Monitor to pair with MBP 13"

[JonD25]

I'm going to preface this with the fact that I'm moving from my 2014 27" iMac to a 2019 13" MacBook Pro. Obviously this is a huge difference in screen size, so I'm looking to add an external monitor for when I want to edit photos on a bigger screen (I still plan to occasionally edit some on the 13"). Also, I've been a full time photographer for several years, but I'm starting to ramp down the professional side to be a lot more part time, though still enjoying taking photos occasionally for myself as well.

Right now I have my eyes on either the BenQ SW240 or the SW2700PT. The main difference between the two being size, resolution and price. The SW240 is 24" and 1920x1200. The SW2700PT is 27" and 2560x1440, and $200 more expensive. While on the one hand, part of me thinks I don't really NEED 27", I also feel like anything that's going be smaller and less sharp than my 5k iMac will feel like a downgrade, even if the screen will be better in other ways. Anyone else make a similar move? How did it feel? Any general input on either monitor? Or recommendations on different monitors for me?

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I bought an LG 27UL-500 a few months ago and have been quite happy with it. 27” 4K, great color range and viewing angles.

 

[robgendreau]

The difference in sharpness between the two isn't huge, like 108ish PPI with the 2.5k to like I think about 98 PPI for the 24". You'd get more photo on the screen with the 27" monitor though, given its 2.5k size. And yeah, after a retina iMac you would see pixellation unless you move back to say 32" or more. But isn't the MBP retina? so you've got that for detail work, and odds are the ergonomics are such the second monitor will be a bit further away so you won't notice the screen door effect as much. And you'd get improved color. Depending on your software maybe the best of all worlds.

 

[RCAFBrat]

I think you will really notice the pixels - happens with my son going from new 5K 27" iMac at work to his 2012 21.5" iMac at home - I suggested he go for a new mini at home and get something like BenQ EL2870U so he can pair the monitor with his Linux box that is on the same desk and connected to its own 1080p monitor.

 

[tizeye]

I have a Dell 2715Q, a 27" 4K monitor. It is OK but my biggest complaint is how they dumb'd down the menu system. You can't really get into the fine adjustments when calibrating the monitor. The software just does top level calibration and you can't drill down into individual RGB channels and other settings. While the monitor is a few years old and has otherwise performed well, unless they changed the settings menu, I can't recommend it.

 

[JonD25]

I bought an LG 27UL-500 a few months ago and have been quite happy with it. 27” 4K, great color range and viewing angles.

At the moment I'm looking at wide color gamut monitors. Although admittedly I go back and forth in my mind about how important it is to have. The LG 27UK850 is one of the top on my list if I go with just an sRGB color gamut.

The difference in sharpness between the two isn't huge, like 108ish PPI with the 2.5k to like I think about 98 PPI for the 24". You'd get more photo on the screen with the 27" monitor though, given its 2.5k size. And yeah, after a retina iMac you would see pixellation unless you move back to say 32" or more. But isn't the MBP retina? so you've got that for detail work, and odds are the ergonomics are such the second monitor will be a bit further away so you won't notice the screen door effect as much. And you'd get improved color. Depending on your software maybe the best of all worlds.

Yeah I'm just unsure about the 24" size too. I might not really be able to tell for myself until I see it in person. Might need to take advantage of Amazon's return policy. I suppose I could also set up a stand for the MBP and have it open and to the side like a dual screen setup and that will give me more screen real estate.

 

[Apple fanboy]

At the moment I'm looking at wide color gamut monitors. Although admittedly I go back and forth in my mind about how important it is to have. The LG 27UK850 is one of the top on my list if I go with just an sRGB color gamut.



Yeah I'm just unsure about the 24" size too. I might not really be able to tell for myself until I see it in person. Might need to take advantage of Amazon's return policy. I suppose I could also set up a stand for the MBP and have it open and to the side like a dual screen setup and that will give me more screen real estate.

Full disclosure, I’m very familiar with these models as I’ve sold a few of them!
The other consideration I’d add are
SW2700 comes with a hood.
The SW240 doesn’t (although one can be purchased separately).

Also the 24” is a 16:10 aspect ratio.
The 27” is a 16:9 (same as your iMac was).

Neither are going to be a bad choice. If the resolution bothers you, the BenQ SW271 has the wide gamut and is 4K. That’s what I use.

 

[JonD25]

Full disclosure, I’m very familiar with these models as I’ve sold a few of them!
The other consideration I’d add are
SW2700 comes with a hood.
The SW240 doesn’t (although one can be purchased separately).

Also the 24” is a 16:10 aspect ratio.
The 27” is a 16:9 (same as your iMac was).

Neither are going to be a bad choice. If the resolution bothers you, the BenQ SW271 has the wide gamut and is 4K. That’s what I use.

The SW271 is probably what I’d get if I wasn’t on a budget. SW240 is firmly within my budget. SW2700 is just outside my budget, but close enough that if I come to the conclusion it’s worth it for me, I can make it work. Honestly, it’s one of those decisions where I don’t know what I’ll regret more, spending extra money on things I end up not needing, or saving money but ending up needing more than what I got.

 

[Ray2]

I'm using a Dell U2425H with a 2014 rMBP. Also have the last of the cinema displays at another home paired to the same rMBP.

Form an IQ POV the Dell holds up fine and is a total bargain for the money. It’s built like a piece of trash with squeaky plastics and jerky adjustments. Since Mojave, it’s having issues coming out of sleep. Dell does not support Apple and apparently Apple does not support Dell.

I would not buy another Dell. I would pay the price and buy another Apple, even if it’s used.