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Best 27" monitor and hub for the new m1?
- Thread starter richard371
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I've got U2720Q, it has a matte screen and the display quality is pretty good, close (enough) to a Mac after calibrate.
You could always get a USB type C monitor then you get the hub built in. That's what I've been looking at. They typically provide power delivery as well.
Just as a heads up: 27″@4k is not “retina style”
- MacBooks have a pixel density of ~220ppi (pixels per inch)
- A regular 27″ (WQHD) has ~110ppi, i.e. non-retina, but UI has similar size (just not retina).
- A 4k has ~170ppi, and will fit more UI than the WQHD, but at a smaller size (and not retina). If you don’t have exceptional eyesight, it will be too small, and you have to use a scaled resolution.
- Scaled resolution leads to blurry lines, graphics, and sometimes text. You won’t always notice, but it drove me crazy.
- I have a 31.5″ 4K at 140ppi – my eyesight can handle it, but I wouldn’t be able to handle anything denser. As mentioned, I couldn’t stand the blurriness of using it scaled.
- To get 220ppi with 27″ you need 5K, which is only offered by the LG Ultrafine. And that comes at a considerable price.
Personally, at 27″ I would go with WQHD (“no retina”). If you want 4k, go and see for yourself in a shop. Probably not worth it if smaller than 31.5″.
- MacBooks have a pixel density of ~220ppi (pixels per inch)
- A regular 27″ (WQHD) has ~110ppi, i.e. non-retina, but UI has similar size (just not retina).
- A 4k has ~170ppi, and will fit more UI than the WQHD, but at a smaller size (and not retina). If you don’t have exceptional eyesight, it will be too small, and you have to use a scaled resolution.
- Scaled resolution leads to blurry lines, graphics, and sometimes text. You won’t always notice, but it drove me crazy.
- I have a 31.5″ 4K at 140ppi – my eyesight can handle it, but I wouldn’t be able to handle anything denser. As mentioned, I couldn’t stand the blurriness of using it scaled.
- To get 220ppi with 27″ you need 5K, which is only offered by the LG Ultrafine. And that comes at a considerable price.
Personally, at 27″ I would go with WQHD (“no retina”). If you want 4k, go and see for yourself in a shop. Probably not worth it if smaller than 31.5″.
I have the lg 27uk850 27" 4K monitor. I like it. I run it via Displayport through a CalDigit ts3 plus hub. All of my peripherals (two drives, mic, webcam, usb hub, usb lights, external speakers, and a few other misc items run through the CalDigit hub. I have only on USB4 connection to my M1 Air. So far so good.
Another upvote for U2720Q 4k monitor. Best monitor I have owned.
I’m trying to decide between the 27” LG Ultrafine 5K and the 34” LG Ultra-Wide 5K2K, any advice?
I’m coming from a 5K iMac which I loved the display of, the 34” 5K2K isn’t actually 5K. So it would not actually be “retina” at that size.
27” Ultrafine is 218ppi, that 34” Ultrawide is 163ppi
The LG Ultrafine is not a very aesthetically pleasing monitor, I love how the 5k2k physically looks. But not if the lack of sharpness will be that noticeable
I’m coming from a 5K iMac which I loved the display of, the 34” 5K2K isn’t actually 5K. So it would not actually be “retina” at that size.
27” Ultrafine is 218ppi, that 34” Ultrawide is 163ppi
The LG Ultrafine is not a very aesthetically pleasing monitor, I love how the 5k2k physically looks. But not if the lack of sharpness will be that noticeable
I have LG 5k2k, I would suggest getting Ultrafine 5K. As good as LG 5k2k is, it's just not retina enough if you are used to iMac screen. Every time I go back to working on iMac I just wish the LG 5k2k could be as sharp and clear. And also currently M1 outputs to LG 5k2k at a weird resolution size, I had to install SwitchResX to get the 3840 resolution back.
I spent the last two days relentlessly researching monitors until placing an order for the U2720Q earlier today, before seeing this thread. Now you guys are doubling down on my confidence. Can't wait for it to get here!
Thank you
I guess I could buy a nice looking monitor arm for it to make it look more aesthetically pleasing, that dumb stand just makes it look like a cheap monitor they use at a cashier till lol. I also actually prefer glossy screens like the Ultrafine as opposed to the slightly more matte finish of the 5k2k, although I think most people dislike gloss lol
I have BenQ PD2700U it will 3840x2160 @60 hz no problem. I use a separate TB3 to HDMI cable. I usually run the monitor are 3008x1692 @60hz because the higher resolution are too small for me.
I run my pair of 27" 4K monitors at this resolution as well as it suits my eyesight.
The link points to 27" displays with USB-C ports to 1 cable to charge the Macbook and drive the display.
Display Monitors, HD Monitors, 27 Inch Monitors & Large Monitors
Shop B&H for our huge inventory of Display Monitors which include HD Monitors, 27 Inch Monitors, Small & Large Monitors.
