TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
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Anyone who’s used or tested the latest MacBook Pro will tell you that if it gets one thing right, it’s the screen. The gorgeous Retina displays on the latest iterations of this famed Apple product are indeed a sight to behold, and regardless of whether you use it to professionally edit photos or stream Netflix, you have to acknowledge that these screens are simply awesome. But the MacBook Pro tops out at 16 inches—meaning that some people are simply out of luck if they need a larger screen for work or play. Whether you’re a gamer who needs an immersive experience as you battle your enemies across the globe or a music producer who needs to expand your track count, having a 16-inch monitor sometimes just doesn’t cut it. Thankfully, you can always turn to an external monitor in order to solve your viewing woes. You can opt for the premium displays offered by Apple that come with a hefty price, or you can go for monitors from other brands that will allow you to save more money. Since most modern MacBook Pros favor a USB Type-C connection, it would be best to purchase a monitor that’s USB-C-ready to begin with. You can still use monitors with an HDMI connection, but you will need to spend extra on an adapter or USB hub. The perfect monitor for Apple users would be one with a high resolution, wide color gamut, and high refresh rate. Let’s look at some of the best monitors for the MacBook Pro in 2022.
If you have been a loyal Apple user for many years now, you would know that using different Apple products together will always result in a more convenient and productive experience. It’s why the Apple Studio Display would be among the best displays you can use with your MacBook Pro. The monitor features a 5K Retina display that measures 27 inches. It supports about 1 billion colors and features 600-nit brightness and True Tone technology. The base model of the display comes with standard glass and a tilt-adjustable stand, but you can opt for a variant with nano-texture glass and a tilt and height-adjustable stand if you’re willing to pay a higher price. We live in an age where people constantly hop on video calls, and the Apple Studio Display guarantees a premium experience thanks to its 12MP Ultra-Wide camera with a 122-degree field of view. Its Center Stage feature ensures that you’re in the center of the frame even when you move around. Users might not need a separate speaker anymore to use with the display because of its excellent high-fidelity six-speaker system with force-canceling woofers. It supports Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, so you can expect the best quality possible. The monitor has one Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port and three standard USB-C ports. It’s compatible with MacBook Pros which were released from 2016 onwards. Customers can immediately connect the monitor to their laptops right out of the box because you will get a free 1m Thunderbolt cable.
5K Retina display with superb detail and vibrant colorsModern and stylish designFantastic 12MP Ultra-Wide camera with Center StageExcellent speakers
ExpensiveModel with height-adjustable stand will cost you moreNot wall-mountableLacks HDR support
The Dell UltraSharp UP2720Q is a premium offer from the brand, and it comes with impressive specs. It’s a 27-inch LED-backlit LCD monitor with a 4K resolution, 163ppi pixel density, and 60Hz refresh rate. You can expect bright whites and deep blacks from the monitor because of its 1,300:1 contrast ratio and 0.26-nit dark luminance. Its screen promises consistent brightness thanks to its Uniformity Compensation feature. The monitor also has the most vibrant and accurate colors because of its 100% Adobe RGB, 80% BT. 2020 and 98% DCI-P3 wide color coverage. Users can easily calibrate the monitor’s color settings thanks to its built-in colorimeter. Using the Dell Calibration Assistant, you can even establish automated color calibrations and validations. The monitor doesn’t fall short with its ports because it has two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, two Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) ports, four USB 3 (USB Type-A) ports, and one audio line out. Users can also expect flexibility with positioning their monitor because it has a height-adjustable stand, and the screen can tilt, swivel, and pivot. Upon purchase, customers will get a free HDMI cable, DisplayPort cable, Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) cable, and USB Type-C to Type-A cable.
