Monitor suggestions wanted.

[JeffL]

Consider this one, which is a dynamite deal on a 27-inch monitor right now:

Sceptre E275W-19203R 27-inch

$140


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077SRKKHQ/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Thanks for the suggestion but that one is 1920x1080 and the general consensus is that I should buy 2560x1440 re compatibility with my MBA M1 2560x1600.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Thanks for the suggestion but that one is 1920x1080 and the general consensus is that I should buy 2560x1440 re compatibility with my MBA M1 2560x1600.

I think that notion is overblown. The recommended monitor should be perfectly compatible with your MBA M1. I recommend that if there is a local store displaying computer monitors you have a look at a few that are 27inches and 1080p. I think that you will find that they look great.

 

[JeffL]

I think that notion is overblown. The recommended monitor should be perfectly compatible with your MBA M1. I recommend that if there is a local store displaying computer monitors you have a look at a few that are 27inches and 1080p. I think that you will find that they look great.

Hi Randy. I am in the U.K. and viewing monitors on display has been the big problem and the reason it is taking such a long time to decide which one to buy as I don't want to make a mistake. They are all for sale online here apart from one national chain who don't have that many on display. Here in the U.K. we can return an item bought online (Distance Selling Rules) if it is not suitable so I do have that legislation to fall back on but I'm trying to avoid that hassle if possible. However, I do appreciate you trying to help

 

[Randy B. Singer]

,,,viewing monitors on display has been the big problem and the reason it is taking such a long time to decide which one to buy as I don't want to make a mistake. ... I'm trying to avoid that hassle if possible. However, I do appreciate you trying to help

I have a house and an office full of monitors. So I've purchased a lot of them. In my view, purchasing a monitor with a bit too high resolution is just as problematic as purchasing one that has too low resolution. Too high resolution and things will be sharp, but they will also be tiny. 27-inches isn't that big a display. 1080p will be more than high enough resolution. It will also probably save you quite a bit of money over a higher resolution monitor.

If you can find someone locally with monitors to look at, I'm willing to be that you will agree.

 

[chscag]

Buying a monitor site unseen is always risky. I second Randy's recommendation to get and look at them first rather than purchase on line. You should not only be concerned with resolution but also color quality and what connections the monitor supports: Does it have HDMI, built in speakers, etc.

 

[JeffL]

Buying a monitor site unseen is always risky. I second Randy's recommendation to get and look at them first rather than purchase on line. You should not only be concerned with resolution but also color quality and what connections the monitor supports: Does it have HDMI, built in speakers, etc.

USB-C is also a consideration so that only one cable required between the MBA and the monitor for data and charging, but not a deal breaker.

 

[JeffL]

I'm very surprised that there hasn't been a forum member join the discussion who has BOTH a new model MBA with 2560x1600 res. and a monitor to give their experience.

 

[pigoo3]

I'm very surprised that there hasn't been a forum member join the discussion who has BOTH a new model MBA with 2560x1600 res. and a monitor to give their experience.

Apologies if I missed something earlier in the conversation:

* What sort of feedback are you looking for from the described setup?
* When you say "latest model MacBook Air"...are you referring to the "M1" Macbook Air or the last model MacBook Air with an Intel CPU? Both of these have a built-in display resolution of 2560x1600.

- Nick

 

[JeffL]

Apologies if I missed something earlier in the conversation:

* What sort of feedback are you looking for from the described setup?
* When you say "latest model MacBook Air"...are you referring to the "M1" Macbook Air or the last model MacBook Air with an Intel CPU? Both of these have a built-in display resolution of 2560x1600.

- Nick

Hi Nick. I have the MBA M1(2560x1600)
This is the spec.of my new MBA M1 MacBook Air (M1, 2020) - Technical Specifications

In answer to your question "What sort of feedback are you looking for from the described setup?"

The MBA M1 and the monitor will replace my existing iMac 21.5" 1920x1080 (Late 2012 model). The monitor should be 24" or 27" screen and should display text at a similar size as I currently see on my existing iMac. The display information of the iMac is 1920x1080 Nvidia GeForce GT640M 512 MB graphics. The pixels per inch (ppi) of the iMac is 102. I've read that a monitor's resolution and/or the ppi has to be balanced with the screen size. (I'm not a techie, so I might have described that wrong.) I just want a monitor that will perform well for me. I currently use the iMac and MBA for websites including some YouTube videos, spreadsheets, Pages, Numbers, just run of the mill stuff, no gaming. I can connect via USB-C or HDMI or DP, I don't particularly need speakers as I have my own desktop speakers. As far as panel type is concerned I'm leaning towards VA or IPS rather than TN.

The bottom line is, should I buy 2560x1440 or 1920x1080, 24" or 27"? Also will I have to scale the resolution on the monitor for everything to look right for me and if so will all monitors allow me to scale to what I require.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Totally confused by why if your MBA's native resolution is 2K, someone would recommend a 1080P display at anything bigger than 17".

While it's important to look at monitors, you can be safe in going with a reputable brand, especially from a store that allows you to return/exchange if there are issues.

I purchased my Viewsonic from CDW early in the pandemic when I realized I'll be home for a while and I went purely by the brand, reviews and connectivity and the monitor has been great.

 

[JeffL]

Well, you can see how I'm confused being a non techie! So in your opinion I should go for the 2560x1440? If yes, will a 24" or 27" display be ok? Would you go with VA or IPS taking into consideration my stated use?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

This is my monitor and I highly recommend it.

