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Best Monitor for New Mini

stillcrazyman said:
I've been going back and forth between BenQ and ViewSonic. Well under a grand for a 'good' photo editing screen.

Kind of leaning this way:
ViewSonic VP3268-4K PRO 32" 4K Monitor with 100% sRGB Rec 709 HDR10 14-bit 3D LUT Color Calibration for Photography and Graphic Design
Click to expand...
Looks good for photo editing, and includes USB-2 connection. I am looking at this one (smaller screen) and smaller price :)
https://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VP3268-4K-Monitor-Calibration-Photography/dp/B07FDMGBQ1?th=1
 
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AlaskaMoose said:
Looks good for photo editing, and includes USB-2 connection. I am looking at this one (smaller screen) and smaller price :)
https://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VP3268-4K-Monitor-Calibration-Photography/dp/B07FDMGBQ1?th=1
Click to expand...

I just ordered this a day or so ago. I've been using my 2012 iMac in target display mode and it has been pretty good but really am looking forward to Lightroom on the Viewsonic for editing a Nikon D750.

Screen Shot 2018-12-16 at 6.02.38 AM.png
 
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Ploki said:
UltraFine 4k seems to be out of stock everywhere around me.

How is the Dell P2416Q 24" compared to the Ultrafine 4k? It has slightly lower PPI (185 vs 220).
Judging by this:
https://www.designcompaniesranked.com/resources/is-this-retina/

Ultrafine 4K is "retina" at 41cm and the dell at 48cm. I think i can live with being 7cm more away from the screen.
Click to expand...

Probably your next best option. I‘m considering it myself in a dual monitor setup but I‘d rather get a model that isn‘t 3 years old (hardware revisions aside) and features a much smaller bezel. The lack of 24“ 4K displays is really disappointing.
 
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thirdsun said:
Probably your next best option. I‘m considering it myself in a dual monitor setup but I‘d rather get a model that isn‘t 3 years old (hardware revisions aside) and features a much smaller bezel. The lack of 24“ 4K displays is really disappointing.
Click to expand...

I know right? Only 27" screens all around, i used to have a Dell at 1080p and i hate how huge it was.
 
Ploki said:
I know right? Only 27" screens all around, i used to have a Dell at 1080p and i hate how huge it was.
Click to expand...

The size isn‘t my problem - in fact I’d welcome a dual 27” setup, but I’m not sure if I really want to sacrifice even more pixel density. I’m coming from a 5k iMac and value crisp text rendering and 4k at 24” is already a significant step down.

Still not sure how I’ll proceed. Currently and temporarily I’m using two 24” 1080p displays with my Mac Mini and the pixel density is of course abysmal.
 
thirdsun said:
The size isn‘t my problem - in fact I’d welcome a dual 27” setup, but I’m not sure if I really want to sacrifice even more pixel density. I’m coming from a 5k iMac and value crisp text rendering and 4k at 24” is already a significant step down.

Still not sure how I’ll proceed. Currently and temporarily I’m using two 24” 1080p displays with my Mac Mini and the pixel density is of course abysmal.
Click to expand...
yeah, the iMac 5K is 220ppi, the same as the ultrafine 5K.
That's why I was opting for the UltraFine 4K, since it also has 220ppi.
at 27", 4K, ppi is already ~163.
24" is ~185 ppi... which is kinda ok i guess.

edit: sheesh, the ultrafine 4K is listed as "unavailable" on most EU sites.


Robejazz said:
I am a Monitor Novice! How does this https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsun...onitor-dark-gray-blue/6293716.p?skuId=6293716 compare to the LG 4K?? Any thoughts from the experts ??

I see the resolution is different and its VA (Not even sure what that means) -

Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
Yes, this is 32" and has resolution of 3840*2160. The pixel density is 140ppi as opposed to LG Ultrafine 4K which has pixel density of 220 ppi.

This one is significantly less sharp.
VA:
https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1890-panel-comparison-tn-ips-pls-va-crt
 
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Robejazz said:
I am a Monitor Novice! How does this https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsun...onitor-dark-gray-blue/6293716.p?skuId=6293716 compare to the LG 4K?? Any thoughts from the experts ??

I see the resolution is different and its VA (Not even sure what that means) -

Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Those monitors aren’t comparable at all. The LG offers a slightly higher resolution at much smaller screen size (32” vs 22”). The difference in pixel density and sharpness will be night and day. Concerning the panel types, you can read up on them elsewhere, pros and cons are probably outlined all over the web - personally I’d only consider IPS panels.

