The best external monitors for your Thunderbolt 3 MacBook Pro
If a MacBook Pro is your primary computer, you're probably going to want a big-screen monitor for your desktop. These are some of the top-rated options compatible with Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C, in no particular order.
Truly a behemoth, the U3818DW ($874.99) is a 38-inch, 3,840-by-1,600 IPS panel which not only has USB-C, DisplayPort, and HDMI connections, but additional USB 3.0 ports, 9-watt speakers, and integrated Bluetooth. As with all of the monitors on this list it can charge an attached MacBook, in this case supplying 95 watts of power, enough to run and charge a 15-inch MacBook Pro without issue.
For people looking to keep costs semi-reasonable, the PD2710QC ($549.99) is a 27-inch, 2,560-by-1,440 IPS display that supplies up to 61 watts to an attached laptop. Beyond USB-C, ports are limited to DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI, and 3.5mm audio.
Still less expensive is the 27-inch S2718D ($348.95). This delivers 2,560-by-1,440 resolution, but you will make some sacrifices -- there's no DisplayPort option, and power delivery is capped at 45 watts, which is only enough to slow down battery drain on a MacBook. There are at least audio-out and two USB 3.0 ports.
The 27-inch UltraFine 5K was designed in cooperation with Apple, and as its name suggests, supports resolutions up to 5,120 by 2,880. This hits 99 percent of the P3 color gamut, and provides up to 85 watts of power via Thunderbolt 3, while also including a camera and three USB-C ports, the latter capped at 5 gigabits per second. You'll pay a hefty fee: it typically retails for $1,299.95.
Back to the big ones -- the XR382CQK ($949.99) measures 37.5 inches, and runs at 3,840 by 1,600. It's also marketed as a gaming monitor, with an incredibly fast 1-millisecond response time. MacBooks are connected via a USB 3.1 Type-C port, and four USB 3.0 ports are provided for peripherals. Other video options include DisplayPort, HDMI 2.0, and MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) 2.1.
The Designo MX27UC ($525.19) is 27-inch 4K monitor notable for its slim design, while having a decent assortment of ports on the back: USB-C, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, and two Type-A USB 3.1 connections. You can also plug in external audio, but the monitor's speakers are rated at just 3 watts.
The 27UK850-W ($594.90) is another 27-inch, 4K USB-C display, and indeed even has bezels similar to those on the Designo. Secondary ports include DisplayPort, two HDMI, and two USB Type-A options.
Samsung is big on curved displays, a prime example being the 34-inch C34H890WJN ($699.99). This one has a 3,440-by-1,440 panel in a 21:9 ratio, and ports for USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, 3.5mm audio, and three USB 3.0 peripherals.
This one ($899.99) was just announced. Like the C34H890WJN it's a 34-inch, 3,440-by-1,440 monitor, the main difference being the replacement of USB-C with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one of which can deliver 85 watts to a connected MacBook. Other ports include HDMI, DisplayPort, and two USB 3.0 connections.
Dell U3818DW
Truly a behemoth, the U3818DW ($874.99) is a 38-inch, 3,840-by-1,600 IPS panel which not only has USB-C, DisplayPort, and HDMI connections, but additional USB 3.0 ports, 9-watt speakers, and integrated Bluetooth. As with all of the monitors on this list it can charge an attached MacBook, in this case supplying 95 watts of power, enough to run and charge a 15-inch MacBook Pro without issue.
BenQ PD2710QC
For people looking to keep costs semi-reasonable, the PD2710QC ($549.99) is a 27-inch, 2,560-by-1,440 IPS display that supplies up to 61 watts to an attached laptop. Beyond USB-C, ports are limited to DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI, and 3.5mm audio.
Dell S2718D
Still less expensive is the 27-inch S2718D ($348.95). This delivers 2,560-by-1,440 resolution, but you will make some sacrifices -- there's no DisplayPort option, and power delivery is capped at 45 watts, which is only enough to slow down battery drain on a MacBook. There are at least audio-out and two USB 3.0 ports.
LG 27MD5KA UltraFine 5K
The 27-inch UltraFine 5K was designed in cooperation with Apple, and as its name suggests, supports resolutions up to 5,120 by 2,880. This hits 99 percent of the P3 color gamut, and provides up to 85 watts of power via Thunderbolt 3, while also including a camera and three USB-C ports, the latter capped at 5 gigabits per second. You'll pay a hefty fee: it typically retails for $1,299.95.
