Monitor for new Macbook 16" M1 Max

[mrdogcat]

I've ordered a new MacBook 16" M1 MAX to finally replace my MacBook Pro 15" Mid 2014... It's been a hard-working little thing for many years but I think it's time to put it up for retirement.

So I also need to replace my ageing Thunderbolt display with something more of this decade.

Requirements:
• No smaller than 27" (no use in going backwards!)
• No more than £700

What would be the best one on the market that cover those requirements above?

It would be used for graphic/video Adobe CC suites.

 

[Amethyst1]

I like my Huawei MateView because of its 3:2 (15:10) aspect ratio.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

I'm currently between the Huawei MateView - especially at £400 (when factoring in the £200 cashback) and the Philips 279P1, which seems to have better connectivity: 90W power over USB-C and Ethernet.

 

[chfilm]

I like my Huawei MateView because of its 3:2 (15:10) aspect ratio.

How are you running this screen on Mac OS? In scaled Mode of native resolution? I think the resolution is less than ideal because either everything would be tiny or a bit blurry if in scaled mode since it’s only 4K and one wouldn’t wanna run HD scaled resolution with huge icons here, right?
I’m also super on the fence of shooting a new MacBook because I couldn’t find a matching display yet. Damn you apple!!

 

[Akapplefan]

I am in the same boat struggling to figure out which monitor to get for mine.

Is a thunderbolt connected monitor better than a usb c?
who has the best and newest monitor out? I was looking at the LG 4k, but that monitor has been out for a few years already. are the dell ones any good?

 

[Amethyst1]

How are you running this screen on Mac OS? In scaled Mode of native resolution?

Scaled at looks like 2560×1707. It’s great. Slightly blurrier than at the pixel-perfect (but too big) 1920x1280 but still fine.

 

[chfilm]

Scaled at looks like 2560x1707. It’s great. Slightly blurrier than at the pixel-perfect (but too big) 1920x1280 but still fine.

Sigh. I guess it’s the only way..

 

[Amethyst1]

Sigh. I guess it’s the only way..

Yep. But my other two monitors are 218 ppi and running at pixel-perfect HiDPI modes - and the MateView is fine even next to them.

 

[chfilm]

Yep. But my other two monitors are 218 ppi and running at pixel-perfect HiDPI modes - and the MateView is fine even next to them.

I once tried some Dell 27" 4k screens in scaled mode vs the Dell 5k 27" screen and the difference was staggering... I couldnt stand it and had to send the other two back sadly. I guess what added to the effect was the fact that the 5k is glossy and the other two were matte.

 

[Amethyst1]

I once tried some Dell 27" 4k screens in scaled mode vs the Dell 5k 27" screen and the difference was staggering...

That's pretty much my setup there: The scaled MateView at 163 ppi (same as a 27" 16:9 "4K") next to the 27" Dell 5K running pixel-perfectly. Yes, there's a noticeable difference that goes beyond glossy vs. matte but to me, the 3:2 aspect ratio boils down to being the deciding factor. With that being said, the MateView would be just perfect if it were 5120×3414, so that 2560×1707 HiDPI would be pixel-perfect.

 

[MLVC]

Following because I'm a bit lost in the world of monitors, hubs etc (want one for my new MBP 14").

 

[mrdogcat]

How are you running this screen on Mac OS? In scaled Mode of native resolution? I think the resolution is less than ideal because either everything would be tiny or a bit blurry if in scaled mode since it’s only 4K and one wouldn’t wanna run HD scaled resolution with huge icons here, right?
I’m also super on the fence of shooting a new MacBook because I couldn’t find a matching display yet. Damn you apple!!

It's set at the default for the display but then this display was just before the retina age. I like the look of the Huawei but yeah, as Chfilm said I don't want things UI to look too tiny and certainly don't want a blurry image.

Wish I could get an Apple display but who the heck can afford one. of those things!!!

 

[Amethyst1]

I like the look of the Huawei but yeah, as Chfilm said I don't want things UI to look too tiny and certainly don't want a blurry image.

I also have a 27“ 2560×1440 display (in a 2010 iMac), and even scaled the MateView looks a lot better than that.

 

[Pro Apple Silicon]

I can't get behind these people running blurry displays and saying "its fine". It will literally give me a headache to switch between the MacBook Pro screen and a less than Retina display.

Damn you Apple for not providing customers with reasonable external displays.

The only realistic option seems like the LG Ultra Fine 5K display. And it is ugly and dated.

 

[kht410]

I can't get behind these people running blurry displays and saying "its fine". It will literally give me a headache to switch between the MacBook Pro screen and a less than Retina display.

