After purchasing the Mac Mini, you would realize that Apple is no longer updating its thunderbolt monitors and they are not the right fit as far as the latest technology is concerned. This is the reason why you would need an external monitor that is not only compatible with your Mac OS, but also comes with the updated features.
Since there are several options for you to purchase from at a lower cost, you should be looking for monitors which are capable of providing you with the best possible visual representation of everything going on in your Mac Mini without any problems. We created this buying guide in order to make your choice a lot easier.
Table of Contents
- Best External Monitor for Mac Mini – Buying Guide
- 1. LG 34UM88-P 34-Inch 21:9 UltraWide QHD Monitor with Thunderbolt
- 2. ASUS Designo MX279H 27 Inch Full HD Monitor
- 3. Dell U2718Q Ultra HD 4K Mac Mini 27 Inch Monitor
- 4. Acer R240HY 24 Inch Monitor
- 5. BenQ PD2710QC 27 Inch QHD Monitor For Mac Mini
- Conclusion
Best External Monitor for Mac Mini – Buying Guide
There are certain features for you to look out for when selecting and purchasing the best computer monitor for Mac Mini. We have explained them in detail below.
You would have to realize that anything pertaining to the Mac operating system requires a certain level of compatibility, otherwise it does not work well. Therefore, you would need a monitor which is compatible and work perfectly out of the box. It should be perfect in terms of design and performance. Although, thunderbolt display is the thing of past, it worked like a charm with macOS and you didn’t have to look at other options in the market. You would want to have a product which is similar to thunderbolt display when you think of only compatibility aspect.
People whp have purchased a Mac Mini, the budget should not be much of a concern. However, come to think of it, without setting aside a proper budget, searching for anything online or even looking to purchase electronic goods is simply not possible. This is the reason why you would need to look into setting a budget, which in this case should be about $ 500 in order to get a banging product that is wonderful to look at and also has the perfect functionality necessary for all your multimedia needs. Anything below $ 500, and you would be setting yourself up for a bargain. Anything more and you would be overshooting your price which is only going to add to impending problems if you do not find a quality monitor.
The display size is one of the most contentious affairs that is to be found in any computing related issue. When it comes to the display size of the monitor, there are a lot of people who state that 24 inches is more than enough. However, for those undertaking multimedia tasks, anything less than 27 inch is not going to be good enough. However, a few monitors that we have listed below also cross that threshold, and are amongst one of the best monitors for the price that they command.
Features such as accurate color reproduction, wonderful looks and frameless design are definitely some of the things that you would want in your new monitor. Of course, it needs to also have proper connectivity like the thunderbolt port as well as the USB ports necessary for proper connectivity. HDMI capability definitely ensures that you would get to enjoy gaming and other forms of multimedia in your external Mac mini monitor.
If the monitor has less than 1 million colors, then that is not a good monitor. You need to simply find monitors who are capable of producing detailed and in-depth colors with good contrast ratio in order to give you the best possible color reproduction that you can get without any kind of problems or issues. When Apple thunderbolt display was at its peak, it did this thing better than almost all of its competitors. It had awesome color reproduction and you should look for something similar or better.
| Monitor | Display | Resolution | Panel | RT | Ports | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG 34UM88-P | 34" | 3440x1440 | IPS | 5ms | 2 HDMI, DP, 2 USB 3.0, 2 Thunderbolt 2.0 | |
| ASUS MX279H | 27" | 1920x1080 | IPS | 5ms | 2 HDMI, VGA | |
| Dell U2718Q | 27" | 3840x2160 | IPS | 5ms | HDMI, DP, mDP, 5 USB 3.0 | |
| Acer R240HY | 24" | 1920x1080 | IPS | 4ms | HDMI, DVI with HDCP, VGA | |
| BenQ PD2710QC | 27" | 2560x1440 | IPS | 5ms | HDMI, 2 DP, mDP, USB-C, 4 USB 3.1 |
1. LG 34UM88-P 34-Inch 21:9 UltraWide QHD Monitor with Thunderbolt
When we think about companies, LG is definitely high up in the food chain. It is one of those companies which have not only provided some of the best products in the market, but it has been able to do so on a constant basis, and without any negligence on their part. The kind of monitors that they have brought to the market is simply astounding.
LG 34UM88-P is another such product. It has wonderful capabilities and features like the UltraWide quad high-definition display with the IPS screen. It means that you would be able to get a pixel ratio of about 1.8 times larger than an UltraWide high-definition display, and about 2.4 times more than a full high-definition display. With the help of the IPS color reproduction, you would be able to get an improvement in the overall screen and multimedia viewing angle without any kind of distortion and the quality of the product. It also comes with two thunderbolt 2.0 input and output ports which would help you to connect your Mac Mini without any problems. With a 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum, this is a wonderful solution for all professional photographers and the graphic designers.
