This. I have had major issues on both my Intel 2018 mini with numerous monitors, and the situation was even worse on the M2 Pro mini I just returned. It is incredibly frustrating how Apple still can't get this simple stuff right.
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Mac mini M1 compatible monitor list
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This is what I've been pondering and fuming about. It seems ridiculous that a computer with an HDMI port can't output to a display with an HDMI port. Madness.
My new M2 Mac mini is hit or miss over HDMI where my monitor has trouble waking up… it takes a few tries before it gets the signal. It’s almost like it doesn’t wake up fast enough and goes back to sleep. However, over a USB-C to DisplayPort cable, it has no issue waking up.
The only thing that REALLY bothers me about the Mac mini paired with my 4K monitor is that if I have an app hidden before the monitor sleeps, when I wake it back up and show the app again, the app’s window will be smaller and shoved into the bottom left of the screen (as if the resolution was changed to 1080p and the Mac didn’t put it back to the size and position it was before).
Never had this issue with my Mac Pro 2012.
I've been thinking about it, and it's just so absurd -- the whole point of a Mac mini is that you bring your own display -- it should work flawlessly!
You would think that but no.... Monitor issues have been pretty widespread on Mac minis since at least the 2018 mini. I never owned a 2012 or 2014 mini so can't speak to those.
Afternoon All, I just wanted to report back that my new Dell U2723QE works perfectly with my new M2 Mini.
I'm using USB C / Thunderbolt 4, with an OWC Thunderbolt 4 cable.
Video is perfect (no matter how dark) I'm using the standard 'Dell U2723QE' colour profile at 60hz, with HDR turned on (on Mac & monitor).
After a couple of weeks of hassles (and more £££ spent
), I'm finally 100% happy that I upgraded!
I'm using USB C / Thunderbolt 4, with an OWC Thunderbolt 4 cable.
Video is perfect (no matter how dark) I'm using the standard 'Dell U2723QE' colour profile at 60hz, with HDR turned on (on Mac & monitor).
After a couple of weeks of hassles (and more £££ spent
), I'm finally 100% happy that I upgraded!So guys, in the beginning sorry for my orrible english, i force me to don't use any translator to improve my language skill, so, feel free to correct me, i will get any sort of comments, also if you says:"you speak like a drunken chimp".
In secundis (well i need tu use latin lol), i really love this Mac mini (m1 base), but one thing is gonna make me crazy, i have a Benq EL2870U, 4K 27", the color is not so good but this isn't the problem, with this mac i suffer two problems:
1- if i use thunderbolt to HDMI cable the monitor doesn't wake up, it wakes up only if i use the hdmi to hdmi cable
2- i suffer the vertical lines/flickering problem, i make a lot of test and i've installed "monitor control" that helpes me to focus the problem, when it presents i swtich the contrast by dcc/ci (i've tried to put off this options but it haven't helped) and it solves in a moment, but this thing is makes me crazy, i just wan't that all functions well without this tricks.
So for this thread i can assure that my Benq EL2870U is getting problems with m1 mac mini, but is also a perfect monitor for Intel macbook air and Windows Laptop and PS5.
So, i'm studying three options to replace it:
1- Huawei Mateview, i searched a lot in this forum and no one says that have flickering with this monitor
2- Huawei Ultrawide, sorry, i don't remember the exact name, i like the ultra wide form factor but i watched a lot of testimoniances that mac os is not thinked to work well with ultra wide monitors
3- Asus Pro art PA278CV or QV- i like a lot is color accuracy and both are 2k monitors, so mac os will run well without rescale all.
I need to open a new thread or post in other one? If i'm wrong posting here i'm sorry.
Thanks a lot
In secundis (well i need tu use latin lol), i really love this Mac mini (m1 base), but one thing is gonna make me crazy, i have a Benq EL2870U, 4K 27", the color is not so good but this isn't the problem, with this mac i suffer two problems:
1- if i use thunderbolt to HDMI cable the monitor doesn't wake up, it wakes up only if i use the hdmi to hdmi cable
2- i suffer the vertical lines/flickering problem, i make a lot of test and i've installed "monitor control" that helpes me to focus the problem, when it presents i swtich the contrast by dcc/ci (i've tried to put off this options but it haven't helped) and it solves in a moment, but this thing is makes me crazy, i just wan't that all functions well without this tricks.
So for this thread i can assure that my Benq EL2870U is getting problems with m1 mac mini, but is also a perfect monitor for Intel macbook air and Windows Laptop and PS5.
