Basic Monitor for Mac Mini

Llilbudgie on 04/07/2023 - 14:45

I have searched so many Mac forums and computer forums but 99% of the speak is way over my head. I have spoke to salesmen and they don't seem to get what I mean either and want to sell me a huge fancy monitor. I have done my research but I need some non fancy answers this old lady can understand. Many years ago I was given a 2012 model Macbook. I used it like a desktop plugged into a pretty ordinary 19 inch monitor. I basically do a bit of email and read a few articles online and maybe browse a bit so my needs are VERY basic. Unfortunately after over 10 years service the battery in my macbook swelled up and busted out of the macbook completely wrecking it. I have been using a windows PC but would really love to go back to an Apple as it suits me better. After doing my research I settled on a Mac Mini as I want to have more than two inputs and the fact that a laptop is not needed and of course cost is also a big consideration. My big problem is the monitor. I have been trying to find out if I can put any old monitor onto it. I am not tech savvy enough to configure stuff so it has to be virtually plug and play.

Goodness people like to get technical and I think try and get me to buy what they would like. Obviously I don't spend my nights playing computer games or making you tube videos. I just want something around 19 inches big but not a portable one. I have been recommended one that is larger than my television and it wouldn't even fit on my desk. I don't care about perfect colours etc. Damn with my old eyes I am lucky to see the rotten thing. I don't understand the jargon at all but I do know that Apple can be really finicky with compatibility so all I want is for someone to tell me a small, cheap, basic monitor that will work with a Mac Mini. I would even be happy to use this one but because it only has the connection with the 13 holes in it I know I will have to get some sort of adapters or something.

Computing Computer Peripheral LCD Monitor

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2023 - 14:49
    -2

    So, not cellular ?

    • lilbudgie on 04/07/2023 - 14:56

      I don't understand. Cellular is like a phone isn't it?

    • AustriaBargain on 04/07/2023 - 15:55

      This a Pam reference?

  • Hybroid on 04/07/2023 - 15:05
    +2

    Mac Minis have HDMI ports. Any monitor with a HDMI port and cable will work.

    Your existing monitor will most likely work fine as that's how you would have connected to the MacBook. See if you can find the model number and/or take a picture of the ports to confirm.

    Everyone will of course recommend you get a larger monitor nowadays but that's personal preference.

  • AustriaBargain on 04/07/2023 - 15:14

    10 years for a MacBook is pretty decent. You can't remove the battery and use it on charge still? I guess a 10 year old Mac you wouldn't want to bother.

    Any monitor will be fine. I'd want one that was big, that had a high resolution, and that had good viewing angles and image quality, so probably an IPS like your old MacBook probably used. You can get IPS monitors fairly cheap these days. Resolution isn't so important but nice to have, your Mac mini will let you scale your screen to it looks how you want. I'd go bigger than 19 inches.

    In a pinch this 31.5 inch 1080p would be okay https://www.centrecom.com.au/acer-eb321hq-a-315-60hz-ips-fhd… It looks like higher resolution IPS screens that size cost a few hundred more. You could get two of those 1080p ones and just set them a bit further back from your eyes though, or stack them with a dual monitor arm that'll take the 100x100mm VESA mount on the back.

    • lilbudgie on 04/07/2023 - 15:51

      It totally destroyed my macbook. Because I used my macbook as a desktop it was hidden behind the monitor and I didn't notice that it had swelled. It busted up all the keyboard and trackpad and in a panic because I thought it would catch on fire I destroyed it even more getting the battery out. It was so bent out of shape even getting the screws out was a drama. One pinged right across the room, it was unreal. Before I attacked it I did enquire about getting a new battery but when I told the age I was told not to bother by the repairers. The reason I want to go back to a Mac. They last forever and their support is fantastic especially for someone like me who doesn't know what they are doing plus so easy to use. Thank you for your suggested monitor it looks like that is what I am after. Not some huge curved monolith fancy thing

  • sumyungguy on 04/07/2023 - 15:18

    If your monitor has a digital connection: HDMI, DVI or DisplayPort it will connect to your Mac mini with the right cable. If it's really old and only has a VGA connection, then you'll have to invest in a newer model.

