Best Monitor for MacBook Pro
The best MacBook Pro monitors include the Dell 27020Q UltraSharp Monitor, Gigabye M27Q, and the LG 34BK95U UltraFine Ultrawide Monitor
Apple’s computers are powerful tools with fantastic displays. If you need more real estate, though, we’ve rounded up options for the best monitor for MacBook Pro in 2023.
After all, sometimes you’re going to need a bit more screen real estate than the MacBook Pros offer, even in their largest variations. Chances are, if you’re looking for the best monitor for MacBook Pro, you’re using the device for work of some kind.
That means you’re going to want to look out for a variety of things, including screen size, screen resolution, and even color quality. Finding one of the best MacBook Pro monitors can be difficult, especially with so many monitors out there to choose from. That’s why we’ve done most of the legwork and put together this list of the best MacBook Pro monitors, including a budget option for those who don’t want to break the bank with their latest accessory.
Best overall monitor for MacBook Pro
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE has a built-in USB-C port.
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is a newly-upgraded model that comes sporting excellent color coverage. Once you’ve seen it in action, you’ll never want to go back to another monitor. This delightful display comes with support for 4K resolution, and 98% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, and 100% REC 709. That means you’ll have vibrant, sharp, and naturally beautiful visuals no matter what you’re doing on your MacBook Pro.
Buy at Dell
The panel here is also 27 inches, which means plenty of screen real estate to spread out your windows and make use of. The included ergonomic stand can also tilt, pivot, and adjust vertically, which means you can easily set it up any way you like it without having to move the monitor stand around a lot.
On top of great resolution and color quality, the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE also comes with a built-in USB-C port. That means you can charge your MacBook Pro even while running it at its full potential. The brightness could be a little bit better, but with so many other things going for it for under $700, this is a great contender for the best monitor for MacBook Pro.
Best budget monitor for MacBook Pro
The Gigabyte M27Q offers an abundance of features for a budget-friendly price.
If you want to add a monitor to your MacBook Pro setup, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, there are still some good options.
One of the best budget options is the Gigabyte M27Q. This monitor features a max refresh rate of 170Hz an an IPS panel with a full resolution of 1440P. That makes it crisp enough to handle most work you’ll throw at it. The color support here isn’t as great as you’ll find in higher-priced monitors, but it’s still more than good enough for most of what you’ll do with it.
Buy at Amazon
The peak brightness, on the other hand, is extraordinary, and it handles reflections really well, too. That means you can work in bright rooms without having to worry so much about them causing glare on your screen. Additionally, the picture quality is good overall, and the accuracy of the image is fantastic right out of the box. If it had checked a few more boxes, it could easily have been a possibility for our best overall MacBook Pro monitor. But, since it falls somewhat short, and the included USB-C port doesn’t have enough power to charge your MacBook Pro, it will have to settle for the budget spot on our list.
Best ultrawide monitor for MacBook Pro
The LG 34BK95U-W Ultrafine display has ample ports to connect accessories.
If you want to maximize screen real estate, while also taking advantage of a colorful and bright screen. At 34-inches, this 5K monitor is a great option for anyone who needs a large screen with a high resolution. It also comes with ample viewing angles and great build quality. Overall, it’s hard to beat the LG 34BK95U-W Ultrafine and its bevy of features.
Buy at Amazon
On top of sporting a higher resolution panel, the 34-inch monitor also comes with a ton of ports, including a DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, as well as a USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) port, and even some regular USB-A 3.0 ports. That makes it great for accessories, which most MacBook Pros may struggle with. One of the real standout parts of this monitor, though, is its three year warranty for parts and labor. That means you won’t have to worry about dropping such a large sum on a monitor again, at least for a good few years.
The LG 34BK95U-W retails for $999, but is available at Amazon.
Apple’s best monitor for MacBook Pro
The Apple Studio Display connects easily to your MacBook Pro
If you don’t mind spending a pretty penny and want to keep everything in the Apple ecosystem, then pair your MacBook Pro with the Apple Studio Display. The newly released 5K monitor comes with a bevy of features, including multiple USB ports, which should help you accessorize as needed.
