There are hundreds of monitors on the market and choosing the right one can be a difficult task. We’ve gathered the best monitors to pair with your M1-based Mac.
Best versatile monitor
Dell – U2720QM Ultrasharp
The Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q 27-inch monitor offers multiple video input options and great specs at a reasonable price. The monitor is not compatible with Thunderbolt, but the included USB-C port supports DisplayPort alt mode for connection to your M1-based Mac.
This USB-C monitor will connect to your laptop via a single cable to provide video output, 90W of power and three additional USB-A ports. The biggest difference between this monitor and LG’s most expensive is the lack of the Thunderbolt specification.
The data carried 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 your Mac.
Dell Ultrasharp also has a DisplayPort and HDMI connection for multiple inputs. The M1-based Mac will only be able to connect to an external monitor, so the connection via USB-C is ideal.
This monitor has 4K resolution at 3840×2160, HDR 400, 95% P3 color range and 60Hz refresh rate. The included support allows vertical or horizontal rotation.
You can purchase the Dell U2720Q Ultrasharp 27-inch monitor for $ 529.00 at B&H (currently on hold). Or you can buy it now for $ 544.50 on Amazon.
Best budget monitor
Lenovo – Q24i-10
Choosing a monitor on a budget shouldn’t mean buying something you won’t like. The Lenovo Q24i-10 24-inch HD monitor has a unique design and slim shape.
It is 1920×1080 full HD with a refresh rate of up to 75Hz. Users can connect via HDMI or VGA depending on the use case.
It has built-in 3 W speakers and a headset for use with a headset or speaker.
This simple monitor will match your desk setup and its aluminum foot is the perfect place for a closed Mac mini or MacBook Air.
Best Thunderbolt Monitor
LG UltraFine 27MD5KLB-B
LG UltraFine Thunderbolt monitors remain the best third-party monitor 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 that users can connect a Thunderbolt 3-compatible USB Type-C connector to the Mac and have access to the monitor, 94 W power path and USB-C hub at the rear. The data is transmitted at 40 GB / s and the data from the three USB 3.1 Type C ports is transmitted at 10 GB / s each.
When using an M1-based Mac, you can take advantage of Thunderbolt 3, but you cannot chain monitors or connect external GPUs. Thunderbolt hubs and storage devices will work, however.
With 5K resolution of 5120×2880, P3 color range of 99% and 500 nits of brightness, you will have the most Apple-like experience possible on a third-party monitor.
Best performance monitor
LG 27GN95B-B
Game monitors often come with bright LED backlights, aggressive design and expensive price tags. The LG UltraGear 27-inch gaming monitor is a performance powerhouse with all the specifications you want when connecting to a Mac.
The monitor is comparable to the LG UltraFine 5K mentioned before, but this screen is about $ 450 cheaper. You won’t find the Thunderbolt 3, but it has HDR10 and 98% P3 color gamut.
The 3840×2160 4K screen has a refresh rate of 144 Hz and a response time of 1 ms. When using compatible PCs, it features AMD FeeSync and Nvidia G-Sync features.
While you may not be able to take advantage of the gaming features, the glossy display with wide color accuracy is the closest you can get to UltraFine without spending the extra money.
The rear of the monitor has an RGB LED ring that will glow with colors depending on settings made with proprietary software or via settings on the monitor. This can be turned off entirely or show static colors as desired.
You can connect via HDMI or DisplayPort and have a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type B port for access to two Type-A ports.
The LG UltraGear 27GN95B-B can be ordered from B&H for $ 844.99.
Best UltraWide monitor
Acer El342CKR Pbmiippx
Ultra-wide monitors have become popular as an alternative to various display configurations. This will be especially important for M1-based Mac users, since you can only connect an external monitor. The 34-inch Acer El342CKR Pbmiippx monitor is an ultra-wide 21: 9 QHD monitor.
QHD is “2K” or 1440p resolution that fits between HD and 4K. The ultra-wide monitor has a resolution of 3440×1440 and a P3 color range of 93% with HDR 400 and refresh rate up to 144Hz.
It has a curved screen for easy viewing when looking ahead. It has AMD FreeSync for PCs compatible with specifications.
There are two DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. The 144 Hz refresh rate is limited to the DisplayPort connection and HDMI supports up to 100 Hz.
You can buy the 32-inch Acer 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 one sold by Apple itself. The Pro Display XDR is a monitor monster with gigantic price and reference level specifications.
We cannot seriously recommend the Pro Display XDR, as the people who need it will have already purchased it. If you have a few thousand dollars to spend, however, this will complement any M1-based Mac with its 32-inch screen and beautiful design.
Apple compares its Pro Display XDR with professional reference monitors that cost at least $ 40,000. The 6016×3384 6K display has a contrast of 1 million to 1 and a color depth of 10 bits.
M1-based Macs can run the screen smoothly, but it was originally designed for use with Apple’s Mac Pro.
Standard XDR Pro Display has $ 4,799 discount with coupon code APINSIDER in Adorama. The booth is not included and can be purchased for $ 959 ($ 40 off the $ 999 retail price).
eGPU options
Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Pucks
Apple’s M1-based Macs do not support external GPU technology (eGPU). But, if you have an Intel-based Mac, you can consider using an eGPU to increase performance, power your portable Mac, and in some cases, provide legacy ports and networks.
DIY cabinets generally can’t speed up a monitor that connects via USB-C or Thunderbolt 3, so look for HDMI or DisplayPort monitors if you’re going that route.
But, Sonnet’s latest eGPU Breakaway Pucks are able to increase the performance of USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 monitors.
The Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Pucks comes in two variations, depending on which integrated eGPU you want. The Radeon RX 5500 XT model is available on special order from B&H for $ 599.99. The Radeon RX 5700 model is also available for $ 899.99 at B&H.