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Mac mini monitor suggestions/display resolution?

U

USB123

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 18, 2012
66
0
Ireland
I will be getting my Mac mini in 2 months or so (the 2.3/2.6GHz Core i7 €859). I will be getting a flat screen monitor as well.
I currently have a crappy philips 1024 x 768 flatscreen from 2003, which is a bit faulty too. I was wondering, what would be a good brand for a decent monitor and that would be for a budget-conscious buyer as well?

Also, what resolution does the mini display at? What would be a decent resolution?
Sorry for all the questions!
 
USB123 said:
Fantastic display! It has even got built-in speakers! Has the Mac mini got an internal speaker?
Click to expand...

Yes it does have a built in speaker, but not great sound. The monitor speakers are better, but, like most monitor speakers, not that good. I use external speakers for my setup.
 
radiohed said:
Yes it does have a built in speaker, but not great sound. The monitor speakers are better, but, like most monitor speakers, not that good. I use external speakers for my setup.
Click to expand...

External speakers are always the better option. What is the best resolution for the mini?
 
I just ordered one of the 24" Dell Ultrasharps (u2412m) for $282 thru Amazon (free shipping, no tax). It's got the 16:10 ratio screen 1920x1200 resolution. It's been getting very good reviews. I was looking for a monitor with USB 3.0, but couldn't find one within the price range (around $300) that had good enough reviews so I went with the Dell.
 
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Some nice ones so far,

as for me, I've just bought Mini with Fusion drive, and plan to use it in the bedroom, with a Samsung 32" LED cost was, approx 450 USD

Aspect Ratio 16:9
Digital TV Features 3D TV, Full HD, HDMI, High Definition, Widescreen
Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
Maximum Screen Resolution 1080p

http://www.myshopping.com.au/PR--386237_Samsung_UA32D6000_Series_6_32_LED_TV

nothing really special, but it should be ok
 
Trvlngnrs said:
I just ordered one of the 24" Dell Ultrasharps (u2412m) for $282 thru Amazon (free shipping, no tax). It's got the 16:10 ratio screen 1920x1200 resolution. It's been getting very good reviews. I was looking for a monitor with USB 3.0, but couldn't find one within the price range (around $300) that had good enough reviews so I went with the Dell.
Click to expand...

Can you post the link to it at $282? I'm planning on getting the same monitor but I keep seeing prices of $296 at Amazon. Thanks!
 
I've got an LG Flatron W2343T but there's LED equivalents with a TV Tuner for about £40 more than I paid for it within less than a year.

I wouldn't go any higher than 23" if you're getting a 1080p display and given the amount of HD or widescreen content, I don't think it's worth getting anything less than a 1080p screen personally.
 
barkmonster said:
I wouldn't go any higher than 23" if you're getting a 1080p display and given the amount of HD or widescreen content, I don't think it's worth getting anything less than a 1080p screen personally.
Click to expand...

Correct. I used the excellent 24" Apple LED Cinema Display for years and the text is actually not that sharp, so going any bigger than 23 or maybe 24" with only 1080p resolution is the worst thing you could do.

A friend of me recently purchased a cheap 27" 1080p display which I personally think is horrible in any way (colors, resolution, panel, build quality, ...) but he likes it only for its size, so maybe some people are satisfied with "bad" products.
 
Viewsonic is US only. On the other hand there are always more IPS displays to choose from in the EU, as they seem to sell here better. But not Viewsonic.
A dell U2413 is nice. I still like 24 inch 1920x1200 best. It is the most comfortable resolution/size combination.
 
Any issues with fuzzy text?

I purchased a Mac Mini and connected it to my 23" LCD HD TV and have had issues with fuzzy text. I've Googled the problem and a lot of other people have had the same issues. I have a 2012 MAC mini and I'm using the HDMI connection.

Do any of you have text problems with the monitors listed in this thread?

The Viewsonic looks like a great deal, and I'm ready to buy if it will solve my fuzzy text problem.

Thanks.

Ray
 
I am waiting for the 22" version

radiohed said:
I just got this Viewsonic IPS 23" display. Beautiful picture quality, 3 year warranty, very nice design, and only $180! I use an HDMI cable for my mini.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116581
Click to expand...

The 22" version of this monitor which is due for release around December ($159) is equivalent in size/dimensions/resolution to the 21.5 iMac. This is the one I will be going with. The larger sizes (at 1080p resolution) merely make everything bigger on the display which might be good for further distance viewing but IMHO not so great at desktop distances.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/02/viewsonics-vx70smh-led-ips-monitors/

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktop-monitors/vx2270smhled.htm
 
For those who may not have realized. You can run a 30" display without the active adapters if the monitor has displayport built in. It's nice to be able to run a 30" monitor for the screen real estate and not having to have settle for smaller font since it has the same visual view of a 24" while on the 27" the font will appear smaller, which I do not like.

It was hard to find information when I was shopping for my wife's 30" monitors.

I am currently testing and setting up my 2012 Mac Mini using the Dell U3011 connecting the monitors displayport port to the thunderbolt port on the mac mini using a displayport to minidisplayport cable. The thunderbolt port supports up to the 30" resolution, maybe more perhaps?

But for those that desire a dual display setup. Sadly, you cannot hook up two 30" displays (e.g. Dell U3011) due to the fact that the other video-out port is an HDMI port which supports up to only 1920x1200.
 
I picked up a quad core mini tonight from best buy along with a DELL S2340M monitor. Its pretty good. 1080p 23". Its on sale for $170. I am pretty happy with it. The BB reviews aren't that great but thats because best buy advertises that its IPS (I don't think it is) and that it has HDMI (it doesn't). The HDMI to DVI adapter included with the mini works great. Its hard to beat this monitor for the price. The thin bezel is so 2012 as well :)

LINK
 
wkw said:
I picked up a quad core mini tonight from best buy along with a DELL S2340M monitor. Its pretty good. 1080p 23". Its on sale for $170. I am pretty happy with it. The BB reviews aren't that great but thats because best buy advertises that its IPS (I don't think it is) and that it has HDMI (it doesn't). The HDMI to DVI adapter included with the mini works great. Its hard to beat this monitor for the price. The thin bezel is so 2012 as well :)

LINK
Click to expand...

It actually is an IPS. All Dell ultrawide monitors are IPS. I have the s2340l which is the same except HDMI. These are great monitors for the money. Lots more settings than my 27" ViewSonic.
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/news_archive/27.htm#dell_s-line
 
Last edited:
The mini likes to drive anything. 1920*1200,2560*1440 or even 2560*1600. Full HD is too small IMO, an old HP 2065 with 1600*1200 is more useful.
The built in speaker is great, and sounds better than any monitor built in speakers. Only screens with dedicated soundbars outperform the mini.
 
I am currently running an AURIA EQ276W 27" monitor. 2560x1440 resolution.

must use miniDP to DP cable
 
I have the same setup. Dell u2412M. I am using DisplayPort Connection using following cable:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004065DAC/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01

If buying the cable from Amazon, make sure you buy directly from Amazon.

Works fine with 1920x1200 resolution.

--------------------------

Trvlngnrs said:
I just ordered one of the 24" Dell Ultrasharps (u2412m) for $282 thru Amazon (free shipping, no tax). It's got the 16:10 ratio screen 1920x1200 resolution. It's been getting very good reviews. I was looking for a monitor with USB 3.0, but couldn't find one within the price range (around $300) that had good enough reviews so I went with the Dell.
Click to expand...
 
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