Monitors with Mac Mini LG 29UB67 or AOC U2879VF?

Question

Monitors with Mac Mini LG 29UB67 or AOC U2879VF?

Hi

I have a Mac Mini (late 2012 version). Processor: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5, Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 4000 1024 MB, Memory: 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3, Operating System: 10.10.5, with HDMI and Thunderbolt ports.

I'm a Graphic Designer doing mostly magazine work and at the moment I use a basic 19 inch Sony monitor, I think running at 1280 x 1024.

I need more screen space for all the palettes and extras that come with the usual graphics programs. I have come down to two monitors in my limited budget: the 29 inch widescreen LG 29UB67 (2560x1080) or the 28 inch AOC U2879VF (3840x2160).

Question: Can I successfully use either of these monitors with my Mac Mini? My main priority is to have crisp text and to be able to view A4 pages at actual size and preferably as spreads. I do some photo retouching but not high end colour critical stuff. LG have said that their monitor is designed to work with Mac, but I have I have no idea what the on screen quality is like, and I haven't heard back from AOC, so I'm wondering also if anyone has had any first hand experience of these two monitors.

Additionally, if I could use either of these, can I also hook up my existing 19 inch in monitor in tandem for even extra work area?

Thanks for any advice!

Posted on Oct 18, 2016 7:51 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Oct 19, 2016 1:23 AM in response to Crispy Crouton

The 2012 Mini does not support greater than 2560x1440.

Thus the AOC would have to be used at less than its native resolution.

I would go with the LG and use a a cable with a mini displayport on one end (plugs into the Mac's Thunderbolt port) and displayport plug on the other (lugs into the monitor displayport).

You use another monitor on the HDMI port of the the Mini. The HDMI port only outputs digital at max 1920x1200

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Answer 2

JimmyCMPIT

Level 7

29,306 points

Oct 19, 2016 1:23 AM in response to Crispy Crouton

if you are going from a Sony LCD to a LG or AOC you may be disappointed at what your budget allowed. Read the reviews of the monitors and keep in mind most if not all LCD displays with DVI or HDMI connectors will have the same limitations and potential on any OS platform, not just Mac.

Budget monitors are not often the choice of graphic professionals because they appeal to budget consumers looking for larger monitors who are not overly concerned with color correction and display range, if you can deal with and understand you get what you pay for then you need to go through the reviews and cross your fingers the reviewer knew what they were talking about.

the 2012 Mac Mini i5 will support dual display of 1920x1200 on an HDMI or a DVI display (using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter) and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).

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Answer 3

Oct 22, 2016 12:23 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks lllaass and JimmyCMPIT for your speedy and excellent advice. I have decided to go for the widescreen LG and I have to say I'm absolutely delighted! Apart from the sheer width of space that allows me to work on double page magazine spreads, the brightness and the clarity are superb, and the thing I was most worried about, the resolution, are absolutely spot on. I have used Apple Displays before, but as a freelance graphic designer I just can't afford to go this route. It's early days yet but I can't believe how good this £250 monitor really is. Took me about 15 minutes to set up too! Jimmy, you are right that in general you get what you pay for. But I have to say that, in this instance, you get a whole lot more!

Thanks again!

Shaun (Crispy Crouton).

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