iPad Pro M2 iPadPro with 27” 4K Monitor?

[goldpin]

I use my M2 12.9” iPadPro as both an iPad and frequently as a desktop by plugging it into an old Dell U2412M monitor. This works but at 92 DPI, the icons and text are really pretty large. I’m interested in upgrading my monitor to a 27” and would love a Studio Display, but I also have a Windows work laptop and sometimes a third device plugged into it, so the single input Studio Display isn’t a great option. The Dell U2723QE is attractive but is 4K. I know iPadOS will output a 4K signal, but is it going to render as pixel doubled 1080P? Native 4K? Something in between?

So, how many points per inch does iPadOS render itself onto a 27” 4K monitor and is this adjustable in the Display settings panel?

 

[goldpin]

Well, here, I’ll answer own question. Bought a 4K 27” monitor and have connected the 12.9 6th Gen iPad Pro with both a Thunderbolt cable and a USB-C to HDMI adapter and get a crisp 4K image. Text and UI elements appear perhaps 20% larger than on the iPad in this configuration. Text is very clear. I have both the 27” monitor and the iPad set to “show more content”. It looks good, I’m happy.

 

[Junior Amboy]

Hi, I’m also looking for a monitor. Which monitor did you get?

 

[goldpin]

I chose the Dell U2723QE (27” 4K) monitor. I’ve only had it for a day, but it has worked well with the three computers plugged into it.

 

[Ruxer]

Hello!
I registered an account just to say thank you! I was looking into buying this monitor for my iPad pro 12.9” M1 but I was very worried about the difference in DPI with 4K on 27” vs 5K on 27”. Thanks for telling that it worked well for you

Are you able to try if the setup works well in normal display zoom too? Display zoom ”default” for both the monitor and the ipad. Is it the same 20% larger text on the external display in that case?

Thank you!
R

 

[goldpin]

Just tried changing the “Display Zoom” levels on the 27” 4K monitor… it changes immediately without requiring a reboot, unlike changing the zoom level of the iPad’s display. Didn’t know that until I tried it for you.

 

[goldpin]

Basically, I think iPadOS handles the 4K resolution at 27” better than macOS does. macOS uses display scaling to hit the same size text iPadOS does, or at least that’s what it seems like. Text is clear on IPadOS at all zoom levels in a way that macOS is not.

 

[Ruxer]

Hello!

I bought a Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27” 4K monitor a week ago and it has worked really well with my iPad pro 12.9 M1. Charges, sends displayport signal and USB through one cable. Text is very sharp, I can read PDFs without issues. I upgraded from a Dell 27” 1440p monitor and text is a lot sharper on 4K. The alternative was the Apple studio display but this monitor was like 1/4 of the price, plus it has really good connectivity, so I can connect it to my PC also. The only issue seems to be the way my iPad handles external displays. When the iPad is locked it sends black signal to my monitor instead of turning of the signal, so the monitor doesnt go to sleep, I havent investigated it, I just turn off the monitor with the power button if I need to turn it off. iPad still charges when the monitor is off.

R

 

[goldpin]

Yes, this is my experience, too. Hit the iPad power button to “turn it off” and the external monitor displays a black image instead of letting the monitor go to low power mode. Apple still has some work to do improving the external monitor experience. Would also be nice to have the iPad send to the external display if the iPad is ”off” like a keyboard case closed.