ViewSonic VX2785-2K-mhdu, 27 Slim Profile USB-C Quad HD Monitor

Designed for the modern-day home office, the ViewSonic® VX2785-2K-mhdu is a 27” Quad HD IPS monitor that combines style with optimal versatility and functionality.

www.viewsonic.com

 

[JeffL]

This is my monitor and I highly recommend it.

ViewSonic VX2785-2K-mhdu, 27 Slim Profile USB-C Quad HD Monitor

Designed for the modern-day home office, the ViewSonic® VX2785-2K-mhdu is a 27” Quad HD IPS monitor that combines style with optimal versatility and functionality.

www.viewsonic.com

What is the resolution of your computer?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

I have a Mac Mini, so it can vary with the monitor, going as high as 5K and less. I'm currently driving 2 monitors off of this Mini. The primary is the 27" I referenced in my post above and the second is a Viewsonic 21.5" in portrait mode at 1080P.

 

[JeffL]

I have a Mac Mini, so it can vary with the monitor, going as high as 5K and less. I'm currently driving 2 monitors off of this Mini. The primary is the 27" I referenced in my post above and the second is a Viewsonic 21.5" in portrait mode at 1080P.

So, can I drive a monitor with 1920x1080 resolution with my MBA 2560x1600 or do I need to buy a 2560x1440 monitor? Also how would either of those arrangements affect pixels per inch on a 24" or a 27" monitor?

 

[krs]

Well, you can see how I'm confused being a non techie!

Since you are confused already, let me throw in my 2 cents to confuse you even more
Or maybe help....
If you are looking for a monitor that is at least as sharp as your 21.5 iMac (your post #1) you want as a minimum the same or better PPI than the iMac.
You can use this page to compare the PPI of different size monitors with different resolutions

How to Find High PPI (DPI) Monitors and Choose the Right One

Monitor DPI/PPI DPI or PPI is a measure of how many pixels are there per inch. High PPI means that more pixels are packed in the same amount of space. The "sharpness" of a display

www.binarytides.com

Everything else being equal, higher PPI's will provide a sharper image, the downside is that the text at the native resolution becomes smaller unless it is scaled, but then the text loses sharpness.
But PPI is only one part of the equation as mentioned already.
If it is impossible for you to physically check out monitors and ompare them, I would at least try to find credible reviews to see what people have to say about a partiular model.

 

[pigoo3]

The monitor should be 24" or 27" screen and should display text at a similar size as I currently see on my existing iMac.

The bottom line is, should I buy 2560x1440 or 1920x1080, 24" or 27"?

If you want text to be EXACTLY the same size as it is now on your current 21" iMac (1920x1080)...the only way to 100% assure this is to get a 21" external monitor (1920x1080) for your MacBook Air.

The display resolution of 1920x1080 can be found in various monitor sizes (22", 24", 27", even 30"). If display resolution stays the same (1920x1080) as display size increases...then default text size (at the same settings) will always get larger as the display size gets larger (22" > 24" > 27" > 30").

If larger text is ok...then no problem. But if you want to have EXACTLY what you have now on your 21" iMac...the closest match would probably be a 21"-22" external display with a resolution of 1920x1080.

As far as quality of the monitor...unless you're a graphics or photography professional...I wouldn't get too wrapped up in all the technical specifications. Being able to see a monitor before buying is preferred (maybe at a local electronics store). But when buying over the internet you kind of have to buy something...get it...hook it up...and then see it. If you don't like it...then return it.

HTH,

- Nick

p.s. I relatively recently bought two used 27" monitors (2880x1620 resolution) via Craig's List. Went to the dudes house to see them...they looked fine...and I bought them. $75 dollars each (terrific buy). Dude even thru in the video cables (which aren't always cheap either)!

 

[pigoo3]

By the way...21" Late 2012 iMac's did NOT have a retina display (greater sharpness & pixel density in Apple products). Thus unless looking at getting a higher pixel density external monitor...I would stay away from being concerned about PPI (it only confuses things more).

- Nick

 

[krs]

So, can I drive a monitor with 1920x1080 resolution with my MBA 2560x1600 or do I need to buy a 2560x1440 monitor? Also how would either of those arrangements affect pixels per inch on a 24" or a 27" monitor?

One thing I just noticed is that the MBA resolution of 2560x1600 is an aspect ratio of 16x10 while most monitors now have an aspect ratio of 16x9
Does that mean a small part of the image is cut off on the monitor compared to the MBA screen? Or is that somehow compensated for on the external monitor?

 

[pigoo3]

One thing I just noticed is that the MBA resolution of 2560x1600 is an aspect ratio of 16x10 while most monitors now have an aspect ratio of 16x9
Does that mean a small part of the image is cut off on the monitor compared to the MBA screen? Or is that somehow compensated for on the external monitor?

Unless the pixel density is the same (ppi) for both the MBA & the external display...they really cannot be fairly compared. MBA resolution of 2560x1600 has a ppi of 227...typical "regular"/non-high resolution external display's have a ppi in the neighborhood of 100 to 110 ppi (much less dense).

This is how retina displays attain greater sharpness & clarity. They have greater ppi (pixels per inch)...but not necessarily larger screen real estate as the larger resolution numbers might suggest.

- Nick