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Get Samsung's ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor With Steep $700 Discount, Plus More Display Deals
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I’m almost determining if this is overkill for me since I don’t photo or video edit, just work documents and going in VMs
I have a Dell 4k P2715Q for over 6 years and that’s done me fine haha
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I think Samsung (and Dell) made a mistake by releasing their Retina-class (≈220 ppi) monitors in matte only. Surely a decent fraction of the potential customers for these are Mac users, and I suspect most of them prefer a glossy display because the matte finish reduces sharpness, which is particularly noticeable with 220 ppi. Matte finishes can also create a "sparkly snowfield" effect on white backgrounds.
IMO, matte only makes sense if you're doing photo or video editing (as opposed to using the monitor for text work), since you're not going to notice the sharpness reduction, and you want no reflections at all. Or if your work environment has such challenging lighting that it creates excessive reflections on a glossy display. Or if the glossy version has such a bad AR coating that even normal lighting will create excessive reflections (N.B.: the 27" iMac's AR coating is excellent).
IMO, matte only makes sense if you're doing photo or video editing (as opposed to using the monitor for text work), since you're not going to notice the sharpness reduction, and you want no reflections at all. Or if your work environment has such challenging lighting that it creates excessive reflections on a glossy display. Or if the glossy version has such a bad AR coating that even normal lighting will create excessive reflections (N.B.: the 27" iMac's AR coating is excellent).
Oh I agree, I have dual 27" dual 4Ks set to QHD scaling and I think it's fine. But some people on this forum act like their eyes bleed if they're forced to use 4K.
The text on Windows with those monitors is definitely a touch sharper though, but nothing deal breaking.
I was able to demo one of these at my local Micro Center and I wasn't impressed. I'm not sure if it was the panel or something, but I first used the Apple Studio Display then went over to this one.
Although in fairness, the demo unit might have been damaged? The colors seemed really off.
Although in fairness, the demo unit might have been damaged? The colors seemed really off.
At $700 with the AAA discount, that is getting kind of irresistible. But is it possible via USB-C or Mini-DP to drive this at 5K? Or is that only over Thunderbolt? I already have an LG Ultrafine hooked up to a Mac mini M1, which can only drive one display over TB. The other has to go over HDMI, so I'm wondering if there is even a way to add this display to my setup at 5K. It's definitely not worth it if it's just going to top out at 4K as my secondary monitor. Thanks.
I owned a one of these. As a monitor "snob" I've owned most of the high DPI displays. This Samsung was the worse modern tech product I've owned. The Apple Studio or LG5K are both way better. Honestly, just a plain low dpi Dell is a better choice than this Samsung.
Can you elaborate? I've read reports that the monitor needs to be controlled by Remote, but apart from that what about screen quality? Does the matte display make it look bad?
I've bought the M7 on a whim because it was heavily discounted. Love the 32" size but man do I hate the whole Tizen OS thing. Picture quality is crap. But most importantly, I wanted a USB-C screen that I can just plug computers in and use/charge them; nope, the whole USB-C feature is broken.
No way I will ever touch a Samsung "smart" monitor again.
No way I will ever touch a Samsung "smart" monitor again.
Where other monitors (e.g. Dell) let you use a variety of inputs and have USB-A/ethernet ports just in case you ever need them, Apple's monitor is basically limited to Macs and USB-C accessories. I agree that the ASD is purpose-built, but that just sounds like a massive downside to me.
It's a shame that Dell ruined their 6K monitor with the "top chin".
Checked in NL and nope... but here in the EU we don't disdain American ways... big portion meals, big discounts...
At least here the M8 is available for 366Eur (ex VAT, 441 with)... but really want the 5k (and plenty of good/fun options at that price like the Newline Flex)
Bummed today after seeing the discounts on the M2 MBA from Best Buy... that and the S9 would be a nice setup and a nice price (though don't even really need it)
It’s possible hdr was turned on. MacOS is sim and washed out on this with HDR enabled, but videos look great. Gotta disable HDR when not watching HDR content.