A little help understanding some 4K monitor basics (e.g.: DP 1.2 vs. 1.4)

[drrich2]

I use a 2017 iMac. I've got an M4Pro Mac Mini on order, and will need a 27" 4K monitor for it. I had one (a Philips Brilliance 279P1), but our kid has it now for her notebook Windows PC. I dove into the world of online researching options, preferably in the roughly $300 - $450 range. Desire 4K, 27" (partly because I'm afraid 4K at 32" won't have quite as sharp a text, since the pixel count in lower and I'm used to the iMac), general home use is the goal (won't likely hook it to a Playstation, etc...), and while I don't do professional work I do like a sharp, pleasing display. Strongly prefer the USB-C option (for video signal and to provide power, though the Mac Mini can't be powered by it); don't particularly need a Thunderbolt connection (as Thunderbolt monitors command a premium).

Been mulling over the Dell S2722QC (has Display Port 1.4), Asus ProArt PA279CV (has Display Port 1.2), BenQPD2705U (strong reviews, but brightness in nits curiously low), LG Ultrafine 27UN850-W (haven't seen a 3rd party profession review of it), and some others - but Samsung product reviews are kind of all over the place.

Use in a corner in a small bedroom; have no backlighting, not troubled by glare that I know of, would've aimed for glossy but so many displays use anti-glare technology and reviewers seem to prefer it. Never know if I'll be using it in another environment some day, so willing to accept matte if it doesn't impose too much graininess.

In this price range, a number of monitors are older models using Display Port 1.2; the pricier tend to use 1.4. It's my understanding that when USB-C connection is used it uses Display Port through USB-C, so I assume it's using that same Display Port level.

With the old Philips monitor, someone told me way back if I wanted to run it at 4K and 60-Hz, I needed to set the USB-ports to B speeds rather than A, or I'd only get 30-Hz refresh rates. I saw a similar claim on a user review on one of the monitors I've looked at.

So, finally my question...if I use a USB-C connection to a 4K monitor and expect a 60-Hz refresh rates, will I have to either buy a DP 1.4 model, or else on a 1.2 model set the USB-hub ports to operate at slower speeds so they don't interfere with it?

On a related note, since the Mac Mini comes with an HDMI connector, if I hook the Mac Mini to the Monitor with both HDMI and USB-C cables, will the Mini drive the monitor via HDMI and access the USB-hub functionality via the USB-C, or is the USB-C option all (video feed + hub) or nothing?

There are already some early sales; not sure when to jump vs. hang tight as we get closer to Black Friday. My order is for a BTO 48-gig RAM/2-terabyte SSD M4Pro; not sure when it's likely to ship.

Thanks in advance. Anything else you think would be good to know here?

 

[joevt]

In this price range, a number of monitors are older models using Display Port 1.2; the pricier tend to use 1.4. It's my understanding that when USB-C connection is used it uses Display Port through USB-C, so I assume it's using that same Display Port level.

USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode can either be 2 lanes of DisplayPort with USB 3.x or 4 lanes of DisplayPort with USB 2.0. A display might have a switch in its menu to allow you to choose.
USB 2.0 is sufficient for keyboards and mice.
4K60 10bpc requires 4 lanes or DSC.
4K60 8bpc can be achieved with DisplayPort 1.4 and 2 lanes.
DSC requires DisplayPort 1.4. DSC compresses 10bpc (30bpp) down to 12bpp.
HDR requires 10bpc or DSC.
You can find all this info in Wikipedia.

 

[Badcatdm]

Same boat - mid 2017 iMac. I'm looking for a 27" monitor.

I also have a Mac Mini M4pro on order.

Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
48GB unified memory
2TB SSD storage
Gigabit Ethernet

I've been down the monitor rabbit hole for three days now. Looking at ASUS, BenQ, Dell, HP, LG.

 

[drrich2]

I also have a Mac Mini M4pro on order.

Hah! That's exactly, down to the gigabit ethernet, the configuration I ordered. I'm just a snap shooter, but my Photos library is huge.

If I had to buy right this minute, I'd probably get the Dell S2722QC. While I don't tend to use monitor USB-connections much, and USB 2 is functional, having DisplayPort 1.4 over 1.2 seems desirable (albeit nowhere near essential).

Same boat - mid 2017 iMac. I'm looking for a 27" monitor.

We are within the last day of a sale when you buy direct from Samsung (free shipping, IIRC) of the 32" 4K Samsung M80D. Link to sale page. You may see the $399 price elsewhere, but notice right now direct from Samsung look at this:

"Get Portable SSD T9 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 2TB in Gray on us∝"

I'm leery of going 32" with a 4K as I'm not in a position to see in person what that looks like on a Mac. That webcam may be decent but it can't be made to point down, IIRC, and I sit crashed back in a recliner lower than my monitor level (plus if I want to video conference, it's my understanding my iPhone 12Pro Max could be used in continuity camera mode), I have no use for the 'smart t.v.' features (I can run Netflix and Amazon Prime in browser windows just fine). Samsung 4K monitors get a number of strongly positive reviews...and some bad in the mix, just enough to shake my confidence a little.

All that said, and you did say you're looking for a 27" monitor, and that said ends later today anyway, it is around $400 + tax for 4K, 32", brand name, a little webcam if that matters, smart t.v. features if you can, and a brand name 2-terabyte external SSD that, if nothing else, would be handy as a fast backup drive.

Thought I'd pass it along. I've been reading review after review and discussion after discussion for a few days.

 

[Badcatdm]

It's interesting. Only 1 year warranty. But the specs look good.


............And it won't fit.

Thanks for the info though.