Like the Pro Display XDR, the Studio Display is geared towards creative professionals. That means multiple reference modes, and P3 wide color gamut support, too. You’ll also find a built-in six-speaker sound system, as well as a 12MP ultra-wide web camera enclosed in the front of the device. The entire thing is powered by an onboard A13 chip, and comes with a nano-texture display that does great at cutting down on glare.
Buy at Adorama
There are better 5K displays out there, but if you really want to keep it in the Apple family, then the Studio Display is the monitor for you.
Read our full Apple Studio Display review.
AppleInsider readers can also save $110 to $150 on the Studio display with this activation link and promo code APINSIDER at Adorama. Step-by-step coupon instructions can be found here.
Best Apple alternative monitor for MacBook Pro
The Alogic Clarity is a solid monitor with a distinctly Apple-like design language. Although it’s cheaper than the Apple Studio Display, the Clarity monitor does have its own suite of productivity tricks and additional feature that could help sway your decision.
The Alogic Clarity monitor is a budget-friendly option.
Buy at Alogic
It’s a 27-inch monitor with a 4K display with a resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 pixels. It packs more port options than the Apple Studio Display, with a pair of HDMI ports, a Type-C, two USB-A ports, headphone jack, and a USB-B port.
The Alogic Clarity doesn’t match Apple’s display pound-for-pound, but it does come in at a cheaper $799.
99 — and delivers a lot of value for that price point.
Best reference monitor for MacBook Pro
If you’re looking for a reference monitor for high-end graphics and film editing work, then the Pro Display XDR is a solid option. This is a 32-inch monitor with a 6K resolution, HDR supports, and up to 1000 nits of brightness. It’s tailor-made for professionals.
Pro Display XDR
Buy at Adorama
The Pro Display XDR has the same port array as the Apple Studio Display, with three USB-C ports and a single Thunderbolt 3 port. While it doesn’t come cheap, it’s still significantly less expensive than most other professional-grade reference monitors.
If price isn’t an issue, the Pro Display XDR is the best monitor for MacBook Pro.
It typically costs $4,999 at places like Amazon, or $5,999 with the special matte Nano Texture Glass. But AppleInsider readers can save up to $510 on the Apple Pro Display XDR in addition to $100 off AppleCare at Adorama with this activation link and promo code APINSIDER.
Need help with the coupon? Here are step-by-step activation instructions.
Best 5K monitor aimed at creatives for MacBook Pro
The LG UltraWide 5K2K is a powerful monitor aimed at creative professionals. It’s a 34-inch wide display with a 5K horizontal resolution and 4K vertical resolution. It sports a 90% DCI-P3 wide color gamut range, max brightness of 450 nits, and a resolution of 5120 by 2160 pixels.
LG UltraWide 5K2K
Buy at Amazon
On the rear, you’ll find a plethora of ports, from a pair of HDMI ports to a DisplayPort, various USB ports, and a Thunderbolt 3 port. The real draw here is the screen real estate. Its massive display area makes for easier workflows across a variety of creative and productive tasks.
You can buy the LG UltraWide 5K monitor for $1,086.46 on Amazon or for $1,496.99 at Adorama.
Best smaller 4K monitor for MacBook Pro
The LG UltraFine 4K has the distinction of being an Apple-approved monitor that you can purchase directly from the iPhone maker.
It’s a 23.7-inch display with a 3840 by 2160 resolution, a P3 wide color gamut, and up to 500 nits of brightness.
The LG UltraFine 4K display pairs nicely with Apple’s MacBook Pro.
Buy at B&H
It can power a MacBook Pro with its included 85W Thunderbolt 3 cable, and it also sports two Thunderbolt 3 ports and three downstream USB-C ports. On the audio and visual side, it packs built-in stereo speakers.
You can purchase the LG 4K UltraFine display for $699 at B&H.
Best monitor with smart TV features for MacBook Pro
The Samsung M8 is a 4K monitor that can also act as a smart TV, allowing users to take advantage of online services without a host device. That makes it a bit more versatile than other monitors on the list — but the Samsung M8 still functions well as a dedicated computer display.
While it’s a larger 32-inch monitor, it has a lower pixel density than Apple’s Studio Display.
Despite that, it still supports HDR10+, a 99% sRGB color range, and up to 400 nits of brightness. It packs a single HDMI port and a pair of USB-C ports (with one downstream and one upstream port).