I don’t want to sound rude or offend - you said you are a novice and that’s fine - but throwing around random monitors that couldn’t be more different indicates that you don’t really know what you want at all.
 
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thirdsun said:
Those monitors aren’t comparable at all. The LG offers a slightly higher resolution at much smaller screen size (32” vs 22”). The difference in pixel density and sharpness will be night and day. Concerning the panel types, you can read up on them elsewhere, pros and cons are probably outlined all over the web - personally I’d only consider IPS panels.

I don’t want to sound rude or offend - you said you are a novice and that’s fine - but throwing around random monitors that couldn’t be more different indicates that you don’t really know what you want at all.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Thats not rude, it's true.... I know what I want, just don't know how to ask or explain! I want a crisp and clean monitor. By the way, isn't that what anyone that doesn't know about something do? Ask? I have expertise in other areas and I gladly help others (by the way, it's not in computers!) - And I wasn't throwing out Random Monitors, I have the LG and someone else suggested the one I posted and I looked at the specs and was confused and decided to ask

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like I want the LG 4K
 
Ploki said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LG-UltraFine-22-4096-x-2304-Resolution-4K-Display-22MD4KA-B-RRP-629/332772239641?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=fdf8e592f09042b5a78326760226c729&pid=100675&rk=1&rkt=15&mehot=ag&sd=332772239641&itm=332772239641&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:2f71fc20-013e-11e9-baf1-74dbd1801bb8|parentrq:b766b47d1670ac7027de5e85ffffd240|iid:1

i found the ultrafine 4k on UK ebay refurbished...
They sold 5 since yesterday...

new seem unavailable.

i really don't want to settle for crappy PPI
Click to expand...

Pricing seems fine and it’s apparently refurbished by LG, not some random guy in a garage.
Robejazz said:
Exactly! Thats not rude, it's true.... I know what I want, just don't know how to ask or explain! I want a crisp and clean monitor. By the way, isn't that what anyone that doesn't know about something do? Ask? I have expertise in other areas and I gladly help others (by the way, it's not in computers!)

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like I want the LG 4K
Click to expand...

If you want crispness you need to pay attention to the pixel density or pixel per inch / PPI. Naturally that pixel density depends on resolution and screen size. Here you can compare various combinations: https://www.sven.de/dpi/

PPI upwards of 200 is the best you can do. In comparison a pretty standard 1080p display at 24”, which most people might be familiar with, comes in at rather disappointing 92 PPI. That’s not sharp, but people have been using for years.

So, yes, that LG Ultrafine 4K is the gold standard, but it’s also rather small at 22”. If that’s fine it’s a great, but expensive choice. If you want large screen size and sharpness without compromises there’s only 5k at 27”. A rare combination - the LG Ultrafine 5k or the iMac 5k are the few popular options in that category.
 
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thirdsun said:
Pricing seems fine and it’s apparently refurbished by LG, not some random guy in a garage.


If you want crispness you need to pay attention to the pixel density or pixel per inch / PPI. Naturally that pixel density depends on resolution and screen size. Here you can compare various combinations: https://www.sven.de/dpi/

PPI upwards of 200 is the best you can do. In comparison a pretty standard 1080p display at 24”, which most people might be familiar with, comes in at rather disappointing 92 PPI. That’s not sharp, but people have been using for years.

So, yes, that LG Ultrafine 4K is the gold standard, but it’s also rather small at 22”. If that’s fine it’s a great, but expensive choice. If you want large screen size and sharpness without compromises there’s only 5k at 27”. A rare combination - the LG Ultrafine 5k or the iMac 5k are the few popular options in that category.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks.... I love learning (but then again, I am a teacher so it goes with the territory)
 
Robe wrote in 410 above:
"I am a Monitor Novice! How does this https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsun...onitor-dark-gray-blue/6293716.p?skuId=6293716 compare to the LG 4K?? Any thoughts from the experts ??"

That's a 32" 4k display.
If you run it in "HiDPI mode" (the standard mode for Mac running 4k or "retina"), the pixels are going to "look like" 1080p (4 actual pixels are used for each "perceived pixel").

The result is the image is going to be "blown up" somewhat.

Many users here complain about 1080p on a 27" display as having pixels/text that is "too big". The image will be EVEN BIGGER on a 32" display.

