Monitor buying guide (mega-thread)

urbanheron4 said:I think you’re totally fine if that resolution, size, and curved screen is what you’re after! I mean, gaming isn't really what a Mac was built for—it might struggle a bit because of the lower refresh rate—but for work stuff or just watching movies? It should be absolutely perfect. Plus, Dell usually puts out really solid picture quality.
Just maybe try hooking it up via a USB-C (Thunderbolt) cable if you can, just to get that extra bandwidth. Though, honestly, even DisplayPort should probably do the trick. I'm not entirely sure which DP version is baked into that MacBook Pro, or how it handles mirroring versus an extended desktop setup.

It really all comes down to what kind of games you're into. The big win with this monitor is definitely the high refresh rate and response time, which is awesome for those competitive shooters or fast-paced stuff. But, like you mentioned, 1080p on a 27-inch screen is... well, it's pushing it a little. And I feel like the brightness might be a tad low, too.
If you're more into strategy games, adventures, or anything that isn't super twitchy, it might actually make more sense to go for 1440p with a lower refresh rate. You'd probably have to shell out a bit more, though.

The silver lining here is having a pretty deep desk and my eyesight being kind of wonky😁
I'm definitely a "budget camper" when it comes to gaming. I'm sticking with 1080p (actually just ordered my monitor today!) just so it lasts me until my next big upgrade—but hey, that’s a problem for future me. Hopefully, it'll be big enough that he can earn some cash over the holidays and finally grab a real PC.

When you're looking at monitors with a Type-C input, you're basically dealing with a DisplayPort signal. Since that Type-C cable is carrying DisplayPort data, you could theoretically hook it up to any device with a standard DP output using a Type-C to DisplayPort cable.

This specific monitor supports DisplayPort 1.4 via Type-C, which is more than enough for anything you'd need. Your laptop doesn't strictly need Thunderbolt to work. Thunderbolt just guarantees that you get both the DP signal and the USB data transfer—since the monitor acts as a USB hub and all that—plus, if I recall, it allows for 90W charging back to the laptop through that same cable.

Either way, looks like a solid screen, even if it isn't cheap. It has a 1900R curve, which is slightly less aggressive (flatter) than the standard 1800R, making it better for non-gaming tasks.
I’ve got an 1800R setup myself and it's fine for office work.

Bottom line: if your laptop only has a Type-C output, you don't have to hunt down a Type-C monitor just to connect it.
Just grab a $17 Type-C to DisplayPort cable and plug it in.
That's how I run my dual-monitor setup on my work laptop:

One 3440x1440 screen (same size as this one) goes straight into the laptop's Type-C port via DisplayPort. That means the cable has different connectors on each end.
The second screen, a 2560x1440, runs through a standard HDMI cable plugged into a USB Type-C hub that provides HDMI, USB-A, and Ethernet, plus I plug my laptop charger into the hub itself.

Basically, any monitor with a DisplayPort input—which covers pretty much everything in that size range—can be connected to any laptop that outputs video through Type-C.

wanderingsurfer4 said:...but I keep seeing reviews mentioning some issues with macOS...

What kind of issues are they talking about?
Check out this guide on hooking an Apple computer up to Dell monitors and troubleshooting the usual headaches.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/e...tor-with-a-mac

That said, you shouldn't run into trouble regardless of what you plug in. Only using Thunderbolt - USB-C gives you the benefit of built-in USB hubs and charging your laptop without needing extra cables.

Hey there. I could use a little help here. I’ve got this old rig from around 2010 that I want to dust off for some light work—mostly just running Microsoft Office and browsing the web. It came with a Samsung SyncMaster 720n, but honestly, the picture quality is pretty rough. I found this other monitor nearby, though—check the link below. Would switching to this actually be an upgrade? I’m totally clueless when it comes to this stuff, so any advice would be huge.

Not really. You're looking at an ancient monitor there, and honestly, the real question is if you can even plug it into your rig if they both rely on VGA.

Besides, a monitor like that shouldn't cost more than maybe $17, definitely not 250 😁

Just look for a 20-22" LED monitor; you should be able to find one for $83.
Snap a photo of the back of the PC and list the specs if you know them.

To find your system info, hit the Windows key and search for "dxdiag." Run that and post some screenshots.

The absolute cheapest thing I managed to track down is this

Check Craigslist, but for heaven's sake, make sure it has at least Full HD resolution.
Also, if you can, find out which graphics card is actually sitting in that PC.

Hey everyone, first off, thanks a ton for being so welcoming. I’m actually pretty pleasantly surprised by how helpful you guys are here.
I'm attaching some shots of my monitor and setup. Look, it’s definitely not some high-end beast, but for just getting through basic daily tasks, it gets the job done just fine. That said, if anyone happens to have a better monitor than this Samsung sitting around that actually works, I’d be more than happy to take it off your hands. You can see in the photos that the monitor plugs directly into the graphics card.
Here’s what the rig looks like: https://photos.app.goo.gl/A8hx3hSbnXf2PBSK6

Alright, you've got a Radeon x1550. Don't expect to play anything serious on it, but for pushing a Full HD image, it'll do the job.
Unfortunately, the selection out here in Appalachia is pretty pathetic. There's this one option with two purple stripes on it 😁

But I'm not sure if pulling the trigger on that is actually smart. Those lines might be a sign the screen is dying.

