Best external displays for Mac (2021)

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Best external displays for Mac (2021)

If you’ve just got a Mac mini or Mac Pro, then you definitely need a display to go with it. By the way, even if you have a MacBook or iMac you might want to enjoy a second screen. Here are the best on the market for your macOS

Apple’s Pro Display XDR is the first monitor developed by the brand since it discontinued production of the 27-inch Thunderbolt Display in 2016. Designed as a companion to the new super-powered Mac Pro, the Pro Display is breathtaking, as it ‘this is a 32 inch screen which supports 6K video. But, it is also very expensive, starting at € 5,499, without even support, so it is far too expensive for the majority of users.

However, an external display can be very handy for any Mac user, both for work and play. Indeed, it is more pleasant to watch a movie on a big screen, or to do photo editing, etc.

Many professional users in the fields of design, photo / video editing require an external display to use their Mac mini or Pro.

Fortunately, many manufacturers offer very attractive displays at great prices that you can use with your Mac without having to empty your savings account.

To connect a monitor to your MacBook, you might need a docking station or hub / adapter, as today’s laptops don’t have built-in DisplayPort or HDMI ports.

At the end of our pick of the best monitors for Mac, you’ll find all of our buying tips.

1. HP Pavilion 27 Quantum Dot Display – The Best in Everything

 

$ 399.99

For many, a mid-range monitor with a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 is sufficient for a high-end 4K, it combines a sharp and detailed image, texts and graphics are easier to fix all day for example.

If you don’t need, or can’t afford a 4K display, then a 2560 x 1440 display such as the HP Pavilion 27 is a good alternative. If you are on a very tight budget, there is also a version with a resolution of 1920×1080 for even less.

The Pavilion 27 is well designed, with a very thin screen, as are its bezels, which are only 6.5mm thick. HP claims that its “quantum dot glass” technology is very energy efficient and that the display supports HDR (high dynamic range) technology for richer colors and an anti-reflective coating for better visibility.

It is not intended as a monitor for creatives, however it does support 90% of the DCI-P3 color standard, so you can use it for casual video editing, business presentations, or vlogging.

It also features HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C inputs / outputs, making it a good companion for the latest Mac mini and MacBook models. There you will also find a pair of USB 3.0 ports for connecting other accessories.

The only letdown is the lack of audio support, it lacks speakers and even a headphone jack, so you’ll have to rely on your Mac’s internal speakers and headphone jack, or just invest in speakers. external speakers.

2. Acer H277HK Monitor – The best 4K at a low price

 

$ 609.01

Acer’s H277HK is a great value for money 4K display. Its base has a distinctive, hoop design, the 27-inch monitor is slim, with narrow edges. It has a resolution of 3840 x 2160, with support for HDR technology so that you can immerse yourself in bright and colorful 4K videos.

The H277HK also has a built-in stereo speaker set, with DTS compatibility.

Its price is a bit steep, but it’s still an interesting 4K display. On the port side, you have a choice between HDMI and DisplayPort, and there’s also a USB-C input for charging your laptop or other devices. Note that USB-C is also compatible with video, but only at a resolution of 2560 x 1440.

3. BenQ DesignVue PD2720U Display – Best Mid-Range for Creatives

 

 

4.Philips Brilliance 329P9H – For a premium quality widescreen display

 

If you want to upgrade to an impressive 32 inch screen without breaking the bank, then go for the Philips Brilliance 329P9H.

To be precise, the 329P9H is actually 31.5 inches tall, it features crisp, crisp 4K resolution underscored by a nearly borderless display and anti-reflective coating. The display sits elegantly on its adjustable stand, which allows it to be tilted, rotated and height adjusted.

The picture quality is excellent, and having the whole screen to play is a big luxury. However, the 329P9H also comes with a lot of useful features.

It has two HDMI inputs, a display port and USB-C, which can act as a charger for your laptop when connected to the display. It also features four USB-A (3.1) ports, so you can use the display as a USB hub for your printer, Time Machine hard drive, etc. It has stereo speakers, as well as a headphone jack, and there’s even an Ethernet port.

Add to that sophisticated features, like a split screen mode to view two computers at the same time, and you have a versatile, high-quality monitor.

5. Philips LCD Monitor 245E1S – The most compact

 

 

The 32 inch display from Philips is very tempting if you are just looking for an affordable, high quality display that you can use with a MacBook or Mac mini, then the 245E1S LCD is for you.

This 24-inch (23.8-inch, to be precise) screen offers a resolution of 2560×1440, which is above average for a screen of this size. So it will work well for streaming videos, or editing certain photos or videos.

To reduce visual fatigue, this Philips monitor incorporates flicker-free technology, a LowBlue mode to reduce blue light and a SmartImage game mode for gamers that adjusts response time, intensifies colors for example.

It has an HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA interface, but no USB-C or Thunderbolt, so owners of most MacBooks will likely need to purchase an adapter.

However, there are no speakers, although there is an audio output connector.
Size matters
If you’re short on space or money, the smallest monitor size we recommend is 21 inches, which is also the size of the smaller iMac models currently sold by Apple.

There are also many 22-inch monitors under $ 100, 24-inch ones go up to $ 150. Most entry-level models also offer a resolution of 1920 x 1080, but for additional features the prices quickly drop to $ 400.

If you can afford it, we recommend a 27-inch screen, the cheaper ones usually have the same 1920×1080 resolution as their smaller counterparts. However, we don’t think it’s worth having such a large screen for such a low resolution. It’s best to have a 27-inch screen with a resolution of 2560×1440, which is about half the resolution of the latest 4K displays (at 3840 x 2160). Based on 2560×1440 resolution is more comfortable on the eyes.

However, if you want to watch a movie in all its glory, you might prefer to upgrade to a more modern 4K display, and many business and creative users now see 4K as essential.

If you need a very large screen for your graphics or editing tasks, then you can go up to 32 inches.

Entrances and exits
This brings us to the often confusing question of connector ports. The situation is particularly confusing right now as the traditional HDMI and DisplayPort connectors used by many monitors are starting to be replaced, or supplemented, with newer USB-C and Thunderbolt ports.

Keep in mind that while USB-C and Thunderbolt cables look the same, there are actually some important technical differences between them. It is therefore important to check which ports are used by your new monitor and to make sure that you are purchasing the correct cables and adapters.

Most recent MacBook and iMac models only have Thunderbolt 3 ports, in fact only the Mac mini still has an HDMI interface. If you are purchasing a monitor that has an HDMI or DisplayPort interface, you will need an adapter to connect your Mac.

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