Damn you Apple for not providing customers with reasonable external displays.

The only realistic option seems like the LG Ultra Fine 5K display. And it is ugly and dated.

Yeah same. The retina level pixel density ruined other monitors for me.

Apple released the LG Ultrafine 5k and 4k alongside the 2016 redesign. What do you think is the likelihood of Apple releasing new monitors to complement the new 14" and 16" MacBook Pros?

 

[bcrawfo2]

Funny...I'm going thru this same struggle. My eyes aren't great. I quite enjoy my Dell 30" at 2560x1600. It's starting to fail (power supply). I'm fearful that the 27" 5k would need scaling (and therefore a waste of $) and wonder if I should do a 32" 4k....or maybe the 43" 4k. I have the desk space.

 

[Pro Apple Silicon]

Yeah same. The retina level pixel density ruined other monitors for me.

Apple released the LG Ultrafine 5k and 4k alongside the 2016 redesign. What do you think is the likelihood of Apple releasing new monitors to complement the new 14" and 16" MacBook Pros?

The likelihood is low because here we are almost 6 years later and they are still the only reasonable option, despite being so old. I don't understand how in all that time, no one was able to come out with comparable 4k and 5k displays at the proper sizes for 2x mode on macOS.

 

[james948]

I'm currently between the Huawei MateView - especially at £400 (when factoring in the £200 cashback) and the Philips 279P1, which seems to have better connectivity: 90W power over USB-C and Ethernet.

I googled and saw many complaints about the cash back being a scam. Did you see the same ?

 

[MrGunnyPT]

I like my Huawei MateView because of its 3:2 (15:10) aspect ratio.

This

 

[Roadster Lewis]

I googled and saw many complaints about the cash back being a scam. Did you see the same ?

No, I just bought the Philips anyway.

 

[mrdogcat]

Good god, I think this might be the most difficult hardware decision I've ever made. There are so many variables and options to consider!!! My budget has also crept up.

I've focussed on IPS ultra-wide displays with USB-C and tried to get the PPI as close as possible to 110 so I don't need to worry about the OS scaling things.

I've narrowed it down to the below (this display is mainly for design and video creation):

DELL
U3421WE @ 109ppi - £860

LG
34GN850 @ 110ppi - £960 (is the extra expense worth it for what I'm using it for over the others?)
38WK95C-W @110.93ppi - £938
38GN950-B @ 111ppi - £864
35WN73A-B @ 107ppi - £500
34WN80C-B @ 110ppi - £560

Why are the last two so much cheaper? Is it just because they're older models or just a lot more inferior? Are they still good options?

So, which one would you go for?
Would you recommend a different one over these?

 

[Amethyst1]

I've focussed on IPS ultra-wide displays with USB-C and tried to get the PPI as close as possible to 110 so I don't need to worry about the OS scaling things.

I’d suggest to reconsider. Font rendering is, unfortunately, awful on macOS on 110 ppi monitors. I have one (not an ultrawide but that doesn’t matter) and it’s horrible. You don’t actually want 110 ppi — you want 220 ppi for best results. You might want to look into a 34” 5120×2160 ultrawide (LG 34WK95 or MSI PS341WU, which have ≈164 ppi; that's as good as it gets for ultrawides) which will give you the vastly better font rendering that the HiDPI modes provide out of the box and the ability to scale the UI. Scaling is much less of an issue than being stuck with horrible-looking text.

 

[Jinjin]

interesting thread and exactly the question I am trying to find an answer for! good to see many others with the same conundrum!

'ideally' I want an UltraWide with 2 upstream Thunderbolt ports (want to have work and personal Mac connected at the same time and use picture by picture).. the only thing I can find is the Samsung CJ791. the only thing is its no longer for sale from Samsung so my suspicion is that it is end of life now (though available from other retailers).

anyone know of any other UltraWide or wide screens which support 2 TB upstream?

 

[Amethyst1]

ideally' I want an UltraWide with 2 upstream Thunderbolt ports (want to have work and personal Mac connected at the same time and use picture by picture)..

Does it have to be 2 TB or can it be one TB plus one DP? If so, the LG 34WK95 has that and PbP.

 

[mrdogcat]

You might want to look into a 34” 5120×2160 ultrawide (LG 34WK95 or MSI PS341WU, which have ≈164 ppi

It was the 163 PPI that was putting me off on the LG one you mentioned above... Am I overthinking the PPI issue?!

It was this article that got me obsessed with PPI: https://bjango.com/articles/macexternaldisplays/

Gotta say after looking at the reviews for the LG 5K2K, I'm starting to think twice now.