Mac Mini Connecting To Monitor

There's something undeniably unique about the Mac Mini. The fact that Apple could fit all the guts of its desktop computer into a small compact box that you can easily move around between your desk at home or work is impressive. Having it up and running, you can opt for any kind of monitors, ultra wide or bezel less or any other kind.

In this guide, we'll help you pick the best monitors compatible with the Mac Mini to take your computing experience to a whole new level.

3 Top Monitor for Mac Mini

LG delivers a monitor that fits seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem. The 24MD4KL-B comes with Thunderbolt 3 ports for digital video output. That's not all, as the USB-C port also enables power and data transfer to supported devices.

4k resolution display for sharp details and crisp picture quality
Vibrant, accurate color representation thanks to the P3 wide color gamut support
Built-in ambient light sensor for brightness and color tone control exactly to your preference

Though 27-inch screens provide a bigger room for having multiple windows on the screen at the same time, many users find them uncomfortable. When you're sitting close to your screen, you might find yourself overextending your neck to see details at the uppermost parts. This means that long computing sessions can end in serious neck strains.

5k resolution for extra sharpness and image/video/game details
Adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel controls for a perfect viewing angle
Ambient light sensor for auto-brightness and True Tone features to auto-adjust external display settings

ViewSonic delivers a gorgeous 4k resolution panel with its VX2776-MHD-4K monitor, allowing you to have more windows floating around your larger screen while maintaining a crisp image, regardless of how you choose to scale your different windows.

The large 27-inch canvas is the best way to multitask on your Mac Mini
The 4k display delivers exceptional details and stunning image quality
Supports HDR 10 for immersive video playback and gameplay images

What to Look for When Choosing a Best Monitor for Mac Mini

Indeed, most best monitors for Mac Mini run just fine, but we don't want to just settle for "just fine." Let's explore what makes some monitors better-optimized for macOS and how this can transform the Mac Mini experience.

Screen Size

Depending on your workflow, the screen size you opt for can make a huge difference. If you plan to do tons of multitasking, go for a big canvas to fit multiple apps on the screen at once.

Furthermore, Apple's other desktops, the iMacs, come with 21.5-inch and 27-inch screens. So, if you want to replicate the iMac experience on your Mac Mini, you can consider picking a monitor within the same size range depending on your preference.

Panel Technology

Different panel technologies come with different sets of great features but also limitations. For instance, TN panels are widely adopted in mainstream consumer monitors for their affordable prices. They're also excellent for gaming with their fast response time and no input lag.

On the other hand, IPS panels are more expensive but deliver better picture quality and color accuracy, making them the preferred option for creators and artists. They also come with a wider range of viewing angles.

Best Monitors for Mac Mini Reviews

LG delivers a monitor for Mac Mini that fits seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem. The 24MD4KL-B comes with Thunderbolt 3 ports for digital video output. That's not all, as the USB-C port also enables power and data transfer to supported devices.

Top Features:

4k display for sharp and crisp image quality
Vibrant, accurate color representation thanks to the P3 wide color gamut support
Built-in ambient light sensor for brightness and color tone control
Thunderbolt 3 ports fit perfectly with Apple's Mac Mini
Seamless macOS integration for volume and brightness controls right from the operating system

In addition to enabling video and audio output from the Mac Mini, all your Macbooks can charge while projecting your content on a bigger screen using USB-C ports. This is one of the best implementations of USB-C connection I've tested on a monitor, and I can't wait for a future where this port becomes even more widely adopted and replaces all our other connectors.

The 24-inch USB C monitor comes with more tricks under its sleeves. The 4k display on this USB C monitor is gorgeous, to say the least. With over 8 million pixels, my content is sharp, and the text is easily readable.

LG 24MD4KL-B Specifications	Header
Screen Size	24 inches
Maximum Resolution	4k UHD (3840 x 2160)
Panel Type	LED IPS panel
Refresh Rate	60Hz refresh rate
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Ports	Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C connectivity) ports with additional downstream three USB-C ports

The external display also supports P3 wide color gamut for more vibrant, lifelike colors. Other best monitors for Mac Mini implementing similar techniques fall victim to oversaturating their color gamut, but thankfully, this is not the case here.

Furthermore, the LG 24MD4KL-B comes with a built-in ambient light sensor to automatically adjust your screen's brightness according to your surrounding lighting.