So, i'm studying three options to replace it:
1- Huawei Mateview, i searched a lot in this forum and no one says that have flickering with this monitor
2- Huawei Ultrawide, sorry, i don't remember the exact name, i like the ultra wide form factor but i watched a lot of testimoniances that mac os is not thinked to work well with ultra wide monitors
3- Asus Pro art PA278CV or QV- i like a lot is color accuracy and both are 2k monitors, so mac os will run well without rescale all.
I need to open a new thread or post in other one? If i'm wrong posting here i'm sorry.
Thanks a lot
I am having a hard time deciding between these two 27" 4K monitors:
1. LG 27UP850
2. ASUS PA279CV
Has anyone been in a similar position and decided on one over the other? Right now the main priority for me is for it to work 100% with the Mac Mini, so no issues with picture, no problems with waking from sleep, etc.
The LG seems like it has a nicer design and possibly even build quality, but I do like the fact that the Asus has a better stand (the LG doesn't swivel from left to right at all), a built-in power adapter (less junk lying on the floor), a physical off switch for the monitor (off means off - zero power then used) and a few more USB ports.
Does anyone know if both can also have their firmware updated, as well as the dates of the last firmware releases?
1. LG 27UP850
2. ASUS PA279CV
Has anyone been in a similar position and decided on one over the other? Right now the main priority for me is for it to work 100% with the Mac Mini, so no issues with picture, no problems with waking from sleep, etc.
The LG seems like it has a nicer design and possibly even build quality, but I do like the fact that the Asus has a better stand (the LG doesn't swivel from left to right at all), a built-in power adapter (less junk lying on the floor), a physical off switch for the monitor (off means off - zero power then used) and a few more USB ports.
Does anyone know if both can also have their firmware updated, as well as the dates of the last firmware releases?
I looked at both these monitors form my mini m2 but after diving into it more I went with a BenQ PD2705U. Mac ready and has tons of features and the base is solid metal.
I had the LG 27UP850 for a year coupled with my M1 Mac Mini and below I’ve outlined all the positives and negatives from my perspective:
+ Excellent screen quality, text is sharp, colours are vibrant
+ Brightness is meant to be 450 nits or so and I like screens bright so it was just bright enough for me
+ Connected via USB C fine with plenty of resolution options - I had mine set to “looks like 1440”
+ Because of the sharpness, colour accuracy etc it is great to work with
After a while though, the negatives started to irritate so much, I found the extra cash to splash out on an Apple Studio Display and it is perfect in every way.
Negatives:
- Hated having a separate webcam plugged into the back and balanced on the top
- Incredibly bad speakers which I didn’t think would be a problem but were after a while when on a call or attempting to listen to music
- The USB Hub didn’t work in the slightest. I couldn’t even charge my keyboard or mouse. Again I wasn’t bothered about this at the start because I was only interested in the fact that I could get such a good quality screen for approx £400. But I have lots of external hard drives and even a powered USB Hub started making my Mini shut down randomly so I had to ditch it and the LG ports weren’t an option. LG support were useless and blamed it on Apple but there was obviously an issue with a lack of power
- It’s plastic so it creaks and wobbles when it’s touched or moved around
- I couldn’t control the sound or brightness from the keyboard and had to install a separate app which grated after a while
- Using HDMI didn’t give all the resolution options USB C did so I couldn’t ise it which meant I had to use the USB C port
In the end the small things got so annoying I splashed the money for the Studio Display and am so glad I did. It reminded me why I pay more for Apple products. Because it just works. The image quality, brightness, colour accuracy, amazing speakers, USB C ports which actually work and a webcam (although the quality isn’t amazing it’s not a huge issue). And it looks incredible on my desk because it doesn’t feel plasticky.
Apple products last me many years so I see them as an investment. I am a graphic designer so I use my set up to make money. They last me 8 years or so easily. If I divide the cost by the amount of days there are in 8 years (almost 3,000), then it’s a no-brainer for the return I receive.
The LG might be fine for you. I bought a monitor arm to attach it to my desk so there was less clutter and it could move more. But in the end the small things annoyed me so much I had to ditch it. And I’m so glad I did…
Many thanks, I read some of your earlier comments as well and could see that you were quite happy with the screen but at the same time you were bothered by some of the issues you experienced.
I plan on getting a Studio Display or another 5k monitor but at present I need a 27" 4K for my second location where I'll be using the Mac Mini for the next 2 months.