Samsung M8
Available at Samsung
As far as audio and visual goes, the Samsung M8 has its own 5W speaker system with a tweeter, a Far Field Voice microphone, and a detachable webcam.
It’s available starting at $579 from Samsung or at Amazon for as low as $464.
Best desktop companion to a MacBook Pro
There are likely times when a dedicated desktop Mac is going to be more useful to your workflow than a separate monitor. In these cases, your best bet is likely to be the 24-inch iMac, which is powered by an M1 chipset and sports some hefty display features.
24-inch iMac
It packs a 4.5K display with a 4,480 x 2,520 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, True Tone, and Wide Color range.
Of course, it’s also a dedicated computer in its own right, with a powerful M1 chipset and a seven- or eight-core GPU.
While it can’t function as a monitor for your MacBook Pro, you can streamline your workflows using features like Continuity and AirDrop.
Best MacBook Pro monitor for multitaskers
The Dell UltraSharp U4021QW offers enhanced screen real estate.
If you’re planning on multitasking, then going with an ultrawide monitor can be a great way to give yourself some extra screen real estate. It might not be the best ultrawide out there, but the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW does come close, and it gives you a ton of features to take advantage of during usage for under $2,000.
Buy at Dell
First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. This monitor is massive. At 39.7 inches, the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW will take up a lot of desk space. But, it makes up for all of this with an absolutely stunning picture quality you aren’t likely to find on many other monitors.
The ports that it comes with are also fantastic, and you’ll probably never need to use them all.
But what makes it so special for multitaskers? We’re glad you asked. Let us introduce you to the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW’s various multitasking modes, including picture-by-picture, picture-in-picture, and KVM (which stands for keyboard, video, and mouse). These features allow you to connect two separate laptops or computers and view them on that single screen. So, if you need to collaborate with a teammate who has their own MacBook Pro, the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW can let you both work side by side whenever you need to.
While it may be tough to choose between these monitors, there is a great chance of discovering the best monitor for MacBook Pro that will fit your needs here.
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K USB-C Hub Monitor review
| TechRadar
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Here’s how it works.
The Dell U2723QE 4K HDR monitor and hub is designed to be your all-in-one workspace solution, but how does it stack up in our test?
Recommended
(Image: © Future)
TechRadar Verdict
If you’re looking for a monitor that provides high performance, great ergonomics and optimizes your desk space, the Dell U2723QE provides plenty of features to make it worth your consideration.
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Pros
- +
Built-in connectivity hub with plenty of USB ports
- +
Wide range of color setting options (sRGB, Rec. 709, DCI-P3, HDR)
- +
High image quality, Low Blue Light setting and anti-glare finish makes this a screen you can look at for hours
Cons
- –
When connecting via USB-C you have to choose between High Resolution or High Data Speed
- –
The provided USB-C cable is too short to reach the outside edge of a laptop, or, if using a laptop riser, can sometimes protrude into the viewing space
- –
Display panel had a faint shadow along the top and bottom edge of the screen.
Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
For those looking for a monitor that can do it all, the Dell U2723QE monitor is worth your while, providing plenty of features, great visuals and multiple built-in color space options.
In addition, the expansive display offers a ton of screen real estate for displaying large amounts of data or editing high-resolution images and video. Throw in Low Blue Light output, a built-in multi-port USB 3.2 Gen2 hub, networking, and an audio line-out port and you’ve got one powerful monitor.
Unboxing
- Dell UltraSharp U2723QE at Dell for $624.99
Unboxing and setting up the Dell U2723QE was simple, effortless, and toolless. In minutes, we assembled the stand, attached the monitor, and connected it to our computer.
Its minimal black borders, matte silver stand, and unobtrusive footprint help this monitor fit nicely in various professional and home offices.
And if you need to use a different mounting solution, the monitor includes a 100×100 VESA interface for creating custom workstation setups.
(Image credit: Future)
The U2723QE also features impressive ergonomic options with -5º/+21º Tilt, 60º pan, and full 90º +/- rotation for vertical screen orientations.
We appreciated Dell including a power cable, USB-C to USB-C (1m), USB-C to USB-A, and DisplayPort cable (1.8m) for various connection options.
However, with many computers having built-in HDMI ports, we’re not exactly sure why an HDMI cable was not included and you’ll have to provide your own. (An HDMI cable is included with the U2723QX model).