The sensor also enables Apple's True Tone technology to come to life on this monitor. Such technology allows your screen's color temperature to match that of your environment to ensure the display is easy on the eye.

Nevertheless, if you're photo editing, video editing or working on other projects that require accurate color representation, make sure you disable this feature before diving in.

When it comes to build quality, the monitor comes with a sturdy metal stand. I wasn't impressed by the range of adjustability I could get out of the included stand, though. You can only change your monitor's height, but if you were expecting to rotate your stand between landscape and portrait mode, you'd be disappointed.

LG 24MD4KL-B Pros

High-quality stereo speakers
Wide range of viewing angles without any annoying reflections
Excellent post-purchase support

LG 24MD4KL-B Cons

A bit on the pricey side
Limited stand adjustability

Though 27-inch screens provide a bigger room for having multiple windows on the screen at the same time, many users find them uncomfortable. When you're sitting close to your curved monitor screen, you might find yourself overextending your neck to see details at the uppermost parts. This means that long computing sessions can end in serious neck strains.

Top Features:

The ultra-wide, curved display is transformative to the Mac Mini multitasking experience

Dual controller 2.0 driver works seamlessly with macOS to connect two different devices simultaneously

5k resolution for extra sharpness and details

Adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel controls

Ambient light sensor for auto-brightness and True Tone features

Here comes the appeal for having an ultra-wide curved monitor! At the unique 32:9 aspect ratio, the great display wraps around your field of vision with its wider than taller form factor. To some users, this setup is even better than having multiple screens on their desks, as the wide canvas is continuous with no bezels to interrupt your content in the middle.

LG 49WL95C-W Specifications	Header
Screen Size	49 inches
Maximum Resolution	5k UHD (5120 X 1440)
Panel Type	Curved IPS panel
Refresh Rate	60Hz
Aspect Ratio	32:9
Ports	Two HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 4 USB 3.0 ports, and USB-C

LG seems to understand what users looking for an ultra-wide display want, and delivers a true powerhouse for multitasking with its 49WL95C-W curved monitor so it's a great choice. The 5k display takes the crispness of 4k resolution a notch further to provide even more details across its expansive canvas.

Furthermore, the LG 49WL95C-W supports Dual Controller 2.0 drivers, allowing you to connect two devices at the same time. Such a feature comes with macOS compatibility in mind, so you can connect a Mac Mini and a MacBook simultaneously and control the two computers using one mouse and keyboard.

The great monitor also provides the same ambient light sensor we've seen on the LG 24MD4KL-B, bringing the same automatic brightness and color tone controls to the ultra-widescreen experience.

Speaking of control, the stand allows height adjustment, in addition to the ability to swivel and tilt your curved monitor. Given the screen's size, I was truly impressed that LG managed to maintain the monitor's balance across the whole range of the stand's motion.

The LG 49WL95C-W also receives HDR10 support; however, its implementation here is far from optimal. The monitor achieves a peak brightness of only 350 nits, which explains why the monitor can't do HDR justice.

It won't be the perfect Mac Mini experience without the inclusion of USB-C connectivity, and the LG 49WL95C-W doesn't disappoint. With its high data transfer rate and support for multiple devices, USB-C is key to realize the monitor's full potential.

Finally, you get built-in stereo speakers with rich bass to supplement the curved surround display with an equally immersive audio experience.

LG 49WL95C-W Pros

Comes with USB-C
A unique aspect ratio of 32:9
Stereo speakers with rich bass

LG 49WL95C-W Cons

Subpar HDR experience

If your workflow leans heavily on multitasking, a 27-inch screen can boost your productivity and efficiency. ViewSonic delivers a gorgeous 4k panel with its VX2776-MHD--4K monitor, allowing you to have more windows floating around your larger screen real estate while maintaining a crisp image, regardless of how you choose to scale your different windows.

Top Features:

SuperClear IPS panel technology for consistent, vivid colors at different viewing angles
The large 27-inch canvas is the best way to multitask on your Mac Mini
The 4k display delivers exceptional details and picture quality
HDR10 support for immersive video playback
Flicker-free and blue light filter to protect your eyes during extensive work sessions

Furthermore, the ultra-narrow and thin bezels are a welcome addition. The all-screen design is exceptionally immersive and fits perfectly if you intend to stick a couple of screens together on your desk. With narrower side thin bezels, you can stretch your content across multiple screens with minimal distractions.

