So what do you do if you own a Macbook/Macbook Pro and want a much larger real estate? You get a nice, big-screen monitor that is compatible with your current laptop. And in order for a monitor to be compatible with your laptop, it has to have a USB Type-C connector. Recently, we have also listed some of the best thin bezel monitors.
What is the USB Type-C Connector?
The USB Type-C is the latest technology in the realm of connectors for data and power transmission. It does both these things, i.e. charge gadgets and transfer data, at lightning speeds. Though Apple is one of the first companies to promote it, several others are now joining the league and adopting it at a fast pace. When you first look at a USB-C connector, it will appear quite similar to a micro USB connector. However, it works quite differently. The USB-C has an edge over all other types of USB connectors by virtue of its “twofold rotationally-symmetrical” design. In simple words, you can connect this USB from either sides; there’s no “right” way to put it. They say that the USB Type-C is the future, and we couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, there aren’t many monitors that come with a USB-C port. But don’t worry! We’ve ransacked the web to find you the best monitors which work great on a Macbook Pro. Check them out –
1. LG Ultrafine 5K Display 27” Monitor:
A beautiful monitor from the house of LG, the UltraFine 27MD5KB-B model features an IPS panel that comes with a resolution of 5120 X 2820 resolution, i.e. 5K display, 178 degree viewing angles, and a brightness of 500 cd/m2. It also comes with a built-in webcam, 3 USB Type-C ports, and a decent response time of 14 ms. What’s more? This LG screen supports 10-bit color so the blacks appear deeper and the bright colors look brighterfar as MacBook compatibility is concerned, this monitor works on the 2016+ MacBook Pro model and all iMac models since 2017. You need to ensure that your MacBook runs on macOS Sierra and up.
PROS CONS
1Excellent brightness level 2Freesync works great with an AMD video card 3VESA mounting support 4Ideal for gamers and media consumers 5Adjustable height
1Cables are not included 2Bezels slightly thicker than what’s claimed
2. Asus Designo MX27UC 27” Monitor:
Asus makes amazing monitors and the Designo MX27UC is no exception. This 27” monitor comes with a screen resolution of 3840 X 2160 (4K/UHD) with 178-degree wide viewing angle and an IPS panel. As with most ASUS computers, this monitor also offers brand-exclusive benefits such as ASUS Eye Care technology which aids in filtering the blue-light emission and backlight-flickering, resulting in a strain-free experience for our eyes. Furthermore, you also get two 3W stereo built-in speakers with the SonicMaster sound optimization technology. This monitor sports a near-bezel-less frame to give you a clean looking screen.
PROS CONS
1Ability to connect to your MacBook Pro directly by means of the cable included 2Stunning IPS panel display 3Reasonable price 4Bright colors 5No dead pixels and no backlight bleed 65 ms response rate
1Certain batches are reported to come with backlight flicker and DisplayPort problems 2Audio output isn’t extraordinary 3No support for VESA mount
3. Dell Ultrathin S2718D 27” Monitor:
Though not as sharp as a 5K or 4K display, this monitor by Dell, does offer an IPS panel and a great image quality (rich colors and high contrast ratio) by virtue of the Dell HDR technology. That said, some users have complained that this feature is nothing more than a gimmick. The Dell UltraThin also boasts of extremely narrow bezels, a USB Type-C port, an HDMI port, and a minimal overall design. If a 5K monitor is out of your budget or you think that a 4k monitor doesn’t scale correctly, then this is a great option until a near-perfect 4k monitor comes out.
PROS CONS
1Value for money 2Stunning IPS panel display 3Beautiful design w/ slim bezels 4Color temperate can be modified as per preference to reduce eye strain 5Resolution is good enough to supplement a MacBook Pro 6All the required cables included
1Not the sharpest display 2Ports are located at the rear; could be inconvenient for some
4. ViewSonic VP2771 27” Monitor:
Yet another affordable 2K WQHD monitor, the ViewSonic VP2771 boasts of SuperClear IPS panel technology that is ideal for photo/video editors, graphic designers, and casual users. It also comes with a screen-wide sRGB technology that enhances color uniformity, delivering precise and lively looking image output. What’s more? It also features a built-in ambient light sensor, a comfortable design, and various connectivity inputs including USB-C, HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, and Mini Display Port. Note that not all USB-C cables are compatible with this monitor. The one you get with the monitor is only meant for charging. You’ll need to purchase a Thunderbolt 3 cable to get it to work properly.