First impressions
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K USB-C Hub Monitor is an all-purpose product designed to create an optimal viewing experience while maximizing productivity and desk space.
We were impressed with its expansive 3840 x 2160 UHD resolution, eye-pleasing natural colors, deep blacks, HDR options, and quick access settings for sRGB (100%), Rec 709 (100%), and DCI-P3 (98%) color spaces.
(Image credit: Future)
With Low Blue Light output and the anti-glare, 3H Hard Coating cutting down on the window and light reflections, we could use this monitor for hours without feeling fatigued.
In our testing, how Dell pairs a noteworthy viewing experience with the added functionality of its built-in connectivity hub sets this monitor apart from the competition.
Connecting to external drives, your LAN and charging portable devices through a single cable connection is the next level in desk space organization and workflow optimization. The U2723QE offers a fast and easy way to connect your peripheral equipment without making multiple connections to your computer or needing to purchase an external hub.
The Dell U2723QE is a streamlined, flexible, powerful monitor designed to tackle a range of tasks.
Design and build quality
It features a slim yet rock-solid stand that allows users to position the monitor for optimal ergonomics. The stand also has a large cutout to help with cable management for any cables you connect to the hub.
The monitor feels well-constructed and has easy-to-use buttons for accessing monitor settings. In addition to HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C (with 90W power delivery) display connections, the U2723QE hub offers 4 x USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, 1 x RJ45 connector, and 1 x Audio line-out port.
Per Dell’s specifications, the audio port is only for speakers and does not support headphones. Dell has also included two quick-access USB ports (1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen2 10 Gbps and 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 with up to 15W charging capability) along the bottom left edge of the monitor frame to connect or charge peripheral devices easily.
(Image credit: Future)
In use
As we put Dell’s U2723QE through our tests, we quickly realized that this monitor would certainly be at home in diverse office environments.
The high-resolution UHD 3840 x 2160 LED display offers true-to-life color, and while not the brightest monitor, we found the 2000:1 contrast ratio and HDR features helped to create a well-balanced, beautiful image.
We tested in an office space with multiple windows, finding the screen to have plenty of brightness, and appreciated its anti-glare coating, which effectively cut out annoying reflections.
We found that the 27-inch 4K display offered a great balance between how much physical desk space it occupied while offering plenty of screen real estate to view more data in a single glance and providing enhanced image details when editing photos and graphics.
We also found the monitor works well for editing and reviewing video content with accurate colors.
The monitor’s Smart HDR feature provides options for Desktop, Movie HDR, Game HDR, and DisplayHDR™ 400 content for optimal High Dynamic Range viewing.
We could tell a big difference in how images appeared more life-like after enabling the HDR settings. While it will never match a television screen, the monitor provides a quality viewing experience.
Specs
Screen Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 4K 3840×2160 / 60 Hz
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Color Gamut: 100% Rec 709, 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3
Brightness: 400 cd/m²
Response Time: 5 ms (gray-to-gray fast), 8 ms (gray-to-gray normal)
Viewing Angle: 178
Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 / 2000:1 (dynamic)
Ports:
– HDMI (HDCP 2.
2)
– DisplayPort 1.4
– DisplayPort output
– USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream
– USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 downstream (power up to 15W)
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 downstream
– USB 3.2 Gen 2 downstream with Battery Charging 1.2
Audio line-out
– USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream/DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode (power up to 90W)
– LAN (RJ-45)
Dimensions & Weight
With stand – width: 24.1 in – depth: 7.3 in – height: 15.2 in – weight: 14.6 lbs
Without stand – width: 24.1 in – depth: 2.1 in – height: 13.9 in – weight: 9.9 lbs
Low Blue Light emissions meant that we could also use the monitor for longer periods without experiencing eye fatigue. Meanwhile, being able to select different color space (sRGB, Rec. 709, and DCI-P3) presets meant we could switch from data applications, to web browsing, to graphic design and to video editing workflows quickly and easily with great results.
With the expansive screen resolution, we had plenty of options for displaying multiple windows simultaneously, making it easier and more efficient when comparing data from multiple spreadsheets or copying information from one application to another.
