Best Monitor for Text Clarity. Is it good DELL U2720Q for MAC with M1 ?

[Evamaco]

Hi

Anyone can confirm that DELL U2720Q works well with MAC mini m1 ?

I just ordered MAC and Macbook M1 and searching for best monitor solution.

Priority for my is clear and sharp text, because I'm working with text mostly.
I do not want to see any pixels in text
Please recommend any other monitor (any size) until 700 EUR /USD if you think that there is better option for M1 ?

Thanks!

 

[Amethyst1]

I do not want to see any pixels in text

Then you want as high a pixel density as you can get. For example, a 24" 4K (~185 ppi) or a 27" 5K monitor (~218 ppi). I've been using a 24" 4K (Dell P2415Q) for five years and it's great. I run it at the scaled 2304×1296 mode FWIW.

 

[Evamaco]

Then you want as high a pixel density as you can get. For example, a 24" 4K (~185 ppi) or a 27" 5K monitor (~218 ppi). I've been using a 24" 4K (Dell P2415Q) for five years and it's great. I run it at the scaled 2304×1296 mode FWIW.

Thanks for your answer! So you think that 163 ppi for 27 monitor like in this DELL is not enough ? Text will not be sharp as I want ?
Better choice is to buy 24 monitor with higher ppi ?

 

[Amethyst1]

So you think that 163 ppi for 27 monitor like in this DELL is not enough ? Text will not be sharp as I want ?

As a benchmark, the 13" MacBook Air/Pro has 227 ppi.

And yes, 4K is too low a resolution for a 27" IMO, especially considering that everything will be extremely large at the default 1920x1080 HiDPI mode.

So, I'd go for a 24" or, if you can still get one, the original 21.5" LG UltraFine 4K which has 218 ppi.

 

[TrueBlou]

If you want the highest DPI possible, then definitely as above, go for a smaller 4K screen. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the screen and the higher the resolution, the higher the DPI will be.

If you really want/need to, in case you're having difficulty finding it for a monitor, the way to calculate the DPI is: Diagonal Pixels = √(Width² x Height²) then DPI = Diagonal Pixels / Diagonal Inches..... Or, y'know, there's plenty of online calculators that save you having to do it yourself

As you asked about the Dell 27" 4K, I don't have a 27" to hand, so here's what a 28" 4K run in 2560x1440 HiDPI looks like (don't look at the images at more than 100% after you click on them, or you won't get an accurate representation, he said stating the obvious )

 

[Mistercharlie]

I have a 32-inch 4k Dell, and I use it for test and photos. Text looks great. It’s not as sharp as the iPad Pro Or the iPhone, but the only way I can see pixels is if I shove my face right up to the screen. Viewing distance for a big monitor is quite a bit more than a phone or tablet IME.

 

[pingchp]

I'm using U2720Q with MBP M1 and I can confirmed that the picture quality came out same as from MBP 16" Intel.

 

[CheesePuff]

I have a 32-inch 4k Dell, and I use it for test and photos. Text looks great. It’s not as sharp as the iPad Pro Or the iPhone, but the only way I can see pixels is if I shove my face right up to the screen. Viewing distance for a big monitor is quite a bit more than a phone or tablet IME.

Do you run it at scaled "looks like 1080p" or full 3840x2160 resolution?

 

[pshufd]

I have 3 2718Qs (basically the same monitors but two generations older). I paid $350 for the first one. $400 for the second and $550 for the third. They are $650 right now. They have a very nice selection of ports and are overall great monitors. I run them at native resolution. They work fine off my Intel MacBook Pros but I don't have an M1 yet so haven't tested them there but I don't think that they'd behave any differently between Intel and AS Macs.

 

[Mistercharlie]

Do you run it at scaled "looks like 1080p" or full 3840x2160 resolution?

Scaled. The second to rightmost option.

 

[Amethyst1]

Scaled. The second to rightmost option.

Should be "like" 3008×1692 or 3200×1800 IIRC.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Anyone tried the Lenovo Thinkvision P27u-10 on an M1 machine yet?

 

[Bug-Creator]

Just got a 32" BENQ 4k set it at "looks like 3200x1800" and I can't even make out pixels with my nose on the screen. Mind you I might need some new classes, but at reasonable viewing distance anything more is just overkill (unless you have 100% perfect sight).

 

[BeatCrazy]

Priority for my is clear and sharp text, because I'm working with text mostly.
I do not want to see any pixels in text

Pro Display XDR is a solid option I realize you stated a budget, but I'm not sure if anything is going to meet your expectations. I also use a 27" LG 4K at 2560x1440 HiDPI and it seems OK. Certainly not as good for text as the Pro Display, but it's probably the best compromise.

 

[Evamaco]

As you asked about the Dell 27" 4K, I don't have a 27" to hand, so here's what a 28" 4K run in 2560x1440 HiDPI looks like (don't look at the images at more than 100% after you click on them, or you won't get an accurate representation, he said stating the obvious )

Thanks, it looks ok for me

 

[Evamaco]

Pro Display XDR is a solid option I realize you stated a budget, but I'm not sure if anything is going to meet your expectations. I also use a 27" LG 4K at 2560x1440 HiDPI and it seems OK. Certainly not as good for text as the Pro Display, but it's probably the best compromise.

I understand that best option for 27" 4K is scale to 2560x1440 ? There is no visual blurriness if use with scaled resolution ?

I checked there is Apple recommended LG 24MD4KL-B 24 " UltraFine 4K UHD IPS. It has 183 ppi and cost 700 EUR. The bad thing that it's look like old monitor with big bezels.

 

[Bug-Creator]

I understand that best option for 27" 4K is scale to 2560x1440 ? There is no visual blurriness if use with scaled resolution ?