ViewSonic VX2776-4K-MHD Specifications	Header
Screen Size	27 inches
Maximum Resolution	4k UHD (3840 x 2160)
Panel Type	LED IPS panel
Refresh Rate	60Hz
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Ports	HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2

HDR video is now becoming the norm, rather than a new niche technology. With HRD10 support, the ViewSonic VX2776-4K-MHD allows you to experience your videos as they were intended to be viewed by delivering richer contrast and brighter highlights.

At first glance, I expected ViewSonic's ViewMode features to be another gimmick that manufacturers bake into their best monitors for Mac Mini. However, I found myself actually using the different preset display modes, as they truly enhance the viewing experience, plus they're easily accessible without digging much into different menus.

There are dedicated modes for movies, web browsing, games, and reading. Each respective mode adjusts the color profiles, screen scale, and HDR settings to ensure you're getting the most out of your content.

ViewSonic VX2776-4K-MHD Pros

Stylish, all-metal, slim stand
Supports the standard VESA mounts
Built-in power brick

ViewSonic VX2776-4K-MHD Cons

The response time and refresh rate aren't optimal for competitive gaming
Doesn't come with an anti-reflective coating

So far, the other monitors I've reviewed didn't blow me away when it comes to stand adjustability. Luckily, Dell came flexing with its fully adjustable U2719DX display. The monitor pivots, swivels, and rotates between landscape and vertical orientations to view your content on your own terms.

Top Features:

Factory calibrated out-of-the-box at 99% RGB for maximum color accuracy
Fully adjustable stand for more creative freedom while working
The stand base comes in a compact footprint to free more room on your desk
Flicker-free and ComfortView mode to ensure you don't end up with an eye strain
Easy multitasking on macOS thanks to the preset app templates

Dell also pushes the slim bezels we expect from modern monitors one step further. The ultrawide monitor adopts a 3-sided bezel-less design with even narrower bezels than those found on the ViewSonic VX2776-4K-MHD.

Dell U2719DX Specifications	Header
Screen Size	27 inches
Maximum Resolution	WQHD (2560 x 1440)
Panel Type	LED IPS panel
Refresh Rate	60Hz
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Ports	HDMI, DisplayPort (in and out), USB ports (upstream and downstream), and audio out port

Nevertheless, it's not all pink and roses, as the resolution here is a step back from that of its ViewSonic counterpart. At 2560 x 1440 pixels, the panel is still sharp enough for most people. However, eagle-eyed users coming from a 4k display will notice a slight downgrade to the monitor's crispness and details, especially given the large screen size of 27 inches.

Furthermore, Dell monitors ensure you have a more organized working environment both on the hardware and software fronts. The monitor comes with pre-defined multitasking templates supported by macOS, allowing you to make the most out of your screen real estate and run multiple apps side by side.

You can save such app combos to easily jump back where you finished off the last time with a single click of a button. On the hardware side, the stand has a cutout at the back for a more organized cable management. Forget about cable cluttering, as these days should only be in the past now.

Dell U2719DX Pros

Excellent cable management
Efficient power consumption
3-year warranty

Dell U2719DX Cons

No USB-C port
No built-in speakers

At a peak brightness of 400 nits, the LG 27UL650-W is capable of delivering the same immersive HDR experience of the ViewSonic VX2776-4K-MHD. You get true blacks and more detailed highlights when viewing HDR content on your Mac Mini.

Top Features:

Adjustable height up to a maximum of 110mm for a comfortable viewing experience

Support to the standard VESA wall mounts to hang your monitor without having to look for a specific, proprietary mount

Excellent resolution and screen size for multitasking

IPS panel with multiple viewing angles

Built-in joystick for intuitive screen controls

However, the omission of built-in speakers means you're one step away from transforming your Mac Mini to the ideal entertainment center. If you're already invested in quality speakers, you can hook them up through the stereo audio out jack, or it can be used as a headphone jack, and get immersed in your favorite movies and shows. If not, do the math beforehand to see whether your tighter budget aligns with the external speakers' added cost.

LG 27UL650-W Specifications	Header
Screen Size	27 inches
Maximum Resolution	4k UHD (3840 x 2160)
Panel Type	LED IPS panel
Refresh Rate	60Hz
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Ports	HDMI and DisplayPort

Game support is sparse on macOS. Though LG 27UL650-W comes with Radeon FreeSync technology for smoother frame rates and better integration between the monitor's drivers and your computer's GPU, the Mac Mini can't make everyday use of such features due to macOS limitations.

