I still find the Apple Studio Display the very best external monitor for a Mac. However, if you don’t want/need to spend US$1,599 on a display BenQ has launched its MA Series, which are especially designed for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users.
The two new monitors are available in a 27-inch MA270U and 32-inch MA320U options. And the one I tested (the 32-incher) is very impressive.
While the popular BenQ PD Series primarily caters to professionals who utilize Macs and MacBooks, such as designers and creatives, the new MA Series is intended for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users who utilize external monitors for work and school.
As noted by the folks at BenQ, the new monitor series provides full Mac compatibility with lots of connectivity options, great color equality between the Mac and the external display, and unified workplace-design aesthetics, including BenQ-exclusive Nano Matte Panel technology that reduces glare.
The MA Series features brightness and volume sync with MacBook keyboard controls and minimalist Mac-like settings via BenQ Display Pilot 2 software with a one-click screen setup. However, I did have to do a lot of fiddling with the BenQ display to get the volume control to work from my Magic Keyboard. On the other hand, MA Series features worked just fine with Mac-exclusive functions such as Focus mode and Siri command.
Speaking of speakers, the MA Series built-in speaker is 3Wx2. However, I found its volume and bass inferior to the speakers on the Apple Studio Display. If you spring for the BenQ display, plan to pick up some external speakers for better audio quality.
One benefit of the BenQ displays over the Apple Studio Display is that they offer flexible height and angle adjustments whereas Apple’s monitor lacks any height adjustment features.
The new MA Series monitors are equipped with two USB-C ports, two HDMI ports and single-cable connectivity with USB-C power delivery to provide always-on power charging, even when the monitor is powered off, to keep other devices charged. For example, the built-in 15W hub charges iPads and iPhones devices while you work.
What’s more, you can ensure your devices stay charged even when the monitor is off with Always-on Power Charging. This allowing it to charge your devices through USB-C and USB hubs — including USB-C (15W) and USB-A ports — even when in sleep mode or turned off.
The 27-inch MA270U retails for US$459.99 and the 32-inch MA320U retails for $599.99. For more info go to www.BenQ.com/en-us/monitor/monitors-for-macbook.html.
The BenQ display isn’t as crisp as the Apple Studio Pro as its 4K compared to the latter’s 5K. The MA Series have IPS panels, LED backlighting, 3840 x 2160 maximum resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, 1.07 billion colors, 400 to 550 nits of brightness (400 on the 27-inch model, 550 on the 32-incher), HDR 10 support, a viewing angle of 178°/178°k a response time of 5 ms, native contrast of 1200:1 (27-inch display) and 1300: 1 (the 32-inch model). Gamers will be disappointed that the refresh rate is only 60Hz rather than 120Hz or higher.
The BenQ MA Series of monitors isn’t perfect. But, overall, they’re great displays for Mac users, who will appreciate their many Mac-only features.
Apple World Today rating (out of 5 stars): ★★★★
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$1599? WTF I would spring $1599 for a AVP but they are $3499