PROS CONS
1Great color accuracy 2Completely adjustable base 3Frameless screen
1Poor horizontal viewing angles 2OSD buttons lack backlighting
5. LG 27UK850-W 27” Monitor:
Another great product from LG, the 27UK50-W model features a stunning 4K/UHD display with a legion of features such as an IPS panel technology, sRGB 99% color gamut, HDR10 support, AMD FreeSync, and of course, a USB-C type connectivity input. To boot, this monitor has an ultra-thin bezel, offering a seamless display that almost looks to be borderless. The only downside are its in-built speakers since the sound output is not exactly impressive.
PROS CONS
1Stunning image quality with HDR support 2Completely adjustable base 3Thin bezels 4On-screen control for quick access 5AMD FreeSync 6Great for gaming 7Works with Xbox One X and MacBook Pro
1Slow speeds (2.0) on USB-A ports when using the USB-C port 2Slight backlight bleed 3Unsatisfactory wide-viewing angles
6. Samsung C34H890WJN WQHD UltraWide 34” Monitor:
Want an even bigger screen than a 27” monitor? The Samsung C34H890WJN model is a great option, featuring a 34” 1800R curved screen facilitating increased productivity and more comfort. As the title suggests, this monitor sports an Ultra-Wide 21:9 screen with split-screen and “picture-in-picture” technology along with wide-viewing angles. Plus, you get a beautiful image output with 3440 X 1440 resolution. Whether you’re a media consumer or a gamer, this monitor will fulfill your monitor needs.
PROS CONS
1VA panel produces darker blacks (compared to an IPS panel) 2Larger field of view making it excellent for gaming 3Fast response time 4Brilliant for dual monitor set-up 5Less eye strain 6Huge screen space
1Contrast can be slightly better 2Pricey
7. LG 34UC99-W:
Yet another 34-inch monitor with an ultra-wide screen, the LG 34UC99-W model features an immersive WQHD IPS 21:9 display and comes with AMD FreeSync and multiple connectivity inputs including USB Type-C and USB 3.0 ports. Furthermore, you also get on-screen controls with options such as split-screen 2.0, multiple simultaneous window displays, 4 picture-in-picture modes, and resize.
PROS CONS
1Large real estate 2Reader mode for lesser strain on eyes 3Adjustable height 4Good image quality 5Beautiful matte finish on the screen
1Slight backlight bleed 2No built-in speakers 3Below average on-screen controls
What to Look for in a USB Type-C Monitor?
In case you’re wondering how to decide which monitor is good enough to be supplemented with your MacBook Pro, here are a few factors that you must consider before making the purchase:
Design: Since you’re a MacBook Pro user, you must be aware of how thoughtfully Apple designs its products. Not only are they beautiful to look at but also a delight to use. Be it the keyboard or the exterior build, MacBooks have an edge over most of the other laptops out there. In order to avoid disappointment, you must choose a monitor that is equally ergonomic, with a premium look and feel. Ensure that the stands are adjustable and the screens promote wide-viewing angles. Connectivity Inputs: This pointer goes without saying but we’ll emphasize anyway. Given that you’re making the purchase to go with your MacBook Pro, its extremely important that you ensure that the monitor comes with not just one but a few extra USB Type-C ports, plus other inputs such as HDMI and DisplayPort if you plan to use other peripherals. Also, bear in mind that most of the monitors will come with USB-C cables which are only meant for power and not for data transfer. You may have to get a Thunderbolt 3 cable separately. Screen resolution and panel technology: All MacBooks come with the IPS panel technology. So make sure that the monitor you buy has an IPS panel tech too. It’ll offer to wider-viewing angles, deeper blacks, and brighter colors. Also, the 5K resolution is perhaps your best bet if you’re into hardcore gaming, graphic designing, or editing. 4K resolution works great too. However, it does have inaccurate scaling issues when paired with a MacBook. Maybe hold it out until companies start dishing out better 4K monitors. If you’re a casual user and need the monitor for media consumption or productivity apps such as Word Doc., even a full HD resolution should do the job well. Plus, it’ll save you tons of money.
Wrapping Up:
These are all the monitors that we think stand out from the rest. We’ve made the list on basis of personal use and user reviews. Note that we have left out a few really popular monitors which you may see on other blogs and articles. That’s because another laptop fared better in comparison. For example, the LG 4K 27UD88 is not mentioned on our list as quite a few laptops beat it in terms of display and design. Having said that, it is still worth checking out. And while you’re looking at all the possible options, also check out the Dell D8318DW and Acer H277HU monitors. We hope that you find our list useful. Feel free to add any other good monitor that we may have missed. And let us know your favorite one in the comment section down below!