I know the majority of Mac users don't game on their Macs anyways. Still, I wanted to clear any confusion users might face while skimming through the monitor's spec sheet and features.

Finally, make sure you download LG's On-Screen Controls app. You get intuitive shortcuts to adjust the color profiles, brightness, volume, and many of the other frequently-used controls. On using the joystick built underneath the bottom frame of the display to navigate through your controls, you won't want to go back to the traditional menus.

LG 27UL650-W Pros

HDR-ready at 400 nits of peak brightness
99% sRGB color space calibration
3-sided virtually borderless design

LG 27UL650-W Cons

No built-in speakers

The recent trend in consumer electronics has shown us that customers care about how their devices look as much as how they perform. There's no doubt that people want the devices they use every day to reflect their personalities and preferences.

Top Features:

Asus Smart Contrast Ratio (ASCR) delivers the deepest blacks, adding more details to low-lit photos

Asus EyeCare Technology to minimize eye fatigue

The oval-shaped stand base is compact and occupies minimal space on your desk

32mm diameter speakers delivering an immersive audio experience

The IPS panel technology creates a wide range of wide viewing angles

That said, I can easily say that the Asus Designo MX279HS is one of the most aesthetically unique best monitors I've tested for the Mac mini. It comes with a stylish, silver chin concealing all the monitor controls and LED indicators. Such a chin feels like a continuation to the shiny, silver stand that sits confidently on its oval-shaped base.

The 27-inch display comes with an IPS panel, which delivers wide viewing angles of 178 degrees. It also enables the monitor to recreate vibrant colors at a high level of accuracy. Furthermore, the panel achieves an ultra-high contrast of up to 80 million to one, allowing dark photos to pop with even more details.

Asus Designo MX279HS Specifications	Header
Screen Size	27 inches
Maximum Resolution	Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Panel Type	LED IPS panel
Refresh Rate	76Hz
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Ports	Two HDMI ports, VGA, audio in and out ports

Unfortunately, Asus had to make a few compromises to keep a reasonable price of its 27-inch monitor as affordable as possible. The biggest downfall is that the resolution takes a considerable hit, as the monitor caps at only Full HD. I could easily spot the muddy picture quality and loss of details, especially because everything has to be scaled up to fit the large screen.

The Asus Designo MX279HS delivers a pixel density of only 81 PPI, which is not well-optimized for macOS. On my Mac Mini, I had a hard time reading some of the UI text elements. You can get around the suboptimal density of the pixels by digging into the accessibility settings and control the size of the text fields.

Even at this less than ideal resolution, I can still recommend the Asus Designo MX279HS for its innovative design, high-quality speaker, impressive contrast, and fast refresh rate. This affordable, premium-looking monitor will definitely add style to your desk beside your Mac Mini.

Asus Designo MX279HS Pros

Affordable
High screen refresh rate
Asus rapid replacement 3-year warranty

Asus Designo MX279HS Cons

The Full HD resolution might look lackluster to some people

I'll wrap up my list with yet another ultrawide monitor from LG. This time around, LG brings all the excellent features we loved about its 49-inch ultrawide monitor to a relatively compact size of 34 inches.

Top Features:

The Ultrawide monitor for Mac Mini is well-suited for multitasking
A high refresh rate of 75Hz for a more responsive experience
USB-C provides one port to connect your Mac Mini
The 21:9 aspect ratio provides a panoramic view
The monitor comes with LG's On-Screen controls for more accessible screen calibration

Both ultrawide monitors come with at least one USB-C port, wide color gamut, HDR support, and a high pixel density. The 34-inch model is capable of achieving a higher brightness of 400 nits compared to 350 nits on its bigger brother.

LG 34WK95C-W Specifications	Header
Screen Size	34 inches
Maximum Resolution	WQHD (3440 x 1440)
Panel Type	LED IPS panel
Refresh Rate	75Hz
Aspect Ratio	21:9
Ports	2 HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.1 Type-C, and 2 USB 3.1 Type-A

This means that HDR content should look slightly better on the smaller model; however, I couldn't notice much of a difference as the contrast ratio is not well-optimized for HDR on both models.

Aside from such a minor difference in the monitors' brightness, your personal preference and budget are the main decisive factors to pick one of LG's ultrawide monitors over the other.

