A 4K 24 inch matte "Retina" Display does exist, and I just bought one! [Review]

[Amethyst1]

According to Steve Jobs, Retina is anything higher than 57 ppd.

I don't give a thing about "Retina", it's just a marketing term. What matters to me is - the higher the ppi, the sharper the text will be. And if you run this monitor in the pixel-perfect HiDPI mode (1920x1280) you'll end up with a simulated density of about 80 ppi. Ugh. So non-integer scaling it is (which is fine by my book, I just wish the actual ppi was a little higher).

 

[tornado99]

I don't give a thing about "Retina", it's just a stupid marketing term. What matters to me is - the higher the ppi, the sharper the text will be. And if you run this monitor in the pixel-perfect HiDPI mode (1920x1280) you'll end up with a simulated density of about 80 ppi. Ugh. So non-integer scaling it is.

But if you are beyond the limit that the human eye can resolve then it makes no difference. Somebody with 20:20 vision cannot see the difference between 160 dpi and 220 dpi at 20 inches. Of course, some people have 20:15 vision, so they will find 220 dpi sharper. But the difference is far smaller than 100 dpi to 160 dpi.

I was playing with the non-integer scaling (more space) modes on the latest iMac in a shop. On Catalina it is always the case that fonts are sharper at integer scaling. But I noticed that with Big Sur there is barely any difference. With Linux and Windows fonts are rendered independently of the GUI so 1.65345 scaling doesn't affect them. Perhaps Apple has somehow managed to do that too.

 

[Amethyst1]

I was playing with the non-integer scaling (more space) modes on the latest iMac in a shop.

Cool - do you remember which non-integer modes are available on the M1 iMac? Just wondering how they compare to those available on third-party near—24" 4K monitors.

 

[tornado99]

On the latest iMac 1920x1080 and 2560x1440.

On the Hauwei, no idea, but hopefully you can still do this trick if Apple doesn't provide any:

Force HiDPI Resolutions for Dell U2515H Monitor

Custom scaled resolutions on macOS

medium.com

 

[Amethyst1]

On the latest iMac 1920x1080 and 2560x1440.

No 1680x945 or 2304x1296 (that's probably too close to the default 2240x1260) then?

 

[Marty_Macfly]

I have been on the hunt for a 4K 24 inch monitor, and finally I found one! The Electriq Eiq-244kMHDR.

View attachment 1775153

It has a light matte AG coating, 10 bit IPS panel, 300 nits, and costs £140 ($190). Text looks ultra-smooth like a printed page on this screen! It works perfectly with my Mac and is detected as a Retina Display. Even though it's only 185 dpi (instead of 218 dpi), 200% scaling looks fine sitting 20" away. Calibrating with a colorimeter I get 99% sRGB, 82% DCI-P3, 285 nits brightness, contrast ratio 950:1, and deltaE 1.9. The default manual sRGB values 50,50,50 gave a color temperature of 6700K, and 48,50,48 gave 6500K - perfect for desktop usage.

The driver board is also great. HDMI 2.0 x2, Displayport 1.4 x2. I can use this with my Linux laptop too. Flawless switching between multiple sources and sleeping/waking up.

What panel is inside?

There are only two 4K 24" panels in the whole world currently being manufactured. One is the glossy LG used in the Ultrafine, so this must use the BOE MV238QUM-N20 panel. The larger version of the BOE also appears in the Asus ProArt:

ASUS PA279CV 4K IPS model with USB-C | PCMonitors.info

The ASUS PA279CV features a 27" '4K' IPS panel with USB-C, a focus on sRGB colour accuracy and support for Adaptive-Sync.

pcmonitors.info

View attachment 1775155

Repair-ability

The monitor case unscrews at the back. The LCD panel and driver board are widely available on AliExpress. The power supply is a standard 12V external power brick. If the monitor dies in a few years I'm confident I could repair it.

Where can I buy it?

https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/ele...c-hdr-gaming-monitor-eiq-244kmhdr/version.asp (UK, Europe)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163291137904 (Many countries)

https://shop.tbfocus.com/item.php?id=555251609724 (Same panel, world?)

I have also seen monitors with this panel on several websites dealing in CCTV products.

Why not get the P2415Q second-hand?

The Dell has many issues: horizontal gray lines on display, poor backlight uniformity, grainy AG on white backgrounds, unreliable driver board, only HDMI 1.4 on older models.

Why not get the LG Ultrafine 24" or 21.5"?