The U2723QE provides additional ports for daisy chaining a second monitor using USB-C or DisplayPort connections to add even more screen space. You can also set up KVM, Picture-In-Picture (PIP), and Picture-By-Picture (PBP) if you need to see or control multiple computers simultaneously.
If you’re connecting to a Dell OptiPlex 7090/3090 Ultra platform, you have additional features available to you, such as Power Sync via USB-C to control the power state of the OptiPlex using a monitor power button.
For those who want to control monitor settings from their computer, Dell provides Display Manager software for both Windows and Mac operating systems to create preset tiled layouts and keyboard shortcuts to arrange and save your monitor workspace exactly the way you want.
In addition to offering lots of control for displaying content, we appreciated how adjustable the monitor is to find the right ergonomic position. We tried the monitor while seated and at a standing desk.
The 5.9 inch vertical extension of the stand provided enough range to position the center of the monitor at a comfortable height in either setup without additional platforms. The stand also provides a wide range of swivel (-45° to 45°), pivot (-90° to 90°), and tilt (-5/+21) for a full range of positioning options.
(Image credit: Future)
When it comes to managing peripheral devices, there are a ton of options on the market for USB hubs, and most of them add additional clutter to a desk space with boxes and cables going in every direction.
The U2723QE’s built-in hub offers a flexible and elegant solution to reducing desktop clutter and adds a wide selection of connectivity options that we found practical and powerful.
A single USB-C connection will power 4 x USB 3.2 Gen2 ports and an RJ45 LAN (10/100/1000Mbps) port on the back of the monitor with an additional 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port and 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 with Battery Charging 1.2 port located along the bottom left edge of the monitor frame for easy access.
As we tested the monitor with a single cable to the USB-C 90W PD port, we discovered that the monitor has two modes to select depending on your graphics card and workflow priorities.
Within the menu Display settings, we found options for setting the USB-C Prioritization between High Resolution or High Data Speed transfers. According to Dell, when the monitor is set to High Resolution, all 4 lanes of USB-C are utilized for DP data and enable 3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz on both DP 1.2 and DP 1.4 protocols but data transfers are limited to USB 2.0 speeds.
When the monitor is set to High Data Speed, DP 1.2 enabled devices can display 3840 x 2160 at 30 Hz with USB 3.0 transfer speeds, and DP 1.4 devices with DSC Platform support can support display resolution up to 3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz with USB 3.0 transfer speeds.
Read more
If you’re using a computer with DP 1.2 or DP 1.4 without DSC Platform support, we found we could still achieve our optimal screen refresh rate of 3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz and High-Speed data transfers by connecting 3 cables: Power, DisplayPort, or HDMI 2.
0, and USB-C to the monitor’s upstream USB-C port.
When connecting to the 90W PD USB-C port in this setup, we discovered that our computer behaved as if it had another monitor connected to it in addition to the DisplayPort/HDMI output because of the PIP / PBP feature of the monitor.
Another option would be to set the prioritization for High Resolution and use the monitor hub ports for connecting keyboards, mice, and other peripherals at USB 2.0 speeds while connecting storage drives that need the fastest possible port speeds via another local port on the computer or through a secondary hub.
With a wide variety of display, control, and data connections along with the massive range of ergonomic position options in a single monitor, we think the Dell U2723QE monitor is a versatile addition to any workspace that makes it worth considering for your office setup.
Final verdict
The Dell U2723QE monitor sits in a sweet spot for many professionals who need to maximize their workflow and office space.
The monitor comes with Low Blue Light output and offers full UHD 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz resolution with HDR support, multiple display connections, and a plethora of blazing fast USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gb/s) ports in addition to an RJ45 network port and audio output port in a single, well thought out design.
Additionally, the monitor provides an incredible range of positioning options that will help meet various ergonomic and mounting requirements. If you’re in a Dell environment, you may have even more options to optimize your setup and workflow.
Overall, we think this monitor provides a lot of value and flexibility in one complete package.
- Check out our best business laptops right now
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE: Price Comparison
$779.99
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$1,009.70
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$779.99
$624.99
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$685.99
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The best external monitors for your MacBook Pro
These are the best monitors for your MacBook Pro.
If you’ve just started working from home, or just want to boost your productivity, we recommend adding an external monitor. You can quickly turn your MacBook Air into an entire workstation or just enjoy the big screen.
