The BenQ MA32OU is one of those monitors, and the moment I connected to it, I knew there was something special about this display. I rotate monitors like some people rotate their socks. I've gotten pretty good at knowing if any of the best business monitors will be a hit after only spending a little bit of time with it. The BenQ MA32OU is from BenQ's line of monitors specifically designed for Mac users. It's sleek, white, minimal, seamless MacOS integration and incredibly similar color profiles to the MacBook.
The BenQ MA32OU is packed with color calibration and integration software with Mac, solving the color inconsistency between MacBook displays and larger external monitors.
BenQ MA32OU: Pricing & availability
The BenQ MA32OU is a premium external display option for MacBook users at $600. While it's more affordable than Apple's Studio Display, it still holds plenty of advanced features tailored to MacOS users. As of September 2024, BenQ has made the MA32OU available for pre-order with a general release slated for later this year.
BenQ MA32OU: Unboxing & first impressions
Like every other monitor I tried from BenQ, unboxing the MA32OU was straightforward and clean. The monitor was securely packed alongside essential accessories including a USB-C cable, HDMI cable, power cord, and necessary documentation. Setting up the monitor itself is super easy, and it took only a few moments. The MA32OU was up on my desk and operational moments after arrival, fitting beautifully on my monitor arm.
The overall design language fits the Apple ecosystem, with simplified ports on the back, much like an Apple monitor. However, what is remarkable is that, unlike an Apple monitor, this display has an HDMI option.
BenQ MA32OU: Design & build quality
Screen size: 32” IPS panel
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Peak brightness: 600 nits (HDR)
Color accuracy: 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3
Ports: 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x USB-C (90W/15W), USB-A hub
Contrast ratio: 1300:1
Speakers: 2x 3W
Adjustments: Height, tilt, swivel, pivot
Response time: 5 ms
Eye-care tech: Low Blue Light, Flicker-Free
Whether this is the best monitor for MacBook Pro is a matter of taste. But the BenQ MA32OU features a MacBook-like inspired design with a sleek white chassis and slim bezels, making it a stylish addition to any workspace. The Ergonomic stand offers essential height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments, making for a great and highly customizable viewing angle. However, my preferred use case for monitors is to put them on a monitor arm for aesthetics. The ports are great, just enough to give me everything I need. It has USB-C with PD charging, another with charging capabilities, a USB-C port, and two HDMI Ports. These ports were able to get me set up for success without much work at all. Lastly, I appreciate that this monitor doesn't use any barrel connector but uses IEC, making it easy to power.
The build quality is solid, and the picture quality is gorgeous. Plugging into this monitor makes my MacBook display feel monstrous, thanks to the high resolution and clean 16:9 aspect ratio, and since the port offering is simple, it works excellently alongside my Thunderbolt Dock.
BenQ MA32OU: In use
I've had the opportunity to use the BenQ MA32OU monitor as my primary display for a couple of weeks now. Over this time, I have been thrilled with the performance of this screen. It shines with vivid color accuracy and high resolution, allowing for even more content on the screen at once, 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3 coverage, and proprietary Mac color-tuning technology. When I move between my MacBook Pro's screen and the MA32OU, I can't tell the difference between the two color-wise. This is a huge win, especially if I'm working on creative projects or just for my sanity of moving between displays constantly throughout my day.
Depending on my working setup, I try to balance simple, minimalist, and frictionless. What I mean by frictionless is that it doesn't take a long setup time or any time for me to get to work. When I used to do a lot of voiceovers and vocal work, I had a mic on my desk; now that I don't do that as much, my mic is still in my home office but not as readily accessible. I treat my entire setup with this same logic. Simple and minimal-ish while keeping frictionless. The MA32OU is that kind of monitor to me. It doesn't mess around by adding what could be in a dock, if needed, somewhere else. But it also hasn't minimized so far that it only has Thunderbolt. At my setup, in particular, I have (as you can see in the picture with the ports) the main computer Thunderbolt plugged into a Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock, giving me a few more ports to run to my MacBook Pro. However, I also have the HDMI running to an HDMI cable that can be used to plug into another laptop or desktop I am testing, and I am using the other USB-C ports to keep things tidy and run my BenQ monitor lightbar and my Insta360 Link.
Continuing down the line of frictionless work, Display Pilot 2 software makes using this monitor as seamless as if I were working with a first-party Apple monitor. I can sync brightness and volume controls in a way I cannot do with any other monitor. While it sounds small, it has been super handy to adjust to. For those working long hours, BenQ’s eye-care features, such as Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free technology, help reduce eye strain, making it suitable for extended use. The HDR performance is good but not exceptional, with the 600-nit brightness providing decent contrast but not technically being as bright as I would like it if I weren't in a basement dungeon of a home office (only one tiny window)
BenQ MA32OU: Final verdict
The BenQ MA320U is an impressive external monitor that excels at delivering a seamless MacBook experience with stunning color accuracy, flexibility, and frictionless usability. While it may not have the absolute best HDR performance or audio capabilities, it remains an excellent choice for creative professionals seeking a reliable, MacBook-optimized display at a competitive price. If you're a MacBook user looking for a great monitor, you must check this out. If you don't use a MacBook but want a reasonably priced monitor, the MA32OU may still be a great option.
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