Recommend external monitor for older Macbook Pro

[sbornia]

Need to get an external monitor for my wife's older (2011) Macbook Pro, which has a Thunderbolt connection for video. I already have a Thunderbolt-VGA adapter, but can get another type if necessary. But I'm stumped on the monitor given how many are available. Thinking 19"-20" screen and somewhere around $100. It will mostly be used for word processing, so super hi-res or other fancy features aren't necessary.

Any brands or models you recommend?

Thanks!

[spopepro]

The dell outlet has the P2014H for $100. Here's the link, but I have had issues with directly linking to the dell outlet in the past.

It checks all the boxes: right price, right size, right connector (just buy a mini-display port-display port cable and you don't need an adapter), and has the added benefit of being an IPS type panel, which will reproduce colors way better and have better viewing angles than TN panels (more common at this price).

[Nathanrtaylor]

The dell outlet has the P2014H for $100. Here's the link, but I have had issues with directly linking to the dell outlet in the past.

We sell thousands and thousands of those monitors. A large portion of Dell's commercial segment has that as their standard monitor. (I work at Dell, to be clear).

[sbornia]

Thanks guys. I just remembered that I have an $85 Best Buy gift card to use for something, so am thinking of going in that direction. Your Dell loyalty notwithstanding, what would you say about brands like ViewSonic or AOC (which I'd never even heard of until this morning).

[spopepro]

It's tough to go by brand for monitors. Not everyone manufactures the panels themselves, so it's entirely possible to have complete junk being sold by a company that also sells pro graphics monitors. Stores don't help you out a ton either with many of them not listing technical details of the panels. If they give you an option, IPS > ( )VA > TN for panels. As you go from left to right, you lose color accuracy and viewing angles. I'd recommend a monitor with a Display Port because that's going to work with the macbook without a conversion adapter. After that, having a stand with good adjustability is a nice plus, as most cheap monitors will have very limited adjustments available.

[Nathanrtaylor]

Good advice there. ^

[sbornia]

Thanks guys, this is very helpful in deciphering the specs of different models.

One other thing I'm not sure about is resolution. The Macbook is 1280x800 native, and I understand that all of these external monitors are much higher. Will this difference pose any compatibility issues?

[spopepro]

Thanks guys, this is very helpful in deciphering the specs of different models.

One other thing I'm not sure about is resolution. The Macbook is 1280x800 native, and I understand that all of these external monitors are much higher. Will this difference pose any compatibility issues?

Nope, will be just fine. That resolution is the native layout for the display, but the computer is capable of outputting just about all resolutions.

[sbornia]

Thanks again!

[Tristan]

This page says that a 2011 Macbook Pro will support external monitors up to 2560x1600. If you're going to the cost and effort of getting an external monitor I'd get a nice big one with enough real estate to put two documents side-by-side.

To me that means a minimum of 1920x1080 resolution, and around 24" in size. Here's what Bestbuy have.

As others have said the brand isn't super important as the panel will be made by a third company. I'm typing this on a 24" ViewSonic 1920x1080 which I've had for a few years and it's been a fantastic monitor. You do get what you pay for though - the higher end monitors are nicer to stare at than the super cheap ones.

[EricKeller]

the high end Dell's are hard to beat. The sad thing about all monitor companies is that they decided to follow tv's into low vertical resolutions. If you can afford a 1920x1200 24", you will be happier than the 1900x1080 garbage that is so cheap. Unless you're really on a budget, the sweet spot price-wise right now is 27" 2600x1440 The 30" monitors have been holding steady at too much money for me. I might skip to a 4k tv. Note that the higher resolution takes special cables. They are becoming more common, but you still have to make sure they are high resolution.

For word processing or programming, it isn't a a bad idea to flip the monitor 90 degrees. Then the low number of vertical resolution is not the problem any more