Hi Rod,
Sounds like a good plan. For me, if you can find a reasonable deal, I would reckon it is worth going to the 2560 x 1440 over the 1920x1080 for a couple of reasons: Screen resolutions have been increasing for a while and, though you don’t need 4K, I certainly find the QHD 2560x1440 resolution is noticeably better than the HD 1920x1080. 2560x1440 is the same resolution as your 27” iMac – so you then have the option of a dual 2560x1440 desktop for: As a second monitor for your iMac (if you still use it). Provided your model MacBook pro will drive dual extended displays and you resolve the connection issue (as previously discussed, either directly or via a Luna display) – then as an external monitor for your MacBook pro with the iMac as an extended desktop display. I would also note that if you find a monitor with both HDMI and Display Port inputs (like mine) you can have it simultaneously connected to both the iMac (via Display Port) and the MacBook Pro (via HDMI) and chose which computer you use it with at any time by just changing the source input on the monitor (I tried this & it works as expected). Also price and availability seem to change rapidly and the upcoming EOFY may offer new deals but may reduce availability – for example, looking at Officeworks today, I cannot see my model listed anymore but: The flat screen version of my curved monitor is available at a price that is $44 more than I paid for the (normally more expensive) curved version https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/lenovo-31-5-2k-qhd-ips-monitor-d32q-20-syl65f7gac The height adjustable version of my curved monitor is shown at a price that is $8 less than I paid for the non-height adjustable version – but is not actually available!! https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/lenovo-31-5-2k-qhd-1ms-144hz-curved-gaming-monitor-g32qc-10-sy66a2gacb Anyway, it really boils down to being clear on what sort of display real estate you want/need and getting what suits your working methods, so – shop around! Cheers Neil From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Rod Blitvich <[email protected]> Reply-To: WAMUG <[email protected]> Date: Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 09:10 To: WAMUG <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [WAMUG] External Monitor for MacBook Pro Thanks to everyone for your useful advice. So I’m thinking it doesn’t seem essential to spend big bucks. Nor does it seem the monitor needs to be labelled “mac compatible”. Probably don’t need 4K resolution, but 1920x1080 or 2560 x 1440 might be nice. I am wondering whether Brightness specs are important? Some are 250 nits? Others are 300 or higher. Anyway going to look around at Officeworks and JB. But First - I HAVE TO TIDY THE STUDY! 🤣 Thanks again everyone Blitto Rod Blitvich - Amy & Sam’s Dad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] On 17 May 2022, at 4:57 pm, Marcus Harris <[email protected]> wrote: I bought a 27 inch frameless monitor, 2560x1440 resolution with HDMI connection from Kogan. It was about $300 a year ago. It’s perfect for general use. I believe the main thing that others have noted is that QHD 2560x1440 resolution is far superior to HD 1920x1080, so pay that bit extra. Cheers Marcus Marcus Harris P.O. Box 7135 Shenton Park Western Australia 6008 Australia Cryptodome Pty Ltd [email protected] Mob: +61 (0) 417965618 <Club_Logo.jpg><Theme_Logo.jpg> On 16 May 2022, at 7:36 pm, Neil Houghton <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Rod, I’d second what Peter said – I’ve bought a couple of external monitors over the last 14 months and both have just connected and worked with both my late 2009 27” iMac and my new 13” M1 Macbook air. I think the best approach is really to just think about: · what sort of display real estate you want/need · what is the resolution of your computer · what is the driving capacity of your computer For myself: · My iMac has a native resolution of 2560x 1440 and simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to a 30-inch display (2560 by 1600 pixels) on an external display · My MacBook Air has a native resolution of 2560 × 1600 and simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and one external display with up to 6016x3384 resolution at 60Hz · My Phillips 273v7qdsb has Native Resolution of 1920 x 1080 and HDMI, DVI-D and D-sub inputs. · My Lenovo D32qc-20 has Native Resolution of 2560 x 1440 and HDMI and Display Port inputs. For my main iMac, I am frequently running multiple Excel spreadsheets and/or multiple browser windows with many tabs in each – so my need was for an extended desktop to maximise viewing area. Initially I had the Phillips attached with a direct mini display port to hdmi cable - which all worked fine but I found the discontinuity of tracking from the 2560x1440 iMac screen to the 1920x1080 monitor screen sufficiently annoying that I ended up reducing the iMac resolution to 1920x1080 to match the monitor – which I found much more useable. However it seemed a shame to have to resort to downgrading the iMac resolution – so, given that the iMac can support video output up to 2560x1600 - I decided to upgrade the monitor and bought the 32” Lenovo. As per my previous post, when I initially connected the Lenovo, using the same direct mini display port to hdmi cable, I found that the maximum resolution that the iMac could see was 1920 x 1080 but I then bought a mini display port to display port cable – which unlocked the full 2560 x 1440 resolution of the monitor – which now gives a seamless extended desktop of 2x 2560x1440 – which works great for me. I now use the Phillips with the MacBook Air at home - I have a USB-C hub with an HDMI port and an HDMI cable to handle the connection and I have the monitor set as the main display and the MacBook display just set to mirror the monitor – I find the 13” screen hard to view without glasses but the 27” is great. So, as you see, different setups for different purposes – but, if you are looking to use an extended desktop with 2 displays/monitors, I do find having the same vertical resolution makes for a seamless pointer transition between the two screens and avoids the annoyance of the pointer ‘banging into the brick wall”. I did see if the Macbook air would drive both the external monitor AND the Luna Display connected 27” iMac – but the Luna display app just told me that I had reached the display limit of my computer. The Luna Display app obviously makes the iMac just look like an external display and, since the MacBook air will only drive one external monitor, it is either/or but not both! I’m not sure what size your 2021 MacBook Pro is – the 13” seems to have the same capability as my MacBook Air whilst the 14” and 16” obviously have greater resolutions AND the ability to drive multiple displays. So, I hope some of that may help your considerations – and there is no need to spend $600, or more, on the monitor – I paid $227 for the 27” Full HD Phillips and $355 for the 32” curved Lenovo (flat is even cheaper) with 2560 x 1440 resolution – all at OfficeWorks. Cheers Neil From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Peter Crisp <[email protected]> Reply-To: WAMUG <[email protected]> Date: Monday, 16 May 2022 at 16:34 To: WAMUG <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [WAMUG] External Monitor for MacBook Pro Hi Blitto, I bought a pair of Lenovo 24” regular monitors around 18 months ago when I had to work from home due to you know what. I use my Windows work laptop but they work equally well on my Macbook by plugging into an HDMI port. Mac OS figures out what you’ve got and does a pretty good job of setting up. Sometimes a few tweaks needed to get scaling correct, but no fundamental flaws. A lot of sellers don’t actually know if they work with Mac OSX, can check on the manufacturers site for specifics and compatibility. I’d be surprised if there was a monitor for sale now that isn’t compatible. At worst you may have to download some drivers off the manufacturer site or wait for Mac OSX to auto get the drivers for you. If using multiple external monitors, you might need a third party adaptor to have two HDMI ports connect via a single input to the Mac. Regards Pete. On 16 May 2022, at 2:34 pm, Rod Blitvich <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Folks Please can anyone give recommendations on an external monitor for a 2021 MacBook Pro? Can one buy any external monitor (~$600) or does it have to be mac compatible (~$1000)? Thanks Blitto <image.gif> Rod Blitvich - Amy & Sam’s Dad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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