Best Monitor for New Mini

[kaibob]

Somewhat related to the previous option, it seems desktop Macs no longer have a specific "Sleep" timing setting (when the heck did that disappear!?) and if the Mini sleeps (I assume that's what happened) when it wakes up the display doesn't get any signal. I'm experimenting with turning off display sleep, and I'll just turn the display off with the button.

My Dell P2415Q monitor sleeps and wakes as expected. I normally allow the computer/monitor to sleep based on the timed setting in Energy Saver preferences, although I occasionally use the macOS Sleep command in the top menu. I wake the computer/monitor with a mouse click or by pressing the space key. Both my keyboard and mouse are wired and are connected to USB ports on the monitor.

Perhaps you are referring to something different when you say "when it wakes up the display doesn't get any signal."

 

[Stephen.R]

I normally allow the computer/monitor to sleep based on the timed setting in Energy Saver preferences

I don't even have a setting for 'computer sleep' - apparently that isn't a manual option on a Mac desktop now? I just have a 'display sleep' option.

Perhaps you are referring to something different when you say "when it wakes up the display doesn't get any signal."

I came to the machine in the morning, tried to wake it up, I could hear the OS making alert sounds through the speaker, but the display insisted it had no signal, even if I toggled between the inputs etc. I had to unplug it and plug it back in for it to recognise the signal from the Mini. I spoke with a friend earlier today who has the same issue with a 2014 Mini.

 

[kaibob]

I don't even have a setting for 'computer sleep' - apparently that isn't a manual option on a Mac desktop now? I just have a 'display sleep' option.

I came to the machine in the morning, tried to wake it up, I could hear the OS making alert sounds through the speaker, but the display insisted it had no signal, even if I toggled between the inputs etc. I had to unplug it and plug it back in for it to recognise the signal from the Mini. I spoke with a friend earlier today who has the same issue with a 2014 Mini.

Unfortunately, I have no expertise on this subject, but the display should sleep properly. My 2012 mini had separate timed-settings for computer sleep and display sleep. My 2018 mini only has one setting for display sleep. I assume (but don't know) that the computer sleeps when the display sleeps.

 

[Stephen.R]

I assume (but don't know) that the computer sleeps when the display sleeps.

There's a checkbox "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display sleeps" but this still doesn't indicate when the computer will sleep, if at all, when it's checked.

 

[Weaselboy]

There's a checkbox "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display sleeps" but this still doesn't indicate when the computer will sleep, if at all, when it's checked.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/6355/intels-haswell-architecture/3

Macs with the Haswell chipset or newer no longer really "sleep"... but they go into a low power mode that is similar to sleep.

 

[Stephen.R]

Macs with the Haswell chipset or newer no longer really "sleep"... but they go into a low power mode that is similar to sleep.

I see.. I guess what I meant is - there's no longer a slider to control the automatic timing of when the computer does whatever it does when you choose "sleep" from the Apple menu..

 

[Weaselboy]

I see.. I guess what I meant is - there's no longer a slider to control the automatic timing of when the computer does whatever it does when you choose "sleep" from the Apple menu..

That is because it does not really sleep. If you uncheck that "Prevent computer from sleeping..." setting, when the display goes off, the computer will go into the low power state that is similar to sleep. So you only have the one timer setting with the display.

 

[Ploki]

I'm thinking of getting an LG UltraFine 4K, are there any other displays with similar functionalities?
So, brightness control, and especially, retina-like behaviour and resolution?

 

[zandorf]

I am considering this:
LG 34UM88C-P 34-Inch 21:9 WQHD IPS Monitor

I think I want a 3440x1440 monitor for 1:1 font scaling similar to my old iMac 2560x1440.
Anyone have experience with this monitor? Anything similar to recommend?

 

[Stephen.R]

I'm thinking of getting an LG UltraFine 4K, are there any other displays with similar functionalities?
So, brightness control, and especially, retina-like behaviour and resolution?

I can't say I've seen any other 21" 4K displays, but LG and Dell make 24" 4K displays.

By 'brightness control' I assume you probably mean, OS-controlled (rather than using buttons on the display/OSD)?

The Dell (P2415Q) does not support that, under macOS at least. The LG might but I'd be kind of surprised if it does.

