- 03 9428 4999
When it comes to deciding on a monitor for your Mac it can be hard to choose from the vast array of options. And if you are connecting to a Mac laptop and want an external monitor that will match the quality and resolution of your built in display, things get more complicated again.
There are multiple factors to consider, such as screen size, resolution, colour modes, connectivity and design. And if you are connecting to a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro you will want to make sure to get a monitor that will charge your laptop as well. A high-quality, well designed monitor can really enhance your productivity and improve your overall computing experience. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best 27 inch 5K and 32 inch 4K monitors for Mac users.
A few years ago, most of us would have been happy with an ”HD” monitor – 1980 x 1080 pixels. That was the resolution of “high definition” televisions and it became the standard for monitors as well. But display technology has moved on and the displays in MacBooks, monitors and televisions are commonly at least 4K now. So if you’re used to looking at 4K displays elsewhere, an HD external monitor for your Mac is going to be disappointing.
4K is a very common monitor resolution currently, and so you will get the most options, and lower prices at that spec. 5K monitors are largely a Mac phenomenon, and so the range is smaller, and because of that the prices are higher too.
Apple’s Studio Display is an excellent option for those who want a high-quality display that is designed specifically for Mac users. This 27-inch display features a 5K resolution of 5120 x 2880 with 600 nits of brightness, providing sharp, vibrant colours and crisp text. The monitor has a sleek, minimalist design that complements any workspace and features one Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port that delivers high-speed data transfer and laptop charging and three USB-C ports.
The Studio Display comes with a built-in 12MP Ultra Wide camera, studio-quality three-mic array, and high-fidelity six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers, making it ideal for video conferencing and communication. It also supports Wide colour (P3) and True Tone technology, offering a wider range of colours for your content creation needs.
Apple Studio Display is available with a tilt-adjustable stand, tilt and height-adjustable stand or a VESA mount adapter. An anti-glare nano-texture glass option is also available. So it can be configured for any situation.
With its powerful and versatile features, the Apple Studio Display is a great choice for anyone looking for a premium display that is designed to work seamlessly with their Mac.
The LG 27″ UltraFine 5K IPS is another great option for Mac users. This monitor features a 5K 27-inch display with a resolution of 5120 x 2880, providing incredibly sharp and detailed images. The monitor has an IPS panel that offers accurate colours and a wide viewing angle, making it ideal for photo and video editing. It also features a Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C port that delivers high-speed data transfer and charging, as well as a built-in camera and speakers.
The UltraFine 5K IPS has a sleek design that complements any workspace and features an adjustable stand for comfortable viewing. The monitor also features DCI-P3 99% colour space for premium colour reproduction and a low-reflective treatment that reduces glare and reflections. With its high resolution, accurate colours, and versatile features, the LG 27″ UltraFine 5K IPS is a great choice for creative professionals.
Featuring a 31.5” UHD 4K IPS Display with breathtaking clarity and HDR10 and DCI-P3 95% for premium colour reproduction. The LG 3105″ UltraFine Ergo monitor features a clamp stand to achieve ideal screen position and maximise user comfort and USB Type-C ports for greater productivity.
Boasting a 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, and a built-in USB Type-C hub, this monitor delivers stunning visuals and seamless compatibility with Apple devices. The sleek, ergonomic design, featuring a fully adjustable clamp stand, ensures optimal comfort and reduces eye strain, making it perfect for long work sessions.
The ASUS ProArt Display PA329CV is a professional-grade monitor that offers a high level of performance and features. This 32-inch display features a 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160 with 100% sRGB and Rec. 709 colour gamut, providing accurate colour for content creation. The monitor also supports HDR10 and features a peak brightness of 400 nits, making it ideal for viewing high dynamic range content.
The ProArt Display PA329CV has a sleek design and features an adjustable stand for comfortable viewing. It also features a variety of connectivity options, including USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort.
An ultra-widescreen monitor can provide an immersive and engaging viewing experience, making it an ideal choice for gaming, video editing, and other creative tasks. One excellent option is the LG 40WP95C-W. This monitor features a 39.7-inch display with a resolution of 5120 x 2160, providing a wide viewing angle and detailed images. It supports HDR10 and features a peak brightness of 300 nits, making it ideal for viewing high dynamic range and includes Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.0, HDMI and DisplayPort ports.
Ultimately choosing an external monitor comes down to personal taste, workflow and budget. If you are happy with a 27 inch display, there are a couple of great 5K options. If you need a 32 inch or larger display, there are numerous 4K models to choose from. Talk to Mac Aid about the latest monitor options for your situation and your Mac.
Most of us intend to do something about improving how we handle our passwords, but it’s a tedious subject at best, and too easy to procrastinate about. Let’s make a firm commitment to two something about this right now before it’s too late.
One of the most important things you can do to improve the security of your IT environment is develop good password hygiene. By that we mean having strong passwords that are not used across multiple accounts or services, that are only known by those who need to use them, that are easily updated on a regular basis and stored securely.