It's also worth noting that many Mini Mac users go for such a compact desktop for its portability and compact footprint. For these same reasons, many people might be more inclined to go for the 34-inch model as it still provides an ultra-widescreen real estate to work with, but in a more reasonably-sized package.

LG 34WK95C-W Pros

Versatile collection of ports
Excellent color accuracy
Ergonomic design with adjustable height, swivel, and tilt

LG 34WK95C-W Cons

The HDR support is not that impressive

Resolution

Best monitors with higher resolution deliver sharper and more crisp image quality. This is especially important if you have a large screen, where your content is stretched over a bigger canvas.

Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) will be more than enough on most monitors around 20 inches for most people. If you decide to bump your screen size, you can start looking into higher resolution options like 4k monitors.

Refresh Rate

The standard refresh rate on most monitors is 60Hz, which is quite enough for the average user. However, if you game on your Mac Mini, you can use a higher refresh rate to get a buttery-smooth gaming experience.

Furthermore, video editors, content creators, graphic designers and creative pros can also make use of a monitor for Mac with a high refresh rate for smooth video playback with fewer frame drops or image artifacts.

Color Gamut

The monitor's color gamut controls how many different shades the screen is able to produce. This can be the selling point for artists and photo editors, as they want the colors on their screens to be as accurate and natural-looking as possible.

Consider keeping an eye on monitors that use the adobe RGB color space. This ensures that color input and output follow the same standardized optimization for accurate color representation across different devices.

Pixel Density

The density of the pixels is a complementary measurement to the screen's resolution. I'd recommend you pick monitors with the density of the pixels with 110 or 120 PPI (Pixel Per Inch) for your Mac Mini. At this resolution, you get the stock scaling of macOS user interface elements, and text is much sharper and easily readable.

Port Connections

Apple keeps pushing USB-C in most of its new devices as the universal port for charging and data transfer. The Mac Mini comes with four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and an HDMI 2.0 port. This means you'll have more versatility with monitors using USB-C; nevertheless, HDMI also works perfectly fine if your pick happens to only use this port.

Image Quality

Finally, the monitor's overall image quality is controlled by many of the factors we've gone through so far. Make sure you get a balanced package where screen resolution, density of the pixels, panel technology, and color gamut are all right on spot to deliver an excellent viewing experience.

check out mac mini

In Conclusion

The Mac Mini is by far Apple's most versatile and portable desktop computer. In order to get the most out of such a capable machine, you need an equally capable monitor to go along with it. No matter which monitor on our list has caught your attention, you'll be satisfied with its deep integration and optimization for macOS.

FAQs

1. What monitor works best with Mac Mini?

Here are the Top 3 Monitors for Mac Mini that we can recommend.

1. LG 24MD4KL-B -

LG delivers a monitor that fits seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem. The 24MD4KL-B comes with Thunderbolt 3 ports for digital video output. That's not all, as the USB-C ports also enable power and data transfer to supported new devices.
2. LG 49WL95C-W -
Though 27-inch screens provide a bigger room for having multiple windows on the screen at the same time, many users find them uncomfortable. When you're sitting close to your screen, you might find yourself overextending your neck to see details at the uppermost parts. This means that long computing sessions can end in serious neck strains.
3. ViewSonic VX2776-4K-MHD -
ViewSonic delivers a gorgeous 4k resolution panel with its VX2776-4K-MHD monitor, allowing you to have more windows floating around your larger screen while maintaining a crisp image, regardless of how you choose to scale your different windows.

2. Can you use any monitor with a Mac mini?

You certainly can. Although the Mac mini does not include a monitor, you can connect one via one of the ports on the back. You can connect the Mac Mini to any computer screen equipped with a VGA port by using the appropriate adapter.

3. Can Mac Mini do 4K?

Two displays can be connected to the Mac mini: one with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz via Thunderbolt and another with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz via HDMI 2.0.

4. Can Mac Mini connect to WIFI?

The Mac Mini is a small desktop computer that runs Mac OS X and includes a slew of user-friendly features, including the ability to connect to a local network and the Internet via wireless.

5. Can I connect Mac mini to TV?

Yes, you can connect Mac mini to TV. The Mac Mini includes a short HDMI to DVI adapter cable; alternatively, you can purchase a Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter. A cable suitable for connecting your Mac Mini to your television. Again, this is subject to change, but the current Mac Mini includes an HDMI port capable of video and multichannel audio output.