The Mac Mini M4 stands out as one of the best options on the Apple market in terms of value for money. But to take full advantage of it, it is essential to combine it with a quality external screen. Between 4K, 5K and even 8K models, the choice can be complex. Here is our selection of the best screens to accompany your Mac Mini in 2024.
The iMac, the alternative with screen
The Mac Mini M4 is positioned as the most affordable Mac with a starting price of €699, less than half the price of an iMac M4. But the latter has an excellent screen, an inimitable design and a form factor all-in-one that has no equal on the market. However, once again, it costs almost twice as much as what is considered to be Apple’s best console.
With similar performance between the two machines, opting for a Mac Mini accompanied by an external screen offers several advantages: a greater choice of screen sizes, better possible display quality, and above all better value for money . Indeed, a complete setup with Mac Mini M4, 27-inch 4K screen and high-end peripherals costs around €1,200, compared to €1,500 for the basic 24-inch iMac. In addition, there is the possibility of upgrading your setup much more easily than with an iMac where everything is on-board and not upgradable.
Apple screens: excellent but too expensive
The first choice would logically be to stay in the ecosystem with the screens offered by Apple. With some exclusives like True Tone, Center Stage and keyboard brightness control, Apple’s solution seems ready. However, there is a big but. At €1,749 and €5,499 respectively (excluding options), the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR are at an incredible price considering what they offer. While they are obviously of excellent quality, other screens two to three times less expensive are just as good. Save your money to beef up your Mac setup or choose better peripherals. In short, if you value the few technologies exclusive to Apple, opt for the iMac which costs less than the cheapest of Apple’s screens.
BenQ MA270U and MA320U: perfect integration with Apple
The new BenQ MA270U (27-inch) and MA320U (32-inch) monitors represent a true revolution for Mac users. These 4K UHD 60 HZ displays have been specifically designed to integrate seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, with particular attention paid to the details that make the difference. The design has been designed to harmonize with Apple products, featuring a space gray aluminum base and elegant slim bezels. Software integration is particularly notable thanks to the iKeyboard Control feature, which allows you to control brightness and volume directly from the Apple keyboard keys, just like on a MacBook. With a portable Mac, brightness synchronization between the MacBook screen and the BenQ monitor is done automatically using built-in sensors.
In terms of panel quality, BenQ claims that these screens are almost identical to those of the MacBook Pro and color consistency is maintained without installing third-party software. The connectivity is generous with a USB-C port delivering 90W to power even a 16-inch MacBook Pro, two HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB-A ports and a second 15W USB-C port. Always-on Power Charging even charges your devices when the screen is off. Priced at €499 and €599 respectively, these monitors constitute a relevant alternative to the Apple Studio Display, offering a premium user experience at a much more accessible price.
Samsung Viewfinity S80D: the affordable versatile 4k screen
The Samsung ViewFinity S80D 27-inch is positioned as an excellent 4K monitor for Mac users, combining image quality and professional features. Its IPS panel offers a UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels with excellent pixel density, ideal for creative and office work. It too is clocked at 60 Hz, like the two Apple monitors.
It supports HDR10 and displays 1.07 billion colors for faithful hue reproduction, with deeper contrasts and more vibrant highlight areas. On the connectivity side, it has HDMI, DisplayPort and USB ports, while its ergonomic foot allows height, tilt and rotation adjustments up to 90 degrees. With a brightness of 350 cd/m² and a response time of 5 ms, this TÜV certified screen for visual comfort represents excellent value for money (€299) for Apple users looking for a versatile 4K monitor.
LG UltraWide 34WR55QK-B: an ultra-wide screen among the best
The LG UltraWide 34WR55QK-B stands out in our selection for its ultra-wide 21:9 format, particularly suited to Mac users looking for extended work space. Its 34-inch curved VA panel offers UWQHD (3440 x 1440 pixels) resolution which allows you to comfortably display multiple windows side by side, ideal for productivity under macOS. The 100 Hz refresh rate ensures appreciable fluidity, while the native contrast of 3000:1 and HDR10 compatibility guarantee excellent image quality. The 1800R curvature optimizes immersion and reduces eye fatigue during long work sessions.
On the connectivity side, there are two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort and a USB hub, all complemented by features such as Reading Mode and FreeSync technology. Its height-adjustable stand and its attractive price of €369 make it an attractive alternative for Mac Mini users looking for a versatile monitor in panoramic format. Ultrawide screens are a particular format but very appreciated for the productivity boost they provide, it is in any case absolutely worth a try.
Samsung Smart Monitor M8: close to Studio Display
Last but not least, the Samsung Smart Monitor stands out for its more than interesting value for money. Although it does not offer a refresh rate of 120 Hz, it compensates with 4K resolution, diverse connectivity and an elegant design available in four colors. It stands out as an affordable but efficient alternative to Apple’s Studio Display.
Available in two screen sizes of 32 or 27 inches, it offers 4K resolution, USB-C connectivity with up to 65W charging, HDR 10+ support, 99% coverage of the sRGB color gamut, 400 nits brightness, and an ultra-thin design with reduced bezels. In addition, it can serve as a smart TV with Apple AirPlay and is equipped with a SlimFit webcam. Let’s not forget spatial audio since this year, as well as the possibility of customizing settings from macOS.
Prices start at €699 for the 27-inch and €749 for the 32-inch, providing an attractive option for Apple users looking to stretch their budget without sacrificing quality.
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