Dual monitor recommendations please

[Martin29]

My M2 Pro mini has just arrived, and I’m trying to come up with the best quality dual monitor setup possible..

I can’t justify the cost of the Apple monitors, but want to approach as best I can their quality. I’m thinking at least 27 inch, 4K, and I’ll be using one of them in portrait mode (I have a double vesa stand)

I’ve spent ages looking at LG, Samsung, Dell and BenQ reviews, but would appreciate some real life views and recommendations.

I’m also confused by the ‘scaling’ issues referred to frequently here, and wonder why/whether there is any point going to 4K if Apple forces users to work in 1440 mode?

Finally, how do you wire dual monitor setups?

 

[mmkerc]

I use the dual Dell 32" (S3222HG) gaming monitors that connect via OWC Thunderbolt hubs display ports. This is not at 4 k resolution though (bad eyes). Your M2 is better designed for dual monitors so you should not need hubs, you can plug directly into your mini. The configuration does support 3840 x 2160 but for my uses not needed.

Do not understand your statement "I’m also confused by the ‘scaling’ issues referred to frequently here, and wonder why/whether there is any point going to 4K if Apple forces users to work in 1440 mode?" as I have used both monitors at the 4k resolutions when watch movies, or editing photos (before eye problems).

 

[gilby101]

I’m also confused by the ‘scaling’ issues referred to frequently here, and wonder why/whether there is any point going to 4K if Apple forces users to work in 1440 mode?

Apple does not force you to use "looks like" 1440 mode. The main advantage of 1440 is that objects on the screen are displayed at their intended size. Just as if you had an Apple 5K 27", but text not as crisp looking. You can choose other resolutions if you want.

I’ve spent ages looking at LG, Samsung, Dell and BenQ reviews, but would appreciate some real life views and recommendations.

You won't find many reviews of any of these when used with a Mac. Borrow a laptop Mac and take it to the stores and test.

 

[Basic75]

Again, the main options to drive a 27" display with 3840x2160 pixels are:

1. Direct 1920x1080, this is rubbish, why buy a 4K display if you're going to use it as 2K?
2. Direct 2560x1440, this is rubbish, a 2560x1440 display will give better quality.
3. Looks like 2560x1440, the Mac renders a 5120x2880 desktop and scales it down to 3840x2160 for the display, this is "poor man's retina" where everything will be the same size as on a 27" 5K retina display, which is the same size as a 27" 2560x1440 non-retina. Many people prefer this over a native 2560x1440 though others like me don't like the indirect non-pixel-perfect rendering.
4. Native 3840x2160, this is probably not usable unless you sit very close to the display and/or have exceptional eyesight as everything will of course be much smaller than normal.
5. Looks like 1920x1080, this has the best quality, but everything is larger than normal so you don't have much space.
6. Some in-between retina resolution which will have the same trade-offs as 3, indirect rendering overhead and slight blurring.

 

[Basic75]

Oh, and good luck: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-displays-swapping-arrangement-not-remembered.2320211/