Buying guide: Best monitors for Macs

April 02, 2022

If you picked up one of those scorching-fast Mac Studio desktops, you're going to need a monitor. Apple's Studio Display is an obvious choice (and the teardown shows it's a lot more sophisticated than you might think).

But if Apple's $1,600 monitor isn't right for you, you've got plenty of options. Check out our buying guide to help you find the best monitor to accompany your Mac (Studio or otherwise).

Elsewhere in this edition of The Weekender:

  • "The Slap" at the Oscars illustrates why Apple should return to live events.

  • What is in this week's Apple operating system updates?

  • Why Apple should bake Find My into everything.

  • Recaps of all the week's Apple TV+ shows, including new oddball spy series, Slow Horses.

Enjoy your weekend!

– Lewis Wallace, managing editor

The introduction of a brand-new desktop called the Mac Studio brought new life to the Mac, And it deserves a great monitor to match. Our buying guide shows you many options, from gigantic to rather petite -- and at a wide range of prices.

News and opinion

Apple introduced bug-fix updates for every one of its operating systems Thursday. They don't include any big new features, but you should download them anyway to get the security updates.

Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars ceremony illustrates why Apple should get back to hosting live events.

The company’s “priority order” for foldables is said to be medium, large and then small devices. Its current prototype is being used to test new technologies and may not be indicative of an upcoming product

I’ve misplaced my AirPods case. It’s in my house … somewhere. Fortunately, I can use the Find My app to locate it, as though it were a lost AirPod or AirTag. Ha, ha, ha! No, I can’t. What's wrong with this scenario?

How-tos

The old way of adjusting the brightness level on the Magic Keyboard for iPad stopped working. And good riddance. There’s a new, better way.

Deals

Once you use AirPods with your iPhone, it’s hard to switch to something else. Unfortunately, all that AirPods magic doesn’t necessarily translate when you use Apple earbuds with a Mac. There’s a workaround, though. The AirBuddy app adds some of that beautiful, Apple-style simplicity to the “using AirPods with a Mac” equation. And right now the Mac app is on sale for $6.29 with code DOWNLOADNOW.

Whether it’s for keeping your private data totally secure while online or for streaming new TV series with zero geographical restrictions, everyone needs a reliable virtual private network.

It's powerful and compact. It’s there when you need it — and out of the way when you don’t. And you can get one on sale now for $19.99 (regularly $49).

Now’s the perfect time to grab a lifetime deal for hosting unlimited websites with the well-reviewed iBrave Cloud Web Hosting. We’ve got a deal on it now for just $99.99 — that’s a 96% discount off the regular price of $2,997.

Reviews

Based on the first book in the Slough House series by author Mick Herron, Slow Horses is the newest addition to the Apple TV+ roster of thrillers. In the series, Gary Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, the leader of a group of misfit spies who work cases in secret while MI5 looks down its nose at the scrubs.

Plus, more Apple TV+ recaps:

The Wiplabs Lift makes it easier to type on your MacBook by tilting the keyboard up. At the same time, it raises the display closer to eye level. And it offers these benefits anywhere you go because the rugged, aluminum stand folds so you can stow it away.

The Pitaka Power Dongle for Apple Watch is a lot more portable than Apple’s own charger. And it looks better, too. I tested this Apple-certified charger through real-world use. Here’s why it belongs in your luggage.

Setups

We’ve written about storing a Mac mini in an upright rather than a flat position to save space. It’s OK to do if the machine’s intake and exhaust vents are not blocked. But what about using your Mac mini as a stand for a display?

This high-octane setup pairs a late-model MacBook Pro with a killer ultra-wide LG display, then revs things up with some super-cool Lego Technic racing cars.

We haven’t seen a tremendous number of setups centered on powerhouse 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pros — much less such workstations featuring both dual displays and paired original HomePods! But this setup is an exception.