External Monitor Recommendation for MacBook Air M1

jeeg on 15/05/2022 - 23:14

Hi all. I am sourcing a suitable external monitor to go with my Macbook Air M1.

I would like to use USB-C to DP cable if possible, without using a USB dock, to keep the cost down. I did some research, and apparently on many Dell monitors, the screen will tend to flicker (amongst other issues) when connected to the Macbook Air - so I am not sure which monitor to get.

Many said to avoid non-4k monitors on the MBA as the texts are then not crisp and difficult to read.

Would like a 27" monitor if possible less than $400.

Any recommendation from other Macbook Air owners here?

Computing Apple Computer Computer Peripheral Laptop LCD Monitor Ultrabook

Comments

  • jackary on 15/05/2022 - 23:17
    +3

    I use a Dell S2721Q with my M1 MacBook Air and it’s been flawless for the last 12 months. If I were doing it all over again, I’d spend the extra on the S2722QC so I could charge and output video with the 1 cable.

    • jeeg on 15/05/2022 - 23:30

      Thanks bro for your feedback.

      Incidentally the S2722QC (and also the S2721QS) are one of those models that I seem to see a lot of issues with flickering? For instance the following post. There are other posts with the S2721QS as well. I think I saw a few posts that says the same on the S2721Q and also the S2722DGM which is a 27" 2560 x 1440.

      https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/tqbw8h/dell_s2722qc_4k…

      I am rather surprised (but happy for you) that you have had no issues with the Dell monitor/

      • jackary on 15/05/2022 - 23:40
        +1

        Just FYI the S2721Q and S2721QS are the same monitor.. the QS just has an adjustable stand.

        I think a lot of it comes down to the cable you use. The monitor itself doesn’t come with a cable you can use out of the box - and the first USB-C to DisplayPort cable I tried would just randomly cut out for no reason. Switching to a better cable and it hasn’t missed a beat. I imagine this is where a lot of the online issues you read about are probably stemming from. I’m sure others here can chime in :)

        Edit: This is the cable I’ve been using.

        • jeeg on 15/05/2022 - 23:50

          Thanks mate. That is good info for me.

          I don't understand what you meant earlier by "so I could charge and output video with the 1 cable."….do you mean the USB-C connecting to the monitor is also allowing the monitor to charge the Macbook air?

          Edit: are you able to use the Mac Book Air in clamshell mode, i.e. only using the external monitor with the MBA lid closed?

          Edit 2: are u using the monitor with MBA with 4k and 60Hz?

          • coxjon on 16/05/2022 - 09:55

            @jeeg: I have this monitor and it was great with mba in clamshell. I love the usb 3 port at the front bottom of the monitor.

            Interesting fact: the MacBook Air speakers while the display is closed are better than the monitor speakers

            • jeeg on 16/05/2022 - 09:58

              @coxjon: Hi mate, do you have the S2721Q or the S2722QC? Wasnt sure which one u referred to?

              • coxjon on 16/05/2022 - 11:25
                +1

                @jeeg: The usb C one. Love it. I didn’t notice any flickering on my MacBook Air using the supplied usb C cable, it does a little on my Mac studio but I think that’s due to the cheap usb c extension I needed

                • jeeg on 16/05/2022 - 11:42

                  @coxjon: Thanks bro. Helpful info for me.

          • jackary on 16/05/2022 - 14:40
            +1

            @jeeg: Sorry for the late reply (I gotta sleep sometime!)

            do you mean the USB-C connecting to the monitor is also allowing the monitor to charge the Macbook air?

            Correct! The S2722QC can do video and charging through the single cable. The S2721Q can’t. This is a bit of a problem when the MBA only has 2 ports haha.

            Edit: are you able to use the Mac Book Air in clamshell mode, i.e. only using the external monitor with the MBA lid closed?

            I sure can

            Edit 2: are u using the monitor with MBA with 4k and 60Hz?

            Yep!

            • jeeg on 16/05/2022 - 14:54

              @jackary: Thanks bro. I just checked that the S2722QC is on the Dell refurbished website for $359. As I need the monitor fairly urgently I have sprung for that already.

              Thanks again!

              • jackary on 16/05/2022 - 15:19
                +1

                @jeeg: The S2722QC is a perfect fit for the MBA. I think you’ll be really happy with it. Enjoy! :)

  • davidtse916 on 15/05/2022 - 23:39
    +2

    Dell S2722QC USB-C 27 inch 4k Monitor = A$369 from eBay Dell AU (3y warranty)
    eBay URL: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/334125568715

    Make sure you create an alert for it, it's on sale very often. I haven't seen any flickering with mine yet. Any issues just return it?

    Original price: A$461.25
    Postage: FREE
    20% off using DELL20: -A$92.25
    Order total: A$369

    == Warranty ==
    Premium Panel Guarantee.
    Because it is backed by a 3-Year Limited Hardware Warranty and Advanced Exchange Service, you can purchase your Dell Monitor with confidence.

