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Compatible Monitors For Mac: The Benefits of High Resolution, HDR, and USB-C



Fortunately, there are plenty of companies that have great monitors that you can use with your Mac, without having to take out a second mortgage. Our sister publications TechAdvisor and PCWorld have tested several displays, and we list their top-rated ones that we have been able to confirm work with Macs, alongside the monitors we have reviewed below. Here are our recommendations in alphabetical order.


It also has three video inputs, four USB ports, and a stand that feels a bit cheap but offers numerous ergonomic adjustments. These features signal that the Nitro XV272, though not expensive, is a cut above entry-level 1080p monitors.




Compatible Monitors For Mac



Some monitors, such as the Apple Studio Display, are designed specifically for use with Apple devices and may offer features such as compatibility with Apple's proprietary technologies. However, there are also many high-quality monitors from other brands that are compatible with the MacBook Pro.


Yes, you can use a monitor with your MacBook Pro even if it is not specifically designed for use with Apple products. Just be sure to check that the monitor has the necessary connectivity options (such as USB-C, HDMI, or DisplayPort) and that it is compatible with your MacBook Pro's operating system.


The new breed of USB-C monitors offers more than just a USB-C port to connect to. USB-C connectivity delivers faster transfer speeds and is capable of transferring video, data, and power all at the same time with a single cord. Apple's new M1 Max and M1 Pro processors increase the number of external displays you can connect to a MacBook Pro up to four versus one on the previous generation. USB-C brings in many other benefits, like hubs for expansion, and its smaller, reversible connector is more portable and much easier to use than with older cables.


It has ample connectivity options: two USB-C ports (one downstream, one upstream), three USB-A connectors for plugging peripherals, one DisplayPort, and one HDMI port. Using it via USB-C, it can power your MacBook Pro and display its video with just one cord. Although more advanced monitors are available, for most MacBook Pro users, this one from Dell is the better choice. Dells trademark three-year warranty is just the icing on the cake.


Technically, it sports a 5120x2160 pixels resolution, a 33% larger screen than 4K monitors. This is what some call "5K2K" -5000 horizontal pixels and 2000 vertical pixels-, while others dub it "WUHD" for Wide Ultra HD, or - to complicate matters - "2160p". Its only drawback: its refresh rate is fixed at 60 Hz, and you can't fiddle with it.


One of the standout features of the BenQ PD3220U is its support for HDR content. The monitor is compatible with HDR10, allowing you to experience high dynamic range content in all its glory. The display also boasts a high contrast ratio, resulting in deep blacks and vibrant colors that really pop.


Another notable feature of the BenQ PD3220U is its ergonomic design. The monitor is height adjustable, allowing you to find the most comfortable viewing position. It also has a pivot function, allowing you to switch between landscape and portrait orientation depending on your needs. The monitor is also VESA mount compatible, so you can easily attach it to a wall or monitor stand.


The Apple Studio Display is a monitor designed for creative professionals, specifically those already invested in the Apple ecosystem. It has a 27-inch 5K resolution display with a pixel density of 218 PPI and supports one billion colors, making it a great choice for tasks such as photo and video editing. It also features a P3 wide color gamut and 600 nits of brightness. The monitor has a sleek design and is available with a tilt-adjustable stand or a VESA mount adapter, although the stand does not have height adjustability unless you pay an additional $400. The display is also compatible with Apple's True Tone technology, which adjusts the white balance to match ambient lighting conditions, although this feature can be turned off for professionals who require high color accuracy. The screen is reflective, but upgrading to the nano-texture screen can minimize reflections. The Apple Studio Display is expensive, starting at $1,599, and may not be suitable for those outside of its target market of creative professionals.


When selecting the best monitors for the MacBook Pro, we prioritized displays with USB-C connectivity and a minimum resolution of 4K. This ensures compatibility with the laptop's USB-C ports and provides the high resolution necessary for modern software and user productivity. We also avoided full HD and Quad-HD monitors, as their lower resolutions are insufficient for today's needs.