Superb color accuracyBuilt-in colorimeter4K resolutionErgonomic designWide range of ports
PriceyNot the best brightness and contrast
The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV is ideal for those who need a monitor that’s on the more budget-friendly side. This 27-inch IPS monitor only costs around $309. It has a frameless design, so it keeps up with how modern and stylish the MacBook Pro is. Its display features a WQHD resolution and a 100% sRGB/100% Rec. 709 wide color gamut. The monitor promises excellent color accuracy since it’s Calman Verified and achieves ∆E<2, and users can quickly adjust the display’s color gamut thanks to its ASUS-exclusive ProArt Presets. You can even change the monitor’s gamma, temperature, and color hue using the ASUS ProArt Palette. The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV is perfect for creatives since its QuickFit Virtual Scale helps you preview your projects in their actual sizes before printing them. Spending long hours in front of your monitor can lead to eye strain and fatigue, but the monitor makes it easy on your eyes since it has Ultra-Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free technology. The monitor doesn’t have a USB Type-C port, so you will need an adaptor or separate USB hub to connect your MacBook Pro. Nonetheless, you can still connect different devices using its HDMI port, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, Dual-Link DVI port, and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. It also comes with an earphone jack and PC audio input. The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV has a fully-ergonomic design because you can tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust its height. Freebies included with the monitor are an HDMI cable, Dual-link DVI cable, DisplayPort cable, DisplayPort-to-miniDP cable, and audio cable.
Modern and stylish design100% sRGB and 100% Rec. 709 wide color gamutCalman VerifiedQuickFit Virtual ScaleUltra-Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free technologyDecent port selectionMore affordable than rivals
No USB Type-C portsNot the best contrast ratio
The Razer Raptor 27 is the top choice for MacBook Pro users who plan to do a lot of gaming. This monitor has a 27-inch WQHD IPS-Grade display that delivers fantastic clarity and detail. It’s perfect for gaming because of its 144Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time. Your games and movies will look amazing on the display because of its ultra-thin bezels that make your entire viewing experience more immersive. Thanks to its Adaptive Sync technology, the monitor eliminates screen tearing and input lags. Users can expect more colors because of its 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, and it also supports HDR content. The Razer Raptor 27 has a built-in cable management system, giving you a more clutter-free workspace. The monitor’s base has RGB lighting that you can play around with the Razer Synapse software. The monitor comes with two USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, one HDMI 2.0 port, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one 3.5 mm audio jack. You don’t need to make extra purchases before you can start using the monitor with your MacBook Pro because it already comes with a USB Type-C cable. Customers will also get a DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB extension cable.
WQHD IPS-Grade display with 144Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response timeModern design with ultra-thin bezels95% DCI-P3 color gamut and HDR supportBuilt-in cable management systemRGB lightingDecent port selection
Backlight issues in HDR modeContrast needs improvements
For those needing a monitor that will help boost your productivity, you can go for a large monitor like the LG UltraWide 34BK95U-W. It has a 34-inch UltraWide Nano IPS Display with a 5K2K resolution and 21:9 aspect ratio. Since the display is longer than standard monitors, it will be easier to fit several opened windows into the screen. The monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 600-certified, so you can expect bolder contrast and 600-nit peak luminance. It has a DCI-P3 98% color gamut, which promises colors that live up to the digital film industry standard. The LG UltraWide 34BK95U-W is pretty decent for gaming because it has a 75Hz refresh rate and 5 ms response time. Regarding connectivity, it has two HDMI ports, a USB Type-C port, a DisplayPort, two USB Type-A ports, and a headphone jack. Its audio performance is better than other monitors because it features dual 5W speakers. The monitor comes with a helpful Flicker Safe feature that makes it easier on your eyes after a long day of working, browsing, or gaming. Upon purchase, customers get a Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) cable and USB-B to USB-A cable, along with a 3-year limited warranty for parts and labor.
Ultra-wide display perfect for multitasking75Hz refresh rate and 5 ms response time5K2K resolutionVESA DisplayHDR 600-certifiedAmple portsDual 5W speakers3-year limited warranty for parts and labor
Disappointing ergonomicsPriceyTakes a lot of desk space
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