Best Monitor for New Mini

[toke lahti]

Just wondering, if I want a curved 40"ish 4k'ish monitor, my only option is Philips BDM4037UW/01?
Any reviews of that? How wide is the gamut in AdobeRGB & DCI-P3?

 

[nampramos]

I'm using the supplied high-speed HDMI cable in port 2 and am getting 30-bit color @ 60 Hz with UI looks like 3008x1692. I ran a test of Zwift (indoor cycling game) and it didn't look great. Acceptable, but not great.

So you're getting a 30-bit signal out of your HDMI port on the mini? I guess that means it's HDMI 2.0b?

 

[weaztek]

So you're getting a 30-bit signal out of your HDMI port on the mini? I guess that means it's HDMI 2.0b?

I am indeed using the HDMI port on the Mini. The info I reported came straight from my System Report. I'm very happy today because everything is running smoothly and the LG looks amazing.

 

[STC1709]

Been looking at this monitor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072XFFQ4...olid=14RQ21FUPOXNX&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Anyone have this one?

 

[fandsw]

We ended up trying 2 different monitors on our MM i7. The first was an LG 34" UltraWide 34UC80B from Amazon. I really liked it, but the curved screen gave SWMBO some dizziness & headaches. So back to Amazon it went. We then ordered from BestBuy's Black Friday Sale a HP Pavilion 32Q for $230. Got it yesterday and we are VERY impressed with it. For the sale price it is a STEAL in my opinion!! It may be a VA panel instead of IPS, but needed zero adjustment out of the box and looks fantastic!

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pav...ack-with-silver-stand/5759502.p?skuId=5759502

 

[thirdsun]

Been looking at this monitor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072XFFQ4...olid=14RQ21FUPOXNX&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Anyone have this one?

It's a 1080p display at 27 inches - the pixel density will be abysmal and UI elements will look too large. Get an WQHD / 2560x1440 display at that size.

 

[toke lahti]

I just bought a LG 34WK95U 34" 5120x2160px, coming from a 40" 4K Philips display.

I bought it because of the beautiful panel with great colours, the wide aspect ratio as well as the clean bezels.
I got it mainly for photo editing, otherwise I probably would've gone with one of the cheaper curved displays. It's my first time with an ultrawide after having used both large 40" displays and multiple <27"-setups and a day in I'm really starting to like it.

The big downside I've found with the monitor is the stand which is absolutely terrible. It's so weak and wobbly I'd advice against this monitor unless you're planning to use another monitor arm. Absolute joke considering the price.

I was a bit worried about the performance after reading this forum and a few others but everything looks smooth to me so far. The GPU is at 14-18% usage no matter which scaling I use, occasionally spiking higher when there's a lot of stuff going on. Not seeing much of a difference between native res, 2x and scaled, maybe a few % higher average GPU useage at most.
I'm currently using 3008x1269 but I've been bouncing back and forth between 2560x1080 and 3360x1417 as I haven't made up my mind on which resolution to keep yet. 5120x2160 is too small and 2560x1080 lack screen real estate.
Now I'm not coming from a 5K iMac so I can't compare performance and font sharpness to that display.

I do get lag in some applications however. Photoshop is real sluggish for example. Even iTunes, when scrolling quickly and displaying large amount of album art. I think it's because of the 8 GB ram which is constantly at 70 - 85% use. I'll upgrade to 32GB today (and I hope) and suspect it'll make a big difference. I have the i5 and the CPU and GPU almost never went above 30% usage from my workload yesterday. I've yet to do heavy Lightroom work though.

UPDATE:
Ok, I upgraded to 32 GB RAM and it's a massive improvement. Memory usage is now at 25% (down from approx 75%) and GPU usage is down to about 8% (down from approx 18%). All the lag I previously experienced seems to be gone! I used this ram:
http://eu.crucial.com/eur/en/mac-mini-(2018)/CT13492047

34WK95U is my first choice now also.
I’m planning to use it with egpu, so I’m not certain how much ram would I need. Less because igpu does not need it so much? I’m planning to buy mm2018 i7, 4+4 ram and replace one 4GB dimm with 16GB dimm to fit my budget. Probably another 16GB dimm in 2019 or 2020.

 

[jxfo]

34WK95U is my first choice now also.
I’m planning to use it with egpu, so I’m not certain how much ram would I need. Less because igpu does not need it so much? I’m planning to buy mm2018 i7, 4+4 ram and replace one 4GB dimm with 16GB dimm to fit my budget. Probably another 16GB dimm in 2019 or 2020.

Yes I'd bet you'd be fine with 4+16 GB to begin with an eGPU. Sounds like a good plan.

Just a note, today the monitor wouldn't wake up from sleep after being idle for 10 hours. I had to pull out the thunderbolt usb-c cable and plug it in again for it to work, kind of annoying. I read several people with MBP had problems with the monitor while using the thunderbolt cable as well. Maybe it's some related issue.

 

[nampramos]

Can anyone recommend an affordable yet quality USB-C/TB3 to DP cable (standard DP that goes on the back of the monitor)?

I don't think my Samsung U32D970 does 4K 60Hz and 30-bit over its HDMI port since I'm pretty sure it's only a v1.4.