Table of Contents
Best Monitors for MacBook Pro (2020)
1. LG UltraFine 4K Display (24″ or 27″)
2. Lenovo L24i IPS Display (24″)
3. LG 34UM69G-B Ultrawide IPS Monitor (34″)
4. ViewSonic VG2755-2K USB-C Tilt Monitor (27″)
5. Dell U3419w Ultrasharp Curved Monitor (34″) 900 03
6. Samsung 850 Series 4K (28″) Work Monitor
7. LG 34WL85C Curved Ultra-Wide IPS Display (34″)
The displays below will work with all 2016 and later MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with USB Type-C or display port.
Apple MacBook Pro’s screen is good, but if you’re still using something like an old 13-inch MacBook Pro, you’ll need a bigger screen. I use a single 34″ widescreen monitor instead of two monitors side by side so there are no borders to get in the way of my content.
However, others may just want one huge screen, so we’ve rounded up some great options below.
Best Monitors for MacBook Pro (2020)
1. LG UltraFine 4K Display (24″ or 27″)
If you don’t want to just upgrade to a larger device like the new MacBook Pro 16, your best bet is to use an external monitor like the LG UltraFine 4K. This is, by the way, the display that Apple recommends connecting to your Mac. With 3840 x 2160 4K resolution, your photos, videos or games will come to life.
This monitor comes with a Thunderbolt 3 cable that delivers up to 85W of charging power to your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, not to mention three USB-C ports. In addition, there are two Thunderbolt ports that you can use to connect a second screen so you have two external monitors for your MacBook Pro. These screens have beautiful, accurate colors, great sound, but they’re not cheap. If you want to go even bigger, Apple and LG offer a 27-inch 5K UltraFine monitor if you want.
2. Lenovo L24i 24″ IPS Display
The Lenovo L24i is a sleek, affordable and slim monitor that can be easily placed almost anywhere to expand your MacBook desktop space. This is ideal for those who have limited space or a limited budget but don’t want to make too many compromises. It still gives you a big 23.8-inch IPS monitor, but at this price point it only supports 1080p HD resolution. However, an IPS panel should deliver accurate color reproduction, excellent viewing angles, and even be suitable for gamers with a 4ms response rate.
Or you could just get a 27-inch iMac and call it a day.
3. LG 34UM69G-B 34″ Ultra Wide IPS Monitor
Ultra wide monitors are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They provide a huge screen real estate that is perfect for gaming or business users without taking up too much space on your desk. And while I’d like to wait for the fancy curved screen, the LG 34UM is the monitor I use to this day.
This is a large, wide, 34-inch ultra-wide IPS screen that looks amazing from any angle. I ditched my two monitors, put them in portrait mode and went widescreen, and never looked back. You’ll love connecting it to your Mac with HDMI, Displayport, USB-C and more. This is a full featured, full wide monitor that won’t break the bank.
4. ViewSonic VG2755-2K USB-C Tilt Monitor (27″)
If you’re looking for an external monitor for your MacBook that’s the perfect size, feature, and price point, then ViewSonic is for you. The ViewSonic VG2755 has a decently large 27-inch 2k screen and costs less than $400. It’s not too big, not too small, and still has high resolution. You get USB 3.1, USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort options, so it’s very versatile. Plus, it has a 40-degree tilt capability that improves ergonomics, making it ideal for your office or work at home.
5. Dell U3419w Ultrasharp 34″ Curved Monitor
Dell makes some of the best monitors out there, and if you like LG’s idea of an ultra-wide screen but want something better for work and play, get this .
The Dell U3419 is a fully curved 34″ ultra-wide screen, part of the Dell Ultrasharp high-performance display family. What’s more, the U3419 has a USB-C output that delivers 90W of power, so you can safely fully charge your MacBook straight from the monitor and cut down on unnecessary cables.
It’s still an IPS display, so everything looks great, but the curvature helps provide better viewing angles, crisp, crisp colors, less glare, and overall better. If you can afford it, you’ll love everything this display has to offer.
6. Samsung 850 Series 4K 28″ Work Monitor
We can’t recommend a display for your MacBook without at least one from Samsung. The company has a premium 850 series monitor designed for business users that pairs beautifully with any Mac. The Samsung 850 offers stunning 4K UHD resolution, USB-C and plenty of connectivity options. It even works with VESA mounts if you want to buy more than one.
