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Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

9 pointssarupbanskota2y ago20 comments

I've never owned an external monitor my whole life (mostly due to a nomadic lifestyle).

The only screen I'm used to is the default Retina Display on a MacBook Pro. I'd like to buy my first external monitor and I can't figure out which one.

— Usually, I buy Apple hardware, but Studio display feels excessively expensive

— I live in Singapore, so I can't return a monitor other brands if I don't like it

— The review sites on the internet don't feel very trustworthy

If you had to bet on 1 monitor for ~$700 without trying it, which one would you pick? Which one has worked well for you and why?

Notes: — I don't play games or watch Netflix

— I code occasionally on the weekend. I do work with professional, large codebases, but not as a full-time engineer

— I have a great external webcam

— Don't own an external speaker

20 comments

20 comments · 11 top-level

vmurthy2y ago· 3 in thread

Personal experience has been great with Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor - S2721QS [0]. Similar workload to you although I am not a developer . Cost about 300 AUD. There's a USB-C one , too for about 700 SGD [1]

[0]https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-27-4k-uhd-monitor-s2721...

[1]https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-usb-c-...

These are ok but I prefer the U line, eg the U2723q. 27” 4K also, but the display is much better. I know this because I have the U and S side by side at work.

Also, the U comes with what is essentially a USB-C dock with Ethernet and a built in KVM.

Caveat: This is in the US market.

thejackgoode2y ago

Careful with Dells, their USB-C support for Macs have been historically horrible. I have one, there are sleep/wake issues, as well as USB accessories connectivity problems. Their website is full of complaints, but they don't seem to care.

biglyburrito2y ago

Another vote for Dell Ultrasharp, and I _am_ a developer.

achempion2y ago· 1 in thread

I can recommend the LG 27UN880P. I have two workstations and bought the same panel for the second workstation.

The main features are a sweet spot of 27" screen size, pixel density, and a charging USB-C cable to connect the monitor to the laptop. It has a speaker, but the quality of that speaker could be better.

The main con of all non-apple monitors is scaling. You can buy monitors with low pixel density to match the scaling, but the text quality will be similar to a standard office monitor. Then, there are middle-range monitors with above-average pixel density, which require adjusting interface scaling in Mac OS settings. On the higher end, apple & collab monitors with Retina pixel density for x2-5 the price.

not_me_ever2y ago

This!

My standard setup is two LG 27UN880P, with two LG 27UP650P in a 2x2 configuration.

alwillis2y ago· 1 in thread

I would start here [1].

[1]: https://9to5mac.com/2023/10/19/best-4k-usb-c-displays-for-ma...

Agree my first thought also

bythckr2y ago· 1 in thread

If you are continuing your nomadic lifestyle, you might want to consider getting an iPad that can double as an external display via sidecar app. Of course, I am aware of the small size and crossing your budget. Or you might consider portable monitors.

FYI, Please be careful with LG monitors. Just an alphabet change in the model makes a huge difference. My friend saw an LG monitor and took down its model number. He missed that one the alphabet in the model was different (example 29ABC600-XYZ, but he got 29ABD600-XYZ - "D" instead of "C") and that made a huge difference.

sarupbanskotaOP2y ago

Thanks for the tip! After 10 years-ish of doing it, I'm now done with it haha

NhanH2y ago· 1 in thread

Pick a 4K in your price range from Dell or LG and you should be good to go.

Outside the US, recommending specific display is not particularly useful since stocks is an issue, not to mention the model would be straight up unavailable to you.

Do you know about which series or detail to look for in LG?

My friend saw an LG monitor and took down its model number. He missed that one the alphabet in the model was different (example 29ABC600-XYZ, but he got 29ABD600-XYZ - "D" instead of "C") and that made a huge difference.

ajeet_dhaliwal2y ago· 1 in thread

I know you say Studio display feels excessively expensive, but I just got one two weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. If you can afford it, it's worth it.

floydnoel2y ago

I think it would be worth it, if only the size was 32 inches instead of 27. Basically It’s the same panel from the 27” iMac and roughly the same cost, but you don’t get an iMac.

dnh442y ago· 1 in thread

Dell G3223Q

32 inch, 4k, 144hz, HDR, HDMI 2.1, About $700. I have one and I'm really happy with it.

floydnoel2y ago

I feel like 32 inches is too much for 4K resolution. I would much rather have 5K at that size, which Apple & LG have sold for over a decade now at 27 inches. If I find ever find that unicorn for sale at a decent price, I’ll jump on it!

ryaneager2y ago

I recently bought a GIGABYTE - M34WQ. It’s 3440x1440 so I can fit a full browser and IDE side by side. Plugs into the Mac with just a single USB-C cable, has a KVM switch so you can plug your mouse keyboard into the monitor and have it controlled two PCs. Has built in speakers. Around $420 USD. https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/gigabyte/m34wq

andrei_says_2y ago

I really like my Gygabyte m27Q 27” 2k monitor. Supplies 15 W via usb-c which charges my MacBook Pro while also serving as display port.

It’s sells for less than half of your budget.

sarupbanskotaOP2y ago

Thanks everyone for the tips and links. Gonna look for the top Dell Ultrasharp or LG Ultrafine model that's in stock and within my budget, and go for it.

ps2562y ago

LG 24UD58-B - it's cheap, works well with MacOS, obviously not as good as a MacBook Pro display but doesn't look like shit next to it either.

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