Just realised the Dell IPS 2560 x 1440 monitor I’m using is nearly 11 years old.
Assuming I keep it, I have a new unopened Mac Mini M4 Pro (waiting to see if an M5 Mini is announced at WWDC next week), and would really like a new monitor but don’t really want to stump up Apple prices.
So any recommendations for good monitors in the £400-600 price range which work well with Apple scaling?
Ah…so a “modern” monitor then. LOL. I think the three Dell 2412s on my PC rig are even older and all have slightly different tonality 
. I’ve tried calibrating & matching them using my Spyder3 thingy, but not had much success. OTOH the desktop wallpaper I have of the Tarantula Nebula** spread across the three screens is rather impressive!
**JWST photo I think.
Anyway I’ve been contemplating a new monitor for the centre/main position (not too concerned with the two outer monitors; they are really just there to extend the desktop). But the “centre/main” needs to be good for both photo editing and gaming.
One of the (pro) photographers I follow on Yootoob uses Benq monitors, so I may look at them.
If I were you, I’d check Eizo monitors too. Their performance is amazing, especially for the CG range (but that’s way more expensive than your target).
There are affordable 24” monitors from the CS range. There are also monitors from their EV range which are actually pretty good despite not being dedicated to post production and video editing (they are designed for the office).
Also don’t forget calibration, it’s a key part of the experience if you really care about color reproduction, I’m sure you already know that.
I’ve just upgraded to a new M4 iMac (replacing a 27 inch 2015 iMac) and currently use a 4K 27 inch Dell as a second display that I was using with the older machine. I’m thinking of changing the Dell to the BenQ ma270s, as that exactly matches the Mac OS scaling.
As an aside, the computer is in the music room, and the upgrade has significantly improved my streaming setup. The old Mac and HDD backup drive were noisy and ran quite warm, so I think we’re leaking a lot of noise into the streamer.
The M4 pro would be a beast, I doubt waiting for a M5 would be worth it unless you are doing very demanding work, and there is a 12 week lead-in with the RAM shortage.
Yep, that’s the other brand I was trying to remember. Had a long chat with them at the NEC photo show. Good for photo work but not so hot for gaming, was the conclusion we came to.
I agree, Eizo monitors are not done for gaming. Personally I wouldn’t care but we all look for different things. Out of curiosity I played games on Eizos in the past, it was “fine” if you don’t push it too far. The same goes for watching movies (you can really appreciate their photography by the way).
If I were to care about image quality, I would put Eizo in the first place without a doubt. Then I would also consider monitors from NEC, BenQ, Mac and Dell. I think it depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.
In my office I have screens from Eizo for cad for my Mac Studio at Home I have 2 screens from benq specifically design for mac
I don’t think a link is allowed. Google is your friend
Highest colour precision for Mac users
PD series for professional use
• Seamless Mac compatibility with Thunderbolt
• Out of the box colour fidelity for professionals
• Ideal for image processing and printing
• Quick colour and mode change with PUK
I’m currently looking at just that monitor to pair with my M1 Macbook Pro. I’m using a years-old Thunderbolt Display at the moment, and I’m seeking a replacement - potentially, at least - that will support my editing work nicely (I’m a headshot photographer amongst other things). This feels like it might be spot on without having to fork out a stupid sum of money.
It’s a bit of a gamble I guess, I’ve just sent a 24GB/512 standard M4 Mini back which would probably have been more than adequate, but I stumbled on a similarly specced Pro which was on offer and the main reason I opted for the Pro was Thunderbolt 5 ports just in case I ever want to link units with RDMA in the future (assumung they don’t have to be identical).
Tim Cook said weeks ago that there would be supply constraints due to global RAM issues for months to come, which is why I jumped at the M4 machine when it was in stock for delivery, then the M4 Pro appeared a few days later. No stock available in most places currently and Apple suggesting 10-12 weeks if you order now.
As you’ll probably know rumours suggested possible M5 release at WWDC, but that now looks unlikely, so potentially later this year if at all. I suspect if the global RAM pressures remain M5 Mini prices might shoot up, but no one really knows.
I’d probably have liked more than 24GB RAM, but it’s probably the sweet spot price wise for me currently. Current M1 Mini only has 8GB and does very well, but I often have so many Safari tabs open along with Audirvana it struggles at times.
Yes, Eizo are excellent, I use some at work.
Possibly more than I want to spend for home non-professional use though. The Dell I have is still working well, but another used to extend the display (cheaper Dell) died far too soon, possibly due to an iffy USB C hub or just bad luck. TBH I may be happy with a single display due to my vision as I can see what’s directly in front of me clearly but it’s harder to see monitors either side without wearing specs. This may also be a reason I’m wary to go above 27".
The difficulty for home use I guess is that it’s tricky to see many of these products in the flesh and ones stocked in standard outlets are generally cheap and cheerful these days - good value but not good quality.
Thanks for the BenQ suggestions.
I like the brand but was unaware they have a range for Macs.
That MA270S looks very nice though would probably go for a cheaper similar version.
Assume nano glass would be worth having. The stands also seem to have a good range of options for height/swivel/tilt etc.
@Alley_Cat keep in mind that the Eizo range is pretty wide and most people know the brand for their CG and CS series.
Some have eye watering prices, on the other hand I’ve used some non professional ones too, they were pretty good and didn’t cost an arm and a leg (maybe you don’t know that they start from 250-300£).
So some monitors from their FlexScan range cost around what you wanted to spend (eg. EV2400R, EV2460, EV2781 and more), I think you should check them out before completely discarding them.
Personally I think 24” is the perfect size. 27” is nice too but I wonder if that’s a bit too much, it depends on your preferences.
Yep, unluckily I know, that’s true.
However I wish you to find the perfect monitor for your needs whatever the brand is.
Fully agree with the BenQ ma270s & M4. A great pairing 
Thank you!
Good to know, thanks.
Funnily enough the one I have currently is 25", I thought it was 27".
£245 in October 2015 - excellent price for a reasonable monitor considering my first flatscreen LCD was a £700 Samsung with I suspect 1280x720 resolution probably around 1997.
Must consider that, even if more expensive. Displays after all are things we use for hours on end so I wouldn’t begrudge paying for better quality for a primary display.
I guess I’m thinking maybe go cheaper for now and repurpose later but that may be a false economy.
I must apologise, my BenQ is the MA32OU !
It’s a stunning display though & displays photos in Lightroom/Photoshop beautifully.
Apologies again.
Interesting, that’s quite a difference 
. I daily use 24” and 27” inch monitors. Once I used to dream about the bigger sizes, now I’m less interested unless I want to enjoy a movie.