It also has FreeSync support to combat tearing, input lag and stuttering during games but it would require AMD graphic card which works only when you connect the monitor via DisplayPort. Mac Mini comes with Intel graphic card so it might not be of any use to you. Good news is that it comes with two FPS and one RTS gaming modes which you can use for better gaming experience.
- The monitor comes with the UltraWide quad HD display that also has IPS in order to provide accurate color reproduction.
- It has two thunderbolt 2.0 input and output ports for your Mac Mini. This port is capable to provide incredible data transfer speeds of up to 20 Gb per second.
- 34UM88-P has coverage of 99% on the sRGB spectrum which makes it a wonderful solution to provide highly accurate colors for graphic designers worldwide.
- It contains the USB 3.0 quick charge facility. With this, you will be able to charge your device at least four times faster than the regular USB 3.0.
- This monitor on-screen controls have a host of new features like the volume, picture mode, presets, split screen along with dual controller features, which can be used by just a few clicks.
- It has split screen 2.0 in order to customize your multitasking capabilities as well as the size and display of different windows all at the same time.
- 34UM88-P has a preset gamer mode, which enables you to choose the best mode for your gaming with a very easy setup.
- It comes with FreeSync capabilities which can reduce any kind of stuttering that is normally found while undergoing heavy quality gaming. AMD graphic card is required if you want this technology to work.
- Some reviews have reported minor backlight bleed but it is not present in all monitors so quality control from LG has a room for improvement.
- It is quite heavy so mounting it with VESA mount can be tricky.
2. ASUS Designo MX279H 27 Inch Full HD Monitor
Asus as a company has progressed leaps and bounds, providing and promoting good quality monitors that not only are the leaders in their field, but constitutes the benchmark which is tough to emulate by other companies. With this new frameless design that they have provided, it has an edge to edge viewing pleasure that is not only brilliant, but provides seamless integration of fun and classic entertainment in the monitor.
ASUS Designo MX279H also comes with a 3W speaker on two sides of the monitor that makes for excellent sound optimization, and it has also been developed by Bang & Olufsen, the famous stereo makers. Its breathtaking design is not only ultra slim, but is extremely sturdy and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best part about this monitor is its replacement warranty of three years along with a two-way shipping facility.
- It is a 27 inch monitor that has IPS LED display along with a frameless design that provides edge-to-edge viewing.
- Video intelligence technology, a new feature integrated into this monitor automatically optimizes the quality of the image as well as provides intelligence brightness, sharpness and contrast to the visual input.
- It contains 3W speakers on both sides of the monitor by Bang and Olufsen.
- MX279H is an award-winning design monitor that is extremely slim and has a sundial inspired stand.
- It comes with a rapid replacement warranty of three years.
- ASUS MX279H contains two HDMI as well as one VGA ports for multiple connectivity options for the user. It will act as an external monitor for Mac Mini when you connect it with HDMI port which is present in your Mini.
- The touch controls are not user friendly because they are quite sensitive and close to each other.
- It doesn’t have VESA mount. You need to buy an adapter if you want to mount it.
- Height is not adjustable.
3. Dell U2718Q Ultra HD 4K Mac Mini 27 Inch Monitor
Dell, as a company is amongst one of the best companies when it comes to electronic items, most particularly computer hardware. The monitors that they have been able to create not only shed light on the technology that one needs to look forward, but continues to be one of the best in the market. With a lot of people vying to purchase the Dell Ultra HD monitor, it is important to note that this is one of the best calibrated monitors that can give you the ultimate gaming experience. With this U2718Q 27 inch monitor, you would be able to maximize all your viewing options by getting into a desired height and also using the pivot, you can get it to the preferable viewing angle.
- This 4K monitor has ultra thin bezels with excellent design. This product is a very good candidate for multi-monitor setup.
- It comes with HDR technology and 99% sRGB color spectrum coverage, which certifies it to produce an amazing color reproduction to the input that you have given, making it as accurate as you would want it to be.
- This UHD Dell offering has a pivot that can transform it into the desired viewing angle which makes it very easy for you to watch your multimedia, or undertake design work without craning your neck.
- It has a free mount in the panel head, which provides you with the appropriate flexible options for viewing without any kind of issues.
- With U2718Q 4K Mac mini monitor, you get an inbuilt diagnostic tool that enables you to find out what is the abnormality in your monitor and gets it corrected as and when feasible.
- It comes with over 8 million pixels, which is about four times the density in a full high-definition monitor.
- U2718Q has DP 1.2, mDP and HDMI connectivity options. You can use HDMI to connect it to to Mac Mini.
- Some users have reported backlight bleeding problem so quality control needs a bit of improvement.
4. Acer R240HY 24 Inch Monitor
As a hardware company, Acer is definitely one of those that has been creating good products to be used by people across the world. Acer R240HY stands among those good offerings as it is an excellent choice for people who have limited budget and looking for a nice quality external monitor for Mac Mini. Its bezel-less design is really appealing to the eyes and the stand is also very sturdy. It has a response time of 4ms which is very rare in IPS panels. Its refresh rate is 60Hz. When you consider its fast response time, high end in plane switching screen and its cheap price, this monitor is a steal in our eyes.
