Monitor recommendations

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MikeB4

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#322721 16-Sep-2025 11:20

I am considering stopping using my M1 iMac as the ergonomics or lack there of are impacting my usage. I am looking for ideas for a monitor to connect to my MacBook Air. Due to my significant disabilities the monitor should have vertical raise and lower as well as tilt. If available a forward and back movement. Size preferences around 30". To refresh over 100. I don't do gaming anymore so high resolution is OK. My vision changes depending on current impact of MS so a monitor that has good scaling ability would be useful.

As a longtime iMac user I am out of tough with what is available for monitors so any advice or recommendations would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance

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nzkc

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#3415317 16-Sep-2025 11:37

Given your viewing adjustment requirements I'd go with a (good quality) monitor arm.

And then any choice of monitor that can be mounted (which is pretty much all of them). As for a specific monitor, I'm a fan of the Dell Ultra Sharp range. But you'll be paying for that and you didn't specify a budget.

lxsw20

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#3415320 16-Sep-2025 11:38

You can buy iMac with built in VESA and use what ever stand you like.

https://www.apple.com/nz/shop/buy-mac/imac-vesa

Dynamic

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#3415328 16-Sep-2025 12:04

You may or may not be aware that your iMac can also have a second screen attached. Potentially put it to one side on your desk and mount a nice big monitor on your desk potentially on an arm so it's easily adjustable. There may be an advantage for you in doing this instead of doing the same thing with your laptop.

I'm lucky enough to have a 43" 4k monitor on my electric sit-stand desk. Not knowing the state of your conditions well, this could be complete overkill or it could allow you to place a program in the best position for you on the day at a scale you need that day. I guess that Apple's scaling of programs is pretty good in a modern version of MacOS, though I've not tried it myself.

The Philips 438P1 that I use is surprisingly well priced for such a big screen, at around $800 including GST. I have tried 40-ish inch TVs in the past, but most TVs are terrible for displaying text.

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MikeB4

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#3418478 24-Sep-2025 13:32

Thanks for the responses. Sorry it took a while to come back. My occupational therapist wants to visit me at home and do an ergonomic assessment and then go and find a solution. This is an excellent thing to do given that the wrong setup can impact health.

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wellygary

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#3418482 24-Sep-2025 13:59

As others have said a mount arm is likely you best solution, but you need a fresh imac for that option out of the box, , although there appears to be a few super goofy 3rd party adapters around

https://www.amazon.com.au/VIVO-Adapter-Designed-Monitors-Mount-MACM1/dp/B09MV1L7SH

if you do go down the external monitor for your macbook, you need to have a high PPI, (200+),

This is what apple call, liquid retina, - Your current iMac has 4480×2520 pixels over 23.5 inches so is 219 pixels per inch.....

You can mortgage your soul and go down the Studio display route but that path often leads to hate and suffering and starts at $3K @27inch rising to $10K for a 32in

To get this a high PPI resolution in a 3rd party monitor, your need 5K @27 inch or 6K @ 32 inch,

There are only a few 3rd party monitors that meet this spec, (even fewer in this part of the world)

the ASUS pro Art range goes for $1500 @ 27inch or $2200 @32 inch, and there appear to be 27 inch ones fron philips and Acer due soon, price to be advised...

There are standing threads on MRumors on the few monitors satisfying these specs,

gzt

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#3418486 24-Sep-2025 14:08

I have a standing desk I'm using mostly in the sitting position. I tend to raise and lower it a few cm either way during the day to relive minor strains and provide some variety.

I have Dell monitors. The standard Dell stands easily rotate and tilt. The raising and lowering part is not that easy and best done from behind the desk. For that reason I'm guessing good quality arm mounts will better suit your needs. I've never owned a Dell arm but based on the quality of their standard stands I'd be inclined to give Dell monitor arms a look and trial. There certainly are many other excellent arms around. I suspect tilt is always going to be a two hands process but at least with a long enough arm it can be pulled to the front of your desk with a cord or something and the tilt performed there.

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gzt

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#3418491 24-Sep-2025 14:22

You'd think there would be a simple remote control monitor mount so you would not need to futz around with it manually at all. My Google fu is not revealing any. Surprising.

SpartanVXL

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#3418554 24-Sep-2025 18:40

As for scaling, this is pretty much all done GPU side. Monitors have pretty basic scaling and do not look good non-native. Even modern TV’s with their upscaling chips aren’t as good as native.