Or would an HDMI (from the mini) to the DP (on the monitor) give me the 4K 60Hz 30-bit?

 

[gnasher729]

I'm still a little surprised that Apple didn't announce a monitor line along with the Mini. Maybe whenever they get around to the new Pro and/or the rumored modular Mac?

The idea is that with the Mac mini, you can buy any keyboard that you want or pick one from an old computer that you are not using anymore, you can buy any mouse, and you can buy any monitor or monitors.

 

[Stephen.R]

Can anyone recommend an affordable yet quality USB-C/TB3 to DP cable (standard DP that goes on the back of the monitor)?

I don't think my Samsung U32D970 does 4K 60Hz and 30-bit over its HDMI port since I'm pretty sure it's only a v1.4.

Or would an HDMI (from the mini) to the DP (on the monitor) give me the 4K 60Hz 30-bit?

From what I’ve read, hdmi to dp will require an active converter, and thus it’ll likely need power, in the form of a USB port.

I went for a tb3>Dual DP adapter, but it’d be overkill (and expensive) just for a single dp output. If you can, try to get a straight USB-c to DP cable (rather than say an adapter and a regular dp cable).

 

[nampramos]

From what I’ve read, hdmi to dp will require an active converter, and thus it’ll likely need power, in the form of a USB port.

I went for a tb3>Dual DP adapter, but it’d be overkill (and expensive) just for a single dp output. If you can, try to get a straight USB-c to DP cable (rather than say an adapter and a regular dp cable).

True with the HDMI, already forgot about it.

I just ordered a USB-C to DP but I'm not sure it will do 4K 60Hz 30-bit. It's a lot more bandwidth needed for 30-bit vs 24-bit.

The problem is, it doesn't seem to be a common spec to list on the adapters. I just looked at more than 10 different ones and neither mentioned 30-bit. Some did mention 24-bit though. I'm taking a gamble on the one I ordered. If it doesn't work I should be able to return it.

In the meantime, if anyone knows of one that's certified to do 30-bit, please let me know.

 

[Dr. Stealth]

I'm using this USB-C to DP cable with a Dell UP3216Q (true 10 bit) and I do get 30-bit color at 4K 60Hz.

Amazon: USB-C to DP cable

I verified 10-bit per channel with this 10 Bit Test Ramp tiff image. It looks perfectly smooth with no banding at all.

 

[jasnw]

The idea is that with the Mac mini, you can buy any keyboard that you want or pick one from an old computer that you are not using anymore, you can buy any mouse, and you can buy any monitor or monitors.

My point was that Apple's sale's pitch back-in-the-day was "it just works", and by-and-large things mostly did. Given the constraints laid on what combination of hardware resolution and screen size by how the macOS GUI deals with scaling, it would have added to the Mini's "just works" karma by providing one or two Apple monitors that hit the resolution-size sweet spot. This would have greatly simplified the decision of which monitor to get for many people who really just wanted an option that worked. That this is not a simple decision is strongly underscored by the lengthy threads here at MR just about which monitor to get. Apple providing a monitor (or monitors) tailored to the GUI constraints does not mean a given buyer needs to "buy Apple", you're still open to buy anything you want. But a monitor from Apple that will hit the sweet spot would simplify things for many people who want the "just works" experience. Yes, you can buy an iMac for this, but that's no option if you want or need a headless desktop system.

 

[Stephen.R]

providing one or two Apple monitors that hit the resolution-size sweet spot.

The LG Ultrafine's are "the sweet spot" for resolution (maybe not for cost), if by 'sweet spot' you mean the same 220PPI as the MacBook/iMac lines have.

I think if you want that "Apple supplied desktop package" in 2018, the iMac (or iMac Pro) is your machine. I'd possibly buy another (my 2004 20" Cinema Display is still in use at my parents house) Apple display when they make one, but I doubt they'd be as flexible as other options.

They're unlikely to make one thats curved, one that's ultrawide, one that lifts and rotates 90º, etc. They're probably going to just make a new version of the TB Display. Which is fine, for some, but even just using this Dell display for a few weeks I appreciate the improved flexibility (it has pretty decent vertical adjustment and rotates) it provides.

 

[strawbale]

I'm using this USB-C to DP cable with a Dell UP3216Q (true 10 bit) and I do get 30-bit color at 4K 60Hz.

Amazon: USB-C to DP cable

View attachment 806089


I verified 10-bit per channel with this 10 Bit Test Ramp tiff image. It looks perfectly smooth with no banding at all.

Thanks for that cable link - avaiable through Amazon France too

 

[Stephen.R]

Yes, you can buy an iMac for this, but that's no option if you want or need a headless desktop system.

Ok now I'm confused. You want a headless desktop... with an Apple "sweet spot" display.... I think I speak for everyone when I say

 

[jasnw]

The LG Ultrafine's are "the sweet spot" for resolution (maybe not for cost), if by 'sweet spot' you mean the same 220PPI as the MacBook/iMac lines have.

I think if you want that "Apple supplied desktop package" in 2018, the iMac (or iMac Pro) is your machine. I'd possibly buy another (my 2004 20" Cinema Display is still in use at my parents house) Apple display when they make one, but I doubt they'd be as flexible as other options.