If you feel like making a drive to Washington, D.C., there are plenty more options available.

urbanheron4 said:Alright, look, you've got that Radeon x1550. It’s not exactly a gaming beast, but if all you want to do is throw a 1920x1080 image on a screen, it'll get the job done.
The selection out here in Appalachia is pretty pathetic, honestly. I found this one thing with two purple lines running through it 😁

but I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. Those lines are usually a sign the screen is basically dying.

If you're down to drive over to Washington, D.C., there are actually plenty of options.

I can definitely swing by Washington, D.C. if you have a suggestion. So—just to be clear—the picture quality would actually be an upgrade from what I'm using now?

Honestly, 1680x1050 resolution is perfectly fine—as long as we aren't talking about those tiny, cramped screens. Just make sure you're getting an actual LED monitor instead of some prehistoric relic. That graphics card has one VGA port and one DVI port, so you could hook up two older monitors without needing any adapters. Of course, that only works if the second monitor actually has a DVI input (the white one). If it’s just VGA—which is usually the case with that ancient junk—you won't be able to run both at once.

I think I finally tracked down a decent monitor. It’s listed as Full HD, which is a plus. The thing is, will this actually work with my current setup? My PC only uses VGA, but the listing says it has both HDMI and VGA (D-sub) ports.
Here’s the link to the ad:

Sure, you can go with that. It looks fine, though you might find a better deal if you look around a bit more.
Here are a few other options in the $250-$100 range. Honestly, I have no idea what kind of budget you're actually working with here.

https://www.craigslist.org/flea-market/led-monitors...ad-38554223
https://www.craigslist.org/flea-market/led-monitors...ad-38790936
https://www.craigslist.org/flea-market/led-monitors...ad-38360114
https://www.craigslist.org/flea-market/led-monitors...ad-38496851

An IPS panel is superior to a TN (TFT) panel, though for whatever you're planning to do, it probably won't matter much. You have VGA and DVI ports on your graphics card, so check those inputs first. If they don't match, you can always use an adapter. Just make sure you grab the right cable too.
With Dell, the first two digits of the model number indicate the screen size in inches, while the next two represent the model year—not necessarily when it was manufactured or sold. Try to aim for a newer model; less runtime usually means less wear. Generally, the UltraSharp (U) and Professional (P) series beat out the S and E models.
But at the end of the day, condition is everything. It’d be smart to have them power it up before you hand over the cash so you can verify it actually works. Check for even brightness and look for dead pixels—those little dots stuck on one color—or any weird lines and flickering. Sometimes these issues only show up under specific colors, so ask the seller to cycle through some different colored images just to be safe.

urbanheron4 said:You could, sure. It'll work fine, though honestly? You might be able to find a better deal if you shop around a bit more.
Here's a few more options in the $250 range.$100Look, I honestly have no clue how much cash you're planning to drop on this.

I saw this listing for a monitor online and thought I’d throw it out there. It’s a Samsung SyncMaster 720n, which honestly feels like a relic from a different era, but hey, sometimes you just need a screen that works without breaking the bank. It’s listed as being in decent shape, but you know how these things go—you see a "great condition" tag and immediately wonder if someone spilled a latte on it three years ago. Still, if you're looking for something basic to plug into an old setup, it might be worth a look. Just don't expect anything fancy; we're talking standard stuff here, nothing close to the Full HD glory days.
I’m looking at this listing for an LED monitor, and honestly, I can't tell if it's a steal or just a headache waiting to happen. It looks decent enough on paper, but you know how these things go—you think you're getting a bargain until you get it home and realize the pixels are acting possessed. Anyway, I was scrolling through some old tech forums the other day, and I saw urbanheron4 mentioning something similar. He was convinced he found a killer deal on a setup, only to find out the hardware was basically prehistoric. It’s always a gamble when you're hunting for used gear online. You either strike gold or end up with a very expensive paperweight. Just my two cents.
I found this listing for an LED monitor online, and honestly, looking at it just makes me want to throw my current setup out the window. It’s a Samsung SyncMaster 720n. If you remember those, they were basically the workhorses of the early 2000s. It’s got Full HD resolution—well, okay, let's be real, it's decent enough for basic stuff if you aren't trying to run high-end gaming rigs on it. I was thinking about picking it up for a secondary screen, maybe just to keep some Slack channels or Spotify open while I'm grinding away on my main Mac setup. My desk is already a disaster zone of cables and half-empty coffee mugs, but hey, a second monitor always sounds like a good idea until the clutter actually hits you. The price seems fine, though I usually find that people listing stuff like this are either desperate to clear out their home office or they're just hoping someone will stumble upon them. Still, for a little extra screen real estate, it might be worth the hassle of a meetup. Just don't expect it to compete with anything modern. It's a relic, but sometimes relics get the job done.
I found this listing for an LED monitor online. It’s basically just a standard setup, nothing too crazy. If you're looking for something simple to get the job done without breaking the bank, this might be it. Just a heads-up though, always double-check the specs before you pull the trigger on stuff like this.