My usage is coding, writing, reading, web browsing in a moderately lit home environment. I find the small reflections from glossy displays annoying, and having to keep the brightness high to minimise them is fatiguing on the eyes. The Ultrafines are not fully laminated glass like the iMacs, so not up to the same quality.

Also, the Ultrafines seem hard to repair if they go wrong, and could be difficult to connect with non-Mac computers (although bi-directional displayport-usb c cables are now on the market).

TL;DR

Finally a solid 4K monitor for Mac and PC users who aren't photographers. Why isn't this more popular?

Small criticisms

Viewing angles are good, but not the best I've seen on IPS monitors. 350 nits would be better for bright environments but I've not seen that on 1080p 24" IPS monitors either. No DCI-P3 color gamut, but not something I currently need.

Hiya Mr T,


Awesome review, thanks!


One question - One of the web sites actually says what the panel is - it says 'VA' - as opposed to IPS. (Which would match the much slower response times. See below screenshot. The Downloadable user manual is not much help on this either!)


Has there been a change in specs since the time you wrote the review?

The main issue I would have with VA would be the more narrow viewing angle, for offices apps work.

If it is VA, is this narrower viewing angle a concern for desktops though, as opposed to TVs? (I have a TN panel monitor currently, with its TN narrow viewing angle. Not sure if that's the reason why I find excel documents more 'fuzzy' when on extreme LHS of screen, but certainly looking for an upgrade with the new monitor!)




Hope you can advise


Kinds Regards
Martin



----------------------------------
The web sites which actually says what the panel is - is says 'VA' - as opposed to IPS.
(Which would match the much slower response times. See below screenshot)

https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/ele...ming-monitor-eiq-244kmhdr/version.asp#!#specs

 

[tornado99]

The VA is a mistake, the OEM is actually a reseller and often make spec mistakes. I suspect the confusion is that "IPS" is trademarked to LG, but all the other manufacturers have an equivalent technology with the same performance.

If you look on Panellook, the panel is definitely IPS. Another clue is that VA wouldn't have such a slow response time.

 

[Marty_Macfly]

The VA is a mistake, the OEM is actually a reseller and often make spec mistakes. I suspect the confusion is that "IPS" is trademarked to LG, but all the other manufacturers have an equivalent technology with the same performance.

If you look on Panellook, the panel is definitely IPS. Another clue is that VA wouldn't have such a slow response time.

Awesome!

Thanks mr T

How do you find Excel? Are the characters sharp as well? I find my current 24" monitor 'fuzzy' compared to the M1 MBA screen!

Many thanks for your insight into all of this.

Regards
Martin

 

[Amethyst1]

I suspect the confusion is that "IPS" is trademarked to LG, but all the other manufacturers have an equivalent technology with the same performance.

Yep, Samsung call theirs PLS, for instance.

 

[tornado99]

to my eyes 4k 24 inch is sharp for everything I throw at it including excel. Never found myself wanting it sharper, even though on paper it's 185 dpi compared to > 200 dpi for apple displays.

 

[Marty_Macfly]

to my eyes 4k 24 inch is sharp for everything I throw at it including excel. Never found myself wanting it sharper, even though on paper it's 185 dpi compared to > 200 dpi for apple displays.

hi Mr T,

Many thanks for your help on this!

The monitor does not have an adjustable stand, that’s a shame.

when you have a moment, can you check how high the actual screen is, from the bottom of the stand supplied?

For my screen height that works for my dodgy neck, it is 14cm, or 5.5 inches from the desk, to where the actual 24inch screen starts.

As I say, if you get a chance to measure that, that would be really useful for me to know!

If the monitor is less than 14cm, then I can always add books under it, however if it is too high, then that would be a problem for my poor neck!

Thanks for your help.

Best wishes
Martin

 

[tornado99]

I have the monitor on a VESA mount, and the stand is not with me at the moment. From memory the bottom edge is lower than 14cm, but not completely sure.

 

[Amethyst1]

The driver board is also great. HDMI 2.0 x2, Displayport 1.4 x2.

Does the board support Picture-by-Picture (PbP)?

 

[tornado99]

No, but judging by the ports coming out the bottom and the very generic OSD it's most likely this one:

65.0US $ |universal hd LCD 4K driver board HDR Freesync edp VBO 4K 60hz 2K 120HZ 144Hz LCD LED driver board mainboard For diy display|Laptop LCD Screen| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

There might be another version floating around with PiP capability that you could retro-fit if you really wanted to. The monitor cover is just held by 4 screws so no iMac-style glue cutting needed.

