Monitor for late 2012 mini

[Wando64]

Hi, it is time for me to upgrade my monitor and I would appreciate up-to-date suggestions as to what is currently available that would be suitable with my Mac.
The MAC is a late 2012 fully specked 2.6 i7 quad core with 16gb and 1tb fusion.
The monitor shouldn't be any bigger than 26"
Should I be focussing on 4K offerings?
Thanks

 

[Kaida]

if you need height adjustment, get the Dell U2417H. If not, the Samsung S24E390H.

 

[Micky Do]

Should I be focussing on 4K offerings?

If you reckon on keeping the monitor significantly longer than the 2012 Mac Mini, maybe. If not, don't bother.

Other than that, go to a shop, check out what's on offer, and buy what takes your fancy.

 

[Wando64]

OK, thanks for your answers.
PerhapsI should make clearer why I am looking for a new monitor.

I currently have a Dell monitor capable of 1680x1050
The standard HD monitors suggested by Kaida (thanks) are both 1920x1080 which is not much dissimilar from what I already have.
I was hoping of gaining a significantly higher screen real estate expressed by a higher resolution, hence my question about 4k monitors.
Maybe a better question is: Do you know if my 2012 Mini is capable of driving a 4k monitor at 3840 x 2160 resolution at 30 Hz out of the box, the same as a 2014 model, or am I limited to the Thunderbolt/MiniDisplay Port output at 2560x1600?
Considering all of the above, what monitor do you suggest, at the maximum resolution that can be driven by a 2012 mini?

Thanks again.

 

[twalk]

4K at 30Hz is only really suitable for doing certain tasks, like running MS Office / programming / etc. IOW, a mostly static information display in which you're using the keyboard more often than you otherwise would. Note that you can't reach 4K 30Hz with a normal setup with 2012 minis

Keep in mind that 1600p monitors are almost all the old style 30" screens and the 1440p monitors are the old style 27" screens. Those resolutions with different monitor sizes is pretty rare. That's not going to change, because the world is moving to 4K screens for all screen sizes (1080p for small screens). That said, computers will have support for those resolutions for at least the next 10 years, so it's not a "future proof" issue

Now, a recommendation:

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-G257HU-...TF8&qid=1479571108&sr=8-1&keywords=acer+1440p

It's a non-standard 25" size for a 1440p screen, but the higher pixel density gives a bit sharper display. It's cheap. It's good enough for the vast majority of people. (Note that a decent 1600p screen will cost typically $300+ more and it's horizontal resolution is the same 2560 pixels as the 1440p screen has)

If you're more adventurous, then hunt down the "Taiwanese specials". These are normally around $200 for a 27" 1440p screen. These use panels graded 'A' instead of panels graded 'A+' and therefore have something considered a minor defect. Many also greatly limit the port selection, at times just to dual-link dvi.

Deals are always coming in for screens. Check: fatwallet.com, slickdeals.com, techbargins.com, newegg (+email deals), and of course amazon. There's definitely black friday deals out there right now.

 

[MRrainer]

OK, thanks for your answers.
PerhapsI should make clearer why I am looking for a new monitor.

I currently have a Dell monitor capable of 1680x1050
The standard HD monitors suggested by Kaida (thanks) are both 1920x1080 which is not much dissimilar from what I already have.
I was hoping of gaining a significantly higher screen real estate expressed by a higher resolution, hence my question about 4k monitors.
Maybe a better question is: Do you know if my 2012 Mini is capable of driving a 4k monitor at 3840 x 2160 resolution at 30 Hz out of the box, the same as a 2014 model, or am I limited to the Thunderbolt/MiniDisplay Port output at 2560x1600?
Considering all of the above, what monitor do you suggest, at the maximum resolution that can be driven by a 2012 mini?

Thanks again.

There are very few displays these days that can do 2560x1600. And they are expensive. Really expensive.

• Dell UP 3017
• HP z30i
• Dell U 3014 (older model)
  
• NEC PA302
• NEC SpectraView 302 (same display, additional software and a hood)

Listed in order of pricey-ness.
If money hadn't been an issue, I'd have gotten the PA302 myself - it's reportedly an absolutely fabulous display.
As such, I had to make with the old HP LP3065 of my boss as a hand-down...