The 3 Best Monitor for the Mac Mini

Apple Mac mini (M1)

In November of 2020, Apple was determined to move away from the ubiquitous Intel chip. They released their own Apple Silicon processors (Apple M1) as they moved away from using Intel. Flash forward to 2022, Apple's Mac mini is still, by far, the most compact chip. The Mac Mini (M1) has a higher performance processing power than that of the intel chip. The Mac mini has a slim, sleek design that provides the space to showcase a brilliant monitor (or two) depending on your professional or personal needs. Fortunately, the Mac Mini is able to meet the needs of those from the professional photo editors and competitive gamers to those with the everyday needs of the home and office worker as it is compatible with an array of monitors.

Monitors come with varying specifications (specs). If you are in the market for a compatible monitor and you already know the specs you want, you might want to skip down to the pros and cons. If you are having a hard time choosing or just do not know what to look for hang in there. First, you will need to identify how you will be using your new monitor.

Choosing A Monitor

There are so many monitor specs to look at and every model has its strengths. When exploring specs, consider the physical and technical attributes that will fit your needs. One question you want to ask yourself is WHAT YOU WILL BE USING YOUR MONITOR FOR. In order to simplify your list of options, here is a list of various questions you can ask yourself to trim that list:

• What will the main purpose of this monitor be?
• Will this be a professional work monitor? If so, what software and applications will be necessary?
• Will this be a personal work monitor? If so, what software and applications will be necessary?
• Will you be using this monitor for gaming? If so, what type? (Fast-paced animation? Role playing?)
• Do you need it for photo or video editing? (basic or high quality professional editing?)
• Do you want a monitor to watch movies and videos? If so, do you need a great quality picture or will average visual specs suffice?

Once you explore the purpose of your new monitor, think about the software and applications you plan to use. Explore the parameters around the utilizations of the software and applications. Will you need a large screen or small screen? Does resolution matter to you? Do you need an accurate color reproduction or fast refresh rate? What port options do you need available? Now that you are thinking more pragmatically about the model you may want, consider accessibility and comfort. Do you need a stable design or adjustable? Does ease of use or user friendly set-up matter to you? Do you prefer an ergonomic design or standard model? Do you prefer a light weight monitor? Are you looking for a desk-top base or VESA wall mountable monitor? Do you need visual wellness supportive technology (i.e, built-in blue light screen)? There are so many specifications that you look at in order to choose the monitor that will work best for you. For example, if you need a monitor for general typing tasks and other everyday home and office work, you may not need a monitor with the specs to support fast-paced animation and high resolution photo editing. Conversely, if you are a professional artist, serious gamer or photo/video editor you might be in the market to spend a little more on the visual and audio specs that meet your needs.

There are many ways to divvy up the specs to help determine the monitor that will best meet your needs. Exploring all of these technical and physical specifications will help you identify and meet your needs for the best compatible monitor for the Apple Mac mini. The basics are:

• Size
• Design
• Functionality
• Perfomance
• Durability
• Value

Monitor Options (Available On Amazon)

27 Inch LG Ultra Fine 5k Monitor

If you are looking for a monitor to support the work of a professional visual artist and editor, here is a top tier option. Consider the LG 27MD5KL-B 27 INCH ULTRA FINE 5K MONITOR. Top rated across specs, this 27 inch model is great for visual content, including gaming and photo editing. The quality 5k resolution (5120x2880) and screen brightness (550 nits) provides great clarity via crisp and clear viewing experience. Easy to set up, the LG 27MD5KL-B is compatible with other Apple Mac mini and MacBooks and has a built in camera and microphone. As this model is highly rated in resolution and brightness, the refresh rate of 60hz (while fine for many) is subpar for gaming. While the design is fairly basic, the sleek black frame may intrude on the viewing experience. If you need a monitor that extends to meet accessibility or comfort needs, this may not be the best option as the stability is compromised as you lengthen the height of the monitor. The LG 27MD5KL-B is priced quite high, yet on par for the quality of the viewing experience and detail provided for those in the market for that spectacular Ultra Fine 5k resolution.