The Samsung 850 not only has a USB hub with HDMI, DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort inputs for peripherals and accessories, but also a swivel function.
This monitor works regularly but can also rotate up/down completely in portrait mode, perfect for reading documents. If you scroll a lot and don’t need a wide screen, try this. It is also one of the best TAA compatible monitors for Mac.
7. LG 34WL85C Curved Ultra-Wide IPS Display (34″)
or
Last but not least, we’d like to recommend another amazing ultra-wide monitor, and this is the one I’d like to look forward to for myself. The LG 34WL85C is slightly larger than other LG ultra-wide screens, but that’s because it has a curved screen, tilt, and HDR10 with a beautiful 3440 x 1440 resolution. The edges envelop your field of view, delivering the best colors and picture quality, and reduce glare. This is a really great monitor for gaming or serious video editing.
LG has added a neat reading mode for heavy work days to ease your eyes, not to mention a Black Stabilizer option when you switch from work to play and start watching Netflix movies with dark scenes.
Basically, he can do a little bit of everything, and it looks great. Get this monitor for your Mac and enjoy all its features. Or, if money is no object, try this 38-inch curved widescreen display.
Finally, find the monitor size, specifications and features that are right for you. If you plan to use your MacBook and extended monitor for work or video editing, get a good IPS screen with great colors. If you’re a college student who wants to play and enjoy movies, this affordable LG widescreen TV is a great choice. Choose what suits you and your budget.
🔥 How to choose an external monitor for your MacBook and not regret buying it
Monitor for Macbook
I’ll tell you why the image on an external MacBook monitor is small, large and cloudy. And how to choose a monitor to avoid this.
Vlad Gorokhovsky
• 6 min read
When you buy a brand new monitor for your MacBook, you will most likely run into one of three problems: the macOS interface will be small, large, or muddy. In this note, I’ll explain why this happens and how to choose a monitor so that the macOS interface looks as good as on the iMac screen.
If you don’t want to get into the technical details, just scroll down the article. There is a table with recommendations for choosing the right diagonal and resolution. This will help you navigate the selection of the model.
macOS features: Retina and PPI
Apple has several models of MacBooks and iMacs. All computers have different screen sizes and resolutions, but the macOS interface is the same everywhere in clarity and proportions. Why?
To understand why this happens, you need to understand the concepts Retina and PPI . And since we’re talking about external monitors, let’s break these terms down using the 4K 21-inch iMac as an example.
The physical resolution of the 21-inch iMac 4K is 4096×2304 pixels, but what you actually see is half the resolution of 2048×1152.
If the picture was displayed in full 4K resolution, then all fonts, buttons and icons on the screen would be very small.
When the visible image is half the physical resolution of the monitor, then one visible pixel consists of four physical pixels. Such an image is called a high-definition image, or HiDPI. Apple has its own marketing name for this – Retina .
To make macOS look equally good on devices with different diagonals and resolutions, Apple tied the size of the macOS interface to the PPI (Pixels Per Inch) parameter, the number of pixels per inch that can be calculated from the diagonal and screen resolution.
‼️ The macOS interface looks good when the apparent pixel density (PPI) is 110 .
For example, MacBook Pro 13″ and iMac 27″ apparent pixel density is 109PPI.
Therefore, if you switch from a MacBook to an iMac, you won’t notice a big difference in image sizes.
To determine the PPI density of a monitor, use a special calculator. You need to enter the apparent screen resolution and its diagonal into it.
👉 PPI calculator for monitors
macOS looks good on MacBooks and iMacs because the pixel density of their screens is always the same
Why the macOS interface is small
Because you’re displaying the picture at your monitor’s native resolution. At the same time, the resolution of the monitor is high. For example, 4K. Because of this, the PPI is much higher than the reference value of 110 points.
The vast majority of 27-inch 4K monitors have a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. If you display an image at this resolution, then the macOS interface will be small. Since the pixel density (PPI) will be 163.
If you try to scale the 3840×2160 resolution to a Retina-compatible resolution, then it will have to be halved both horizontally and vertically.
Thus, each pixel will consist of four physical pixels, and the apparent resolution will be 1920 × 1080 pixels.
