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Monitor & Dock for M1 MBA

hollowsocket

hollowsocket

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2018
29
19
Guys, I need help. I have an M1 MBA. My employer will buy me a monitor for $200. I don't think there are any USB-C monitors at that price point. I would need a good, cheap USB-C or Thunderbolt dock to make this work, but don't know what to buy. It would be helpful to have a dock with ethernet and maybe another USB-C for a back up drive.

Any suggestions? I'm a bit overwhelmed. Let's say total price point is $300-350. I can buy the dock myself to make this work.

EDIT: The monitor shouldn't be larger than 27". I only need it for having a couple programs side-by-side. Anything larger would dominate my desk. 24" would be fine, truly, especially if it would get me higher res. I would use the monitor and MBA at the same time, having two screens.
 
hollowsocket

hollowsocket

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2018
29
19
Mate, I'm struggling to see how that would bridge the gap between M1 MBA and a non-usb-C monitor. There is no HDMI or DP...
 
Amethyst1

Amethyst1

macrumors G3
Oct 28, 2015
9,816
12,238
hollowsocket said:
EDIT: The monitor shouldn't be larger than 27". I only need it for having a couple programs side-by-side. Anything larger would dominate my desk. 24" would be fine, truly, especially if it would get me higher res. I would use the monitor and MBA at the same time, having two screens.
Click to expand...
If you're looking for any sort of decent text rendering on an external monitor in macOS, the monitor needs to have "4K" (or even higher) resolution. Just saying. :) Here's a list of ≈24" "4K" monitors, most of which have unfortunately been discontinued AFAICS.
 
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hollowsocket

hollowsocket

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2018
29
19
Amethyst1 said:
If you're looking for any sort of decent text rendering on an external monitor in macOS, the monitor needs to have "4K" (or even higher) resolution. Just saying. :) Here's a list of ≈24" "4K" monitors, most of which have unfortunately been discontinued AFAICS.
Click to expand...
Yes, the difficulty of finding resolution for sharp text in a cheap monitor that is less than 32" is strange to me.
 
Last edited:
Amethyst1

Amethyst1

macrumors G3
Oct 28, 2015
9,816
12,238
hollowsocket said:
My price point and my desk space say 27" is pushing it...
Click to expand...
Well, even ≈24" "4K" is a bit tough at $200. You can find second-hand Dell P2415Qs for $200 on eBay and those are solid monitors (I have owned two myself); not sure if your employer would be OK with that route. I really wouldn't consider anything below "4K" for use with macOS.
 
hollowsocket

hollowsocket

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2018
29
19
I might be able to talk my employer up to $250-300 range. I'm supposed to find what I want and then present. I'd have to buy the cables/dongle/dock myself perhaps.
 
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J

joevt

macrumors 604
Jun 21, 2012
6,967
4,262
hollowsocket said:
Why would one need to worry about which converter chip is used?
Click to expand...
There are many DisplayPort to HDMI converter chips with different features.
HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.0b, HDMI 2.1 with or without support for HDR.
Some docks don't support HDMI 2.0 or don't support HDR. So far I don't know of any docks that will support HDMI 2.1.
There may be new converter chips to support more features in the future.
It's less expensive to replace a dongle than it is to replace the entire dock.
 
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hollowsocket

hollowsocket

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2018
29
19
I would rather a dock/dongle, though, since I could use ethernet, which makes printing in my particular case much easier.

I got my employer to up the price point on the monitor to $300, so I asked for a 4k 24" LG.

It looks as though I need to supply the dock/dongle, which I was ready to do.
 
J

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
satcomer said:
You want the Caldigit ThunderBolt 4 Hub that might be good fit!
Click to expand...
For the price point given the Caldigit SOHO USB-C dock is probably a better fit. Look for a used Dell P2415Q or LG 24UD58-B. They both seem to be discontinued but you can find one refurbished or used. I have a LG 24UD58-B and the Caldigit SOHO USB-C dock that I use with my M1 MacBook Air. Good combination but I did replace the LG display's stand with an inexpensive VESA stand.
 
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hollowsocket

hollowsocket

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2018
29
19
Thanks, but no ethernet port in the SOHO... We found a new LG 24UD58-B and ordered it.

Why do Caldigit and OWC seem to prefer Displayport connection?
 
J

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
hollowsocket said:
Thanks, but no ethernet port in the SOHO... We found a new LG 24UD58-B and ordered it.

Why do Caldigit and OWC seem to prefer Displayport connection?
Click to expand...
That's true. I have an inexpensive 4 USB-A/GB ethernet hub that I use when I need the ports or ethernet. Generally I don't find I need ethernet but if ethernet is required then the SOHO isn't it.
 
hollowsocket

hollowsocket

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2018
29
19
J

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
hollowsocket said:
The division secretary snuck this into the order for me!

www.amazon.com

Satechi USB C Hub Multiport Adapter V2 - USB C Dongle - 4K HDMI (60Hz), 60W USB C Charging, GbE, SD/Micro Card Readers, USB 3.0 - USBC Hub for MacBook Pro/Air M1 M2 - Silver

Satechi USB C Hub Multiport Adapter V2 - USB C Dongle - 4K HDMI (60Hz), 60W USB C Charging, GbE, SD/Micro Card Readers, USB 3.0 - USBC Hub for MacBook Pro/Air M1 M2 - Silver
www.amazon.com

Don't tell anyone!
Click to expand...
That looks like a pretty good deal with a known name brand.
 
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