They're unlikely to make one thats curved, one that's ultrawide, one that lifts and rotates 90º, etc. They're probably going to just make a new version of the TB Display. Which is fine, for some, but even just using this Dell display for a few weeks I appreciate the improved flexibility (it has pretty decent vertical adjustment and rotates) it provides.

As I said, the iMac is out if you want your CPU box separate from your monitor. Also, if you want curved/ultrawide/rotates/makes-toast/etc the availability of a plain-vanilla Apple monitor does not stop you from going third-party for a monitor. The only scenario change that comes from an Apple-provided monitor is that it simplifies things for people who don't need a specialty monitor, just one that works with the macOS GUI and has (hopefully) old-timey Apple quality.
[doublepost=1542994828][/doublepost]

Ok now I'm confused. You want a headless desktop... with an Apple "sweet spot" display.... I think I speak for everyone when I say View attachment 806122

By "headless system" I mean that the guts of the computer are separate from the monitor. More accurate would be non-AIO, but headless sounds much more visceral.

 

[Stephen.R]

just one that works with the macOS GUI

They all "work", but as I said, if mean "has the same PPI", what you want is the Apple-endorsed LG Ultrafine series.

By "headless system" I mean that the guts of the computer are separate from the monitor. More accurate would be non-AIO, but headless sounds much more visceral.

Headless has a specific meaning, almost exactly the opposite of what you intended (headless means no display, at all)

 

[InquiringMac]

I just bought a LG 34WK95U 34" 5120x2160px, coming from a 40" 4K Philips display.

If at all possible, will you please be so kind to test and report on how HDR10(+)/Dolby Vision content is displayed at various resolution settings?

 

[Spectrum]

I verified 10-bit per channel with this 10 Bit Test Ramp tiff image. It looks perfectly smooth with no banding at all.

Interesting that on a 2011 mini with 8 bit DELL panel, Preview renders the TIF visually smooth (by actually making it all speckled/dithered - on the right). Whereas in the Get info window (on left) the vertical banding is visible.

It looks like this when you zoom in using Preview:

 

[toke lahti]

Yes I'd bet you'd be fine with 4+16 GB to begin with an eGPU. Sounds like a good plan.

Just a note, today the monitor wouldn't wake up from sleep after being idle for 10 hours. I had to pull out the thunderbolt usb-c cable and plug it in again for it to work, kind of annoying. I read several people with MBP had problems with the monitor while using the thunderbolt cable as well. Maybe it's some related issue.

The other choice might be
https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/philips-436m6vbpab/
Philips doesn't sound like a quality device, but it seems to be pretty amazing.
More inches is always better, but at least this big should be curved.
Pixel size is 0.1554mm vs. 0.245mm, eyes are getting old and old SX3031 has 0.2505mm...
So hard to decide...

 

[jxfo]

If at all possible, will you please be so kind to test and report on how HDR10(+)/Dolby Vision content is displayed at various resolution settings?

I don't have any Dolby Vision content and I don't know if the monitor even supports it. iTunes and Quicktime won't display HDR content properly. I tried playing back a 60+Mbps Dunkirk HDR10 UHD Blu-ray rips through Plex and it looked great as far as I can tell, but the CPU was working at 70+%. Maybe it's converting H265 to H264. I tried IINA as well and it used hardware decoding but the picture quality wasn't as good. I think it comes down to the software software. It's a pity Infuse isn't available on MacOS. Any suggestions on how to test this properly though?

 

[toke lahti]

I just ordered a USB-C to DP but I'm not sure it will do 4K 60Hz 30-bit. It's a lot more bandwidth needed for 30-bit vs 24-bit.

Is there usb-c-2-dp cables with different standards?
If the cable is for use with tb3, tb3 supports only dp1.2, which has max rate of 17.28 Gbit/s. 3840 * 2160 * 60 * 30 = 14.9 Gbit/s.
If you'd use that cable without tb3, in a computer(gpu) that uses usb-c-port to output dp1.4 signal, then the max output would be 25.92 Gbit/s.
I'd guess that all cables can handle what tb3 can send. There might be "HBR2" marked on the cable.

Maybe new MP will bring tb4, when you need HBR3 cables? Or maybe it will just have egpus...

 

[nampramos]

Is there usb-c-2-dp cables with different standards?
If the cable is for use with tb3, tb3 supports only dp1.2, which has max rate of 17.28 Gbit/s. 3840 * 2160 * 60 * 30 = 14.9 Gbit/s.
If you'd use that cable without tb3, in a computer(gpu) that uses usb-c-port to output dp1.4 signal, then the max output would be 25.92 Gbit/s.
I'd guess that all cables can handle what tb3 can send. There might be "HBR2" marked on the cable.

Maybe new MP will bring tb4, when you need HBR3 cables? Or maybe it will just have egpus...

You might be right. Although done adapters would mention 5Gbps on the description, not sure why.

Any manufacture of such cable/adapter could cheap out since it’s a monitor cable and use the correct connections on each ending of the cable but then cheap out on the controller?