Best 27" Display for MacBook Pro 2016?

[kramerica2]

Browsing and reading as much as possible online, I can sum up my findings:

1. 27" 4K is bad for the MacBook, since you can't work at the display's native resolution:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...ef=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01CDYB0QS

So, the only good option for a 27" screen is 5K.

2. The convient option is a USB-C compatible display, that hopefully would charge my MacBook Pro (bonus feature).

3. The only display that matches both criteria is the LG UltraFine 5K, and it's got a plethora of problems.

Hopefully, I'm missing something here, and the perfect display is available somewhere. Please help me find it?

 

[MCAsan]

Perfect means a match to requirements. Precisely enumerate your technical and financial requirements.

 

[kramerica2]

Perfect means a match to requirements. Precisely enumerate your technical and financial requirements.

Thanks.
Actually I don't have any specific technical requirement, but I do appreciate a nice high quality monitor.
No budget limit either.
I'm looking for a nice high quality picture on a monitor that would display my macbook at a native resolution via its usb-c port with no adapters/dongles.

 

[jukkhop]

If you forget the 5K resolution, the Thunderbolt Display is still great despite its age.

 

[MCAsan]

But not a good value for money at only 2K resolution and no USB3 or USB C ports.

 

[forgery]

I've also been looking for a 5K display, but I'm scared to order the LG. I spoke with a Dell "Chat" sales person and they indicated that the Dell 5K (UP2715K) isn't for sale anymore from Dell (you can still buy Open Box on NewEgg). That's sad because it was the most apple-like 5k on the market. I think the only other 5k is the HP.

 

[venom600]

I've also been looking for a 5K display, but I'm scared to order the LG. I spoke with a Dell "Chat" sales person and they indicated that the Dell 5K (UP2715K) isn't for sale anymore from Dell (you can still buy Open Box on NewEgg). That's sad because it was the most apple-like 5k on the market. I think the only other 5k is the HP.

The Dell and HP solutions require two display ports to function and it doesn't pass through USB or charging, so you lose a half your ports for one display. . Do you really want to give up two USB-C/TB3 ports just to avoid the LG? I'd get one for my 2015 Macbook Pro but it seems like a waste on the new one

 

[wim.v]

I was in the same situation. Ordered a Macbook Pro 2016 at the end of last year and was also in need for a second monitor. I was tempted to buy the LG 5K with the discount offered but because of the issues I decided to wait.

After reading about available monitors I pulled the trigger this week and choose for the 5K ultrafine LG screen because for me, I think it is the only option.

- color accuracy (i'm a graphic designer)
- 5K workspace
- charges the 15 inch macbook pro
- does not confiscate 2 USB-C ports.

The screen arrives this afternoon. And I hope it is without issues and bugs.

 

[forgery]

The Dell and HP solutions require two display ports to function and it doesn't pass through USB or charging, so you lose a half your ports for one display. . Do you really want to give up two USB-C/TB3 ports just to avoid the LG? I'd get one for my 2015 Macbook Pro but it seems like a waste on the new one

I agree 100%. These are only options if you consider an eGPU with a Thunderbolt 3 connection like in the Dev kit: https://developer.apple.com/development-kit/external-graphics/

 

[tomislavf]

I've been using the LG Ultrafine 5K for a week now on the 2016 MBP 13" and not a single issue. No wake up problems, no flickering, nothing that people are complaining about. Everything works perfectly.

P.S. It's the new version with the improved shielding

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"27" 4K is bad for the MacBook, since you can't work at the display's native resolution:"

This is nonsense. It is the opinion of the person quoted in a single amazon review.
Take it with a grain of salt.

27" running at HiDPI will be fine for the display.
Just use the proper connection to achieve it.

I currently have a non-4k 27" display, running at 1920x1080, and it's fine.
No, it's not retina, but it's "good enough".
I'm using it with a 2012 Mini that doesn't support 4k in any case.

I have a 2015 MBPro which -does- support 4k @ 60hz.
If I get a display for it, I'll pick a 27" as best for "my old eyes".

If I decide I want 5k, I'll get a 27" iMac.

 

[MrX8503]

Unfortunately if you want a 10bit 5K monitor, the LG 5K is the only one available.

 

[HenryAZ]

Browsing and reading as much as possible online, I can sum up my findings:

1. 27" 4K is bad for the MacBook, since you can't work at the display's native resolution:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...ef=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01CDYB0QS

So, the only good option for a 27" screen is 5K.

2. The convient option is a USB-C compatible display, that hopefully would charge my MacBook Pro (bonus feature).

3. The only display that matches both criteria is the LG UltraFine 5K, and it's got a plethora of problems.

Hopefully, I'm missing something here, and the perfect display is available somewhere. Please help me find it?

If you are wedded to the 27" size, what you say is true. Another alternative is to jump up to a 32"-34" monitor that runs at 4k, and run it at true 4k @60Hz. This is what I am doing with an Eizo EV3237, running at 3840x2160, with approximately 145 PPI. It's not retina, but it is a step up from earlier 27" monitors, PPI-wise. Everything gets small, as you might imagine, but you can make adjustments in almost every area and program to counter that. The real estate is astounding, and running 5 Mission Control desktops makes it a real pleasure, vs multiple monitors.

 

[jimthing]

The LG 5K is fine. I have two of them on a maxed-out 2016 15" MBP, and as displays they work flawlessly.

There are a few bugs with controls like volume and brightness, but the main use as display and speakers works perfectly well.

 

[davidjearly]

If you are wedded to the 27" size, what you say is true. Another alternative is to jump up to a 32"-34" monitor that runs at 4k, and run it at true 4k @60Hz. This is what I am doing with an Eizo EV3237, running at 3840x2160, with approximately 145 PPI. It's not retina, but it is a step up from earlier 27" monitors, PPI-wise. Everything gets small, as you might imagine, but you can make adjustments in almost every area and program to counter that. The real estate is astounding, and running 5 Mission Control desktops makes it a real pleasure, vs multiple monitors.

Got some pictures of your setup so I can see how small those things are?

 

[HenryAZ]

Got some pictures of your setup so I can see how small those things are?

Here is the reduced version:

Full version (the full 3840x2160 would not upload "too big":

About the only thing that remains "small" is the top menu bar. All other elements you can adjust upwards in size to accommodate. And the menu bar is not as small as appears in these pics. It is easily readable.