Current Best Value 4K USB-C Monitor w/>85W Power Delivery?

[sjcaguy]

I'm hunting for a monitor to use with an incoming standing desk. All the threads I've found on here were over a year old, and most of the articles I've seen were targeted at gamers or creative professionals. I'm neither of those, but I am looking for a USB-C monitor that will charge my 2018 15" MBP and allow a one cable setup. I'd also like an additional USB-C port to plug my USB-C external HD into so I can get Time Machine backups running all the time rather than once a week like I do now when I remember to connect the HD.

I know the LG Ultrafine 5K is out there but I'm wondering if there's another option in the $500-700 range instead. I'd appreciate any recommendations!

 

[pshufd]

I don't have a suggestion but would be curious to see the answers.

 

[rdowty]

I wouldn’t worry too much about it being 85W. I use an LG 4K and it’s only 60W and I’ve never had a problem with my 15” MBP

 

[geenick]

I just posted almost the same exact thread but I found a couple of monitor models that look promising.

I see that the Philips 258B6QUEB has 60W PD. Is that sufficient for a 15" MB? What happens when you connect a display with this level of power delivery?

That Philips monitor also has an ethernet port, so it looks like a decent option as a dock/monitor combo.

I've also looked at the Samsung S24H851QFN...

Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[shansoft]

I wouldn’t worry too much about it being 85W. I use an LG 4K and it’s only 60W and I’ve never had a problem with my 15” MBP

Your GPU is activated while in external monitor, and become much easier to go beyond 60w.
It essentially burn through your battery life cycle.

I have a friend who did this, and within months of usage, his battery capacity went below 80%

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The best bet is to use thunderbolt dock if you don't want to spend extra on monitors.

If you want a monitor that does it, I would suggest Benq's pd3220u. It's a great display with 85W charging.

 

[nStyle]

LG 27UK850 is the best bang for the buck right now. It's $450.

One downside I seen in a review states that the USB ports are downgraded to 2.0 if the USB-C cable is in use.

Of course if you go with the new LG Ultrafine 4K 24" you get native brightness/volume control support on a Mac keyboard, full charging on a 15" MBP, and full speeds on all the Thunderbolt 3 ports on the back. PPI will also be higher. It's more color accurate. But it's $700.

I'm personally deciding between those two myself. Leaning towards the Ultrafine due to better overall compatibility. A lot of people compromise I think due to the fact that they want to game and use it as a Windows monitor too but I'd rather have two separate monitors than make a bunch of compromises.

Edit - Just realized I replied to a 4 month old thread. Oops

 

[Scythe]

LG 27UK850 is the best bang for the buck right now. It's $450.

One downside I seen in a review states that the USB ports are downgraded to 2.0 if the USB-C cable is in use.

Of course if you go with the new LG Ultrafine 4K 24" you get native brightness/volume control support on a Mac keyboard, full charging on a 15" MBP, and full speeds on all the Thunderbolt 3 ports on the back. PPI will also be higher. It's more color accurate. But it's $700.

I'm personally deciding between those two myself. Leaning towards the Ultrafine due to better overall compatibility. A lot of people compromise I think due to the fact that they want to game and use it as a Windows monitor too but I'd rather have two separate monitors than make a bunch of compromises.

Edit - Just realized I replied to a 4 month old thread. Oops

I've been looking at exactly the same as you in recent days. I'm going for the standard LG.

 

[x-evil-x]

Your GPU is activated while in external monitor, and become much easier to go beyond 60w.
It essentially burn through your battery life cycle.

I have a friend who did this, and within months of usage, his battery capacity went below 80%

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The best bet is to use thunderbolt dock if you don't want to spend extra on monitors.

If you want a monitor that does it, I would suggest Benq's pd3220u. It's a great display with 85W charging.

even while being plugged into power? I don't understand how it could drain the battery down that much when its plugged in while being connected?

 

[shansoft]

even while being plugged into power? I don't understand how it could drain the battery down that much when its plugged in while being connected?

The power provided by the monitor is 60w, the original power adapter is 87w.

 

[x-evil-x]

The power provided by the monitor is 60w, the original power adapter is 87w.

does the monitor not have its own power adapter?

 

[shansoft]

does the monitor not have its own power adapter?

The monitor power delivery max out at 60w, that its max capacity. The higher it goes, the more expensive components they would use.
LG is a cheap company in general, they wouldn't put those in to increase the cost of production, unless it's specifically targeting high-end market.