One thing that most of us don’t like about strong passwords is how hard they are to remember or type. That is solved by using a password manager that securely saves your passwords and makes them easily available or shared.
For personal use, the iCloud Keychain is a great solution. But as soon as there is more than one user involved, that gets messy. The best solution is to upgrade to a dedicated password manager. This will allow you to set up differing levels of access for administrators and regular users.
Mac Aid recommends 1Password, and like most of the systems we recommend, we use it ourselves.
When setting up 1Password for your business, there are several considerations to keep in mind to ensure that your company’s data and information are properly secured.
Before setting up 1Password for your business, determine the number of users who will need access to the account. This will help you choose the appropriate subscription plan.
Consider setting up appropriate access levels for different users based on their roles and responsibilities. For example, you may want to limit certain users’ access to sensitive information.
Shared vaults allow multiple users to access the same passwords and other sensitive information. Consider creating shared vaults for teams or departments within your business.
1Password can also provide MFA. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Consider requiring all users to set up multi-factor authentication.
Establish password policies for all users. This includes requirements for password length, complexity, and how frequently passwords must be changed.
Provide training to employees on how to use 1Password effectively and securely. This includes best practices for creating and managing passwords, sharing passwords, and using two-factor authentication.
Regularly monitor usage to ensure that employees are using 1Password appropriately and following company policies and procedures.
Plan for emergency access to 1Password in case of unforeseen circumstances such as an employee leaving the company or being unable to access their account.
By considering these factors, you can set up 1Password for your business in a secure and effective manner. Talk to Mac Aid about implementing 1Password in your business.
With the arrival of Apple Silicon in M1 and M2 Macs one downside has been the loss of the ability to install Windows as we could on Intel based Macs.
As a Mac user, you might be wondering why you would want to use Windows 11 on your M1 or M2 device. There are still applications that are only available on Windows, and if you need to use these programs for work or school, you may have no choice but to run Windows on your Mac. And so for some of us, being able to run the occasional Windows app might be essential to being able to use a Mac at all. Additionally, there are some tasks that can only be done using Windows, such as gaming or certain types of programming.
It has been possible to install Windows on M1 and M2 Macs using Parallels as an insider build for quite some time, but this was not an officially supported Microsoft implementation. But Microsoft are now officially supporting this solution, and the installation has been made simpler too.
Installing Windows 11 using Parallels means that your Mac will be running Windows 11 in addition to running MacOS. So this is not like BootCamp, which allowed you to run macOS OR Windows. So stop to consider whether your M1 or M2 Mac has enough system resources to do this. Mac Aid would recommend at least 16GB Ram and having 100GB of free space available on your SSD. If you are intending to use Windows apps that may be more resource intensive, like design software, video or audio editing applications, or gaming, make sure to take their recommended hardware specifications into account.
The version of Windows 11 that you can run on an M1 or M2 Mac is the ARM version. Most common Windows apps should now be compatible, but some edge-case apps or plug-ins may not. Check with your software vendor to make sure that your Windows apps and their plug-ins are compatible.
First, you’ll need to make sure that you have the latest version of macOS installed on your Mac. Then you’ll need to download and install the latest version of Parallels Desktop for Mac.
Once you install Parallels Desktop it detects what you need to get started so you can get up and running quite quickly. If you need Windows, you’ll be prompted to download and install Windows 11. You will need to purchase a Windows 11 license in addition to licensing Parallels.
One of the biggest benefits of using Parallels to run Windows 11 on your M1 or M2 Mac is that it allows you to seamlessly switch between macOS and Windows. This means that you can use both operating systems on the same machine, without having to reboot or switch between different operating systems.
Using Coherence Mode you can make Windows itself invisible while still using its applications, or if you’re new to Mac, you can have Windows occupy your entire screen, so it looks just like it would if you were using a Windows 11 PC.
If you need to run Parallels and Windows 11 on your M1 or M2 Mac give Mac Aid a call.
We often discuss security in our Newsletter articles, and work constantly with all of our clients to improve the safety of their devices and networks. But with the never-ending evolution of security risks and attacks, security needs to always be a top priority for all of us.
And despite our constant warnings, we still deal with Mac Aid clients who have had their devices compromised, leading to real financial or reputation loss, and serious inconvenience.
While security updates, antivirus software and firewalls play a big part in protecting against external attacks, user behaviour and social engineering threats are also a major threat. So even if your Mac, network or other device is secure, it may be that you are the biggest security risk yourself. No matter how secure your systems are, attackers will still be able to get in if you mistakenly give them access.
Social engineering attacks are a common tactic used by hackers to gain access to sensitive information. These attacks involve tricking a user into revealing their login credentials or personal information through phishing emails, fake websites, SMS or phone calls.
