What monitors can you use with a mac mini

Since the Mac Mini has two display ports, it does support two monitors. However, you cannot daisy chain with the Thunderbolt 3 connection. You are limited to one for each. The M1 MacBooks are limited to only one external display.

While prior Mac Mini models had some workarounds to get a Mac Mini running on an iMac monitor, you will have to obtain a separate display. Not reliably. You could use Mac screen sharing or a solution like Luna Display over Wi-Fi if you are desperate, but most workarounds are a pain to get started.

Even options such as using Sidecar with an iPad require you to have a display first to set it up. Then turn your Mini and your monitor on. You also can find USB-C adapter cables that will work with the Thunderbolt 3 port if you are working only with DisplayPlay or other, rarer connections. Given that the Mac Mini only supports two external displays and the M1-powered MacBooks can only connect to one monitor, a curved display can be a good solution to get more screen real estate.

There are several benefits here. Second, the wide format means you essentially get the benefit of having two displays, but without the seams of connecting two monitors together. And third, cable clutter is reduced to a single cable running to your Mac. The Dell UPQ is for those who have discerning colour accuracy and connectivity needs and are seeking a pro-level monitor.

It checks its own screen regularly to make sure accuracy hasn't drifted, so you don't need to worry about it. This monitor also adds Thunderbolt 3 hub support, so if you want to daisy chain or just have several high-bandwidth accessories to connect, it's ready to go.

This comes on top of all of the advantages of the screen at number one, including a razor-sharp 4K display and great ergonomics. Alas, you've still only got nits of brightness, but that's no issue if accuracy is your main requirement.

The only other downside on this one is that it's more expensive. We've featured ultrawide monitors already, but they've been quite high-end. If you want the extra working space but don't need high-end features, the answer might be the BenQ EXR. This is an expanded Quad HD display. At 35 inches, that provides a wonderful amount of extra space to work, although naturally, it's not as sharp as the 4K options here. With a bit of extra connectivity on board as well if you need it, this is a great option for those who need a lot of windows open but only want to use the one screen.

This is hands down one of the best displays for photographers, and for various reasons. The inch 4K screen lets you really get in and see every pixel if you need to, or simply provides a nice big and detailed canvas to view overall.

Speaking of calibration, you can adjust colour profiles on the monitor's internal image processor, without changing it in your Mac's software at all.

A clever PaperSync feature that enables you to choose from different paper types, and the display will attempt to mimic what your image would look like on that material.

Gimmicky perhaps, but even without it, this is simply a phenomenal screen for photographers. The low brightness is a trade-off we can live with for total accuracy. It also offers some extra connections, though they're a bit recessed for our liking. For those who want to work with HDR video, the trouble with most monitors is the lack of brightness — you can't see what things would look like on a mid-range or better TV.

That is not the case here. OMEN Raptor 27 Hz. View all monitor reviews. Latest Monitor Activity. View all monitor activity. How We Test We purchase our own monitors and put them under the same test bench, so that you can compare the results easily. View all monitor articles. Monitor Tools Compare monitors. Having trouble deciding between two monitors? This tool will clearly show you the differences. Table tool. Vote for the next monitor we buy. Want to see us review a specific monitor?

Here you can vote for our next review. Home Monitor Best Mac Mini. Size 27". Resolution x Max Refresh Rate. Pixel Type. Variable Refresh Rate. Size 34". However, it's costly and lacks a USB-C input. Recent Updates Nov 12, Completely restructured the article and changed most of our picks for better consistency with our other related articles.

All Reviews Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors for a Mac Mini or a Mac that are currently available. Suggested Reads. Recommended Articles. Raptor 27 Hz Raptor 27 Hz. Before you even consider what type of monitor you should buy, you need to examine whether you need one at all. If you're planning to work at your Mac mini all the time, if it's to be your main machine, then you have to have a monitor.

If you plan to use the Mac mini as a server and leave it on a shelf somewhere, then you don't. In either of those cases, the decision is easy. Where it gets harder is when you think that you're going to be half and half.

Maybe you expect to be using the Mac mini extensively on the two days a week you're in your office and the rest of the time it's just a server. If that's the case, just buy yourself a monitor anyway. The inconvenience of borrowing one from another machine or somehow bringing one with you to the office is not worth it. Your time is more valuable than the cost of a display.

Except of course that you can use an iPad as your display on a Mac mini with software for a fair amount of casual use cases. Maybe you carry the iPad around with you most of the week and pop it on top of the Mac mini when you're in your office. You could use that same iPad or any other device to remotely log in to the Mac mini and work that way from anywhere in the world.

As great as that ability is, as much as we use it, it's best for short tasks. You wouldn't edit a Photoshop image over a remote connection.

If you've decided you do need a monitor, you're going to need to think about the cost, the resolution and how it will physically connect to your Mac mini. First, though, you need to choose a size and we're going to do that for you — we like the general size and area of the inch monitor for your Mac mini — assuming you have the desk real estate.

You can go smaller and get a Or you could go far the other way and have a 34, or inch monitor which gently curves like it's going to tap you on the shoulder.

There's no denying that those are very appealing but before you even get to their sobering price, there is the fact that they're all around five times wider than your Mac mini. The price isn't just about size, though. That has a smaller footprint and overall takes up less room than a wide, curved display but it is a compromise between screen real estate and space on your desk. Like we said, the better compromise is inches. You get that much more on the screen and the monitor doesn't take up that much more room.

You do just need to forget that one of the very best inch monitors comes with an iMac wrapped around it. Today you can get monitors that display in 5K resolution, 4K resolution and sundry lesser ones you probably shouldn't think about buying new. You may be able to get a cheap deal on a display that's less than 4K it would take some effort and the savings wouldn't be great. Certainly not great enough to make up for the hours you'll spend staring at it.