    Dell 24 Monitor - U2417H | Advanced Exchange Service
    Advanced Exchange Service. Your Dell monitor comes with a 3-year Advanced Exchange Service so that, if necessary, a replacement monitor will be shipped to you the next business day within its 3-Year Limited Hardware Warranty .

    • jeeg on 15/05/2022 - 23:53

      Thanks mate. 2 questions…

      1. I hit the ebay link you have shown and it says $561? How did you get that $369 price?

      2. Are u using the S2722QC with a macbook air M1? if so are you using this via USB-C to DP?

      • davidtse916 on 15/05/2022 - 23:55
        +1

        Hi jeeg.

        1. The monitor is not on sale right now but if you setup an alert for the keyword "Dell S2722QC" you'll find that the monitor is on sale very often.
        2. I'm using S2722QC with M1 MacBook Air 2020. I'm using a single USB-C cable to charge & connect the MBA to the monitor. The best $369 I've ever spent on a monitor thanks to the guys and girls on OzBargain :)
        • jeeg on 15/05/2022 - 23:58

          Great stuff. Are u using the S2722QC in 4k/60Hz with the MBA M1? No flickering and whatsoever issues?

          And clamshell mode works fine?

          • davidtse916 on 16/05/2022 - 00:10
            +1

            @jeeg: "Are u using the S2722QC in 4k/60Hz with the MBA M1?"
            — Correct. My old 2013 MacBook Pro can only do 4k at 30Hz. So painful. Once I upgraded to M1 I was like……I don't need 120Hz, I just need 60 :p

            "And clamshell mode works fine?"
            — Good question. It works fine, even for the 'restart' feature. Some DisplayLink docks can't do restarts, this one works fine because I'm not using DisplayLink at all. I also got the same question before I bought it. My wife is using the M1 MBA with a Targus DOCK190 (bought 2nd hand for less than $100); the Targus one 'can't do restarts', aka once you restart the laptop its kind of like shutdown, you'll need to open up the lid so it'll go ahead with the full restart.

            Clamshell mode is fine but I prefer to have my MBA on the left side of the screen (I'm right handed). This laptop stand from Kmart is perfect as it's cheap & does the job. https://www.kmart.com.au/product/aluminium-portable-laptop-s…

            • jeeg on 16/05/2022 - 00:17
              +1

              @davidtse916: Thanks bro. U have been a great help. I thank you again.

              • davidtse916 on 16/05/2022 - 00:37
                +1

                @jeeg: No worries jeeg. Happy to help anytime. Always good to give back to the OzBargain community :)

      • davidtse916 on 15/05/2022 - 23:57
        +1

        One more thing to add: the USB 3.0 port on the monitor isn't quite enough for me so I've connected my 7 port powered USB-A hub to the back of the monitor. Maybe 2x USB-A 3.0 port is enough for you but for me I'll need a few more than that.

        • jeeg on 16/05/2022 - 00:00
          +1

          Thanks again. I have an Anker USB hub with 4 x USB 3.0 ports. I imagine I can plug this onto the S2722QC in this case?

          • davidtse916 on 16/05/2022 - 00:11
            +1

            @jeeg: Yep that should be fine. There is one USB 3.0 port 'hidden' at the bottom of the monitor, just in case you're looking for the other port ;)

            • jeeg on 23/05/2022 - 13:41
              +1

              @davidtse916: Hi Bro, my Dell S2722QC arrived today - and I have connected my MBA M1 to it - so far so good no flickering (touch wood) - but I couldnt get sound to play from the MBA to the Dell?

              On the Mac I can see the S2722QC has a sound output but it is attached to the DP side of things? How do you managed to play sound from the MBA to the Dell?

              Thanks

              • davidtse916 on 23/05/2022 - 14:52
                +1

                @jeeg: Nice! Your monitor arrived quick! As for the audio, I'm currently using the 'ALOGIC Fusion Code 5-in-1 USB-C Hub' and I can use my S2722QC for audio. I don't have the USB-C to USB-C cable with me right now hence I'm using the hub instead. The hub uses a HDMI cable to connect to the monitor and the audio is fine. I use my AirPods 99% of the time hence I never bothered with the monitor's built-in speaker; they're very average in my opinion, I'd avoid it personally.

                Once I have my USB-C to USB-C cable back tomorrow I'l give that a test too and let you know how it goes.

                Here's the Dell S2722QC PDF manual: https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_elect…

                "*DisplayPort and USB Type-C (Alternate mode with DisplayPort 1.4): HBR3/DisplayPort 1.4/
                DP audio is supported."

                • jeeg on 23/05/2022 - 15:36
                  +1

                  @davidtse916: Thanks bro. I also think the sound from the monitor would be quite poor but I would like to see how bad it is before sourcing a replacement speaker for it. Would be very keen to see how you go with using the USB-C cable and getting the sound to work on the Dell. Keep me posted please. Thanks also for the monitor manual. Cheers mate.

                  • davidtse916 on 10/06/2022 - 09:46

                    @jeeg: Sorry for the late reply. The sound doesn't work if you connect to your monitor via the USB-C cable. I'd say get some external speakers / use AirPods instead if you need it.

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