 

[jean512]

I tried many monitors and here is what I recommend :

1/ Money isn't a problem :
- Go for a 27" 5K and set it in x2 scaling (1440p like).
- LG ultrafine or Iiyama XB2779QQS


2/ Budget setup :
- Go for a 24" 1440p and sightly increase the font.
- Samsung S24H850 or Lenovo p24h


With other monitor you will have issues :
- 22" or + in 1080p = low DPI, picture is not sharp
- 27" or + in 1440p = low DPI, picture is not sharp
- 24" in 4K = picture too small, or x2 scaling (1080p like) you don't have enough space to work with
- 27" in 4K = picture too small, or x2 scaling (1080p like) you don't have enough space to work with
- 32" in 4K = low DPI, picture is not sharp

(To me the 1440p is the best space to work with but if you think you have enough space in 1080p then you should go for a 24" 4K with x2 scaling.)

 

[Stephen.R]

picture too small, or x2 scaling (1080p like) you don't have enough space to work with

This is exactly why you’re not limited to just the 2x scaling options.

 

[jean512]

This is exactly why you’re not limited to just the 2x scaling options.

hum... here is all the issue...
with another scaling the performance will be affected, that's write in the monitor window.
Your Mac will consume more power to run the display, it means more cpu/gpu/ram usage, warmer temperature, fan running.
And also many graphic bug like stuttering, bad display in full window, artefact at booting/logging, monitor disconnection, issue in sleep mode and more.

 

[F-Train]

I tried many monitors and here is what I recommend :

1/ Money isn't a problem :
- Go for a 27" 5K and set it in x2 scaling (1440p like).
- LG ultrafine or Iiyama XB2779QQS


2/ Budget setup :
- Go for a 24" 1440p and sightly increase the font.
- Samsung S24H850 or Lenovo p24h


With other monitor you will have issues :
- 22" or + in 1080p = low DPI, picture is not sharp
- 27" or + in 1440p = low DPI, picture is not sharp
- 24" in 4K = picture too small, or x2 scaling (1080p like) you don't have enough space to work with
- 27" in 4K = picture too small, or x2 scaling (1080p like) you don't have enough space to work with
- 32" in 4K = low DPI, picture is not sharp

(To me the 1440p is the best space to work with but if you think you have enough space in 1080p then you should go for a 24" 4K with x2 scaling.)

In other words, purchase a 5K monitor, scale it to 1440, or settle for something inferior.

Between them, your "money isn't a problem" list, and your "with other monitor you will have issues" list, ignore and dismiss some of the most highly regarded professional monitors money can buy.

 

[jean512]

In other words, purchase a 5K monitor, scale it to 1440, or settle for something inferior.

Between them, your "money isn't a problem" list, and your "with other monitor you will have issues" list, ignore and dismiss some of the most highly regarded professional monitors money can buy.

I'm speaking for basic tasks and developer work. Not video production.

 

[Ploki]

I can't say I've seen any other 21" 4K displays, but LG and Dell make 24" 4K displays.

By 'brightness control' I assume you probably mean, OS-controlled (rather than using buttons on the display/OSD)?

The Dell (P2415Q) does not support that, under macOS at least. The LG might but I'd be kind of surprised if it does.

UltraFine 5K and 4K both support that when connected via USB-C (or TB3), that's one of the selling points.
https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-22MD4KA-B-4k-uhd-led-monitor

The 21.5" is supposed to be like iMac 4K, and the 27" like iMac 5K, working at HiDPI/retina mode.

 

[Stephen.R]

with another scaling the performance will be affected

I'm using it scaled on a 4K 24" and have zero performance issues. Sure, it needs more memory, but it's hardly the biggest use of memory in my system, at a maximum of 1.5GB.

Your Mac will consume more power to run the display, it means more cpu/gpu/ram usage, warmer temperature, fan running

I think you mean more power to run the GPU - the display is still displaying the same number of pixels.

I bought the machine to use it, not to be a collectors item, I make money from this. You might as well claim "you shouldn't drive your car because that means the engine will have to run".

And also many graphic bug like stuttering, bad display in full window, artefact at booting/logging, monitor disconnection, issue in sleep mode and more

I have no idea what you are talking about with any of this.

The reality is, people all choose to use their displays as they see fit - @macdos likes the screen real estate of pure 1x (i.e. native display resolution), you clearly only want to use straight 2x scaled resolution, and the vast majority of people will use a scaled resolution that gives them a comfortable compromise between screen real estate, and UI size.

This is a concept that even Apple acknowledges and uses. On Retina MacBookPros since 2016, the 'default' resolution is not a straight 2x scale - it's the first step up above that to give "more space".