R240HY has very thin bezels as you can judge from the picture. Its display has matte finish which will help in reducing any background light glare. It is a better choice for people who have keyboards which light up and reflect from the screen. This is also a better option than glossy finish for buyers who are going to put it in a room with too much light.
- This widescreen monitor comes with excellent visuals due to the 24 inches LCD display that provides stunning high definition quality of multimedia and a variety of other applications.
- IPS panel ensures that you get the best possible color performance, without any problems from any kind of viewing angle.
- It creates a zero frame design, which provides a unique appearance of visual experience that is without any kind of boundaries, making it ideal to have multiple monitor setups in your house without any problems.
- It contains HDMI, VGA and DVI connectivity options so that you can easily connect it with different peripherals including Mac Mini and experience the perfect visual fantasy in front of you.
- Acer R240HY has an ergonomic tilt, which makes it better for people to notice the input in the monitor and have the best view of media possible.
- The monitor also comes with flicker less technology to ensure that there is no more screen flickering. The presence of the blue filter also ensures that your eyes would not be strained due to blue light.
- It is not VESA compatible so you will have to buy separate adapter if you are planning to mount it.
- You can’t adjust its height.
5. BenQ PD2710QC 27 Inch QHD Monitor For Mac Mini
BenQ is a company that has not only been able to create a revolution of sorts, but continues to provide new and excellent features to their monitors without any issues whatsoever. They have been able to include 100% sRGB color space that is compatible with the IPS technology, thereby making it extremely enjoyable to consume multimedia from almost every viewing angle.
You can enjoy any kind of media with great details due to 109 PPI, which produces clear pictures. It also has the USB-C docking station, which makes it very easy for you to transfer your data, transmit any kind of multimedia and connect to the Internet by just making use of a single USB cable. The revolutionary modes such as the darkroom, CAD/Cam as well as animation mode are a treat for designers and CAD professionals. It also has flicker free technology and low blue light filter in order to make sure that your eyes do not feel any kind of discomfort.
- PD2710QC has QHD 2560×1440 WQHD resolution along with 100% color coverage of the sRGB spectrum, making it a wonderful product to use when it comes to any of your multimedia needs. It provides wide viewing angle for your watching pleasure.
- It has a revolutionary USB-C docking station which is capable to transfer data, transmit multimedia and connecting to the Internet via single USB cable.
- BenQ PD2710QC is equipped with multiple modes such as the CAD/Cam, darkroom and animation modes which can be used by professionals to view in-depth details of technical illustrations.
- It has two DP 1.2 ports which can create a side-by-side multiple monitor platform, with a daisy chain system that can eliminate the need for you to link each and every monitor, thereby reducing the clutter of cables.
- It also has one HDMI and one mDP port. With HDMI port, connecting Mac Mini to this monitor would be a breeze.
- Proper eye care is provided with the integration of the flicker less technology as well as low blue light.
- Extremely good detailing of images due to 109 PPI.
- The cost of this product is a bit high if your budget is under $500.
- Buttons are present on the back and they a bit difficult to use.
- Although, stand has rotation and tilt capability, you can’t swivel it.
Conclusion
Purchasing a monitor is a tough task but choosing a monitor for Mac Mini that would be looked upon as a replacement for your thunderbolt display is all the more difficult. However, with the comprehensive reviews of the best products we have chosen, you would be able to get a heads up on the quality of the monitors that you can find prevailing in the market. This will help you to shortlist some of the external monitors which would work like a charm with your Mac Mini.
Related Buyer’s Guides:
Author Profile
- Tech is my passion
-
I'm all about tech! I've been a tech enthusiast for as long as I can remember, and I'm constantly on the lookout for the latest developments, gadgets, and innovations in the ever-evolving world of technology.
My journey in the tech realm is backed by [mention relevant qualifications or experience], which has allowed me to delve deep into this fascinating domain. My goal is simple: I want to break down complex tech topics and make them understandable for everyone, regardless of their level of expertise.
Whether I'm dissecting the intricacies of artificial intelligence, reviewing the hottest gadgets on the market, or discussing the exciting future of technology, I'm committed to sharing my knowledge and insights with you.
So, join me on this tech adventure! You can stay connected and follow my tech explorations through my website.
Latest entries
- October 26, 2023Random TechBest Earbuds with Powerful Bass for an Immersive Audio Experience
- June 21, 2023Random TechThe Ultimate Guide to the Best Speakers for PS5 Gaming: Immersive Sound for Console Enthusiasts
- June 18, 2023Random Tech7 Best Vacuum Cleaners for a Spotless Home: A Comprehensive Review | WOWContent
- June 15, 2023MonitorsTop 5 Laptops for Digital Marketing in 2025: Boost Your Productivity!