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4K Monitor Sucks!

M

mrkennethtong

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 16, 2013
76
0
Bought the suggested Sharp Monitor, and a week in, the text is far too small to read and a chore to have to keep zooming in to be comfortable.

FAIL!

Will be returning unless otherwise advised.
 
Unless otherwise advised by who?
It sounds to me as though the 4K monitor does what it should do and your eyes just cannot take the resolution. It happens.
 
mrkennethtong said:
Bought the suggested Sharp Monitor, and a week in, the text is far too small to read and a chore to have to keep zooming in to be comfortable.
Click to expand...

If primarily concerned about text and not looking at huge pixel count photos/video then open Terminal and :


Code: 
 sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool true

to enable hiDPI mode. Reboot and select

1920 x 1080 (HiDPI)

as the monitor resolution.

If don't have very high pixel count photos/videos to view not sure who "advised" you to buy the 4K monitor in the first place.
 
"You looking at it wrong"
4Kgate

Get rid of this junk and get yourself 2560x1440 27" IPS for $450 and call it a day. (27" iMac equivalent scree size). Nothing wrong with your eyes, do not worry about it. HiDPI is crap. Once retina like scaling is offered by Apple - it may be looked at again at 1/2 price point.

Even on Sony 65" 4K TV colors luck any depth and appear washed out. . Yes it is a lot of pixels on the paper, but it seems they could not master contrast on those screens so they look like cheap 1080p HDTV, figures.
 
Last edited:
Most people buying the 4K monitor are using it as a second monitor to view images or video footage and their primary monitor at a much lower native resolution for the program menus and text.
 
I wouldn't keep a $3,400 monitor that I didn't like, I know that for sure! That monitor isn't meant for everyday use, as OSx hasn't caught up to it yet. It doesn't scale correctly, as you've encountered. That monitor has a specific function, which is to get close and personal with photography and videography work. So it is most useful setup as a second monitor to offload such tasks on. As an everyday monitor, you are going to be much more satisfied with 1440p. Perhaps someday Apple will release a patch that correctly scales the GUI to 4k, but that's an expensive gamble to take. Personally, I would return it and get something MUCH cheaper. Use the extra money to pay down the nMP or buy more ram. Then, when OSx does come out with scaled 4k, buy a new one....they will be cheaper by then. Prices have already started coming down.
 
CH12671 said:
I wouldn't keep a $3,400 monitor that I didn't like, I know that for sure! That monitor isn't meant for everyday use, as OSx hasn't caught up to it yet. It doesn't scale correctly, as you've encountered. That monitor has a specific function, which is to get close and personal with photography and videography work. So it is most useful setup as a second monitor to offload such tasks on. As an everyday monitor, you are going to be much more satisfied with 1440p. Perhaps someday Apple will release a patch that correctly scales the GUI to 4k, but that's an expensive gamble to take. Personally, I would return it and get something MUCH cheaper. Use the extra money to pay down the nMP or buy more ram. Then, when OSx does come out with scaled 4k, buy a new one....they will be cheaper by then. Prices have already started coming down.
Click to expand...

I have a fully loaded Mac Pro. I appreciate your advice.
 
Anyone remember when Apple promised resolution independence for OS X?

When was that, 2005? :eek:

Still waiting.
 
mrkennethtong said:
I have a fully loaded Mac Pro. I appreciate your advice.
Click to expand...

lol, how is that related to his advice?
anyway, i would return it too. its too expensive and obviously you don't have the need for it like some video editors or photographers have so maybe saving money and buy something that is better for your needs and then wait for retina to come out later?
 
mrkennethtong said:
I read it but wanted the cache of buying a 4K Monitor at 60Hz.
Click to expand...

A.K.A "I read it but chose to ignore it because I thought it would work differently for me."

Seriously, why are you complaining about something that you knew would happen?

----------
Freida said:
lol, how is that related to his advice?
Click to expand...

Dude, he has a fully-loaded Mac Pro. That's all we need to know, this guy is clearly a badass and doesn't need any advice from people with lesser machines. After all, worth and knowledge are directly related to our possessions. Fully-loaded Mac Pro = Pure Genius on an Einstein level.
 
I love my Sharp PNK321. I am running at 3840x2160 30Hz until I get my nMP, but it is awesome. I am looking forward to 60Hz.

Yes, the text is small - but it is absolutely clear and crisp. Previously, I was running a Dell 30" at 2560x1600. I love the increased real estate.
 
mrkennethtong said:
Bought the suggested Sharp Monitor, and a week in, the text is far too small to read and a chore to have to keep zooming in to be comfortable.

FAIL!

Will be returning unless otherwise advised.
Click to expand...

As a small help, In Safari press CMD and + to change the text zoom. Not great but might reduce eye strain if just web browsing.

And there is the OS wide zoom using CTRL + Wheel up/down
 
AnalyzeThis said:
HiDPI is crap. Once retina like scaling is offered by Apple - it may be looked at again at 1/2 price point.
Click to expand...

What is the difference between 1/2 native hIDPI and 'real' Retina scaling?
[ don't really think there is one. Other than more highly customized icons for that specific DPI it is largely the same infrastructure. ]
 
Yahooligan said:
A.K.A "I read it but chose to ignore it because I thought it would work differently for me."

Seriously, why are you complaining about something that you knew would happen?

----------



Dude, he has a fully-loaded Mac Pro. That's all we need to know, this guy is clearly a badass and doesn't need any advice from people with lesser machines. After all, worth and knowledge are directly related to our possessions. Fully-loaded Mac Pro = Pure Genius on an Einstein level.
Click to expand...


Why be so judgmental and borderline insulting ?
 
HD303 said:
If your serious about a proper 4k monitor, the Sony PCM-X300 is the one to get. True 4k res (4096 x 2160). But, at 18k, most small businesses will go with the sharp.
Click to expand...

It is essentially capped at 30Hz and the text/fonts aren't going to be substantively better.
For DCI 4K work, it is fine but as a broader usage computer monitor it is dubious. These are two different monitors aimed at different usage models. It isn't a "get what you pay for" issue. It is a select the right tool issue.

----------
Outrigger said:
I'm confused as to why you're complaining when clearly, you know what to expect.
Click to expand...

It is macrumors.... heard of the "wailing wall" ? this is the "moaning and groan wall". Some folks will complain if the Sun comes up in the morning.
 
deconstruct60 said:
It is macrumors.... heard of the "wailing wall" ? this is the "moaning and groan wall". Some folks will complain if the Sun comes up in the morning.
Click to expand...

True, but this guy just wants attention and is seeking praise on his ability to purchase high end electronics.
 
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