Best 27" monitor and hub for the new m1?

[zedsdead]

I am trying out the LG 5k monitor for the 1st time connected to my M1 Mac mini. While the build quality leaves much to be desired, the panel is fantastic. It is not the same as a retina iMac because it does not have the extra layer of glass on top, but overall its a big step up from my 2012 non-retina iMac.

The other monitor options are fine, but none of the native control of brightness from the keyboard which honestly is a huge dealbreaker for me. Also none are truly "retina" in terms of PPI.

It's a glaring omission and a shame in the Apple lineup that there is no Apple 5k display (or 6k model now that is without all the "xdr" features.

 

[maxsquared]

My view on the LG Ultrafine, I had Rev A 5k, the screen is beautiful, compare to my U2720Q when scaled to the same resolution, the pixel is noticeably tighter and the colour and brightness is much closer to my MacBook compare to the Dell.
What put me off LG again was I experienced horrible image retention/ghosting. After 2 years of use, the retention was absolutely awful, sometimes gives me headaches after a few hours of use. And I had a LG panel MacBook Pro a few years back and it had suffered with image retention too, I have to return to apple to exchange the screen to a Samsung panel.
Maybe it’s just my luck or maybe there is something wrong with LG panels.

 

[richard371]

I agree. Only option close Apple has is $5000. Too bad they stopped allowing support to use the iMac as a monitor.

 

[23b]

I currently use a Lenovo P26u-10 which is a typical 4K 27" with USB-C with Power Delivery that also works when the screen is in standby. It also has 4 USB-A Ports to connect Peripherals. Image Quality is ok, little bit weak in the red spectrum.
My only issue with this class of screen is that running it in 2xRetina mode, the interface is a little to big for my taste (effectivly 1920x1080), so i set it up to be scaled to look like 2304x1296 pixels. Below the screen i have my Macbook and a iPad 12.9" over sidecar. I can see why 5K is the way to go on 27".

My dream screen purchase would be such to get a native 90ppi–100ppi or 200ppi when used as retina.
And since the Macbook Air M1 can only drive one display with displayport/thunderbolt I am looking at something like the
Lenovo ThinkVision P44w-10: 43", 3840x1200, 32:10, 93dpi... but i will need a bigger desk first.

 

[dvdrl]

I wanted to add some screenshot of different scales, but macos always takes the gpu buffer, which is unscaled :-D

So I took some pictures. Sorry if the quality is a bit ****, but it should give you an impression of the quality of different scales.

Clearly, a lot of people here like their 4k screens even when scaled. Personally, I can’t look past the blurriness.

I took pictures of the following areas:

Native Resolution

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences, 4x4 pixels, sharp edges
   
   [
2. Font rendering and popup control
   

3360×1890

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences
   
2. Font rendering and popup control
   

3200×1800

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences
   
2. Font rendering and popup control
   

3008×1692

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences
   
2. Font rendering and popup control
   

 

[badsimian]

I had a Benq BL3201-PT 32" 4K screen which was okay at a scaled looks like 2560x1440. I found it okay myself, not quite as sharp as the native 5K on the Lg I have since replaced it with but to me looked pretty close. I actually found 32" a bit too large with too much head turning for my liking although I am quite close to it.

Worth remembering that the MacBooks themselves no longer ship at proper 2x retina anymore by default but a higher scaled looks like resolution.

 

[23b]

Worth remembering that the MacBooks themselves no longer ship at proper 2x retina anymore by default but a higher scaled looks like resolution.

my disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined

 

[ECJ]

Though a bit expensive, the Caldigit TS3 + hub is meeting all of my peripheral needs, with just one cable plugged in to the Air. No issues.

It‘s now $50 off at Amazon today.

 

[wacomme]

It‘s now $50 off at Amazon today.

Yeah. I saw that - $20 savings from when I bought it a few days ago. I'm wondering if I should buy the discounted one and return the one I have (free returns)?

 

[hugodrax]

You can't go wrong with Dell monitor. I am using a P2715Q And it looks great.

 

[deeddawg]

Yeah. I saw that - $20 savings from when I bought it a few days ago. I'm wondering if I should buy the discounted one and return the one I have (free returns)?

Maybe they’ll do a price adjust since they’re $220 at Caldigit direct now too? https://shop.caldigit.com/us/index.php?route=common/home

 

[Sanderr]

I wanted to add some screenshot of different scales, but macos always takes the gpu buffer, which is unscaled :-D

So I took some pictures. Sorry if the quality is a bit ****, but it should give you an impression of the quality of different scales.

Clearly, a lot of people here like their 4k screens even when scaled. Personally, I can’t look past the blurriness.

I took pictures of the following areas:
View attachment 1680291

Native Resolution

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences, 4x4 pixels, sharp edges View attachment 1680279 [
2. Font rendering and popup control View attachment 1680280

3360×1890

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences View attachment 1680282
2. Font rendering and popup control View attachment 1680283

3200×1800

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences View attachment 1680284
2. Font rendering and popup control View attachment 1680285

3008×1692

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences View attachment 1680287
2. Font rendering and popup control View attachment 1680288

Is this on an M1 machine?
On my 32” monitor the scaling options above 3008x are gone now on my M1. Used to be there on my 15” mbp..

