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Help with a new monitor!

81Tiger04

81Tiger04

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 11, 2009
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I am getting a new MacBook Pro and would like to get a new monitor to go along with it. I come from 2 monitors of 27” each but would like to reduce my desk clutter. I do a lot of work with multiple spreadsheets at a time but I’d like 1 monitor.

I just don’t know anything about monitors or where to start.
 
Well, welcome to the next step of using externals. Latest trend is to replace 2 27 monitors with one 32" which is good enough to work without losing on experience.
Just make sure that the panel is 4k or 5k resolution. IPS is better because VA panels have washed out colors at an angle, and with 32" you definitely have angles if you sit in the middle, then basically left and right side of your wide display is at an angle to you anyways. Half of the people prefer curved screens at this point, because otherwise it is too large.
If budget is no concern, then you can take a look at this $1500 beast with a rating of 8/10 given by rtings.com.
 
Thanks so much for the input. I had heard about IPS vs VA but didn’t know much about either.

$1500 would be very nice but is, unfortunately, about $1000 out of my budget ($500 or so).
 
I just went through this yesterday. You dont want anything less than 4k IPS. 5k or 8k if you want it to look like apple retina display
 
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81Tiger04 said:
($500 or so).
Click to expand...
Someone is selling nice 43 inch 4k displays on my local marketplace...might consider that route. $500 is a great price point for 27" display but not 32"+.
32" or +, you are looking at 750-1000.
I would get this one for $359 if you are not bothered by 300cd/m2 brightness level. I am fine with 200-250, but some people like to use their Macs on 500 nits.
 
ctjack said:
Someone is selling nice 43 inch 4k displays on my local marketplace...might consider that route. $500 is a great price point for 27" display but not 32"+.
32" or +, you are looking at 750-1000.
I would get this one for $359 if you are not bothered by 300cd/m2 brightness level. I am fine with 200-250, but some people like to use their Macs on 500 nits.
Click to expand...
Thanks! That Dell for $359 is right in line with what I’d like to spend … as long as it is a good monitor.

My wife has the P2720DC that she got 2 years ago and loves it. It has USBC. Is there an advantage to USBC over HDMI?
 
OP:

If you already have two 27" displays, don't be all hot and bothered to get "something new".

Use what you have -- either one of them, or both.

This gives you the luxury of time with which to conduct a more leisurely "search".

You may be pleased with the results you see on the displays you have now.
 
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Fishrrman said:
OP:

If you already have two 27" displays, don't be all hot and bothered to get "something new".

Use what you have -- either one of them, or both.

This gives you the luxury of time with which to conduct a more leisurely "search".

You may be pleased with the results you see on the displays you have now.
Click to expand...
words of true wisdom!
the 2012 mac mini needs a monitor, which a 1080dpi or more would be overkill?
 
81Tiger04 said:
… as long as it is a good monitor.
Click to expand...
That is the best 4k 32 incher of 2020. It has a good review score on rtings.com around 8/10.
Rtings should be your only website to check any type of displays and TVs ratings and reviews.
 
For productivity use, you want IPS, non-curved, with a height adjustable stand. It’s 2022 and USB-C is almost a requirement. It will allow you to charge, send video and data using a single cable. This means the monitor acts as a USB hub and you have less cable clutter.

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To get the equivalent glass area of a pair of 27-inch monitors, you need a 49-inch ultra wide. With the same basic requirements (IPS, USB-C), you’re looking at about $1,300 from Dell.
 
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ctjack said:
That is the best 4k 32 incher of 2020. It has a good review score on rtings.com around 8/10.
Rtings should be your only website to check any type of displays and TVs ratings and reviews.
Click to expand...
Rtings is the best. I’ve used them for TVs for years but never thought of them for monitors.
 
JPack said:
To get the equivalent glass area of a pair of 27-inch monitors, you need a 49-inch ultra wide. With the same basic requirements (IPS, USB-C), you’re looking at about $1,300 from Dell.
Click to expand...
USBC is something I’ll look for then. Does it increase the price?

When looking for a new monitor, it doesn’t have to be the equivalent area to two 27”. In fact, I’m looking to downsize so that I can free up some desk space. So I guess I’m looking for something in the area of 32” or so.
 
ctjack said:
Someone is selling nice 43 inch 4k displays on my local marketplace...might consider that route. $500 is a great price point for 27" display but not 32"+.
32" or +, you are looking at 750-1000.
I would get this one for $359 if you are not bothered by 300cd/m2 brightness level. I am fine with 200-250, but some people like to use their Macs on 500 nits.
Click to expand...
Is this one better? It’s flat but is IPS and has USB-C.
 
81Tiger04 said:
Is this one better? It’s flat but is IPS and has USB-C.
Click to expand...
Nope, yours is only 2K display, but not 4K. You'd better get 4K, since that scales into HiDPI mode for best clarity on Mac, meaning that you can have 1080P experience on 4K screen - good for office work to preserve the eyes.
Also 2K on 32" might be overkill and you could potentially see pixels.
 
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ctjack said:
Nope, yours is only 2K display, but not 4K. You'd better get 4K, since that scales into HiDPI mode for best clarity on Mac, meaning that you can have 1080P experience on 4K screen - good for office work to preserve the eyes.
Also 2K on 32" might be overkill and you could potentially see pixels.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much. What about this one and this one? Price points are a little different but how do the monitors compare and work with the new MBP?
 
I went for an LG UltraWide 34WK95U as its ultra wide but also 5K (5120x2160) so you end up with a "retina like" display. I'm sure its also something to do with PPI but I've genuinely lost track of monitor specs in the last while - all I know is that this one looks great at whatever resolution I'm using and works well with the new MacBook Pro.
 
No expert here, but it would matter if you plan on playing games. Read the review....https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/dell/s3221qs
 
81Tiger04 said:
Thanks so much. What about this one and this one? Price points are a little different but how do the monitors compare and work with the new MBP?
Click to expand...
One is 4K display with 60Hz. Second is even bigger at 34, but it is 2K display with 100Hz.
I wouldn't buy 2k display in 34" size, standard for Macs is 4k 27" or 5K 32"+.
 
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I know this isn't a 32", but any thoughts on this one? I cannot find it on rings.com

And I know it isn't 4K ... But it does have USB-C. I'm not sure which is more important 🤷‍♂️
 
I got a 2k 27" (Benq Sw270C) recently for photo editing and don't mind the less-than-retina resolution or that it tops out at 60hz--which doesn't really matter for my intended use. 2k has kind of a papery look to it that I kind of like. There are a lot of considerations in buying a monitor besides resolution. I decided I wanted to concentrate on color accuracy, build quality and overall uniformity to the display. USB-C is super nice; it's pretty great to be able to charge my MBP through the USB power. I also use the monitor as a low-speed hub for USB-A devices (keyboard, mouse, calibrator).

I'd try to go look at some in person though and see if 2k/60hz is something you'd want to live with.
 
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