Recommendations for display: switch between M1 Mac Mini and Dell Laptop from work

[jonmaddux]

Very first post.

I am going to upgrade my Mac and in my mind, the best choice for me is a new M1 Mac Mini with an external display. I'd like to be able to switch between the mini and my Dell laptop from work since I work from home most days. Obviously I'd like to use the Thunderbolt 3 output from the mini, and I'd like to have 5K resolution on the display, at least when I'm running the mini. I don't want to change cables to change machines. Separate keyboards and mice are no concern.

Can you all recommend some displays for me to study?

I like LG Ultrafine, but they seem to only have one input.

 

[Amethyst1]

A 5120×2880 display with multiple inputs… that’s difficult.

The Dell UP2715K (discontinued) fits the bill but needs two DisplayPort 1.2 connections for 5120×2880 so you also need a Thunderbolt 3 to dual DisplayPort adapter. It has a third (miniDisplayPort 1.2) input for your Dell laptop that limits you to “4K”.

HP Z27q (discontinued), LG UltraFine 5K: have only one input.

Iiyama XB2779QQS (discontinued), Planar IX2790 (discontinued): require only one DisplayPort 1.4 connection for 5120×2880 and have three inputs — 2× DisplayPort 1.4, each good for 5K; 1× HDMI 2.0 for “4K” — but use second-grade panels which might have lots of dead pixels (my Iiyama did) or other issues.

 

[jonmaddux]

Amethyst1, thank you for the helpful reply.

I didn't think it would be difficult, but that figures I guess.

If I go down to 4K resolution, does that help my options? I assume so, but I'd rather not settle just yet.

 

[Amethyst1]

If I go down to 4K resolution, does that help my options?

Yes. Virtually every “4K” monitor out there has at least two inputs, the exception being the LG UltraFine 4K.

 

[Archer13]

If I go down to 4K resolution, does that help my options? I assume so, but I'd rather not settle just yet.

Check Dell displays with integrated KVM. I'm using U3219Q, Mini is connected to Displayport and Dell laptop to USB-C. The keyboard and mouse are connected to the display.