If you run it in "true pixel-for-pixel 4k mode" (no "retina type scaling"), the pixels may then be TOO SMALL for text to be readable at normal sizes.

If you want "4k", best to stick with 27", or 24" if you are younger and have very good vision. I'm older, so 1080p on a 27" display actually "looks good to me".

Here's a list of displays that might be worth checking:
IPS Monitor List: Best AHVA, PLS & IPS LCD Displays
Look for something in the 24"-27" size.
 
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Fishrrman said:
Robe wrote in 410 above:
"I am a Monitor Novice! How does this https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsun...onitor-dark-gray-blue/6293716.p?skuId=6293716 compare to the LG 4K?? Any thoughts from the experts ??"

That's a 32" 4k display.
If you run it in "HiDPI mode" (the standard mode for Mac running 4k or "retina"), the pixels are going to "look like" 1080p (4 actual pixels are used for each "perceived pixel").

The result is the image is going to be "blown up" somewhat.

Many users here complain about 1080p on a 27" display as having pixels/text that is "too big". The image will be EVEN BIGGER on a 32" display.

If you run it in "true pixel-for-pixel 4k mode" (no "retina type scaling"), the pixels may then be TOO SMALL for text to be readable at normal sizes.

If you want "4k", best to stick with 27", or 24" if you are younger and have very good vision. I'm older, so 1080p on a 27" display actually "looks good to me".

Here's a list of displays that might be worth checking:
IPS Monitor List: Best AHVA, PLS & IPS LCD Displays
Look for something in the 24"-27" size.
Click to expand...


Are you sure that macOS considers 4K at 32” or 137 PPI as a retina/HiDPI display? Surely they take screen size into account and not just resolution?
In any case it’s a very difficult size/resolution combination indeed.
 
Pertaining to pixel density versus screen size...

The larger your screen, the farther you generally place it from your eyes, yes? Albeit a few or several inches.

Isn’t this going to alter your perception of pixel density on, say a 4K monitor at 27” versus 32” in screen measurement, to some degree?
 
Steve686 said:
Pertaining to pixel density versus screen size...

The larger your screen, the farther you generally place it from your eyes, yes? Albeit a few or several inches.

Isn’t this going to alter your perception of pixel density on, say a 4K monitor at 27” versus 32” in screen measurement, to some degree?
Click to expand...

Eyesight and viewing distance are fundamental, not that you'll find much recognition of that in this thread. It's like listening to people debate sharpness in photographs without regard to the basic concepts of circle of confusion and viewing distance.
 
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Ploki said:
UltraFine 4k seems to be out of stock everywhere around me.

How is the Dell P2416Q 24" compared to the Ultrafine 4k? It has slightly lower PPI (185 vs 220).
Judging by this:
https://www.designcompaniesranked.com/resources/is-this-retina/

Ultrafine 4K is "retina" at 41cm and the dell at 48cm. I think i can live with being 7cm more away from the screen.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that link. Very useful. I had been calculating laboriously on my own and wondering if I were correct.
 
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TVreporter said:
I’ve never been so confused about monitors until I entered this thread.

Heavily considering a Mac Mini but wow these endless posts of what works vs doesn’t work is mind boggling.
Click to expand...

You need an antidote to the arcane, and often misinformed, posts in this thread.

These might be a start:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-monitor-for-new-mini.2151340/page-12#post-26857380

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-32-4k-monitor-display.2157978/#post-26863721
 
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Steve686 said:
Pertaining to pixel density versus screen size...

The larger your screen, the farther you generally place it from your eyes, yes? Albeit a few or several inches.

Isn’t this going to alter your perception of pixel density on, say a 4K monitor at 27” versus 32” in screen measurement, to some degree?
Click to expand...

For phones, they regarded 300ish ppi as retina.
For computer, all "retina" laptops are 220ish ppi.
iMac 4k/Ultrafine 4K is 220 PPI
iMac 5k/Ultrafine 5k is 220 PPI

27" at 3840*2160 is 163 PPI
23.8" at 3840*2160 is 185 PPI
https://www.designcompaniesranked.com/resources/is-this-retina/

Marc Edwards of Bjango wrote a post on it:
https://bjango.com/articles/macexternaldisplays/

some extra sources:
https://www.eizo.com/library/basics/pixel_density_4k/

I wish to see the Dell P2415Q in person before i pull the trigger. I know how 220 PPI looks like in 1:1 judging by my old macbook pro and i like it at ~35-45cm distance. I don't know how I will like being further away
 
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