So yes, it's true the GPU will work less on a straight 2x or straight 1x resolution. That doesn't by a long shot mean it's the only realistic option to use for a display.
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UltraFine 5K and 4K both support that when connected via USB-C (or TB3), that's one of the selling points.

Right, given that they're made almost exclusively for Apple, this doesn't surprise me - but what I meant was, I haven't seen the feature on any other displays.

 

[Fishrrman]

For years now, with my "desktop" Mac, I haven't used "sleep" -- at all.

It's a 2012 Mini (1tb HDD inside) that I boot and run from external SSDs.

I have all "sleep-related" functions DISABLED in the energy saver pref pane.
If I'm not going to be using it for a while (say, greater than 30 mins or so), I just "reach forward" and turn the display OFF. It's a simple matter to just turn it back on later.

The Mini uses relatively little power when running, and doing it this way, there are no "sleep-related" problems because... there's no "sleep" to "wake up" from !

 

[kaibob]

This is a concept that even Apple acknowledges and uses. On Retina MacBookPros since 2016, the 'default' resolution is not a straight 2x scale - it's the first step up above that to give "more space".

This is an interesting point, and I've wondered what the default display setting is on the current 21.5 and 27 inch iMacs. I always assumed it was 2x but that would seem to make the UI elements and type on the 21.5-inch iMac pretty small.

 

[Stephen.R]

I've wondered what the default display setting is on the current 21.5 and 27 inch iMacs

I assumed that too, but to be honest, I'm using 2560x1440 on a 24". At 27" I think things would be too big.

On the other hand, 1920x1080 might be OK on a 21.5" - it's too big on the 24", certainly.
[doublepost=1543679859][/doublepost]

If I'm not going to be using it for a while (say, greater than 30 mins or so), I just "reach forward" and turn the display OFF. It's a simple matter to just turn it back on later.

I had planned to do the same. Unfortunately that means I can't use the USB hub in the back of the display for anything beyond printers or scanners, because it turns off with the display.

 

[Cybbe]

I just ordered one as well. It took me awhile to narrow down what I wanted but this monitor looks great for my needs.

How have you been getting on with this? Very thin on the ground of reviews on this monitor yet.

 

[Stephen.R]

but what I meant was, I haven't seen the feature on any other displays.

I looked into this a little further.

It seems historically, the "Brightness" control for Apple (or I guess the LG now) displays relies on something custom from Apple, over the USB channel, whereas a lot of displays support some form of DDC for this functionality.

macOS doesn't support it but I found a couple of different tools (CLI and GUI) that provide end-user functionality for adjusting brightness (and some do e.g. volume of speakers/audio ports on a display) just over e.g. a DisplayPort connection.

I haven't tried any yet (I disabled DDC/CI on my Dell display and it seems to have solved the no-signal-on-wake issue) but it seems there are some options, albeit not as integrated/seamless.
[doublepost=1543749053][/doublepost]Oh and I should add, today I placed an order for a second P2415Q Dell 4K display - that's how happy I am with the one I have.

 

[Rck1984]

Currently looking to buy a new Mac Mini.

I’m using a 34” UltraWide Samsung F791 monitor for my current hackintosh and I’m very satisfied.
The UltraWide resolution of 3440x1440 is awesome to work with, the workspace is unmatched imo.

Also a very clean looking monitor that usually matches the silver color that Apple uses.
This years Space Grey Mac Mini doesn’t match the color entirely but i bet it still looks great.

URL to product page: https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/curved/34--cf791-wqhd-monitor-lc34f791wqnxza/

 

[Stephen.R]

This years Space Grey Mac Mini doesn’t match the color entirely but i bet it still looks great.

It's essentilaly black[1] and silver, that's still a pretty classic combination.

1: Despite the name 'space grey', it's a lot darker than e.g. a Space Grey 2018 MBP.



This photo has a heap of devices predominantly in three colours:

• silver (LaCie Little Big Disk, Akitio TB1 Hub, Dell display stand)
• Black (Creative Speaker, Seagate external HDD, iPhone 7, desk mat, Dell display bezel)
• various forms of "Space Grey" (MBP 2018, MM 2018, Magic Keyboard).

The take aways for me are: A) space grey is a really varied colour for Apple. B) Dark Grey/Black and Silver still work pretty well together, and they don't stand out like that one white TB3-TB1 adapter and TB1 cable behind the mini in the photo.

 

[jasnw]

Oh and I should add, today I placed an order for a second P2415Q Dell 4K display - that's how happy I am with the one I have.

Out of curiosity, how do you plan to set these up - two in landscape, two in portrait, or one in each orientation?