    • lilbudgie on 04/07/2023 - 15:43

      I doubt that. It is really old I was using it before I got the macbook and only has the old style connection

  • Djlegzy on 04/07/2023 - 15:23

    This monitor below should do the trick for you.

    https://www.umart.com.au/product/hp-p22-g4-21-5in-fhd-ips-60…

    If you want to run 2 x monitors add this cable below.

    https://www.umart.com.au/product/cablelist-2k-usb-c-male-to-…

    • lilbudgie on 04/07/2023 - 15:54

      I think Two monitors might be one too many for me LOL. My needs and my skills are basic. I am just after something that I can read an email on. A great suggestion on the monitor though

  • shxhshzhz on 04/07/2023 - 15:47

    any monitor with HDMI should work. Since you prefer smaller size displays, a cheap option currently on sale is an $99 LG 21.45 inch Full HD at mwave. The 19 inch size has become harder to come by these days as people move to enormous TV sized monitors like 32+ inches.

    If you are ok with slightly larger at 23.8 inches, you can get a Philips for only $10 more that also comes with built in speakers.

    Both serve basic purposes perfectly.

  • lilbudgie on 04/07/2023 - 15:58
    +1

    I really like the idea of inbuilt speakers even though I often turn my speakers off I do sometimes have them on and that would be handy. See this is the information I really wanted when I went to see the sales people at the shops they baffled me with science and numbers and wanted me to have these huge curved fancy things to read a bit of email on

    • ForkSnorter on 04/07/2023 - 17:18

      I wouldn’t get smaller than 22 inches. I’ve connected my Mac Mini to a 24-inch Dell monitor using an HDMI cable. It’s a good size for basic internet browsing, even on a small desk.

      In regard to audio, I’ve connected my Mac Mini to an Amazon Echo via the 3.5mm headphones jack. Very handy for no-delay great sounding audio and can still use the smart speaker function of the Echo.

      • lilbudgie on 06/07/2023 - 13:07

        It is too late now that I have already ordered my Mac Mini but if you don't mind me asking are you happy with your Mac Mini?

  • Vancomycin 1000mg on 04/07/2023 - 18:06

    Get any Dell Monitor 27 inch and above, 2k or 4k would be nice for crisp images and text. $300 -400

  • shxhshzhz on 05/07/2023 - 15:56

    @lilbudgie this one Acer 21.5" is $99 with free delivery for general areas also has HDMI. The mwave one needs to add the price of delivery which usually exceeds $10. This is direct from acer store.

    • lilbudgie on 06/07/2023 - 09:11

      Thank you so much for your reply. I ordered this monitor this morning. I can't believe how helpful everyone has been

      • shxhshzhz on 06/07/2023 - 12:24

        No problem. Enjoy.

  • lilbudgie on 06/07/2023 - 09:18
    +1

    Thank you so much to everyone that commented. I ordered my mac mini yesterday and the Acer monitor this morning. It was probably overkill but I watched a couple of youtube video's which were obviously made by people with higher needs than mine but as I want this to last for many many years I upgraded to the next size in RAM and also got one that has 512GB as all the reviewers seemed to say the same thing. I am looking for longevity more than anything. Again thank you all for your time and imput you all knew exactly what I was talking about and helped immensely.

  • robjan02 on 08/11/2023 - 18:50

    Can I ask which Acer monitor you got ?
    I was after a 5K monitor (as I'm upgrading from a 5K 27inch Imac..late 2014) but the prices are too high for me.
    The 4K one are probably the way to go for me…I think.

    Also I read that the LG and Dell are also very good monitors too.

    Are you happy that you chose the Acer ??

    Thank-you for your thoughts.

    • lilbudgie on 09/11/2023 - 08:57
      +1

      I got the basic Acer 21.5" for $99 that was the last recommendation for me here. I am more than happy with it but my needs are VERY basic. Basically I just wanted something to work and all the tech stuff is way beyond me. I just wanted it to have the right plugs so I could connect it. So yes to answer your question I am happy with my Acer monitor but I really don't know enough about them to comment on others.

  • robjan02 on 09/11/2023 - 16:43

    Thank-you for replying.
    Appreciate your honesty and upfront opinion.
    Regards 😊

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