Finest Thunderbolt Displays for Mac

In 2023, there’s extra number of Thunderbolt displays than ever. Whereas Apple is within the sport once more, its shows at $1,600-$5,000+ gained’t be the fitting match for everybody. Fortunately there are some nice selections which can be extra inexpensive from LG, BenQ, and extra. Under we’ll cowl the perfect Thunderbolt displays for Mac in addition to what you get with a Thunderbolt monitor vs a USB-C monitor.

Replace 2/20/23: New choices arriving within the months forward: Samsung introduced its first Thunderbolt 5K monitor (pictured above) which can compete with Apple’s Studio Show. And Dell detailed its first 6K monitor with Thunderbolt and IPS Black expertise which may be an fascinating Apple Professional Show XDR various.

We’re nonetheless ready on launch and pricing particulars for Samsung’s ViewFinity S9 Monitor and Dell says its 6K UltraSharp Monitor will land within the first half of 2023 (value nonetheless unknown). We’ll replace this information as quickly as we be taught extra.

Thunderbolt displays vs USB-C displays

Thunderbolt (3 and 4) use the identical bodily connector as USB-C which gives single-cable connectivity and charging for Macs with displays. Whereas Thunderbolt 4 is accessible, it’s extra of a rebrand of Thunderbolt 3 with the identical 40 Gbps bandwidth. That’s why you see all the businesses under – even Apple with its Studio Show and Professional Show XDR – use Thunderbolt 3.

So what’s the distinction between Thunderbolt and USB-C displays? The first distinction for the end-user is the power to daisy chain as much as 6 gadgets with Thunderbolt at as much as 40 Gbps speeds (connecting one peripheral on to the subsequent).

That’s quicker than USB-C 3.1 and three.2 and USB4 assist hasn’t arrived in displays at this level. Thunderbolt may imply you possibly can keep away from a hub or dock. If these options should not a giant deal, it can save you a superb sum of money by going for a USB-C show as a substitute of a Thunderbolt monitor.

For reference, USB-C 3.1 gen 2 can assist as much as 10 Gbps and USB 3.2 helps as much as 20 Gbps speeds.

Nevertheless, be mindful, many occasions different upgrades like panel decision and dimension, I/O, and extra go hand-in-hand with Thunderbolt and its higher bandwidth, therefore the dearer value. If you wish to try a have a look at USB-C displays, try our round-up:

However under we’ll focus particularly on Thunderbolt displays for Mac.

Finest Thunderbolt displays for Mac

BenQ PD3220U

The 32-inch BenQ PD3220U options Thunderbolt, 4K decision, 95% DCI-P3 coloration, 85W energy supply for MacBooks, quite a lot of skilled modes, hotkey puck, strong metallic stand, a number of I/O, and portrait orientation assist.

It’s a robust contender to Apple’s Studio Show however with a bigger panel and several other hundred {dollars} cheaper.

Specs:

• 31.5-inch IPS panel
• 4K – 3840 x 2160 decision
• 16:9 facet ratio
• 60Hz refresh charge
• Brightness: 250 typical, 300 nits HDR peak
• 95% DCI-P3
• 100% sRGB
• HDR10
• Twin Thunderbolt 3 ports – 85W and 15W energy supply
  • Daisy chain with Thunderbolt
• 2 x HDMI 2.0
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
• 3 x USB 3.1
• 1 x USB C
• 1 x USB B
• Headphone jack
• Slim bezels
• Panorama and portrait orientation assist
• MSRP: $1,199

You possibly can normally discover the BenQ PD3220U at Amazon and BH Picture.

LG 32UL950-W

That is LG’s UltraFine 32-inch Thunderbolt monitor that features a strong function set like two Thunderbolt 3 ports plus two USB-A ports, slim bezels, assist for portrait orientation, and extra.

In his full evaluate, my colleague Jeff Benjamin discovered he favored the design higher than LG’s different UltraFine fashions with lots of the identical options.

The one draw back right here in comparison with the BenQ above is 60W energy supply for MacBooks. However it does function a bit increased brightness.

Specs:

• 31.5-inch panel with nano IPS
• 4K – 3840 x 2160 decision
• 60Hz refresh charge
• DCI-P3 98%
• 600 nits HDR peak brightness, 450 nits commonplace
• VESA DisplayHDR™ 600
• Twin Thunderbolt 3 ports (in x 1 (PD 60W) / out x 1)
  • Daisy Chain with Thunderbolt
• 2 x USB-A
• DisplayPort 1.4
• HDMI 2.0
• 3.5mm headphone output
• MSRP: $1,299 however typically obtainable for much less

The LG 32UL950-W might be discovered on Amazon in addition to different retailers like BH Picture.

