One of the few accessories that could improve the MacBook Pro is an external monitor. Photographers, videographers, graphic designers, coders, music producers, and other creative professionals rely on ample screen real estate to streamline their workflows. Running the MacBook Pro as a “brain,” you can connect to a larger, high-quality monitor, and even use the MacBook’s own display as a secondary screen. Investing in one of the best monitors for MacBook Pro can help you get even more out of an already powerful laptop.
About the MacBook Pro
It was a divisive move when Apple did away with standard ports on touchbar MacBook Pros, introduced at the end of 2016. They instead went with four Thunderbolt 3 ports using a USB-C connection, requiring users to purchase dongles and adapters for any peripheral equipment not equipped with USB-C. Of course, this included connections like HDMI for external monitors.
The consensus was mixed for that first generation of machines. Many professional users were unhappy with the choice that essentially rendered their peripherals useless without pricey dongles (after already investing a few thousand dollars in a laptop). At the time, it was apparent Apple was pushing Thunderbolt 3 with USB-C connectors for its speed and near-zero latency, but the rest of the computing world hadn’t caught up. There was a bit of head-scratching by consumers, yet we trudged on, dongle in hand.
We’re happy to say that the latest and greatest 14” and 16” MackBook Pro laptops have reintroduced the HDMI port alongside an SDXC card slot and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. This means there is no need for an adapter to connect a monitor. Rejoice! It’s also worth noting that the current generation of laptops shares a gorgeous liquid retina XDR display well suited to creative work like video and photo editing. Still, we understand that certain tasks require additional screen space. The MacBook Pro’s reacquired HDMI port is there to make it possible. In addition, as many modern displays incorporate Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, the MacBook Pro has those ports available as well.
The newest MacBook Pros — running on the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips — are powerhouses for creative and professional users. They’re all-around computational dynamos, with up to 10-core CPUs, 32-core GPUs, and 64GB of RAM. Not only that, but the 16-inch liquid retina XDR display is the largest and most visually impressive screen in a MacBook yet. As a standalone machine, the MacBook Pro is ready to perform out of the box — now, all you need is a monitor.
Can’t decide on a new laptop? Check out MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Which is Right for You?
How to Choose a Monitor
Intended Use
The first and most important thing to consider when purchasing a monitor is intended use. The key here is that professionals, general users, and gamers prioritize different features. Professionals are usually concerned with specs like color accuracy and resolution, whereas general users may really only be interested in size. Gamers, on the other hand, want fast response times and refresh rates for a seamless and accurate visual experience. Once you decide what the monitor is for, you can pinpoint the specifications best suited to the task.
Screen Size
Screen size is likely to be on everyone’s mind when it comes to shopping for an external monitor. Part of making that decision also includes the intended use, the difference in cost between larger and smaller screens, and even how much desktop space is available. For day-to-day computing or work from home, most customers can get away with an average- to small-sized monitor, like 24” or less. If you run many programs side by side, or do creative editing where a large image is helpful, then you’ll probably want to start looking at screens 27” and up.
Resolution
Next is resolution, which lets us know how many pixels the monitor has. We measure it as width x height, such as 1920 x 1080, otherwise known as Full HD (FHD). These days, FHD is the bare minimum you’d want from a monitor. Higher resolution means a better, sharper picture. Quad HD (QHD) will be significantly sharper than FHD, and a 4K ultra HD (UHD) monitor would be even better than that.
Refresh Rate
Another important feature, especially for gamers, is refresh rate. Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), measures how many times the monitor “refreshes” with new visual information every second. The higher the number, the smoother the image will be. For gaming, you’d want nothing less than 75 Hz, although most monitors made specifically for this purpose have at least a 120 Hz refresh rate. 60 Hz is perfectly adequate for general or professional use.
Connectivity Options
Last but not least, you’ll want to consider the monitor’s connectivity and ports. The majority of monitors give you options like HDMI as well as DisplayPort. If you’re running a current generation MacBook Pro, HDMI would be the go-to choice for most monitors. That said, certain higher-end monitors take advantage of Thunderbolt 3/USB-C. This allows you to transfer audio and video using a Thunderbolt port on your MacBook Pro instead. In any case, most external monitors are designed to work with whatever consumers may have, and some of them additionally serve as a USB hub linked to your computer.
Best Monitors for MacBook Pro
Best Photography Monitor – BenQ PD3220U
The PD3220U by BenQ is a gorgeous 31.5” 4K UHD display with built-in speakers. Ideally suited for creatives and professionals, this monitor is capable of accurately reproducing color in ultra high-resolution for photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. The display is also MacBook-ready, with single-cable Thunderbolt 3 connectivity as well as color synchronization between the Mac display and the BenQ.