Look, an IPS panel is definitely going to blow a TN (TFT) panel out of the water, though honestly, for what you're actually doing, it’ll probably be just fine. You've got... VGA. Seriously? We’re really talking about VGA in this day and age? It’s like bringing a horse and buggy to a drag race. I mean, sure, it worked back in the day when we were all just trying to get a signal to a bulky CRT monitor, but come on. We live in a world of high-speed connections and sleek setups now. If you're still reaching for those chunky blue cables, you might as well be using a rotary phone. It’s just ancient history at this point. I'm sorry, it looks like your message was cut off. What were you trying to say? DVI. Honestly, who even uses this anymore? It’s like finding an old cassette tape in a junk drawer—you know it exists, you remember using it, but why on earth would you pull it out today? Unless you're clinging to some ancient workstation that refuses to die, it’s basically a relic. I was digging through my tech closet the other day and found an old cable just sitting there. Made me wonder how we ever lived without the streamlined stuff we have now. Just feels outdated. Check out the ports on the graphics card first—just take a good look at what you're working with. If they don't match up, don't panic; adapters exist for pretty much everything these days. You’re definitely going to need one of those cables too, so keep that in mind.
Look, here’s the deal with Dell naming conventions: those first two digits in the model number? That’s just the screen size in inches. The next two tell you the year the model was released—though don't go thinking that's exactly when it rolled off the assembly line or when you actually bought it. Honestly, if I were you, I'd aim for a newer model. Less mileage usually means fewer headaches, right? Also, pro tip: stick to the Inspiron or Precision lines if you can. They generally outclass the Inspiron or Entry-level series any day of the week.
Look, at the end of the day, the condition is everything. Seriously. It’d be a massive win if you could actually get the thing powered up before you hand over any cash just to make sure it isn't a total dud. Check the brightness—make sure it's even across the whole screen and doesn't look patchy. You also really need to hunt for dead pixels (those annoying little dots stuck on one color) or any weird lines and flickering. Sometimes those glitches only show up when certain colors are on the screen, so don't be shy about asking the seller to cycle through a few different colored backgrounds. Better safe than sorry, right?

Thanks a ton!

George Robinson52 said:Thanks a ton

I'll trade you my old one for $100, but I'd have to drive down to Cleveland to pick it up.

https://www.craigslist.org/led-monitors...listing-38936056

Ronald Bishop58 said:I'll trade you my soul for $100 but I'm driving down to Cleveland to pick it up myself.

https://www.craigslist.org/led-monitors...ad-38936056

Just picked up this Dell Full HD monitor on Craigslist today and it’s perfect. Everything works great. Thanks again to everyone for the help!

Hey everyone—is there any way I can score something better than this?

Thanks in advance!

Ronald Bishop58 said:HEY EVERYONE—can things actually get any better than this?
https://www.dell.com/en-us/lp/solutions/tech-specs

Thanks in advance

My bad on the caps lock!

Greetings, everyone. I am looking to pick up a Dell UltraSharp monitor, but it seems they are completely out of stock at every major retailer here in the States. Does anyone happen to know of a reliable online shop within the US that offers dependable shipping to my area?
Best regards,

wanderingsurfer4 said:I'm not really looking for a gaming setup, I just need it for work stuff, so I've been eyeing a 34'' ultrawide, and while a curved screen isn't a total dealbreaker, it would be a nice little bonus. I'd definitely want to hook it up via Thunderbolt, but honestly, I've been seeing some reviews mentioning a few headaches when using it with macOS, so I was wondering if anyone here has actually tried it out or maybe has a better recommendation.

So I actually picked up a Dell U3419W recently—got it for basically half of what the Dell U3421WE goes for on the HGspot site—and I've gotta say, I'm loving it. It runs super smooth with both Ubuntu and Windows, though I can't speak for macOS since I'm just rocking an old MacBook Air with a mini DisplayPort and I don't have the right adapter handy, but being able to run two different computers through one single monitor has been such a lifesaver for my workflow.

I’m honestly not an expert by any means, so I’m coming to you guys for some help picking out a monitor. I’m looking for a 32-inch 4K beast with a 144Hz refresh rate—something that can actually keep up with my RTX 4090. It needs to be G-sync compatible, obviously, and I really care about color accuracy too. My budget is capped at $3.75, and I need to be able to pick it up here in the States.

I was falling down a rabbit hole online and stumbled upon this Samsung model, so now I’m wondering if it’s actually any good or if it supports G-sync. Or, better yet, does anyone have a better suggestion that won't break the bank?
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/monitor-example/