If you find that only using your screen on your MacBook Pro doesn't give you enough screen space, then getting a monitor is a good alternative. You'll want one that supports USB-C with power delivery, which allows you to connect your MacBook Pro to the display and charge it using a single cable. However USB-C connections are still limited to mainly higher-end monitors, so if you want something on a budget, you can easily connect over HDMI, but you'll still need a separate cable for charging.


We test monitors' compatibility with the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip using USB-C or DisplayPort connections, so our recommendations reflect those results. The results are also valid for any MacBook, including if you're looking for the best MacBook Air monitor or if your MacBook uses the M2 chip.


We've bought and tested more than 260 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best displays for MacBook Pro to purchase. Also, check out our recommendations for the best work monitors, the best monitors for photo and video editing, and the best monitors for Mac Mini.


Jul 13, 2022: Updated structure to reflect user needs; renamed the Apple Studio Display to 'Best Monitor', added the Dell S2722QC as the 'Best Mid-Range', and replaced the Gigabyte M27Q with the LG 32QN55T-B as the 'Best Budget' because it's cheaper. Replaced the Lenovo ThinkVision M14 with the Dell C1422H; removed the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV and the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD because they have a 1440p resolution and aren't budget monitors.


Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best external monitors for MacBook Pro and the best MacBook Air monitors that are currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price, and feedback from our visitors.


If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our monitor reviews, except Dell monitors. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.


The best monitors for MacBook Pro are all about delivering a superb viewing experience. After all, these pro-level laptops are designed to see you through demanding workloads like photo editing, video editing, and graphic design, and you'll need to pair them with a monitor that can display your creations accurately.


Truly capable Thunderbolt monitors offer a streamlined, simplified design that delivers powerful capabilities with no hassle. You can easily extend content to two 4K displays for Thunderbolt 3 devices in a daisy chain. To cover your diverse needs, BenQ monitors for Mac devices go beyond Thunderbolt to encompass HDMI, DisplayPort, and several USB connectors. Boost your work efficiency and extend the usability of your monitor with plentiful connectivity.


With that in mind, we've looked through the best monitors overall and rounded up our favorite monitors for use with MacBooks based on our own research, testing and hand-on reviews. Read on for our full list of the best monitors for MacBook Pros.


Speaking of paying an arm and a leg, the Acer XFA240 demonstrates that excellent full HD monitors don't need to cost a ton of money. For less than $200, this 1080p monitor delivers accurate colors and more extra features than you'd expect, including a full vertical mode that makes it invaluable as a second screen. The monitor works well for both gaming and productivity, with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a variety of ports, including a DVI input for older machines and an HDMI port for your MacBook Pro.


But with an asking price of $500, you have to really want a great portable monitor with touch controls to invest in the M14t. Otherwise, a few of the other monitors on this list are cheaper, with higher resolutions and better refresh rates. But if you really need an excellent portable monitor for your MacBook, the Lenovo ThinkVision M14t is our top overall pick. If you want one without touch functionality, Lenovo sells a cheaper non-touch version for $249.


The Acer PEO Series ProDesigner PE320QK is a widescreen 4K monitor that's made for professionals who demand the best color and accuracy they can get for working with images, video and graphics. It's significantly cheaper than the Pro Display XDR yet manages to be one of the best monitors overall for serious work on your MacBook Pro. The PE320QK comes calibrated from the factory, offering superb accuracy right out of the box, and comes with a matte display and built-in display hood that eliminates the glare and ambient light that might skew color perception.


Size: A larger monitor is generally better simply because it offers the most visual real estate, which is better for both full-screen media consumption and split-screen multitasking. Higher resolution is also better, since it allows you to see more detail and fit more information on the screen. The old phrase "bigger is better" applies to both here, and we recommend opting for larger screens and higher resolution whenever possible. However, keep in mind that you'll probably need to scale up the size of text (and macOS in general) on 4K monitors, as that resolution makes text hard to read on all but the largest monitors. 2ff7e9595c


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