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Lenovo and Acer announce first USB-C monitors, making them ideal for 12-inch MacBook [Updated]

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If you have a 12-inch MacBook and are looking for an external monitor for it, Lenovo and Acer have each announced the neatest solutions yet, with a choice of 24-, 25- and 27-inch USB-C monitors.

Lenovo’s ThinkVision X24 Pro is the most basic, with a 1920×1080 resolution starting at $399, with availability in May. Acer’s H7 series monitors offer 2560×1440 resolution in 25- and 27-inch variants, and you’ll be able to get your hands on one of those next month, starting at $499.99.

Finally, Lenovo’s ThinkVision X1 is a 27-inch model offering 3840×2160 resolution, again from May, priced at $799 …

While Thunderbolt is coming to USB-C, it wasn’t available in time for the MacBook, meaning you can’t use it with Apple’s own Thunderbolt displays. You’ve so far needed an USB-C to HDMI adapter to use HDMI monitors, but these new monitors connect directly and allow the display to simultaneously supply power to the laptop.

Lenovo’s monitors use DisplayPort via USB-C, and we’re guessing Acer’s do too.

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Lenovo appears to have the edge with a near-borderless display, but if you have a gold MacBook, it looks like Acer will offer you a matching color option.

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Comments

  1. rnc - 8 years ago

    Meh, still 1080/1440.

    4K/5K or GTFO

    • Paul Van Obberghen - 8 years ago

      Apparently, Lenovo’s 27″ is 4K. Yet I wonder if the current MacBook is powerful enough to power a 4K display?

      • Steve Grenier - 8 years ago

        It is high res, but it’s retina resolution is 1920×1080. Quite shitty for a 27″ screen. Okay for 24″.

      • Paul Van Obberghen - 8 years ago

        @Steve Grenier The 27″ is 3840×2160. That IS 4K resolution. If you want to display a 1920×1080 desktop on it you’ll get something like a Retina display. If you want to go for a full resolution desktop, your menus and labels are going to be very very small, close to be unreadable. If it was 5K it would be even worse.

  2. bdkennedy1 - 8 years ago

    The ring of wasted space adds a nice touch.

    • vkd108 - 8 years ago

      You could use it to store your Smarties, your M&Ms or your Parma Violets.

  3. Chris Skinner - 8 years ago

    No note on whether it supports USB 3.1 power delivery spec or not. Any USB-C device, apart from the USB-C to USB-A dongle, that doesn’t support power delivery might as well be left on the drawing board. If I’m plugging something in to the ONLY port on my laptop, it doggone well better come with a way to charge at the same time!

    • eklisiarh - 8 years ago

      This is the key question! Will it be able to charge the Macbook?

  4. Liam Deckham - 8 years ago

    Ever read Lenovo’s support forums compared to Apple’s? If you get a lemon from Lenovo, and you most likely will, just try to send it back. I’d rather wait for a Thunderbolt 3 Macbook or a Cinema Display that has USB C and Thunderbolt. Keep it Apple = Less Stress & Hassle.

  5. SKR Imaging - 8 years ago

    Apple needs to release the slim iMac 2012 design 5K monitor with USB-C alongside a 15 inch Retina MAcbook Pro (with USB-C 4 ports) with same exterior looks as the 12 inch Macbook at next keynote event!!.. but I have a feeling it will be for WWDC 2016.

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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