In this case, the PPI calculator gives us the number 82. And this is already a very large picture, as for my taste. It will look much better if you choose not a 27-inch screen, but a 24-inch one. Then the PPI will become 92, and the picture will be of an acceptable size and clarity.
If you want to get a picture similar to an iMac on a 27-inch monitor, then you need to look for a model with a resolution of not 3840×2160, but 5120×2880. In this case, its visible image is 2560×1440 and will correspond to 109PPI. A budget option is to simply choose a 27-inch monitor with a resolution of 2560×1440 (2K).
Why the macOS interface is large
Because you’ve scaled your monitor to Retina resolution. Often, the system does this automatically.
For example, again take a 27-inch monitor with a resolution of 3840×2160 px. If you scale its resolution to the required 1920×1080 pixels (Retina), then the PPI will drop to 82.
The image will be unusually large. The only acceptable scenario for using such a monitor is if it is far away and your eyesight is planted.
Recommendations are similar: either take a variant with the same resolution and a diagonal of 21‒24 inches, or take a model with a native resolution of 2560×1440 pixels.
Why the interface is cloudy
If the physical resolution is large, and Retina is too small, then why not scale the image to a different resolution? For example, to make 3840×2160 not 1920×1080 (Retina), but the required 2560×1440, at which the PPI will be 109, since the monitor settings allow it.
‼️ You can choose any image scaling in the macOS settings, but if it is not half the native screen resolution, the picture will become a little hazy.
This happens because the physical number of pixels is always even and painlessly divisible by only two. With arbitrary scaling, one visible pixel will be displayed not as an integer, but as a decimal number of pixels.
For example, not a 2×2 pixel matrix, as with Retina, but 1.5×1.5 px. Which, in principle, is impossible, since a physical pixel cannot be divided.
To get out of this situation, the video system will paint the neighboring pixels in the main hue. This is how blurryness is obtained, which is especially clearly visible on text and lines that are one pixel thick.
Some monitors scale better than others. The higher the resolution and the smaller the diagonal of the monitor, the less noticeable the blurring of the image.
Of the entire line of Apple computers, only the 13-inch MacBook Pro does “bad” scaling, turning the native resolution of 2560×1600 into 1440×900. But, thanks to the small diagonal, the pixels are so small that the picture is still clear.
With a large diagonal, this trick will not work for you. With arbitrary scaling, the picture will be slightly blurry, which, at least, is not suitable for designers.
If the picture is blurry when connecting an external monitor to the MacBook, regardless of the resolution, then most likely the matter is in the wrong digital profile.
This is being treated, and I wrote a separate post about it.
The image quality on the monitor has become poor. What to do? 🤔
After purchasing a new monitor or updating macOS, the interface may become hazy and the fonts may appear slightly double. It’s as if an Instagram filter has been applied to them or you are looking at a monitor screen with a CRT kinescope. I tell you how to fix it.
Mac OS WorldVlad Gorokhovsky
Which monitor to choose
When choosing an external monitor for Mac, be guided by the density of visible pixels – PPI. This parameter depends on the diagonal and the resolution in which you are going to work.
To make icons, fonts and buttons look the same as on a MacBook or iMac, PPI must be around 110. If your eyesight is a little set or the monitor is far away, you can safely take a monitor with 90 PPI. Don’t go below.
If PPI is greater than 110, then the image will be small.
Cheat sheet for choosing the right resolution and diagonal
The optimal ratio of price and quality will be a monitor with a diagonal of 27 inches and a resolution of 2560 × 1440.
Each manufacturer has such options. Thanks to the PPI of 108 points, the scale of the interface on such a monitor will look like Apple intended. And the usable area is maximum.
If you need a sharp Retina image, look at 4K 24-inch monitors, and then scale the image to 1920×1080. The usable area will be smaller, but the picture will be clear.
The most budget option is a 21-inch monitor with 1920 × 1080 pixels. The picture will look good and not too grainy. A good option for an additional monitor.
Other things to look for when choosing a monitor for Mac
Auto-dimming, VESA mount, built-in speakers – it’s all there to suit your needs.
The only thing worth hunting for is the ability to connect a monitor directly with a USB-C cable. In this case, such a cable will not only transmit the picture, but also charge the laptop itself.
If you choose a laptop with USB-C support, then the USB ports in the monitor itself will not be redundant.