Which Mac mini and monitor?

[Bolanders]

I want to pick up a Mac mini from my wife from Chase.

I can get the i3 -3.6ghz, 8GB, 256GB $799 version for $639

of I can get the i5 3.0Ghz 8 GB, 512Gb - $1099 version for $879

I also need a recommendation on a relatively inexpensive good 24-30 inch monitor. Would like to keep it below $300 for sure and $200 if possible.

Wife does light photos with "Photos", email, office, messages, and that is about it.

 

[Fishrrman]

The i3 will "do the job", but I'd get the i5 anyway (actually I got an i7 in my own 2018 Mini).

Here's a list I keep around of possible displays (not nearly all-inclusive):

IPS Monitors: List of the Best LCD Panels

Updated list of IPS monitors (also AHVA, PLS and other In-Plane Switching based tech) that offer the best color accuracy and wide viewing angles.

www.pchardwarehelp.com

Do you want:
- 4k
- 1440p
- 1080p
???

 

[iAssimilated]

With that usage the i3 would be just fine.

 

[Bolanders]

The i3 will "do the job", but I'd get the i5 anyway (actually I got an i7 in my own 2018 Mini).

Here's a list I keep around of possible displays (not nearly all-inclusive):

IPS Monitors: List of the Best LCD Panels

Updated list of IPS monitors (also AHVA, PLS and other In-Plane Switching based tech) that offer the best color accuracy and wide viewing angles.

www.pchardwarehelp.com

Do you want:
- 4k
- 1440p
- 1080p
???

Don’t care about color reproduction. Will probably use it so that the font isn’t too small. Probably 1440p or 1080p. Will never use 4k

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"Will probably use it so that the font isn’t too small. Probably 1440p or 1080p. Will never use 4k"

How is your wife's vision?
Still right on the money?
Or... getting perhaps a little older and weaker (like mine)?

I have a Viewsonic 1080p 27" display which has been a fine performer for me, but many of the younger folk on her would cry out "that's too grainy!" for them. Pixel size is .31mm.

There are also 27" displays that are "QHD" (1440p). But text will be a little smaller on them (displayed in "normal" font sizes at native resolution).

Also worth considering is a 32" 1440p display. Pixel size on these is about .277mm -- a little smaller than on a 27" 1080p display, but not so small as to make text unreadable when operating at native resolution.
Plenty of "screen real estate" on one of these, as well.

 

[Boyd01]

I have an ancient 23" Apple Cinema Display at 1920x1200 with .258mm dot pitch that I still really like. Have been looking at 1440p screens for the day that I finally upgrade to a new Mini, and there are a number of 32" and 32.5" screens that have dot pitches around .28mm. This seems like the best bet for me, text will be a bit larger than my Cinema Display at 2560x1440 native resolution.

I also have a Vizio 1080p 24" monitor. Not sure what the spec is on that, but suspect it would be close to .28mm also. For me, I think 1080p on a 27" screen would feel a little too large, it is quite readable on my 24" screen... and I'm over 70 with glasses that should have been replaced years ago, LOL.

From what I've seen, it might be tough to find a 32" 1440p screen for $200 - $300. The ones I've looked at are the LG 32GK650F-B for about $350, the BenQ PD3200Q for around $400 and Asus PB328Q for around $450. Have not done a serious search yet however, and if there are cheaper 32" 1440p screens I would be interested.