For me, one of the biggest issues with making the switch from a MacBook to a Mac mini was the display aspect of it. MacBooks all have fairly great displays, especially on the MacBook Pro. However, finding a good display that pairs nicely with a Mac desktop always feels like a little bit of a challenge.You either have to go with Apples expensive options, or compromise significantly on the experience with a third party. Some common compromises include poor brightness, a lack of USB-C, or a lack of macOS integration. While the BenQ MA270U certainly isnt a Studio Display replacement, it performs excellently in all of the qualities that matter to me.What stands out to meFirst things first, this display comes in at $459. Thats cheaper than the Mac mini, even if youre buying one from the education store. At that price point, it packs an aluminum stand, 400 nits of brightness, USB-C connectivity, and a built in USB hub. Its a 4K 27 display, and also offers 2 HDMI ports for plugging in a game console or anything else you might want on your desk.The built in USB hub is a great perk. The monitor offers two USB-A ports and an additional USB-C port, allowing you to connect up to 3 USB connections to your Mac through one cable. It also provides 90W of power via USB-C, whichll recharge your MacBook quickly if youre using one. The USB-A ports come in clutch as well, since the M4 Mac mini doesnt include them.Some will point out that 400 nits of brightness is a little sub-par, which is certainly true compared to Apples displays. However, this isnt a super big deal for indoor usage. Many monitors in this class only have 250-350 nits, so Im more than happy to have 400 at this price tag.The aluminum stand is also a nice touch, making the MA270U feel a decent bit premium.Lastly, theres Display Pilot 2. This companion app allows you to control the brightness and volume of the display from within macOS. This is a rare feature on non-Apple displays, and normally you have to regularly fidget with physical buttons on the display. You wont have to do that on the MA270U, and Im happy to say that. You also dont need to use the companion app necessarily, keyboard controls also work for brightness and volume control.Spec rundown27-inch 4K panel (38402160) with up to 400 nits of brightness, 60Hz95% DCI-P3 and 99% sRGB color gamutVESA DisplayHDR 400 supportDual 3W treVolo speakersNano Matte PanelTUV certificationAdjustable stand with 115mm of height adjust, 15 degrees of tilt/swivel, and 90 degrees of pivot Wrap upOverall, the MA270U a great balance of everything important to me: decent brightness, USB-C connectivity, and a decent price point. At $459, its hard to go wrong with this display. Theres also a 32-inch variant available for $599.If youre a fellow Mac mini user searching for a nice external display to pair with it, Id highly recommend this monitor. The aforementioned companion app also has a feature to match its color profile with Apples, allowing for a close-to-stock appearance.Buy BenQ MA270U (27-inch):Buy BenQ MA320U (32-inch):Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel