Which external monitor for MBP?

[MichelJNilsson]

Hi,

I've just joined the site so that I could post this question. I need to upgrade my computer (home office, freelance designer). I currently use a 21" 2009 iMac and 15" 2009 MBP. I have decided to 'retire' the iMac and keep the 15" as a computer for the wife. So, I have decided to purchase another MacBook Pro. I like the flexibility of being able to pick it up and go to a meeting with a client. But I also want a larger screen. So my thinking is - buy a refurbished 2017 MBP and a 27" monitor to use with it. My question is - what monitor would you consider? My budget for the screen is up to $500 and it needs to be 27". The models I have been looking at so far are (in no particular order):

- LG 27MU88
- AOC Q2790PQU
- Samsung UE590

I would be open to other suggestions from members too!

The screen will have to work with this:
15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.8GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 with Retina display (June 2017)

 

[cobracnvt]

Do you have the opportunity to see any of these in real life? I personally find it easier to make monitor decisions, seeing them in real life.

 

[MichelJNilsson]

Do you have the opportunity to see any of these in real life? I personally find it easier to make monitor decisions, seeing them in real life.

Hi Cobra, I haven't considered this aspect of the purchase but a valid point! I'm not sure TBH. Possibly - it depends on stock in local stores (Dublin, Ireland) and obviously, if the monitor is a recent model or not. I also think that my specific needs (colour accuracy and vibrancy, blackness correctness etc.) may not be the main setup for display models so what I see in-store may not be the output I'd be looking for, once purchased.

 

[kohlson]

I have been a happy user of a Dell P2715Q for perhaps 2 years. It's 4K, but I run it at 1440p - tarp sharp and makes the Dell 24-inch sitting next to it (connected to a different computer) look like mush. I think they've come down quite a bit in price. It's connected to my late 2013 15-MBP.

 

[MichelJNilsson]

I have been a happy user of a Dell P2715Q for perhaps 2 years. It's 4K, but I run it at 1440p - tarp sharp and makes the Dell 24-inch sitting next to it (connected to a different computer) look like mush. I think they've come down quite a bit in price. It's connected to my late 2013 15-MBP.

Thanks Kohlson. I had a quick look online and whilst the screen looks good and gets good reviews from c|net, there doesn't seem to be any Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on the screen, which means I would need an adapter to connect it to a new 2017 Macbook Pro. Probably not a huge deal but I'd still prefer to connect using just a single cable.

 

[topgunn]

Thanks Kohlson. I had a quick look online and whilst the screen looks good and gets good reviews from c|net, there doesn't seem to be any Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on the screen, which means I would need an adapter to connect it to a new 2017 Macbook Pro. Probably not a huge deal but I'd still prefer to connect using just a single cable.

I dislike adapters when I can just get a cable to do the same thing, especially for a use case like this.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLR62ZM/A/moshi-usb-c-to-displayport-cable

I, too, like the P2715Q. I think you will find that your options look much better when you consider all monitors and not just ones with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3.

 

[kohlson]

which means I would need an adapter to connect it to a new 2017 Macbook Pro.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I think all you would need is a USB-C-Displayport cable.