There are hundreds of monitors on the market and it can be a difficult task to choose the right one. We’ve put together the best monitors to pair with your M1-based Mac.
Best monitor
Dell – U2720QM Ultrasharp
The Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q 27-inch monitor offers several version input options and excellent specifications for a reasonable price. The monitor may not be compatible with Thunderbolt, but the included USB-C port supports DisplayPort alt mode to connect to your M1-based Mac.
This USB-C monitor can be connected via a single cable to your laptop to display 90 W of power and three additional USB-A ports. The biggest difference between this monitor and the more expensive one from LG is the lack of the Thunderbolt specification.
Data transferred over the USB-C connection will be 10 GB / s, which is suitable for peripherals and external drives. For the fastest data transfer speeds, you want to connect your devices directly to the Mac.
The Dell Ultrasharp also has a DisplayPort and HDMI connection for multiple inputs. The M1-based Mac can only be connected to one external monitor, so it’s ideal for connecting via USB-C.
This monitor has 4K resolution at 3840×2160, HDR 400, 95% P3 color gamut and 60Hz refresh rate. The enclosed stand allows vertical or horizontal rotation.
You can get the Dell U2720Q Ultrasharp 27-inch monitor for $ 529.00 from B&H (currently on a new order). Or you can pick it up now for $ 544.50 at Amazon.
Best budget monitor
Lenovo – Q24i-10
Choosing a budget-conscious monitor should not mean buying something you do not like. The Lenovo Q24i-10 24-inch HD monitor has a unique design and slim form factor.
It is 1920×1080 full HD with a refresh rate of 75Hz. Users can connect via HDMI or VGA, depending on the usage case.
It has built-in 3W speakers and a headphone jack for headphone or speaker use.
This simple monitor will connect to your desktop setup and the aluminum stand is the perfect place for a Mac mini or closed MacBook Air.
Best Thunderbolt Monitor
LG UltraFine 27MD5KLB-B
The LG UltraFine Thunderbolt monitors remain the best third-party monitoring options for Mac users. The 27-inch 5K model was designed with MacOS in mind with Thunderbolt 3, integrated brightness and volume control and a built-in camera.
Thunderbolt 3 means users can connect one Thunderbolt 3 compatible USB Type-C connector to their Mac and have access to the monitor, 94W power outlet and the USB-C hub at the rear. Data is transmitted at 40 GB / s and data from the three USB 3.1 Type-C ports is transmitted at full 10 GB / s each.
If you use an M1-based Mac, you can use Thunderbolt 3, but you can not connect monitors or connect external GPUs. However, Thunderbolt hubs and devices will work.
With 5120×2880 5K resolution, 99% P3 color gamut and 500 net brightness, you have the most Apple-like experience possible on a third-party screen.
Best Performance Monitor
LG 27GN95B-B
Game monitors often have bright LED taillights, aggressive design and expensive price tags. The LG UltraGear 27-inch gaming monitor is a power performance with all the specifications you want when you connect a Mac.
The monitor is similar to the LG UltraFine 5K mentioned earlier, but this screen is about $ 450 cheaper. You will not get Thunderbolt 3, but it has HDR10 and 98% P3 color gamut.
The 3840×2160 4K screen has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 1 ms. When using compatible computers, it has AMD FeeSync and Nvidia G-Sync features.
Although you can not take advantage of the game features, the bright screen with a wide color accuracy is as close as you can get to UltraFine without spending extra money.
The back of the monitor has an RGB LED ring that will let colors shine, depending on the settings made with own software or via settings on the monitor. It can be turned off completely or show static colors as desired.
You can connect via HDMI or DisplayPort, and it has a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type B input for accessing two Type-A ports.
The LG UltraGear 27GN95B-B can be ordered from B&H for $ 844.99.
Best UltraWide Monitor
Acer El342CKR Pbmiippx
Ultrawide monitors have become popular as an alternative to multiple screen setups. This is especially important for M1-based Mac users, as you can only connect one external monitor. The Acer El342CKR Pbmiippx 34-inch monitor is a 21: 9 ultra-wide QHD screen.
QHD is the “2K” or 1440p resolution that fits between HD and 4K. The ultra-wide monitor has a resolution of 3440×1440 and a 93% P3 color scale with HDR 400 and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz.
It has a curved screen to make it easier to see when looking straight ahead. It has AMD FreeSync for computers that are compatible with the specification.
There are two DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. The 144Hz refresh rate is limited to the DisplayPort connection and HDMI will support up to 100Hz.
You can buy the Acer 32-inch ultra-wide monitor for $ 429.99 at B&H.
The Apple Monitor
Apple Pro Display XDR
Of course, the best screen you can buy is the screen that Apple sells itself. The Pro Display XDR is a sample of a monitor with reference grade specifications and a huge price tag.
We can not seriously recommend the Pro Display XDR, because the people who need it will have already bought it. If you have a few thousand dollars to spend, it will complement any M1-based Mac with its 32-inch screen and beautiful design.
Apple compares its Pro Display XDR to professional reference monitors that cost at least $ 40,000. The 616 screen 6016×3384 has a contrast of 1 million to 1 and color depth of 10 bit.
M1-based Macs can run the screen smoothly, but were originally designed to be used with Apple’s Mac Pro.
The standard Pro Display XDR is reduced to $ 4,799 with coupon code APINSIDER by Adorama. The stand is not included and can be purchased at $ 959 ($ 40 off the $ 999 sale price).
eGPU options
Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Pucks
Apple’s M1-based Macs do not support external GPU (eGPU) technology. But if you have an Intel-based Mac, you may want to consider using an eGPU to increase performance, power your portable Mac, and in some cases provide old-fashioned ports and networks.
The DIY housings usually cannot accelerate a monitor that connects via USB-C or Thunderbolt 3, so look for HDMI or DisplayPort monitors when going on the trail.
But Sonnet’s latest eGPU Breakaway Pucks can boost the performance of USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 screens.
The Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Pucks come in two variations, depending on the integrated eGPU you want. The Radeon RX 5500 XT model is available at B&H for $ 599.99. The Radeon RX 5700 model is also available for $ 899.99 at B&H.