Apple shook up the computer world forever in November when it introduced the first Mac lineup with its own Apple Silicon processors. Dubbed the M1, this processor blew professionals and critics away with its seamless performance and impressive benchmarks. The top dog of those new devices was the M1 Mac Mini. With Apple’s in-house processors, the Mac Mini is now one of the best computers you can get, period. But great computer will need great peripherals, which the Mac Mini lacks out of the box, unlike its desktop counterparts like the iMac.
But what monitor is compatible with the Mini and the best choice for your Mac Mini setup? Apple used to make its own displays, but the last one was discontinued in 2016. While Apple recently released a new line of Pro displays, they are out of reach for most consumers (price-wise, they start at $5,000 for just the monitor — no stand), so for now, the best options remain other brands. One of our favorites is the LG UltraFine 5K monitor. It has a beautiful 27-inch screen with a beautiful display. There are other monitors out there, so let’s go over the top choices for you to consider.
The best Mac Mini displays
LG UltraFine 5K
The LG UltraFine 5K display is a workhorse. It features a beautiful 27-inch screen (5,120 x 2,880 resolution), which is also the size of Apple’s larger iMac, and has a similar P3 wide color gamut with 500 nits brightness. The monitor comes with both USB-C and Thunderbolt. The single Thunderbolt 3 port connects to the Mac Mini, and the three USB-C ports offer 5Gbps downstream for other external devices. The monitor can also be adjusted up and down to improve your viewing experience.
The biggest downfall of this display (aside from its not-quite-Apple aesthetic) is the price. TheLG UltraFine 5K will set you back around $1,300 — but keep in mind, this is a 5K display. Also, the newly released Apple Pro Display XDR will run you $5,000 (without a stand) so this does seem like a better deal.
LG UltraFine 4K
Similar to its bigger brother, the LG UltraFine 5K, the UltraFine 4K offers the same great display, P3 wide color gamut, and 500 nits brightness. The UltraFine 4K is a bit smaller than its 5K counterpart, sizing up at 24 inches with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160. But it’s also much less expensive than the 5K model. The UltraFine 4K will run you about $700.
One area of difference between the 5K and 4K UltraFine displays (aside from size and resolution) is that the UltraFine 4K has two Thunderbolt 3 ports (the 5K only has one) and three USB-C (USB 3.1 gen 1, 5 Gbps) on the back. This is helpful for plugging in additional accessories such as a Thunderbolt 3 external drive.
BenQ PD3220U 32-inch
BenQ’s 32-inch monitor is tailor-made for Apple users. That’s because not only does it work in the P3 wide color gamut that Apple uses on all of its products, but it even has an “M-book” mode, which is essentially the P3 gamut with a tweaked white point to make images look even better. Throw in excellent color accuracy and minimal color error and you’ve got yourself an ideal monitor if you need to edit photos and videos on your Mac Mini.
The $1,200 price tag may seem on the expensive side at first, but consider that Apple’s own Pro Display XDR will set you back a cool $5,000 andBenQ’s offering starts to look like quite the bargain. If color accuracy is a must, it’s worth the cost.
LG 34WK95U-W UltraWide monitor
LG offers this 34-inch model with a 5K resolution for those looking for a clean design and top-notch image quality. The 5,120 x 2,160 resolution is backed by a 5ms response time and a 60Hz refresh rate. USB-C/Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C ports are all included on this model, so you don’t need to worry about compatibility.
As we noted in our review, the menu options are very easy to use via the hidden joystick, and allow for detailed adjustment of color and image quality. The price is high, but theLG 34WK95U-W monitor really has it all.
HP 34f
Curved monitors are great for multimedia lovers who plan on playing a lot of games or watching a lot of movies and TV on their computer. Now that the M1 has finally made the Mac a competent gaming solution, a curved monitor is an excellent option for your new Mac Mini setup. The HP 34f is one of the best curved monitors to come out recently. It’s more affordable than many of its competitors, but it doesn’t sacrifice a lot of premium features to achieve that price. The monitor doesn’t have a USB-C port, but it does have a DisplayPort that the Mac Mini can output to via USB-C.
Productivity gurus will also enjoy the 34-inch surface, which feels more fluid and natural than two monitors side by side. Whatever you plan on using it for, the HP 34f [/cc-placement]is a great curved monitor that won’t break the bank.
Dell S2719DC 27-inch
You have lots of choices when it comes to connecting Dell monitors to a Mac Mini, but the S-series IPS model distinguishes itself from the crowd. It features terrific Dell HDR and shares so much of the Mac Mini’s aesthetic that it would be easy to mistake it for an Apple product.
Its display features built-in HDMI and USB ports, plus two USB 3.0 ports. You can use the unique security lock slot to secure the monitor. This model’s resolution is reasonably detailed, measuring a solid 2,560 x 1,440. We particularly love the Dell s2719DC’s sleek design—its thin bezels fit right in with Apple’s minimalist look.
Common questions about the Mac Mini
If you are considering the M1 Mac Mini but have never had one before, you may have some questions about what you will need and what the Mac Mini can do. Here are some of the most common questions to get you started.
Does a Mac Mini need a monitor?
Yes. The Mac Mini does not come with a monitor included, so you will need to purchase one separately.
Can you use any monitor with a Mac Mini?
Yes, you can connect the Mac Mini to virtually any monitor as long as you have the proper ports or adapters. The Mac Mini is a really flexible device, and it comes with two display outputs. One is USB-C/Thunderbolt and the other is HDMI 2.0. You can get adapters and accessories to convert it to DVI or VGA monitors.
Does the Mac Mini support 4K resolution?
Yes. The HDMI supports 4K up to 60Hz, and the Thuderbolt port outputs up to 6K at 60Hz.
Can the Mac Mini support two monitors?
Since the Mac Mini has two display ports, it does support two monitors. However, you cannot daisy chain with the Thunderbolt connection. You are limited to one for each. The M1 MacBooks are limited to only one external display.
Can I use a Mac Mini with my iMac monitor?
While prior Mac Mini models had some workarounds to get a Mac Mini running on an iMac monitor. You will have to get a separate display.
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