External Display For 2011 Mac Mini ?

[Mr.C]

Hi I'm looking at upgrading from my 2011 Mac Mini to a 2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro. My plan is to give the Mac Mini to my Dad. At the moment it's connected to my 32" Sony Bravia HD TV. I am looking at getting an external display for my Dad to use with the Mac Mini. Ideally it would be on the smaller side, maybe 19" or 21" although I'm willing to look at slightly larger models.

It doesn't need to be anything fancy or high spec as his primary use will be Internet, email and word processing. I do however want something that is good quality and not some generic cheap brand. At the same time I want to keep the cost low due to who is going to use and what it will be used for. I'm looking to connect it via HDMI most likely as there is an HDMI port on the Mac Mini.

Oh and I live in the UK so ideally any models posted here or links to should be for the UK market or at least available here. Any advice or information would be appreciated.

 

[Micky Do]

Hi I'm looking at upgrading from my 2011 Mac Mini to a 2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro. My plan is to give the Mac Mini to my Dad. At the moment it's connected to my 32" Sony Bravia HD TV. I am looking at getting an external display for my Dad to use with the Mac Mini. Ideally it would be on the smaller side, maybe 19" or 21" although I'm willing to look at slightly larger models.

It doesn't need to be anything fancy or high spec as his primary use will be Internet, email and word processing. I do however want something that is good quality and not some generic cheap brand. At the same time I want to keep the cost low due to who is going to use and what it will be used for. I'm looking to connect it via HDMI most likely as there is an HDMI port on the Mac Mini.

Oh and I live in the UK so ideally any models posted here or links to should be for the UK market or at least available here. Any advice or information would be appreciated.

Given that it is for your Dad, and that I am probably of his generation, with weakening eyesight and all that comes with getting older, I suggest going for a larger monitor rather than a smaller one.

24 inch seems to be the sweet spot for 1920 x 1080 resolution, and 20 inch is the size to go for with 1600 x 900 resolution. Most monitors have a HDMI port these days.

 

[DanGoh]

Don't get him a 24" 1080p monitor. It may seem better because it's bigger, but I know the low ppi causes me eye strain.

A 1080p 21.5" is way better. I'm sure you can find one on Amazon for $130 or 100 pounds.

 

[Mr.C]

Thanks for the info so far. How about the following monitors. Are they good choices. Will they work seamlessly with a Mac.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-GL2450...F8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-2&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-RL2455...F8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-7&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-UltraS...8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-12&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-S240HL...8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-13&keywords=24"+monitor

Some also have 21" equivalents.

 

[Micky Do]

Thanks for the info so far. How about the following monitors. Are they good choices. Will they work seamlessly with a Mac.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-GL2450...F8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-2&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-RL2455...F8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-7&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-UltraS...8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-12&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-S240HL...8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-13&keywords=24"+monitor

Some also have 21" equivalents.

Just about anything works OK with the Mac Mini. I guess you could get finicky about what is "best" based on reviews, features, performance parameters and so on if you care to. Just check them out in a shop. They all seem fairly generic to me, varying mainly in the brand name, though I gather Dell is highly regarded.

In the end it comes down to what works for you (or your father), and is available within your budget and preferences.

I used a 2004/5 vintage Viewsonic until late last year, when it was close to worn out.

I replaced it with a 22 inch Samsung with VGA and DVI ports, which I picked up discounted by 33% because it was the last of the line. It was the same price as the latest 19 inch. It has a matt screen; I don't like glossy.

I didn't want to pay too much as I could be moving on to my home country in the next year or so. I'll be taking my Mini with me, but not the monitor. Had I been sure of sticking around I would have gone for the latest 24 inch.

The new models, all sizes, have a HDMI port instead of DVI.

 

[xylitol]

Thanks for the info so far. How about the following monitors. Are they good choices. Will they work seamlessly with a Mac.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-GL2450...F8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-2&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-RL2455...F8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-7&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-UltraS...8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-12&keywords=24"+monitor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-S240HL...8&qid=1427925332&sr=1-13&keywords=24"+monitor

Some also have 21" equivalents.

On that list only the Dell has an IPS panel (LG) with much better viewing angles, others have TN panels. If you don't know what I'm talking about:

http://www.tnpanel.com/tn-vs-ips-va/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWXcNlh85Ps

in depth:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/panel_technologies.htm

some nice reviews of that Dell:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2414h.htm
https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/dell-u2414h/

 

[QWERTYMac7]

FWIW - I have a 2011 MM which has two 24" Vizio HD TVs as monitors.

Works extremely well.

Additionally I have a 16" USB monitor which I use when I take the Mini on a road trip (and plug in for a third monitor when I'm crunching a lot of numbers and need more 'desk space').

The 2011 plays very nicely with HDMI connections.

Your father will have a wonderful computer!

 

[Mr.C]

Thanks to you all for your advice and input. its interesting to know there is a difference in display panel technology depending on brand. At the end of the day I don't want to pay more then I have to as it doesn't have to be anthing hi spec or fancy. My Dad has pretty basic needs and wouldn't appreciate any higher end technology anyway. The resolution doesn't have to be that high either. I've heard good things about the Ben Q monitors although I also imagine the Dell ones are of higher quality. Built in speakers would be nice although not neccessary as I could use a pair of external ones if need be. I think will do a bit more reserach and try and look at a few locally if I can to get a better idea.