Pros
- Roomy display with hi-res 4K detail
- AQCOLOR technology for industry-standard accuracy
- Thunderbolt 3 connectivity for easy Mac integration
Cons
- Brightness may be slightly dim for some
- Proper calibration can be time-consuming
- Expensive
Best Ultra Wide – LG 34BK95U-W Ultrafine
Ultra wide monitors are increasing in popularity, and this LG for content creators is an example of why. Offering a generous 34” screen in 21:9 aspect ratio, the BK95U has more than enough room for advanced tasks like video editing and coding. It displays it all in stunning (and highly color-accurate) 5120 x 2160 5K resolution, and the LG even won an award for best photo monitor in 2018.
Pros
- Designed and optimized with content creators in mind
- VESA DisplayHDR 600 provides bold contrast for lifelike images
- More than enough space for a variety of tasks
Cons
- Requires a lot of desk space
- Somewhat limited tilt adjustment
- I/O placement means dangling cables
Best within Apple Ecosystem – Apple Studio Display
It goes without saying that the Apple Studio Display integrates seamlessly into the Apple MacBook Pro ecosystem. This impressive monitor boasts a 27” screen, 5K resolution, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a six-speaker Spatial Audio array. The minimalist design is sleek and professional looking, so it doesn’t draw any unwanted attention to itself. The Apple Studio Display prioritizes function for professionals and general users.
Pros
- Seamless one-cable connection to MacBook Pro
- Speakers are impressive for a monitor
- Thoughtful and elegant design
Cons
- Thunderbolt 3 only (requires MacBook Pro 2016 or newer)
- 12MP camera isn’t the sharpest
- Very expensive
Best Gaming Monitor – Razer Raptor 27
Razer is one of the leading developers of gaming laptops and peripherals. The Raptor 27 is optimized for all-out gaming performance, sporting QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, a 165 Hz refresh rate, and 1 ms response time. Among other functional features are clever built-in cable management and a discrete base that keeps your eyes on the screen. Not to mention, it’s also the world’s first THX certified gaming monitor for its color reproduction and image consistency.
Pros
- Supports latest adaptive sync technology to eliminate screen tearing
- Ergonomic adjustment includes height, tilt, and swivel
- THX certified visual clarity
Cons
- Taller users may struggle to find the right height
- Cable management is optimized for Razer branded cables
- A bit pricey relative to other gaming monitors
Best Budget Option – Acer ProArt Display PA279CV 27
It isn’t easy to find 4K UHD displays of this caliber at this price. The ASUS ProArt display caters to professionals seeking high resolution and picture-perfect color accuracy on a budget. Calman Verification guarantees industry-leading color reproduction, and every ProArt monitor undergoes strict testing to further ensure this. Photographers, videographers, and graphic designers will love how well this monitor performs for under $500.
Pros
- ASUS-exclusive ProArt Presets offer quick color-gamut adjustment
- Intuitive on-screen menus to customize display
- Very reasonably priced 4K monitor with USB-C support
Cons
- Dated design looks older than it is
- Struggles to produce rich blacks
- HDR leaves something to be desired
Best for Designers – BenQ PD3420Q
Designers hoping to maximize their visibility can do so with this 34” ultra wide monitor by BenQ. It offers 3440 x 1440 wide QHD (WQHD) resolution that represents images in sharp detail but saves a few dollars over 4K UHD displays. The PD3420Q also utilizes BenQ’s AQCOLOR technology that guarantees industry-standard color representation right out of the box.
Pros
- Decent price point for an ultra wide
- Simple and unobtrusive design
- Reliable build quality
Cons
- Contrast and HDR performance could be improved
- Requires a lot of desk space
- Not as bright as it could be
Conclusion
No matter the monitor you choose, today’s best options serve to expand the MacBook Pro’s capabilities without compromising them. Hi-res displays offer brilliant image quality and color accuracy definitive enough for professional photo editing, video editing, graphic design, and digital art. Most importantly, external monitors provide more room to work — multitasking and labor-intensive tasks are only made easier with more viewing space.
Whatever the case may be, there’s a monitor out there for everyone. Individual needs vary, and as the MacBook Pro is a versatile laptop for a variety of uses, the world of external monitors caters to general and more specified purposes. Expand your MacBook Pro’s power with a high-quality display to accompany it.
Featured Photo by Virul Weerasooriya on Unsplash