I'm surprised HDMI gave you trouble - was it not able to switch to the comfortable "looks like 1440" res? Even more worrying is the fact that the hub didn't work as expected. I would have thought that a single USB-C cable would be able to supply you with not just a healthy picture but also connectivity for the remaining USB slots. How it could have a power issue, especially when you're using a Mac Mini so no charging via USB-C is needed, is strange indeed. Even more so considering that the 27UP850 is a new model with even more power provided for the USB-C connection.
Was it possible to run any firmware update or does LG not do those for monitors?
I'll starting to sway towards the Asus PA279CV a bit but someone did have an issue with the monitor waking, though Asus has officially posted that upgrading... iOS actually deals with the problem (there is also a firmware update for those who don't want to update the OS). Confusing stuff so not an ideal choice either.
I have to say I definitely was impressed initially. Mainly because of the 4K screen quality for the price. I felt like I was getting a bargain when comparing it to the price of the Studio Display. I have to say also I bought my setup before the Display and Studio came out - out of necessity as my iMac died - or I would have found the cash for the Studio Display.
After the honeymoon period was over I began to get annoyed by the small things - especially the hub not working. They offered to look at the hub and repair if necessary but it would take weeks and I didn’t have a spare screen to use so didn’t bother. Then there was the camera etc. If none of that bothers you the image quality is great. Plus I may have received a dud re the hub.
One downside of monitor hubs is the reduced bandwidth available to the hub because it competes with the monitor so having a separate hub can result in better performance. You might just ask them to send you a cheap hub as it would cost them a lot less to send someone out to look at it or repair it in general.
My solution, going from an iMac to a Studio, is just to use my MacBook Pro for videoconferences. Not as convenient as having one on my desk/monitor but it gets the job done. For the speakers and microphones, I just have wires on my desk. An M1 Max 27 inch iMac would have been nice last year.
Agree. I was hoping for an updated iMac but couldn’t wait so opted for a Mini which has been brilliant apart from the pairing bluetooth issue which still hasn’t been resolved as far as I’m aware.
I did buy a powered USB hub but got a few random instances where the Mini would just shut down with no warning while I was working. After a quick search I got the fear that a non-Apple product might damage the port or the Mini itself. So I just gave up and went full Apple to be on the safe side.
My mouse solution was to use a Logitech wireless mouse with a USB extension to bring the receiver to in front of the monitor and this works really well. I normally have my mini and Studio behind monitors and line-of-sight and some distance from the desktop helps with mouse control. The BT issues have been known since 2020 and it doesn't appear that Apple is in any hurry to fix it.
I recommend the Dell U2723QE, especially if you can nab it from Dell outlet for a deep discount. Good 4k display, IPS, 2000:1 contrast, nice stand, very adjustable. USB C display. Works well with Mac. Hub works well. Ports galore. Built in KVM switch. 90w charging when you connect your laptop. Too bad my m1 mini can't be powered with USB C
Really only short comings are it's only 60hz and HDR is pretty useless. Would love to see one with local dimming, but that would up the price quite a bit obviously
Really only short comings are it's only 60hz and HDR is pretty useless. Would love to see one with local dimming, but that would up the price quite a bit obviously
The screen quality is what put this LG model on my shortlist of just 2 monitors. I am worried about the hub though - this should really be working perfectly on a monitor like this.
Low-bandwidth devices like a keyboard and mouse shouldn't be affected though, unless there is something seriously wrong with the hub.
If I remember correctly, the Mac versions of a Logitech mouse (like the MX Master or MX Anywhere) happen to be the only ones... without the USB dongle, right? That is quite ironic, having to specifically choose a non-Mac version for use with a Mac.
Many thanks but I've read about issues with this monitor so unfortunately a no-go for me. Gonna skip Dell completely in my search for a Mac monitor...
I don't recall the mice model but they are old but seem to last forever - and I think that these were before they made Mac-specific mice. It would be better without the dongle but I gave up on Bluetooth mice a long time ago.
The Mac versions don't have the USB dongle for some reason, relying solely on Bluetooth instead. So ironically it's probably safer to get a non-Mac version in case you encounter issues and actually need the dongle to connect...
Any issues with this monitor? Macbook users have reported issues when connected via USB-C but this might be affected by the charging feature. Any problems with monitor waking from sleep when connected to the mini?
Also guys, any other recommendations for a 4K monitor apart from the above and the LG 850UP?
Works good with it, but you will need an Apple thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter.
thanks, this: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter ?
and ouch! $50 expensive adapter.
That’s the one. But at least the display with this adapter works very well on modern macs.
surprise the unit that seller sell is not the thunderbolt, is the older model.
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