Mac Mini Monitor Help

[10Arrows]

Hello,
Never purchased a Mac that didn't come with a monitor, well not in a very long time. So I could use some advise. This is what I purchased.

Apple Mac Mini Desktop Computer - 2.6GHz Dual-Core i5 - 8GB RAM - 1TB Hard Drive - (2014).

My application usage is not intensive, mainly I use database software. So I need a monitor that has crisp clear text. I would like an iMac sized monitor 2560x1440 if that is doable.

I'm a total newbie in this particular situation though I have been using Macs for a very long time. Any suggestions about good monitors for my needs would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Michael

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I got an ASUS monitor for my wife’s Mac mini that is fantastic. I got one with their “eye care” feature in particular since it doubles as a second monitor for her work laptop. Has built in speakers by Harman Kardon as a bonus. They don’t make her particular one anymore, but if you are willing to consider a 4K display, this updated one should be fantastic:

Monitors - All series｜ASUS USA

ASUS storage products strike a balance between performance and aesthetics, bringing you high transmission speed and the best data storage experience.

www.asus.com

If 4K is not doable, take a look at the rest of their line. If you go with something like this, there’s an open source piece of software available that will let you use the Mac keyboard controls to adjust the volume and brightness on monitors like these.

GitHub - MonitorControl/MonitorControl: 🖥 Control your display's brightness & volume on your Mac as if it was a native Apple Display. Use Apple Keyboard keys or custom shortcuts. Shows the native macOS OSDs.

🖥 Control your display's brightness & volume on your Mac as if it was a native Apple Display. Use Apple Keyboard keys or custom shortcuts. Shows the native macOS OSDs. - MonitorControl/Moni...

github.com

 

[Slydude]

Might I suggest taking a look at the LG monitors as well? I have this model and it's working well for me. I currently have it connected to an iMac (second display) and a Win 10 box simultaneously. You choose which of the three inputs to get signal from via a rocker switch under the monitor. If I were buying again I'd get one of the models with an aspect ratio that matches my iMac.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If you want the 2560x1440 resolution, then any 2K monitor will do. That Mac Mini can drive up to two monitors at 2560x1600.

From a panel itself, you want to go for an IPS panel, this will end up being more expensive depending on brand and what other features they have. You totally want to avoid TN panels which will usually be VERY cheap.

Additionally, at 2k, think about how big the monitor should be. I've got a 27" 2K Viewsonic that works great. I could possibly get by with a 32" 2K as well, but at that point in time, you really want 3K or 4K to make better use of the screen real estate.

The other thing you think about are the connections into the monitor, HDMI is the usual default. But there's also mini displayport, DVI and so on.

 

[krs]

In addition to all these excellent suggestions and considerations in the previous posts - for my work with the Mac I wanted a monitor with a 16 x 10 aspect ratio rather than the more common 16 x 9 aspect ratio.
That really limited my selection, but for my image work that worked better.
All depends what kind of work you want to do with your Mac.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

In addition to all these excellent suggestions and considerations in the previous posts - for my work with the Mac I wanted a monitor with a 16 x 10 aspect ratio rather than the more common 16 x 9 aspect ratio.
That really limited my selection, but for my image work that worked better.
All depends what kind of work you want to do with your Mac.

This is an excellent point. A taller aspect ratio is a great option for many productive activities. If you work with documents that are "tall", you'll see more on screen at one time with less scrolling needed. Even browsing the web is a lot nicer on monitors with 16x10 aspect. I used to keep my Dock on the bottom of my screen, but a few years ago I moved it to the side as I came to realize how much more value I got from the vertical screen real estate vs horizontally.

 

[10Arrows]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Gives me some great ideas on where to start looking. Muchly appreciated!

 

[10Arrows]

All things being equal I would really prefer one that matches my iMac 27" aspect ratio.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Any suggestions about good monitors for my needs would be greatly appreciated.

I'm guessing that, since you went with an older mini, that you are looking to save money and get the best bang for your buck.

This 24-inch 1080P monitor is a screaming deal:

BenQ 24 Inch IPS Monitor | 1080P | GW2480
$128
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072XCZSSW/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Your 2014 mini has an HDMI video output port and the above monitor has an HDMI input, so to hook them up together you need an HDMI to HDMI video cable. Here is a very high quality one for only $7:

Monoprice 4K High Speed HDMI Cable 6ft - 18Gbps Black - Monoprice.com

Reliably distribute 4K@60Hz video signals to your UHDTV using this Select Series High Speed HDMI® Cable from Monoprice!This High Speed HDMI Cable supports the following general features:18Gbps dat

www.monoprice.com

 

[10Arrows]

A belated thank you!

