One of the strengths of Mac’s new M1 chip is the potential of its graphics card, so even Apple’s own 6K monitor is compatible, not only with the MacBook Pro, but also with the MacBook Air and the Mac mini.
These Macs may support the use of an additional external monitor (or two in the case of the Mac mini), but the setup was not without difficulties and it is always possible to run into issues during the process of setting up. installation.
Early Mac M1 users discovered that when they used certain 4K monitors, they were recognized by newer Apple equipment, but they could only operate at frequencies of 30Hz instead of 50 or 60Hz when they did. took charge.
Special resolutions, such as the ultra-wide screen, also caused issues, and color errors and issues were encountered when waking up and exiting the operating system from sleep mode.
The good news is that most of these issues went away with the macOS Big Sur 11.2 operating system update, with more to be addressed in macOS 11.5, currently in beta.
This doesn’t mean that there are still some issues with some monitors, especially if you need a monitor with high resolution or unusual formats to do your job.
Here are some of the reviews we’ve gathered from leading monitor manufacturers. From what we have seen, we strongly recommend choosing a monitor that the manufacturer guarantees good compatibility with Macs.
You can also consult our ranking of best monitors and displays for Mac computers.
The best recommended monitors for the Mac M1
Benq EW2780U
The manufacturer Benq offers a lot of information about their website on the compatibility of your monitors with Mac M1. Some models can only produce 4K at 30 Hz. For the EW2780U, EQ3280U and EX2780Q, the manufacturer promises the arrival of new firmware.
Supposedly, the problems with the PD2720U model will be resolved with the arrival of macOS 11.5. Benq has released new versions of the Master Element and Display Pilot palette for the Mac M1.
The one we offer here is the model Benq EW2780U with a 27-inch IPS panel and 4K quality at resolution values of 3840 x 2160 and a wide color gamut that covers 99% in SRGB.
It has built-in speakers and technology eye care It is possible to reduce the eye fatigue of the user depending on the hours and the lighting in the environment. Also add 2 HDMI ports with different usage modes depending on your profile.
Eizo Flexscan EV3895
The manufacturer Eizo also evokes the compatibility with the Mac M1 to their website. The company describes color formatting and color profile issues that have not yet been fully resolved.
Eizo, like many others, is experiencing a phenomenon where the limited range YUV signal is transmitted over HDMI instead of an RGB signal, which Eizo says leads to visible banding.
This issue has been resolved for some monitors using macOS Big Sur 11.2, including the ColorEdge line, which can be connected via USB Type-C / DisplayPort, and monitors with audio in and out but no HDMI input (such as the FlexScan EV2430).
A second issue is the color profile created by the system for the monitor, which might be incorrect for the Mac M1. Eizo models, including FlexScan EV3895 and EV2795, are affected.
In the case of the ColorEdge monitor line, this can be corrected quickly, as you only need to switch the signal from “video” to “PC” from the menu.
Another issue, according to Eizo, is with portrait mode, because if you rotate the screen, the resolution drops. The correct resolution is displayed only in the System Monitor configuration settings. Color Navigator 7 software is now available in an ARM version.
Dell U2419HC
Dell branded monitors are not free from the bugs associated with using Mac M1, where a support page fairly up to date, it usually contains a lot of information.
For example, S2721Q, S2721QS, and S3221QS flash slightly when devices are connected via USB-C to the display port. In this case, Dell recommends that you connect your monitors via HDMI. Using a USB-C to HDMI adapter is recommended with Mac mini.
On the other hand, there doesn’t seem to be any issues with Dell’s USB-C monitors. (U2419HC, U2421HE, U2520D, U2719DC, U2720Q, U2721DE, U3219Q, U3421WE, U4320Q, U4919DW, UP2720Q).
An update of Software– An M1 version of Dell Display Manager, a Software administration, which is slated to launch in late September 2021, coinciding with the launch of macOS Monterey.
Take a look at the Dell UltraSharp U2419HC, one of the models recommended by the brand for Mac M1 users for its value for money.