 

[mike.a]

Hello @Amethyst1, thanks for your feedback and that amazing list you keep updated.

I discovered today that the (possibly end of life) Acer EK241QK, a 24-inch 4K monitor with a 60Hz refresh — does have HDMI 2.0 (to Australia, presumably elsewhere?) to support the 4K @ 60 Hz refresh rate as confirmed by Acer Support in an email.

The biggest con? The lack of reviews. I simply cannot find anything authoritative.

I did say hello to the peeps over at ElectriQ UK, but they advise against using their 230V AC 50Hz screens in Australia's 240V AC 50Hz standard power. Not to mention zero warranty support.

So I'm left with practically zero 24-inch 4K options - other than the Acer EK2410QK - here in AU, forcing me to look at 27-inch alternatives. The Dell S2721QS appears to be good value and is well reviewed by the crew at RTINGS.

 

[alFR]

I did say hello to the peeps over at ElectriQ UK, but they advise against using their 230V AC 50Hz screens in Australia's 240V AC 50Hz standard power. Not to mention zero warranty support.

UK mains power is 240V/50Hz, so I'm not sure why they would say that: if they work in the UK they should work in Australia. That doesn't help with the lack of warranty, of course.

 

[Amethyst1]

Hello @Amethyst1, thanks for your feedback and that amazing list you keep updated.

You're welcome. Is getting a second-hand ≈24" UHD monitor in good/refurbished condition from a reputable seller (who would ideally also offer warranty) an option for you?

 

[tornado99]

Hello @Amethyst1, thanks for your feedback and that amazing list you keep updated.

I discovered today that the (possibly end of life) Acer EK241QK, a 24-inch 4K monitor with a 60Hz refresh — does have HDMI 2.0 (to Australia, presumably elsewhere?) to support the 4K @ 60 Hz refresh rate as confirmed by Acer Support in an email.

The biggest con? The lack of reviews. I simply cannot find anything authoritative.

I did say hello to the peeps over at ElectriQ UK, but they advise against using their 230V AC 50Hz screens in Australia's 240V AC 50Hz standard power. Not to mention zero warranty support.

So I'm left with practically zero 24-inch 4K options - other than the Acer EK2410QK - here in AU, forcing me to look at 27-inch alternatives. The Dell S2721QS appears to be good value and is well reviewed by the crew at RTINGS.

The ElectriQ has a generic external 12V power brick with a standard barrel power connector. You should be able to find one in any shop in Australia. Just needs to be rated for a minimum of 4A.

If you are interested I can take a photo of mine.

Having said that, the one they supply should definitely work.

 

[pHghost]

I just bought this monitor and have a bit of an issue with it. I can see alternating white and gray lines on it, especially closer to the middle of the screen. This is mainly noticeable on a white screen, so for example when viewing a Wikipedia article or so. Any other owners of this monitor, do you experience anything similar?

 

[pHghost]

Here is an image of what it looks like.

As you can see, every three pixels or so, the image is slightly darker or lighter, alternating.

 

[tornado99]

This seems to be an issue with very high pixel density monitors. I experienced it on my 4K 24 inch screens. One of my panels it disappeared completely after a few weeks use, the other panel it is still faintly there but only if my eyes are about 20cm from the screen, at normal distance 60cm I can't see the lines.

Try leaving it on a while.

 

[pHghost]

Hey, thanks for the answer. Good to know. On mine the lines were really visible and I never experienced anything like it before, so I was a bit unsure.

I wrote to electriQ and they said it was likely a fault, asked me to send it back and will be sending a replacement. Let's see what the next one is like. If it also has lines I'll do what you say and give it time to "burn away" the lines by leaving it on for a bit.

 

[mikeboss]

I just bought this monitor and have a bit of an issue with it. I can see alternating white and gray lines on it, especially closer to the middle of the screen. This is mainly noticeable on a white screen, so for example when viewing a Wikipedia article or so. Any other owners of this monitor, do you experience anything similar?

exactly the same with DELL P2415Q, lots of discussions to be found on the internet. they likely both use the same LCD-panel...

 

[pHghost]

OK. So is it general experience that the lines disappear after a couple weeks, then?

 

[wakka]

I have this monitor too, and I have the same thing. I've had it for ~2 weeks now. To be honest it doesn't really bother me. I don't notice unless I lean in and get really close to the screen.

Perhaps they are much more visible on yours however?

No idea if they will eventually fade, but for the price I'm not complaining. This thing feels like an absolute steal at £160.

Thanks for the tip Tornado99!