Pros and cons

• Resolution
• Screen brightness
• User friendly
• Compatibility
• Built-in camera
• Buil-in microphone

• Higher price point
• Design
• Stability

32 INCH DELL 4K MONITOR

Next, consider the DELL 32 MONITOR-P3222QE-4K RESOLUTION, IPS TECHNOLOGY USB-C HUB MONITOR. If you are in the market for a monitor that is less professional photography and more information efficiency- you might want to check this one out. The 32 inch 4k screen provides amazing clarity while the IPS technology allows for the best view no matter the angle. One stand-out spec is that this monitor has a built-in blue light screen to help support visual wellness. The 4k resolution (3840x2160) has a decent refresh rate (60hz) and desirable color gamut (99% sRGB color space). The functionality of this monitor is an added benefit as the design is ergonomic; the screen tilts, swivels and pivots while also providing adjustable height options. Among the 11 connectivity options the DELL 32 MONITOR-P3222QE-4K RESOLUTION, IPS TECHNOLOGY USB-C HUB MONITOR includes RJ45 for wired Ethernet and USB-C port (90w). The slim design also includes a clutter-free organizational offering in the monitor (another standout spec!) - you can hide the cords inside the riser. While the technical and physical specs offered support for maximized efficiency and work flow, the monitor is a bulky, there are no built-in speakers and the price point is still a bit on the higher end.

Pros and cons

• Design
• Functionality
• Ergonomic
• Resolution
• sRGB color space
• Multiple port options

• No built-in speakers
• Bulky
• Pricey

27 INCH ASUS PROART DISPLAY MONITOR

Finally, a more budget friendly option designed with graphics, gaming and visual content creators in mind is the ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27 WQHD Monitor. ASUS is known for their quality ProArt products that offer accurate color reproduction at a competitive price. ASUS has a good reputation among the professional artists and content creators and the design of the monitor offers a clear view without a frame. While ASUS offers two monitors virtually equivalent (24 inch and 27 inch) the 27 inch has a better resolution (1920x1200 and 25609x1440, respectively). The setup is user friendly and offers a fantastic ergonomic design (tilt, swivel and pivot) with height adjustments. The monitor has an amazing refresh rate (75hz) for the price. The color accuracy is Delta E < 2, is Calman Verified and meets the international color standard (100sRGB, 100% Rec.709 wide color gamut). For those looking for a monitor for video (i.e., animated content), the refresh rate coupled with the Adaptive-Sync technology (48~75hz) enables quality fast-action viewing and minimal screen tearing. One physical spec that stands out is the fact that this monitor is VESA wall mountable enabling you to design your space accordingly. Considering the ProArt color reproduction and accuracy it has a mediocre contrast ratio (1000 : 1). However, while this monitor is equipped with four USB 3.0 ports, it does not have a USB-C port. This monitor does have an audio-in and earphone jack, but the speakers are subpar. ASUS ProArt products tend to cater more to the visual arts (i.e., graphic design and photography) audience. While theASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27 WQHD Monitor is considered a more budget friendly option, it is a very competitively priced model with regards to its strengths: color performance, ergonomics and refresh rate.

Pros and cons

• Competitive price point
• Calman Verified, Delta E < 2
• Ergonomic
• Refresh rate
• Adaptive-Sync technology
• VESA wall-mountable

• Contrast Ratio
• No USB-C port
• Subpar speaker quality

In conclusion: The Best Monitor for the Mac Mini

Whether you need a monitor to perform high end professional quality photo editing, fast-paced animation gaming or content creation, there are plenty of monitors compatible with the Apple Mac mini to fit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a monitor to pair with a Mac Mini?

When pairing a monitor with a Mac Mini, look for a monitor with a high-resolution display that matches the capabilities of the Mac Mini, such as 4K resolution for crisp and clear visuals. Also, consider monitors with good color accuracy and brightness levels, especially if you're into graphic design or video editing. Connectivity is another important factor; ensure the monitor has ports that are compatible with the Mac Mini’s outputs.