a model with a VESA mount, and getting an adjustable VESA ARM so you can bring the screen closer to you.

I find that has made the most difference.

 

[jparker402]

Two things:

Are you using the Mac OS ACCESSIBILITY system setting to adjust CONTRAST and ZOOM?

If you do buy a monitor consider getting a model with a VESA mount, and getting an adjustable VESA ARM so you can bring the screen closer to you.

I find that has made the most difference.

Zoom yes. Contrast: just now found it after you mentioned it. Do not see how it functions though. I increased from "normal" to half-way up, then to all the way up, and see no appreciable difference.