Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#1

Post by sarupbanskota » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 3:13 AM UTC

I've never owned an external monitor my whole life (mostly due to a nomadic lifestyle).

The only screen I'm used to is the default Retina Display on a MacBook Pro. I'd like to buy my first external monitor and I can't figure out which one.

— Usually, I buy Apple hardware, but Studio display feels excessively expensive

— I live in Singapore, so I can't return a monitor other brands if I don't like it

— The review sites on the internet don't feel very trustworthy

If you had to bet on 1 monitor for ~$700 without trying it, which one would you pick? Which one has worked well for you and why?

Notes: — I don't play games or watch Netflix

— I code occasionally on the weekend. I do work with professional, large codebases, but not as a full-time engineer

— I have a great external webcam

— Don't own an external speaker

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#2

Post by alwillis » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 3:52 AM UTC

I would start here [1].

[1]: https://9to5mac.com/2023/10/19/best-4k-usb-c-displays-for-ma...

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#3

Post by jelavich » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 4:59 AM UTC

alwillis wrote: post #2

I would start here [1]. [1]: https://9to5mac.com/2023/10/19/best-4k-usb-c-displays-for-ma...

Agree my first thought also

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#4

Post by vmurthy » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 5:07 AM UTC

Personal experience has been great with Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor - S2721QS [0]. Similar workload to you although I am not a developer . Cost about 300 AUD. There's a USB-C one , too for about 700 SGD [1]

[0]https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-27-4k-uhd-monitor-s2721...

[1]https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-usb-c-...

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#5

Post by biglyburrito » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 6:00 AM UTC

vmurthy wrote: post #4

Personal experience has been great with Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor - S2721QS [0]. Similar workload to you although I am not a developer . Cost about 300 AUD. There's a USB-C one , too for about 700 SGD [1] [0] https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-27-4k-uhd-monitor-s2721... [1] https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-usb-c-...

Another vote for Dell Ultrasharp, and I _am_ a developer.

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#6

Post by NhanH » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 6:19 AM UTC

Pick a 4K in your price range from Dell or LG and you should be good to go.

Outside the US, recommending specific display is not particularly useful since stocks is an issue, not to mention the model would be straight up unavailable to you.

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#7

Post by sarupbanskota » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 7:03 AM UTC

Thanks everyone for the tips and links. Gonna look for the top Dell Ultrasharp or LG Ultrafine model that's in stock and within my budget, and go for it.

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#8

Post by andrei_says_ » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 8:05 AM UTC

I really like my Gygabyte m27Q 27” 2k monitor. Supplies 15 W via usb-c which charges my MacBook Pro while also serving as display port.

It’s sells for less than half of your budget.

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#9

Post by ps256 » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 12:50 PM UTC

LG 24UD58-B - it's cheap, works well with MacOS, obviously not as good as a MacBook Pro display but doesn't look like shit next to it either.

Re: Ask HN: Best monitor for a MacBook Pro for ~US$700?

#10

Post by thejackgoode » Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 12:58 PM UTC

vmurthy wrote: post #4

Personal experience has been great with Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor - S2721QS [0]. Similar workload to you although I am not a developer . Cost about 300 AUD. There's a USB-C one , too for about 700 SGD [1] [0] https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-27-4k-uhd-monitor-s2721... [1] https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-usb-c-...

Careful with Dells, their USB-C support for Macs have been historically horrible. I have one, there are sleep/wake issues, as well as USB accessories connectivity problems. Their website is full of complaints, but they don't seem to care.