 

[krs]

Yes, that 24-inch IPS monitor that Randy posted is a great deal.
Makes one wonder what is wrong with it, even the list price is only $149; I looked up the Canadian pricing- also excellent.
Only complaint seems to be the speakers, but that is true for most monitors with built-in speakers.
Even comes with an HDMI cable.

 

[10Arrows]

Yes indeed. I am looking at the 27" model. I also really like the ASUS monitor mentioned at the top of the page, though at a significantly higher cost. Which does raise another question though, what exactly is USB-C? Any relation to USB 3? Thanks again all.

 

[chscag]

Which does raise another question though, what exactly is USB-C? Any relation to USB 3? Thanks again all.

Description
USB-C is a 24-pin USB connector system with a rotationally symmetrical connector. The USB Type-C Specification 1.0 was published by the USB Implementers Forum and was finalized in August 2014. It was developed at roughly the same time as the USB 3.1 specification. Wikipedia

The above will give you some idea of what a USB-C connector looks like.

 

[10Arrows]

Appreciated. So I would just need the adapter then.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Your 2014 Mac Mini doesn't have USB-C connectors, while the newer Mac Mini does. So you could either go with an older monitor with the more traditional connectors (HDMI, DVI) or a newer one which includes things like USB-C for any future Mac upgrades.

Remember that you would be going from USB-C -> HDMI, DVI and so on. Or USB-C -> USB-C, you would NOT be going HDMI -> USB-C for example.

When you've decided on which monitor you want to purchase, it might be good for you to post that here so that we can verify that it will work for your configuration.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Appreciated. So I would just need the adapter then.

That ASUS has HDMI and DisplayPort also, so you are good to go without an adapter. A mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable would do the job.

Monoprice Select Series Mini DisplayPort 1.2 to DisplayPort 4K Capable Cable, 1.5ft - Monoprice.com

The Select Series DisplayPort® / Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort 1.2a Cable allows you to connect your DisplayPort 1.2 enabled computer to a monitor or other DisplayPort ready device. The locking

www.monoprice.com

I overlooked that you got a 2014 Mac mini. It can't drive that monitor at its full native resolution, which is fine, but it might be worth looking at something else rather than paying for a 4K monitor that you can't fully utilize. Maybe an older version of that monitor like the same one my wife has if available on eBay maybe? Here's one available on eBay now (speakers are Bang & Olufsen, not Harman Kardon... my bad... still excellent):

ASUS MX27AQ 27" WQHD 2560x1440 IPS HDMI Eye Care Frameless Monitor for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ASUS MX27AQ 27" WQHD 2560x1440 IPS HDMI Eye Care Frameless Monitor at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[10Arrows]

Your 2014 Mac Mini doesn't have USB-C connectors, while the newer Mac Mini does. So you could either go with an older monitor with the more traditional connectors (HDMI, DVI) or a newer one which includes things like USB-C for any future Mac upgrades.

Remember that you would be going from USB-C -> HDMI, DVI and so on. Or USB-C -> USB-C, you would NOT be going HDMI -> USB-C for example.

I was browsing and thought I saw an USB C to Thunderbolt cable, but that is only for Thunderbolt 3. Pretty sure my MM has Thunderbolt 2.

 

[10Arrows]

That ASUS has HDMI and DisplayPort also, so you are good to go without an adapter. A mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable would do the job.

Monoprice Select Series Mini DisplayPort 1.2 to DisplayPort 4K Capable Cable, 1.5ft - Monoprice.com

The Select Series DisplayPort® / Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort 1.2a Cable allows you to connect your DisplayPort 1.2 enabled computer to a monitor or other DisplayPort ready device. The locking

www.monoprice.com

This is a confusion for me. It reads in the Mini specs that there is a mini-Display port but the image of the back shows no such port. So I'm really confused!

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The TB2 ports can be used for Mini Displayport. So you would have 1 monitor connected to the HDMI connector, another to the TB2 port and leave the 2nd TB2 port for storage device or TB2->Ethernet adapter or something.

 

[10Arrows]

The TB2 ports can be used for Mini Displayport. So you would have 1 monitor connected to the HDMI connector, another to the TB2 port and leave the 2nd TB2 port for storage device or TB2->Ethernet adapter or something.

Yeah I've been doing research and finally got that figured out. Thanks for the confirmation though.