Always be skeptical of unsolicited requests for personal or account information, and be sure to verify the authenticity of any requests before providing any sensitive data.
Scammers take advantage of the fact that people are fairly polite and helpful and not inclined to push back. To sound authentic they may even research you or your organisation to find out the names of people or companies you work with. Stop and consider these requests, and then politely but forcefully tell them that you will have to get back to them.
A big part of the success of these attacks is the sense of urgency intentionally created by attackers. Even a technically savvy, security aware person can be fooled into complying in the middle of a busy day if the matter is made to seem legitimate and urgent.
But nothing is so urgent that you can’t stop to check that the phone call, SMS or email you have received is genuine. No matter how honest, helpful or insistent a request for your details may seem, remember that no reputable provider should ever approach you in that way to ask for your details.
Contact whatever service provider is involved directly. You could go directly to their website (type in the actual URL, never click a link in an email), phone the number you have on record for them, or use their official app if you have one installed. You might even ask a co-worker, or Mac Aid to tell you if they think a request is legitimate.
And remember all of the usual security basics:
One of the most important things you can do to protect your Mac is to keep it updated with the latest software and security patches. Apple regularly releases updates that fix security vulnerabilities and improve system performance. By keeping your Mac updated, you can help prevent hackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities to gain access to your device.
Using strong passwords is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your Mac and accounts. Avoid using easy-to-guess passwords such as “123456” or “password”. Instead, use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters to create a strong password that’s difficult to crack. Additionally, never use the same password for multiple accounts, as this can make it easier for hackers to gain access to your personal information.
Two-factor authentication (2FA or MFA) is an additional layer of security that requires a user to provide two forms of identification before gaining access to an account. By enabling 2FA on your Mac and accounts, you can help protect against unauthorised access even if your password is compromised. When 2FA is enabled, a unique code is sent to your phone, email account or authenticator app that must be entered in addition to your password to access your account.
While Macs are generally considered to be more secure than PCs, they are still susceptible to malware and viruses. To protect against these threats, it’s important to use antivirus software. Mac Aid recommends Malwarebytes. We actively monitor our Malwarebytes clients daily and warn them of any threat that is picked up on their systems.
Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them a prime target for hackers. When using public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing sensitive information such as banking or email accounts. If you must access sensitive information, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and protect against potential attacks.
Backing up your data is an important step in protecting your Mac, phone or iPad against data loss. In the event of a hardware failure or security breach, having a backup of your data can help you recover quickly without losing important files or information. There are many options available for backing up your data, including using Time Machine on an external hard drive for a Mac or cloud storage services. Mac Aid can advise you on a backup strategy that will suit your particular situation.
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. By using a firewall on your Mac, you can help prevent unauthorized access to your device and protect against potential attacks. For larger networks a dedicated Firewall is a necessity, phone Mac Aid to discuss options.
Email attachments can be a major source of malware and viruses. To protect against these threats, never open an attachment from an unknown sender or a suspicious email. Even if an attachment appears to be from a trusted source, it’s important to verify its authenticity before opening it.
Keeping your devices and accounts secure is a never ending job – because the threats and methods that scammers use are constantly evolving and never ending. If you’re worried that you aren’t as on top of security as you should be, give Mac Aid a call to discuss some strategies.
Apple recently introduced its newest app, Freeform.
Freeform is a collaborative task and note-taking app that allows you to plan a project or keep track of all your to-do items in one place. But what sets it apart from other apps in the same category is its unique interface. Instead of a traditional page or grid view, Freeform allows you to organise and visually lay out content on a flexible canvas, to see, share and collaborate all in one place without worrying about layouts or page sizes.
As well as post-it notes, text, lines and arrows, Freeform includes a large library of shapes and symbols which you can scale or colour as you like. You can import photos, sketches or scans directly from your iPhone or iPad. You can add images, videos, and other multimedia, making Freeform a great app for anyone who needs to quickly sketch out ideas or keep track of visual information.
A great aspect of Freeform is its integration with other Apple apps and services. For example, you can easily drag and drop files from your iCloud Drive or other cloud storage services directly into Freeform. This makes it easy to access all your important documents, photos, and videos in one place. And with full Apple Pencil support, Freeform is a great tool for iPad users.
Freeform allows you to collaborate with others in real-time and easily share your Freeform document with others. This makes it a great app for teams who need to work together on projects and keep everyone on the same page. Additionally, Freeform uses state-of-the-art encryption to protect your data and keep it safe, so you can feel confident that your information is secure.
Apple’s new Freeform app is a must-have for anyone who needs to keep track of their tasks, ideas, and information in a creative and organized way. With its unique interface, powerful features, and seamless integration with other Apple devices, apps and services, Freeform is sure to become a go-to app for millions of users.
Freeform comes free on every iPhone, iPad and Mac supporting iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 or macOS Ventura 13.1. So if you haven’t updated your device recently, a new free app might be a great motivation.
