Best Super Ultrawide Monitor for M1 Max MacBook Pro

[Electrojake]

There are no options if you want an ultrawide monitor for proper use on macOS.

• I have a 49" 5120x1440 monitor. The text looks abhorrent on it. (109 ppi)
• I purchased the LG 40" 5120x2160 monitor, hoping this would solve my issues. It's much better, but the text is still blurry. Also, it only has a brightness of 300 nits, which is not very good. (139 ppi)
• I recently purchased a Studio Display. It looks gorgeous, and the text looks fantastic. The problem is that it's a relatively small monitor and a macOS 1440p monitor. You must purchase multiple monitors to compensate for the lost screen real estate. I plan to return this. (218 ppi)
• The final option is to buy a $4000 used Apple Pro Display XDR or pay $5000 for a new one. It still wouldn't be ultrawide, so attempting the same workflow wouldn't be possible. This seems crazy; why would I spend $5000 on a reference-like monitor to see sharper text on a bigger screen? (218 ppi)

After going through all of this, I'm stumped. I have no idea what Apple is thinking with their display scaling choice.

cobaltlemon your post hit the nail on the head. Thank you!
This Apple silicon scaling issue goes on and on and all we the users do is continually buy different monitors in an attempt to fix Apple's problem by applying a new monitor as a patch.

I have followed this insanity down the rabbit hole at great expense. The scaling issue is Apple's defect and NOT the monitor's shortcoming!

I run a Windows PC and an M1 Mac on the same monitor. If you look at the Mac's graphics long enough, no matter how poor it is, you will get used to it... until you switch back over to the Windows PC on that same monitor and realize how crisp and sharp that monitor truly can be when used with a PC that can do proper scaling and graphics output.

My point is: The M1/M2 Mac is dull and muddled at any resolution other than "native", and native resolution is always much too tiny to be practical so... the only option you are left with is to scale it to something readable.
Of course once you scale away from the monitor's native resolution you then get the soft muddled looking graphics and text we all despise.

The weeks turn into months and the months turn into years and still the worthless scaling issues with Apple silicon macs exists. <frustrating>

 

[resolutiontime]

There are no options if you want an ultrawide monitor for proper use on macOS.

• I have a 49" 5120x1440 monitor. The text looks abhorrent on it. (109 ppi)
• I purchased the LG 40" 5120x2160 monitor, hoping this would solve my issues. It's much better, but the text is still blurry. Also, it only has a brightness of 300 nits, which is not very good. (139 ppi)
• I recently purchased a Studio Display. It looks gorgeous, and the text looks fantastic. The problem is that it's a relatively small monitor and a macOS 1440p monitor. You must purchase multiple monitors to compensate for the lost screen real estate. I plan to return this. (218 ppi)
• The final option is to buy a $4000 used Apple Pro Display XDR or pay $5000 for a new one. It still wouldn't be ultrawide, so attempting the same workflow wouldn't be possible. This seems crazy; why would I spend $5000 on a reference-like monitor to see sharper text on a bigger screen? (218 ppi)

After going through all of this, I'm stumped. I have no idea what Apple is thinking with their display scaling choice.

I just got the LG 5K, 2K 40" delivered today. We'll see if it's blurry for me on a base model MBP 14". And isn't too dim.

Have you seen the 34" version of the 5K, 2K monitor which has 167 PPI (i believe)? and respectable brightness.

 

[resolutiontime]

cobaltlemon your post hit the nail on the head. Thank you!
This Apple silicon scaling issue goes on and on and all we the users do is continually buy different monitors in an attempt to fix Apple's problem by applying a new monitor as a patch.

I have followed this insanity down the rabbit hole at great expense. The scaling issue is Apple's defect and NOT the monitor's shortcoming!

I run a Windows PC and an M1 Mac on the same monitor. If you look at the Mac's graphics long enough, no matter how poor it is, you will get used to it... until you switch back over to the Windows PC on that same monitor and realize how crisp and sharp that monitor truly can be when used with a PC that can do proper scaling and graphics output.

My point is: The M1/M2 Mac is dull and muddled at any resolution other than "native", and native resolution is always much too tiny to be practical so... the only option you are left with is to scale it to something readable.
Of course once you scale away from the monitor's native resolution you then get the soft muddled looking graphics and text we all despise.

The weeks turn into months and the months turn into years and still the worthless scaling issues with Apple silicon macs exists. <frustrating>

FWIW, I've been using the LG 40BP95C-W for 2 weeks now and it's been great so far. The text is clear and noticedably better than the LG 38" 950-B (110 PPI). The text on the 38" 950-B was blurry and I was a bit disappointed.

I wouldn't go lower than 140 PPI on any monitor especially after using retina Macbooks, this 40" 5K 2K and prior 32" 4K monitors. No scaling issues.

