The top gun of new gadgets by Apple was the M1 Mac Mini. as Apple rocked the computer world perpetually in November 2020 when it launched the first Mac lineup with its individual Apple Silicon processors.
Entitled the M1, this processor blew professionals and critics away with its seamless performance and impressive benchmarks.
The Mac Mini in 2022 is the best desktop computer you perceive with Apple’s in-house processors. But an excellent computer will necessitate great peripherals that the Mac Mini requires out of the box — core among them being a fabulous monitor.
The Mac Mini does not have a monitor included, so you will need to purchase one separately. However, you can attach the Mac Mini to virtually any monitor if you possess the precise ports or adapters.
The Mac Mini is adjustable, and it arrives with two display outputs, namely USB-C/Thunderbolt and HDMI 2.0. So you can have adapters and accessories to convert it to DVI or VGA monitors. The HDMI supports the USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 port outputs up to 6K at 60Hz and 4K up to 60Hz.
Apple managed to make its displays, but the last one was suspended in 2016. While Apple recently delivered a new line of Pro displays, they are out of reach for most customers, so for now, the best options remain other brands. One of the picks is the LG UltraFine 5K monitor. It has a brilliant 27-inch screen with a remarkable display. Of course, there are loads of other monitors out there, most of which are 4K resolution, so let’s move over the top alternatives for you to consider.
Best Monitors for Mac Mini in 2022
LG 32UN880-B UltraFine Ergo
What makes the LG 32UN8800-B UltraFine Ergo great for use with a Mac mini comes down to several factors, not just one. Whether USB-C connectivity makes it great for help with Ultrabooks and MacBooks, its 350 nits of brightness and HDR10 aid for a vibrant image, or its 4K resolution and 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. There is one particularly well-executed feature. Its ergonomic C-Clamp stand shows the kind of ergonomic adjustments that other displays can’t even touch. You can pivot the board 90 degrees, tilt and swivel as far as any other display, adjust the height to your liking. The price tag for this LG display is still accessible to all but the most cash-strapped buyer. Considering that the Mac mini is Apple’s most affordable computer, adding the LG 32UN8800-B makes economic sense. It offers a setup capable of just about any creative task you can throw at it.
ASUS ProArt PA278CV
ASUS ProArt PA278CV is not the distinctive monitor, with a display loaded with everything a creative could want, outside of a 4K resolution. From its 75Hz refresh rate and Calman Verified color accuracy of Delta E <2 to flawless color gamuts, 100% sRGB, and 100% REC 709, it’s a pleasure to work on. Other elements include low blue-light technology, on-screen scaling overlay, and the capability to daisy-chain two screens together through its DisplayPort. It also comes with a proper amount of ports, with an HDMI, a DisplayPort, and USB-C connectivity, ideal for connecting a portable, like a MacBook Pro. Considering the cost and all it suggests, this ASUS display is quite a deal.
MSI Prestige PS341WU
When you think of MSI, many gaming-related products probably come to mind. However, MSI Prestige PS341WU indicates that the company can deliver what creative professionals need in a monitor. And, if your Mac mini is the hub of an innovative setup, this display with its 5k2k resolution and ultrawide panel is an excellent addition. The 21:9 aspect ratio implies that you can perform on a 4K project at its full size and still have a ton of screen space for all your editing tools. It allows you to focus on your innovative process instead of finding the right tool to make adjustments. In addition, through an ultrawide might seem like a bulky affair, the MSI has a surprising amount of ergonomic adjustments to swivel, tilt, pivot, and raise or lower it however you like for a more relaxing experience. There are a bunch of ports on hand for attaching multiple devices.
LG 49WL95C-WE 49in Curved Ultrawide
This curved ultrawide monitor is two 2,560 x 1,440 monitors fused side-by-side into one super-screen. For those who usually run a twin-display setup, its vast size might save you some space since you’ll only have the footprint of one screen. In addition, this screen provides a 5k resolution for extra sharpness and details, an adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel controls for a perfect viewing angle, and an ambient light sensor for auto-brightness and True Tone features to auto-adjust external display settings.
Dell UP2720Q
The Dell UP2720Q is for those with discerning color accuracy and connectivity needs and seeking a pro-level monitor. You get 100% Adobe RGB 80% BT. 2020 and 98% DCI-P3 gamut asset, but the crown jewel is the built-in colorimeter that’s CalMAN ready. It regularly fits its screen to ensure accuracy hasn’t drifted, so you don’t need to stress it. This monitor also counts Thunderbolt 3 hub support, so if you enjoy to daisy chain or have several high-bandwidth complements to connect, it’s ready to go. It comes on top of all of the benefits of the screen at number one: a razor-sharp 4K display and excellent ergonomics. Unfortunately, you’ve still only got 250 nits of brightness. The only other disadvantage of this one is that it’s more expensive.
BenQ EX3501R
It has some great features, including 100% sRGB coverage and a refresh rate of up 100Hz if you also want to use it as a gaming display, but the main draw here is the 21:9 aspect ratio. In addition, it is an expanded Quad HD display. At 35 inches, that provides an incredible amount of extra space to work; it’s not as sharp as the 4K options here. With a bit of additional connectivity on board, if you need it, this is an excellent option for those who require a lot of windows open but only want to use the one screen.
BenQ SW321C PhotoVue
It has the best displays for photographers and various reasons. The 32-inch 4K screen lets you see every pixel if you need to or provides a nice extensive and detailed canvas to view overall. For color support, you’ve got 99% Adobe RGB, 95% P3, 100% sRGB, all manufacturer calibrated, with a 16-but 3D LUT qualifying to keep realistic color gradation. Speaking of calibration, you can adjust color profiles on the monitor’s internal image processor without changing it in your Mac’s software. A clever PaperSync feature enables you to choose from various paper types, and the display will try to mimic what your image would look like on that material. It may be gimmicky, but even without it, this is simply a phenomenal screen for shutterbugs. The low brightness is a trade-off we can live with for complete accuracy. It also presents some different connections.
Asus ProArt PA32UC-K
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. One thousand nits of peak brightness put this monitor up with great TVs. The use of Mini-LED means its localized dimming is more precise than a lot of TVs can manage for fantastic contrast, with hundreds of individual zones. Its 4K resolution is also an idea. There’s Thunderbolt 3 connectivity on board, which is ideal if you’ll have RAIDs full of raw high-res footage. This monitor strikes a balance, offering excellent features for video pros without entering the seriously high pricing of a Hollywood video monitor.
Asus ProArt Display PA148CTV
The Mac mini’s svelte and portable core makes the perfect traveling companion, especially if you’re reaching away for an extended duration for work or traveling full-time. Unfortunately, nomadic creators aren’t likely to have access to a monitor explicitly made for video or photo editing, which means something like the Asus ProArt Display PA148CTV might do the trick. It also comes with an incredibly responsive touchscreen and the ASUS Dial that works to simplify your Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro workflows. Then, when you’re finally back in your home studio or office, this portable monitor can moonlight as a control panel, again to make your workflow seamless and let you focus on the creative part of the process.
Wrap Up
Since the Mac Mini owns two display ports, it does hold two monitors. However, you cannot utilize a daisy chain with the Thunderbolt 3 connection. Instead, you are restricted to one for each.