Ah, ah misunderstatement based on the misleading wording used by Apple to work around one of OSX's serious design flaws....

OSX has no proper (global) way to make a GUI adapt to different font sizes.
Hence they came up with the idea of faking a smaller resolution to the app and then using bigger fonts and GUI elements displayed at native res.

-> Your monitor will still run a 4k, every text or GUI element rendered by the OS will be in that native res
-> upscaling will only be done on stuff rendered in an app (and then drawn as a bitmap based image)

Really sloppy solution for something that should have been an easy fix, but overall it works o.k..

 

[Amethyst1]

I understand that best option for 27" 4K is scale to 2560x1440 ? There is no visual blurriness if use with scaled resolution ?

I can notice (very) slight blurriness. However, the text is still a lot sharper than on a non-HiDPI monitor running at the same resolution.

I checked there is Apple recommended LG 24MD4KL-B 24 " UltraFine 4K UHD IPS. It has 183 ppi and cost 700 EUR. The bad thing that it's look like old monitor with big bezels.

Totally overpriced IMO. There's lots of cheaper 24" 4K monitors with slimmer bezels out there, if you care about that. The original 21.5" UltraFine 4K was unique in terms of size and resolution, but the new one isn't. It's a step back in my book.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I understand that best option for 27" 4K is scale to 2560x1440 ? There is no visual blurriness if use with scaled resolution ?

I checked there is Apple recommended LG 24MD4KL-B 24 " UltraFine 4K UHD IPS. It has 183 ppi and cost 700 EUR. The bad thing that it's look like old monitor with big bezels.

You be the judge based on this picture I took Note, these are separate computers/displays, positioned right next to each other, so this should be an accurate representation of DPI, pixel sizes, etc.

 

[Evamaco]

I just found DELL s2721qs
Interesting thing that it cost only ~300 EUR (DELL U2720Q cost ~600 EUR)

So this is twice cheaper, but actually I don't know why ? I found review below that this monitor is better if we compare it with LG 27UL850w and U2720Q (Benchmarks)

The Dell S2721QS is a bit better than the U2720Q for most uses. The S2721QS has higher peak brightness and better reflection handling, and it supports variable refresh rate technology to reduce screen tearing when gaming. However, the U2720Q has better ergonomics and more connectivity options, including a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode.

AND

Overall, the Dell S2721QS is a bit better than the LG 27UK650-W. The Dell has better ergonomics, wider viewing angles, and better reflection handling. On the other hand, the LG has better out-of-the-box color accuracy and a faster response time.

USB-C is important for MAC mini ? I think there is no difference how you connect it ?

 

[BeatCrazy]

USB-C is important for MAC mini ? I think there is no difference how you connect it ?

It depends. For the M1 Mac mini, you can connect one display from the USB-C/Thunderbolt port, and another from the HDMI (two monitors, max).

I find USB-C connectivity to monitors to be useful, because most USB-C monitors have a USB-A hub on the back, you can plug in webcams, etc. This effectively gives you a few more USB ports, instead of using the one(s) on the back of the Mac. You can't do something like that, if you're using HDMI.

 

[Amethyst1]

USB-C is important for MAC mini ? I think there is no difference how you connect it ?

No. It also has Thunderbolt/Mini-Displayport so you can just use that if you don't care about having a USB hub built into the monitor.

EDIT: It uses Thunderbolt 3/USB-C so you'd need an USB-C to (Mini-)DisplayPort cable to hook up a monitor that has (m)DP. Sorry for not having mentioned this earlier.

 

[Evamaco]

Thanks for your help. I also checked about thousand reviews and I think I found ideal 4K monitor for my MAC mini.
This is Dell S2721QS. For funny price you get much better than in twice expensive models. By words "much better" I mean sharp text, many of reviewers noted that. And benchmarks for this monitor are just great, better than more expensive models.

 

[pshufd]

Thanks for your help. I also checked about thousand reviews and I think I found ideal 4K monitor for my MAC mini.
This is Dell S2721QS. For funny price you get much better than in twice expensive models. By words "much better" I mean sharp text, many of reviewers noted that. And benchmarks for this monitor are just grate, way better than much expensive models.

The normal price of the more expensive model is actually around the same as this one. They are expensive due to demand. I think that these also have a bunch more ports on them.

 

[pldelisle]

I just ordered MAC and Macbook M1 and searching for best monitor solution.

While I don‘t have any of both, Dell Ultrasharp displays are really, really nice. I’m too looking for new monitors and this U2720Q is the one I’m looking for (two of them in fact) for My future Mini M1.

And yes, 4K is too low a resolution for a 27" IMO

Unfortunately, this is all what we have. Higher resolutions on the same 27 inch are almost inexistant except the LG ultrafine 5K Thunderbolt, and you cannot have two on a Mac Mini, which limits greatly the possibilitIes. Having 4K at 27 inch is totally acceptable And way better than anything you could find. Unfortunately, the Dell 4K 24 inch seems not to exist anymore.

Expect to run it scaled, thought. So you loose a bit of real estate. At 4K, you have two dimensions: 27 and 32 inch. The 32 inch will let you run it a bit less scaled, so you get real estate but text is a bit less sharp due to lower PPI. The 27 inch will have sharper text, but you’ll need to run it as a 1440p to be able to correctly read text on it. It’s not actually running at 1440p, but text looks like a monitor on 1440p.

The other option is Pro XDR, which price is certainly overkill for any normal, non-Pro users.

Dell S2721QS is the runner up of the U2720Q. It would be my second choice. It‘s almost the same display, a bit less on the build quality but the price is very interesting. Since I tend to keep my display 8+ years, paying the extra for the U2720Q doesn’t really bother me. Decision is up to you.

USB-C and HDMI support is primordial, especially when running two displays or when you think to have another one in the future. This avoid requiring adapters.