From 5K to standar 2560x1440

[austyn23]

Hey!

Now that I have the 2019 MBP my iMac feels a little slow (2017 model)

I thought I can sell it and use the pro as my main machine with an external display like Dell U2515H (25 inch 2560x1440).

I used to have one of those a few years ago and it was a great monitor (even nicier than his 27 inch brother, 2560x1440 in 25 looks really good).

BUT then I bought the 5K iMac and been using it for the last 2 years as my main machine.

Anyone went from 5K to standard 2560?

Thanks!

 

[whosthis]

I didn‘t make the changes in that way, but I had retina and non-retina devices at the same time, and it was always pretty obvious "meh" to look at the pixelated ones.

You can try it somewhat yourself and set your display to a "low resolution" in the settings. But the usual option-click trick doesn't seem to work anymore on my MacBook, not sure if it works on the integrated display on the iMac.

I'd say get a nice 4k one, maybe the LG from the Apple Store, and be happy ever after.

 

[austyn23]

I'd say get a nice 4k one, maybe the LG from the Apple Store, and be happy ever after.

Thanks!

I don´t want an 4K display because it´s native resolution is not 2560x1440, so I have to use it in 4K (too small) or in HiDPI 1920x1080 (too big!)

 

[whosthis]

Thanks!

I don´t want an 4K display because it´s native resolution is not 2560x1440, so I have to use it in 4K (too small) or in HiDPI 1920x1080 (too big!)

Why would you not just set it to 2560x1440? On the retina-style displays you can chose from several different "lookalike resolutions", and they work out really well.

 

[austyn23]

Why would you not just set it to 2560x1440? On the retina-style displays you can chose from several different "lookalike resolutions", and they work out really well.

Because they don´t look as good as the resolution that is exactly 50% of the native:

5K / 2 = 2560x1440
4K / 2 = 1920x1080

4K in 2560x1440 is a non native resolution or 1:1 scale, it look fuzzy.

In fact the MBP comes in 1680x1050 as default and looks a little blurry, but when you set it in 1440x900 (the screen is 2880x1800) it look really better!.

 

[whosthis]

Well, I'd say your best bet is to walk into an Apple Store and check it out...

While non 1:2-scale may look a bit blurry, this is on the very subtle side, especially from normal viewing distance. All non-native (and 1:2 is non-native, too) resolutions are interpolated, that's the whole idea about it. The main advantage for 1:2 is on the hardware side: it makes it computationally easier. As a side note, on some mobile devices the ratio is not even, either.

I bet if you compare that with a standard display, you will be over the moon. Or go with the 27 LG 5k (if still available in your region).

Just for reference the DPI for the screens:
Dell 25 2560x1440: 117 DPI
LG 23,7 4k: 186 DPI
iMac 27 5k: 218 DPI

(I am very picky on my screens, too. )

 

[austyn23]

(I am very picky on my screens, too. )

haha thanks for the info!

The LG is off the table, it cost 1200€ here, they are crazy... I keep the iMac befote buying that screen...

 

[frou]

I would narrow the assessment down to say that it's specifically text that looks bad on non-Retina. If it's practical to increase the font size in the applications you use (resulting in each character getting a higher pixel budget) then non-Retina becomes not too bad.

 

[remcoy]

Thanks!

I don´t want an 4K display because it´s native resolution is not 2560x1440, so I have to use it in 4K (too small) or in HiDPI 1920x1080 (too big!)

It can also be scaled to 2304 x 1296
it’s non-native yes, but it looks fine and that’s 110 points per inch, almost same as the 5k.

I have a 5k iMac, and the new 24 UltraFine in front of me right now...

 

[whosthis]

I have a 5k iMac, and the new 24 UltraFine in front of me right now...

Do you use the 4k as a 2nd screen on the iMac? Any chance you could post a quick image of that setup?
My Eizo 32 4k - as much as I love its ergonomics - is not a perfect fit for me (and too big together with the iMac I am about to order).

 

[CWallace]

Anyone went from 5K to standard 2560?

I have an ASUS PG279Q serving as a secondary monitor for my iMac 5K as well as the primary monitor for my Windows gaming PC. It's 2560x1440 with 350nits brightness and an IPS panel and it's a really nice display, but it's not as nice as my 5K display, IMO.

 

[AlexJoda]

I have an ASUS PG279Q serving as a secondary monitor for my iMac 5K as well as the primary monitor for my Windows gaming PC. It's 2560x1440 with 350nits brightness and an IPS panel and it's a really nice display, but it's not as nice as my 5K display, IMO.

Have a similar setup but with a Lenovo P27h. The difference is display quality is less in my opinion than the difference between a Retina and non Retina MBP. I have no problems with standard web pages and use the 5K display mainly for photos and videos and and for really small text....