My monitor recommendations
The photo at the top of this post is not my current recommendation. It is the Dell Z27 that I own myself and was my recommendation until it got discontinued. Monitors last about 10 years, so I didn't race out to replace my own perfectly good screen. This image is for illustrative purposes so that you can see how a monitor works with a laptop computer.
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Are you interested in having both a laptop computer and a desktop computer for different situations? You may want to rethink that. I almost always recommend one computer per person. More computers mean more computer problems. In particular, syncing issues are amplified with every device you add. When you own two cars, you end up at the garage twice as often. So what about when you need something portable but you also need a huge screen? Any Apple laptop computer (and even recent iPads) can operate like a desktop computer if you connect it to a large monitor!
Not only can these monitors be used with a laptop computer, but they can be used with any Mac configuration. I gloss over those configurations because they may be more obvious. This article is for people who have simply never considered that a laptop computer can also be used as a desktop. If you want to add multiple monitors, just be sure you read the specs for your specific computer carefully. Some computers, such as the MacBook Air and 13" MacBook Pro only allow a single external monitor.
Below you will find my three favorite monitor models. Scroll to the end for a feature comparison table. All of these monitors feature USB-C, which allows the video cable to charge your laptop. Fewer cables!
Example Setups
You can work in one of two ways. You can set your laptop computer below or beside your desktop monitor, allowing you to utilize both screens while using the built-in keyboard and touchpad (like my desk setup below). Or you can keep your laptop's screen closed and use a keyboard, mouse, or external trackpad (like my husband's setup, also shown below). Just note that with the laptop closed the mic and camera built into your laptop will not function.
Multiple Monitors
Depending on your model computer, you can even have multiple monitors if you want more screen real estate. However, you will want to check the specs of your specific computer. MacBook Airs specifically did not have great multiple monitor support until the M4 chip.
Recommendations
The best monitor for most people is the 27" 4K Dell UltraSharp U2725QE (Dell.com). It's very similar to my budget pick below but also has more USB ports and richer color.
This monitor does not have built-in speakers, camera, or mic. Few do because video calls were not taken very seriously before the COVID-19 pandemic. If you require those for video calls, you may need to purchase a webcam.
The best value if you want to save a few bucks is the 27” 4K Dell S2722QC (Amazon / Best Buy / Dell.com). This monitor is a great value if you're willing to save $100-200 for a slightly less vivid screen and fewer ports. This is a perfectly acceptable option if you mostly work with documents and don't need extra ports.
Though this monitor does have built-in speakers, it does not have a built-in webcam or microphone.
For a larger screen, you can go with the similar 32" 4K Dell U3225QE (Dell.com) which also includes several more USB ports. This monitor also does not have a built-in speaker, mic, or webcam.
For an upgrade pick for professional photographers or for people who want to splurge, I recommend Apple's 27” Studio Display. It truly is one of the highest-quality monitors on the market with built-in speakers, a mic, a camera, and incredible clarity and color quality. Being a 5K monitor, it has smaller, crisper pixels. It does not work with PCs or with older Apple products so be sure to check the compatibility list before purchasing. The display comes in two screen options (standard or "nano-textured" for better visibility in bright locations), and three stand options (tilt, tilt & height adjustable, or VESA mount). But all this comes in at more than four times the cost of the Dell monitor.
- Apple Studio Display, 27" (all configurations: Apple.com / Amazon)
- Standard Screen with Tilt Adjustment (Best Buy)
- Standard Screen with Tilt & Height Adjustment (Best Buy)
- Standard screen with VESA Mount (Best Buy)
- Nano-texture Glass with Tilt Adjustment (Best Buy)
- Nano-texture Glass with Tilt & Height Adjustment (Best Buy)
- Nano-texture Glass with VESA Mount (Best Buy)
Feature Table
Dell U2725QE
Dell S2722QC
Dell U3225QE
Apple Studio Display
(images not to scale)
Full Retail Price
$759 (this is a brand new product and may have limited availability)
$399
(but often available around $250-300)$1,029 (this is a brand new product and may have limited availability)
$1,599+
Purchase Links
Dell.com
Amazon / Best Buy / Dell.com
Dell.com
Above, many different configuration options
Who This is For
Most People
People on a budget
People who want a larger screen
Media Professionals and people who want something special
Size
27"
27"
32"
27"
Resolution
4K (3840×2160)
4K (3840×2160)
4K (3840×2160)
5K (5120×2880)
Built-in Hub
5 USB-A ports, 3 USB-C port
2 USB-A ports
5 USB-A ports, 3 USB-C port
3 USB-C ports
USB-C Power
140W
65W
140W
96W
Speaker
no
✔️
no
✔️
Camera & Mic
no
no
no
✔️
Pros
Great color quality for the cost
Cost, value
Huge
Crystal clear display, no fussing with inputs because there is only one, great camera, mic, and speaker
Cons
No camera, mic, or speakers built-in
No camera or mic, may not fully power a 15" or 16" MacBook Pro running at sustained high load (use the computer's original power adapter to work around this)
No speaker, camera, or mic, larger screen means pixels are larger
Cost, only compatible with modern Apple devices
Configuring your monitor
None of these monitors require installing any special software (apart from the Apple Studio Display requiring your Mac to be running macOS Monterey 12.3 or later). Some of the Dell monitors offer optional software. But I do have a few tips and things you should know about connections:
- If running dual displays, you can choose for the second screen to mirror the main screen or to operate independently. You can toggle that mode with Command-F1 or in System Settings > Displays.
- Head to System Settings > Displays to configure some options such as image/text size and arrangement. Arrange is available when you are using multiple displays. Your computer has no way of knowing how your two screens are physically arranged in relation to each other, so you have to tell it. That way when the pointer moves off of one screen it appears on the screen where it should on the other display. In the example photo above, when my mouse pointer moves off the bottom of my large screen it appears on my small screen, as if they are one continuous screen.
- I do not normally recommend using the ethernet port if one is built-in. The Mac drivers for most third-party ethernet adapters use enormous processing power, so WiFi will usually be faster.
- If you get a webcam you do not need to install any of the included software. Just plug it in and it will work. Your Mac already has the needed software installed.
- These monitors all provide power to your laptop computer, so you can keep your existing power adapter in your travel bag. If you have a 15" or 16" MacBook Pro with the budget 27" Dell monitor above and you find that the battery drains during use, you may need to also connect your power adapter to provide more power than the screen provides. Unless you are doing very heavy media work this should not be a problem.
- All of the above monitors include the appropriate cables to connect to any modern Mac with USB-C.