Acer XR382CQK
Back to the big ones -- the XR382CQK ($949.99) measures 37.5 inches, and runs at 3,840 by 1,600. It's also marketed as a gaming monitor, with an incredibly fast 1-millisecond response time. MacBooks are connected via a USB 3.1 Type-C port, and four USB 3.0 ports are provided for peripherals. Other video options include DisplayPort, HDMI 2.0, and MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) 2.1.
Asus Designo MX27UC
The Designo MX27UC ($525.19) is 27-inch 4K monitor notable for its slim design, while having a decent assortment of ports on the back: USB-C, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, and two Type-A USB 3.1 connections. You can also plug in external audio, but the monitor's speakers are rated at just 3 watts.
LG 27UK850-W
The 27UK850-W ($594.90) is another 27-inch, 4K USB-C display, and indeed even has bezels similar to those on the Designo. Secondary ports include DisplayPort, two HDMI, and two USB Type-A options.
Samsung C34H890WJN
Samsung is big on curved displays, a prime example being the 34-inch C34H890WJN ($699.99). This one has a 3,440-by-1,440 panel in a 21:9 ratio, and ports for USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, 3.5mm audio, and three USB 3.0 peripherals.
Samsung CJ79
This one ($899.99) was just announced. Like the C34H890WJN it's a 34-inch, 3,440-by-1,440 monitor, the main difference being the replacement of USB-C with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one of which can deliver 85 watts to a connected MacBook. Other ports include HDMI, DisplayPort, and two USB 3.0 connections.
Comments
As an aside, it’s rather pathetic that Apple does not make high-end monitors. Heck, for starters, all it needs to do is make an iMac without the internals and the chin...
I do have to keep the MacBook Pros away from the Samsung fridge too.
On your aside, I don't have an iMac but the last few Apple monitor I have owned have all suffered from a weird darkening area that creeps in from both sides in a non-uniform almost organic structural way. It isn't visible most times but on an all white screen very noticeable. This hapened with a pair of 30" Apple Cinema displays and has again with my current 27" Apple LCD.
I miss my old Apple LED Cinema Display- too bad they decided to get out of the business. Same for Airport Extreme Base stations.
Right now I am enjoying my H-P 32" UHD Monitor. They had them for fire sale prices at Best Buy when I bought mine, so I brought it home and it performs well. Display Port and HDMI support. Only thing I needed was a Mini Display Port to Display Port adapter.
For some reason the 4K market is moving to 21.5-inch and then 27-inch and up, with few suppliers offering a realistically priced 4K 23/24-inch monitor.
https://www.monitornerds.com/dell-u2718q-review/
It's a nice monitor in terms of the display, but the stand is standard ugly Dell.
I really try to avoid speculating about what Steve Jobs would have done if he were still alive, but it's really inconceivable to me that he would have tolerated beautiful Macs being paired with ugly PC monitors. Frankly, it's pretty disappointing that Jony Ive tolerates it.
MacPro originally said:
On your aside, I don't have an iMac but the last few Apple monitor I have owned have all suffered from a weird darkening area that creeps in from both sides in a non-uniform almost organic structural way. It isn't visible most times but on an all white screen very noticeable. This hapened with a pair of 30" Apple Cinema displays and has again with my current 27" Apple LCD.
anantksundaram then said
I am not sure that the monitor on the iMac has this problem?
I say:
My 27" iMac display did this. I ordered it 2-days after the 27" was announced in Nov 2009.
I was ready to buy pre-announcement, but didn't know 27" was coming. When I heard it I almost feinted with delight.
Anyway, great description by MacPro, that's exactly what happened. "Organic darkening", ameoba-shaped, crept in (from the top). Esp noticeable on the grey-bootup screen. Not really noticeable when any image is shown, but clean-white it was as MacPro says.
I was nervous about the Genius bar not "seeing" the issue (think car-dealership-evil), but a few days before AppleCare ended, I hauled all 30-lbs of it to a Genius Bar and upon power up (grey-screen still), the Genius instantaneously said (with funny accent): "Oh that's ObNOXious", and ordered the $597 screen-part under applecare.
I had it back a few days later and it's been fine ever since. Coming up on 9 years overall.
My use case is just internet, e-mail, and 56,000+ family Photos in one always-growing mega-library.
Off-Topic:
Deeply Loved iPhoto and everything about it.
Frustrated by Photos which seems like a step backwards (but I know it's me).
34WK95U-W
34" Class 21:9 UltraWide® 5K2K Nano IPS LED Monitor with HDR 600 (34" Diagonal).But looks like it's delayed til next year 😫
The BenQ comes with a docking station base doesn’t it?