ViewSonic VX3276
One of monitor manufacturers which also offers Software for working with Mac computers is ViewSonic. the Software The vTouch productivity tool has been available for Apple Silicon since the end of April.
The vDisplay Manager management software, on the other hand, has yet to be updated and the release date is also unknown. This also applies to Colorbration software, a color grading tool for its entire model line.
Highlight the monitor here ViewSonic VX3276, one of the cheapest of those mentioned here despite having a 32-inch IPS panel. With its VESA adapter, multiple units can be scaled or mounted on dual monitor mounts.
NEC MultiSync EA231WU
Although NEC does not describe anything on its website regarding compatibility with Mac M1 computers, several reports have indicated that NEC’s 27-inch EA217U has a problem: it does not display an image on a Mac M1.
We have learned from the manufacturer that these problems have been resolved since last April and that all devices of this type receive new firmware gradually since last May.
An update to version 1.0.4 is possible via the service. (According to the NEC, it’s not your monitor that’s incompatible, but Apple’s Mac M1.) A version of the popular Spectraview monitor software that is compatible with the M1 has yet to be released.
As for monitors, we will highlight the model MultiSync EA231WU with a 22.5-inch screen and a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. Its display technology is LED and the response time is 5 ms, valid for working in office mode.
LG 32UL950-W
The LG company (which is actually Apple’s official supplier) does not provide any information in its support databases. When we requested information via email, we were directed to Apple’s support pages.
At least for 4K and 5K Ultrafine models (which are available in the Apple Store) the software is updated for the Mac M1, so you wouldn’t have any kind of problem while using it.
However, LG Screen Manager can only update the firmware of the equipment, but does not offer other configuration functions. When purchasing a monitor with higher resolutions, we recommend that you look at Feedback users.
Buy the model LG 32UL950-W It’s not exactly economical, but we have to admit it’s a safe buy, which has already caused many Mac computer users to switch to these LG models.
Which monitor to buy for the Mac M1?
We have seen the different models that each company sells. Now, we are going to tell you about the main problems that some users have encountered, who have shared their experiences with us. Shopping tips when purchasing a monitor for your Mac M2 computer.
We are going to establish the three categories of failures that you should watch out for before purchasing a new monitor for your Mac M1 computer.
- Problems Software that only Apple can fix
- Errors that a manufacturer must correct using the monitor’s firmware
- Software obsolete monitor that has not yet been adapted by the manufacturer for ARM
Monitor software problems
The main problem when connecting a monitor to your new Mac M1 is usually associated with Software monitor and how you can control its functions. In some cases, it is not even possible to use Rosetta to translate the code and adapt it.
This issue primarily affects business users, for example those who require color calibration and a number of other extras. If you want to know the compatibility of a monitor, we recommend that you do a brief research before purchasing.
Following the release of macOS 11.2, many of the brand’s data sheets have been removed. You need to pay attention to the date of a problem report and assess the author’s credibility.
Not all manufacturers are proactive and many are not trained to meet the demands of Mac users, especially manufacturers like Acer who often design their monitors for Windows environments. Even HP and Samsung omit the information in many cases.
Problems setting up two monitors
Another common problem with the Mac M1 is related to the cables used. You can usually connect a modern monitor via USB-C, HDMI, or a traditional video port.
However, for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro only one USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port. Only Mac mini offers an additional HDMI port, so you can control two monitors, one via USB-C and one HDMI.
Reports indicate that this HDMI port can cause issues, so it may be best to control a monitor through USB-C. We discussed the ways you can get a Mac M1 to support multiple external displays in the article on how to connect two or more external displays to your Mac or MacBook.
Errors with RGB
Another common problem is with monitors that can be controlled by an RGB signal. Mac M1 seem to automatically use a limited range YPbPr or YUV signal. This issue has been addressed with the macOS Big Sur 11.2 update.
There are also instructions on how to fix this problem, for example, by modifying the preferences file. However, we only recommend this method for experienced users. With an HDR monitor, you can also achieve this by enabling the feature in the “Displays” section of “System Preferences”.
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