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I cant make any suggestions on the monitor, i replaced my iMac 27” last year and decided nothing felt as impressive as that iMac screen so was always disappointed , granted I don’t have easy access to the likes of the lg5k to compare , and went ultra wide with a Dell 3818 With a 16” MacBook Pro.
hubs has been the nightmare, i have tried about 6 different ones from hyperdrive the Adam elements c10e , whether drawing from one port or two ports, the hubs would crash my HDD and audio interface.
All i connected was 2 x 2TB western digital external HDD and Focusrite 2i2 interface.
so the HDD would disconnect and you could hear them struggling with no juice. This happened on all hubs regardless.
I tried going direct into monitor, which worked but whenever i wrapped up for the day and the laptop went to sleep , i woke to HDD errors every AM. Which usually wouldn’t be an issue, except they hooked to my plex server.
finally got the Caldigit TS3 + yesterday and everything works like a charm with my MacBook Pro and MBA M1, plugged in 4 HDD , my audio interface, my SSD portable, and i run my monitor via TB3 , then into a one port solution into air.
So far so good, but this is day 2, so will see today, if i pick up any other bugs With the Caldigit, but so far (prays hard) this is my final solution after a year of frustration.
hubs has been the nightmare, i have tried about 6 different ones from hyperdrive the Adam elements c10e , whether drawing from one port or two ports, the hubs would crash my HDD and audio interface.
All i connected was 2 x 2TB western digital external HDD and Focusrite 2i2 interface.
so the HDD would disconnect and you could hear them struggling with no juice. This happened on all hubs regardless.
I tried going direct into monitor, which worked but whenever i wrapped up for the day and the laptop went to sleep , i woke to HDD errors every AM. Which usually wouldn’t be an issue, except they hooked to my plex server.
finally got the Caldigit TS3 + yesterday and everything works like a charm with my MacBook Pro and MBA M1, plugged in 4 HDD , my audio interface, my SSD portable, and i run my monitor via TB3 , then into a one port solution into air.
So far so good, but this is day 2, so will see today, if i pick up any other bugs With the Caldigit, but so far (prays hard) this is my final solution after a year of frustration.
Thanks. Anyone try this? Good reviews.
VAVA USB C Hub, 7-in-1 USB C Adapter for MacBook/Pro/Air (Thunderbolt 3), with 4K USB-C to HDMI, 3 USB 3.0 Ports, SD/TF Cards Reader, 100W Power Delivery Dock for iPad Pro/MacBook/Type C Devices https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084ZDPNTT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_dlC_OaXVFbCDK9TY6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
VAVA USB C Hub, 7-in-1 USB C Adapter for MacBook/Pro/Air (Thunderbolt 3), with 4K USB-C to HDMI, 3 USB 3.0 Ports, SD/TF Cards Reader, 100W Power Delivery Dock for iPad Pro/MacBook/Type C Devices https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084ZDPNTT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_dlC_OaXVFbCDK9TY6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I also bought, RMA'd then sold for a profit the dell u3818dw as I wanted to match it to the 16".
Any issues with it those 2 devices interacting? Do you charge at 96W or 100W when connected via USB-C?
I sold the dell as my table was too small and I ended up moving my head around. Perhaps that's why?
I'm hoping for a larger than 27" screen with the 2022 redesigned iMac.
No dealbreaker issues that i have found.
I cant run the screen software on the Mac, so have to adjust manually on the dell via the joystick and on board menu.
Wake from sleep was an initial issue with the 16” and kernel panics, but this seemed to be a common fault effecting many users, i was one of them, but then it cleared up, and i havent experienced many issues since.
i never plug in a charger for the MBP 16 nor the M1 MBA , just thunderbolt monitor to laptop or now in the case of TS3, monitor to Caldigit to MBP/MBA. My battery always seems to stay full and say on charge.
I was having a few issues to work around on waking from sleep yesterday on the M1, but seems to be sorted, will check now when i go power up for the day, 4am here.
I use an app to sort out my screen real estate and create desktops, snapped into place.
If this holds up a few more days, i can sell my MBP 16 and be happy with the M1 to carry me to the next years releases.
Everything i need to run works, peripherals like screen and audio , software i use Etc.
its just this google drive back up and sync giving me headaches.
I cant run the screen software on the Mac, so have to adjust manually on the dell via the joystick and on board menu.
Wake from sleep was an initial issue with the 16” and kernel panics, but this seemed to be a common fault effecting many users, i was one of them, but then it cleared up, and i havent experienced many issues since.
i never plug in a charger for the MBP 16 nor the M1 MBA , just thunderbolt monitor to laptop or now in the case of TS3, monitor to Caldigit to MBP/MBA. My battery always seems to stay full and say on charge.
I was having a few issues to work around on waking from sleep yesterday on the M1, but seems to be sorted, will check now when i go power up for the day, 4am here.
I use an app to sort out my screen real estate and create desktops, snapped into place.
If this holds up a few more days, i can sell my MBP 16 and be happy with the M1 to carry me to the next years releases.
Everything i need to run works, peripherals like screen and audio , software i use Etc.
its just this google drive back up and sync giving me headaches.