300 nits isn't an issue for me either. I was concerned about this too. I have it at max brightness all day and it's fine. This has the size, PPI, features and value. Not many ultrawides with 140 PPI+ TB4, power delivery and even speakers.

You can get this on Amazon for $1205..and at that price, it beats the 27" Apple studio display, 38" 1600p monitors and other ultrawides in terms of value because of its unique features.

 

[Electrojake]

FWIW, I've been using the LG 40BP95C-W for 2 weeks now and it's been great so far. The text is clear and noticeably better than the LG 38" 950-B (110 PPI). The text on the 38" 950-B was blurry and I was a bit disappointed.

300 nits isn't an issue for me either. I have it at max brightness all day and it's fine. This has the size, PPI, features and value. Not many ultrawides with 140 PPI+ TB4, power delivery and even speakers.

You can get this on Amazon for $1205..and at that price, it beats the 27" Apple studio display, 38" 1600p monitors and other ultrawides in terms of value because of its unique features.

Thank you for the info on your new monitor @resolutiontime
I'd say you found the perfect sub $2000 monitor for the M1/M2 Mac. 👍

I am currently using a 43" flat screen LG 43UN700-B with good results for a "cheap" monitor. If I ever upgrade I would certainly take as serious look at the 40BP95C-W.
I always wondered how well a Mac would scale a 5k2k monitor compared to a typical 4k. Now, thanks to your post I know that it would work perfectly.
Thanks again for that info! 🍺

 

[resolutiontime]

Thank you for the info on your new monitor @resolutiontime
I'd say you found the perfect sub $2000 monitor for the M1/M2 Mac. 👍

I am currently using a 43" flat screen LG 43UN700-B with good results for a "cheap" monitor. If I ever upgrade I would certainly take as serious look at the 40BP95C-W.
I always wondered how well a Mac would scale a 5k2k monitor compared to a typical 4k. Now, thanks to your post I know that it would work perfectly.
Thanks again for that info! 🍺

140 PPI is lowest for people who need clear text and aren't willing to spend money on a 27" or 32" Apple display. 140 PPI is fine for me..

I think the scaling issues are not true for macs unless it's still an issue for regular non-M1/M2 Pro Macbooks. My 14" M1 Pro base model handles the resolution fine and I got the 5K, 2K and 72 Hz just fine immediately out of the box. I can daisy chain another one of these monitors with TB 4. Only issue so far is that the built-in speakers sound muffled and skips.

I also have EasyRes and have tons of resolution options.

This is a great monitor. and at $1300 after CA taxes, it's the best option for me. The Gigabyte 32" 4K is another great option.

I've used the 32" LG Ultrafine, 4K, LG 38" 950-B, AW3423DW and a cheaper Dell VA Ultrawide. It's not close..The text on this thing is so much clearer. LG 32" Ultrawide was my second favorite monitor out of that bunch. I don't play games on my monitor, otherwise, the Alienware would be 2nd.

Wish LG made a refresh or newer version of this with increased brightness and refresh rates. This seems like a niche monitor/product. Doesn't seem like they'll be doing a refresh anytime soon. I would get the Business variant of this monitor at $1200 from Amazon or CDW.

 

[xraydoc]

FWIW, I've been using the LG 40BP95C-W for 2 weeks now and it's been great so far. The text is clear and noticedably better than the LG 38" 950-B (110 PPI). The text on the 38" 950-B was blurry and I was a bit disappointed.

I wouldn't go lower than 140 PPI on any monitor especially after using retina Macbooks, this 40" 5K 2K and prior 32" 4K monitors. No scaling issues.

300 nits isn't an issue for me either. I was concerned about this too. I have it at max brightness all day and it's fine. This has the size, PPI, features and value. Not many ultrawides with 140 PPI+ TB4, power delivery and even speakers.

You can get this on Amazon for $1205..and at that price, it beats the 27" Apple studio display, 38" 1600p monitors and other ultrawides in terms of value because of its unique features.

Question for you and the LG 40BP95C-W -- can it do a Picture By Picture mode from two different sources, split down the middle? I have a Dell 32" 4K at the office which can do this and it's a killer feature for my work machine (each half is seen by the computer as a separate 1920 x 2160 display).

Thanks

 

[resolutiontime]

Question for you and the LG 40BP95C-W -- can it do a Picture By Picture mode from two different sources, split down the middle? I have a Dell 32" 4K at the office which can do this and it's a killer feature for my work machine (each half is seen by the computer as a separate 1920 x 2160 display).

Thanks

It has Picture by picture.

"
The Thunderbolt port supports Power Delivery and can charge your Mac up to 96W.
Aside from the Thunderbolt ports, there is a DisplayPort and dual HDMI inputs. The HDMI runs at a lower resolution, supporting a maximum of 3440 by 1440.
What's great about using HDMI, though, is you can run two machines simultaneously. Two computers can be connected simultaneously and run side-by-side in Picture-by-Picture (PbP) mode."