 

[KPOM]

looking to get maybe an LG 27" External monitor and hub. Any recomendations?

Thanks

The LG UltraFine 5K is a great display, but the USB-C ports are limited to USB-2. My advice is to get the Ultrafine 5K display, and get a good Thunderbolt dock for the other port. OWC just released a promising dock.

 

[KPOM]

That's 1 reason why I returned the dell u3818dw. It's a $1,099 iMac

Except the $1099 iMac has a 1080p screen and a 5 year old dual-core i5 processor The $1299 version is nicer, though, but still only a 4K screen.

 

[Hexley]

Except the $1099 iMac has a 1080p screen and a 5 year old dual-core i5 processor The $1299 version is nicer, though, but still only a 4K screen.

I look at it from a value proposition.

38" ultrawide display with a 4K resolution minus a CPU vs an all-in-one.

Modularized vs non-modularized.

Then you have creature comforts and (trivial) convenience with an end-to-end Apple solution.

Like display controls are within macOS and not separate to the Dell's.

One button to turn on the iMac rather than 2 buttons.

Yes, very trivial conveniences on paper but if oyu add it up together it saves time and effort.

 

[dvdrl]

Is this on an M1 machine?
On my 32” monitor the scaling options above 3008x are gone now on my M1. Used to be there on my 15” mbp..

No, that’s on an Intel machine. That’s interesting. Can you use the native resolution? I feel the resolutions should be there if they advertise “up to 6K”.

 

[wacomme]

Maybe they’ll do a price adjust since they’re $220 at Caldigit direct now too? https://shop.caldigit.com/us/index.php?route=common/home

I've asked for a price adjustment from Amazon. This would be easier than returning the item I currently have and buying it again for the $20 savings.

 

[aednichols]

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″.

Running a 27" 4K at 2560x1440 is the best of both worlds.

As you say WQHD is the most comfortable size, and with the extra pixels it looks retina.

I have used a P2715Q this way for a long time at the office (remember those?) and I'm not sure I could tell the difference between it and a 27" 5K display such as the iMac.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I've asked for a price adjustment from Amazon. This would be easier than returning the item I currently have and buying it again for the $20 savings.

Encountered this same situation yesterday - Audioengine HD3s that I purchased for $350 got dropped to $280, but even after repeatedly asking to just get an adjustment they made me 'return' the original order (requested the shipment, which was already en route, to return to them) and purchase a new one. Kind of a ridiculous process.

 

[Sanderr]

I wanted to add some screenshot of different scales, but macos always takes the gpu buffer, which is unscaled :-D

So I took some pictures. Sorry if the quality is a bit ****, but it should give you an impression of the quality of different scales.

Clearly, a lot of people here like their 4k screens even when scaled. Personally, I can’t look past the blurriness.

I took pictures of the following areas:
View attachment 1680291

Native Resolution

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences, 4x4 pixels, sharp edges View attachment 1680279 [
2. Font rendering and popup control View attachment 1680280

3360×1890

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences View attachment 1680282
2. Font rendering and popup control View attachment 1680283

3200×1800

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences View attachment 1680284
2. Font rendering and popup control View attachment 1680285

3008×1692

1. “Show All” button in System Preferences View attachment 1680287
2. Font rendering and popup control View attachment 1680288

Is this on an M1 machine?
On my 32” monitor the scaling options above 3008x are gone now on my M1. Used to be there on my 15” mbp.

No, that’s on an Intel machine. That’s interesting. Can you use the native resolution? I feel the resolutions should be there if they advertise “up to 6K”.

Native works fine, that’s what I’d figured as well. Maybe the required rendered resolution would be higher than 6K to provide HiDPI thus is not available?

 

[Feisar]

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!

Excellent choice. Been enjoying the U2720Q since August - great display, no issues, have mine mounted on the Dell MSA20 arm I picked up on Dell.com on sale for $65.

Note - work MBP attached in photo

 

[mr_jomo]

looking to get maybe an LG 27" External monitor and hub. Any recomendations?

Thanks

LG ultrafine 5K - it's superb in combo with for instance the M1 MBA.

 

[wacomme]

Encountered this same situation yesterday - Audioengine HD3s that I purchased for $350 got dropped to $280, but even after repeatedly asking to just get an adjustment they made me 'return' the original order (requested the shipment, which was already en route, to return to them) and purchase a new one. Kind of a ridiculous process.

I hesitated and now the extra $20 discount is no longer available.

I have some Audioengine A2's and A5's. Nice speakers. Enjoy your HD3's!

 

[Togun]

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.

What software are you using to create desktops snapped into place ?

I have a Mini M1 with LG49" UW 5120*1440. Needed to use switchresx to get that res.
LG On screen control does not work and that might be a dealbreaker as I can not splitt the screen in 3 or more alternatives to act as physical different screens with all the OS possibilities that gives.

T

 

[UltimateSyn]

Overall first impressions of the Dell U2720Q that came in today are very positive... However, I have had a few instances throughout the day where the display will randomly go black and my M1 MBP will have gone to sleep / locked itself. Like I briefly disconnected the computer, but I didn't. Only lasts about one second. Both sides of the connection are secure. Anyone else experiencing anything like this with their M1 Mac and external monitor?