LG UltraFine 24 & 27-inch Shows

The $1,300 27-inch UltraFine show (reviewed) was actually the one choice available on the market to assist USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 at a full 5K decision till the Apple Studio Show was launched.

However curiously, with bandwidth getting used up for the upper decision, the 27-inch mannequin doesn’t function downstream Thunderbolt ports for peripherals/daisy-chaining, simply USB-C.

At nearly half the worth, the 24-inch 4K UltraFine (full evaluate) is a compelling choice for an Apple-endorsed show for these okay with the smaller dimension.  With an MSRP of $700, it gives upstream and downstream Thunderbolt ports just like the BenQ and LG 32UL950-W so you possibly can daisy chain or get the complete 40 Gbps speeds with out having to make use of a separate dock.

LG 24-inch UltraFine Show

• 23.7-inch panel with nano IPS
• 4K – 3840 x 2160 decision
• 16:9 facet ratio
• Brightness: 540 nits most
• 60Hz refresh charge
• 98% DCI-P3
• 85W energy supply through Thunderbolt
• 2x Thunderbolt (1 upstream, 1 downstream as much as 40 Gbps)
• 3x USB-C 3.1 gen 1 as much as 5 Gbps
• MSRP $699

The LG 24-inch UltraFine show is accessible from Amazon, Apple, BH Picture, and extra.

Apple Studio Show

Apple’s Studio Show arrived alongside the brand new Mac Studio and marks the return to prosumer displays after letting LG’s UltraFine collection function its official advice since 2016.

Beginning at $1,599 – $300 above the LG UltraFine 5K – the Studio Show Thunderbolt monitor is geared toward those that worth Apple’s refined (and metallic) construct high quality.

Whereas it has a spread of advantages, the Studio Show doesn’t provide downstream Thunderbolt ports however has three USB 3.1 Gen 1 (10 Gbps) ports.

Specs:

• 27-inch panel
• 5K 5120 x 2880 decision
• 16:9 facet ratio
• 60Hz refresh charge
• 600 nits brightness
• P3 broad coloration assist
• True Tone assist
• 1x Thunderbolt 3 port with 96W energy supply
• 3x USB-C ports (3.1 gen 2 as much as 10 Gbps)
• Constructed-in 12 MP extremely broad digital camera with Heart Stage assist
• 6-speaker system with Spatial Audio assist
• Studio-quality 3-mic array
• Aluminum construct
• Helps most reference modes as Professional Show XDR besides HDR
• Worth: $1599-$2,299 (relying on stand and display screen end)

Studio Show is accessible from Apple, Amazon, BH Picture, Finest Purchase, and extra.

Apple Professional Show XDR

We gained’t go into the complete particulars of the Professional Show XDR. However the TL;DR is in case you worth the bigger 32-inch display screen, 6K decision, metallic construct, number of reference modes, and don’t thoughts paying $5,000+, it could be value contemplating this over different Thunderbolt displays.

Take a look at our detailed comparability together with extra perspective on the Professional Show XD and Studio Show:

Compelling 32-inch USB-C funds choice

For those who’re keen to forgo Thunderbolt and a number of the different high-end options the displays above provide, an fascinating new show is Samsung’s Good Monitor M8.

The successor to the M7, the Good Monitor M8 gives a compelling package deal for people who need a 4K decision, USB-C, and a big 32-inch display screen for $700 (normally on sale). It even options an iMac-like design with 4 coloration selections.

Specs:

• USB-C with as much as 65W charging
• 4K 3840 x 2160 decision
• 32-inch panel
• 16:9 facet ratio
• 60Hz refresh charge
• HDR10 assist
• Included magnetic SlimFit webcam with face monitoring
• 400 nits brightness
• 99% sRGB
• 4ms response time
• Constructed-in 2.2 channel audio system
• Obtainable in white, blue, inexperienced, and pink
• Slim bezels and general slim design
• Doubles as a wise TV, with Apple TV+ built-in and AirPlay 2
• Worth: MSRP $699-$729 (normally goes for much less)

The Good Monitor M8 is obtainable direct from Samsung and Amazon.

Finest Thunderbolt Displays for Mac wrap-up

Hopefully, now you perceive the variations between USB-C and Thunderbolt displays together with the highest choices available on the market – notably in case you don’t need to spend a number of thousand {dollars} on Apple’s shows.

And in case you’ve realized you’d slightly spend someplace between $200-600 on a monitor, try our round-up of inexpensive USB-C shows:

Thanks for studying our information on the perfect Thunderbolt displays for Mac!

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