LG UltraWide 40WP95C-W Thunderbolt Display review: A curved display with plenty of space | AppleInsider

The LG UltraWide 40WP95C-W is an exceptional curved Thunderbolt Display that provides valuable screen space to Mac users.

appleinsider.com

 

[Electrojake]

What's great... ..you can run two machines simultaneously. Two computers can be connected simultaneously and run side-by-side in Picture-by-Picture (PbP) mode.

LG UltraWide 40WP95C-W Thunderbolt Display review: A curved display with plenty of space | AppleInsider

The LG UltraWide 40WP95C-W is an exceptional curved Thunderbolt Display that provides valuable screen space to Mac users.

appleinsider.com

^^^ Thanks for posting that link @resolutiontime 👍
And yes...
While I have used Windows and MacOS on the same monitor via Parallels on my M1 MacMini, I have found that running my Windows PC and my Mac simultaneously on one large monitor (such as your 40BP95C-W) in split-screen mode to be an incredibly handy feature.

(keep this part a secret but... it also comes in handy when comparing the sharp Windows graphics to the less than admirable M1 Mac graphics when running the same app on both machines on the exact same monitor).

 

[xraydoc]

It has Picture by picture.

"
The Thunderbolt port supports Power Delivery and can charge your Mac up to 96W.
Aside from the Thunderbolt ports, there is a DisplayPort and dual HDMI inputs. The HDMI runs at a lower resolution, supporting a maximum of 3440 by 1440.
What's great about using HDMI, though, is you can run two machines simultaneously. Two computers can be connected simultaneously and run side-by-side in Picture-by-Picture (PbP) mode."

LG UltraWide 40WP95C-W Thunderbolt Display review: A curved display with plenty of space | AppleInsider

The LG UltraWide 40WP95C-W is an exceptional curved Thunderbolt Display that provides valuable screen space to Mac users.

appleinsider.com

Thanks for the info -- Question though. Does each Picture by Picture side occupy exactly 1/2 of the display, or is each a wide display scaled down to fit with black bars around them?

 

[resolutiontime]

Thanks for the info -- Question though. Does each Picture by Picture side occupy exactly 1/2 of the display, or is each a wide display scaled down to fit with black bars around them?

I don't know, to be honest. I would just buy it from Amazon and return it if you don't like the PbP features. It's a great monitor. I don't see why it wouldn't be side by side w/o bblack bars on each side though.

 

[kiranmk2]

Sadly there isn't much development of HiDPI and ultrawide screens. This year at least, panel manufacturers are focusing on larger displays and higher refresh rates (240, 360, 480 Hz). HiDPI seems to be at the bottom of the pile with ony a 27" 5K multimedia display from Samsung and a 32" 6k display from Dell on the horizon (alternative versions of the Apple displays).

A proper HiDPI 21:9 ultrawide would likey need to be 7k3k (6720x2880) at 34" or 8k3k (7896x3384) at 40". I think the first one is feasible with DisplayPort 2.1 but it likely to be a very niche monitor given the lack of interest in HiDPI screens in the Windows world

 

[resolutiontime]

Sadly there isn't much development of HiDPI and ultrawide screens. This year at least, panel manufacturers are focusing on larger displays and higher refresh rates (240, 360, 480 Hz). HiDPI seems to be at the bottom of the pile with ony a 27" 5K multimedia display from Samsung and a 32" 6k display from Dell on the horizon (alternative versions of the Apple displays).

A proper HiDPI 21:9 ultrawide would likey need to be 7k3k (6720x2880) at 34" or 8k3k (7896x3384) at 40". I think the first one is feasible with DisplayPort 2.1 but it likely to be a very niche monitor given the lack of interest in HiDPI screens in the Windows world

I agree. High refresh rates and OLED monitors seems to be the focus of LG and Samsung atm. Non-Apple, HiDPI monitors are very niche it seems and they're also very expensive. I would imagine the Dell 6K monitor to be closer to $3000..Apple is the only brand that only makes HiDPI tech.

 

[so.many.questions]

Hey guys,

Thanks for that.
So, I ended up purchasing the LG 40WP95C and its great but just too dim. I have it at highest brightness and it's just too dim to justify the price. I also got the dell 49" and the samsung neo odyssey BUT the text is much more fuzzy compared to the LG.

Can any one recommend a monitor more comparable to the Apple studio display PPI and Brightness wise.

Even though I have my heart set on an UltraWide I would be willing to sacrifice that for better specs. Should I consider the samsung m8?

Hey Chapaloo, did you ever find the perfect ultrawide monitor for your macbook pro? I'm in the market for a black friday (Nov 2023) buy and have the same requirements as you. I hoped I could piggyback off your learning experience. many thanks!