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Recommendations for a 32" 5K monitor for M3 MBP that isn't $5,000 (APD XDR)

A

AudiA4

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 6, 2002
116
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Little Rock, AR
I need to replace my failing work monitor - a 2010 27" ASD - for my new (incoming) M3 16" MBP.

As the title explains, I LOVE the design and quality of Apple's 27" Studio Display, but I really want something at 32", and I'm unwilling to pay $5,000 for the 32" APD XDR. I'm willing to pay a premium (even up to $3,000), but I can't seem to find any options between Apple's 27" and 32" price points.

I love the larger size because I am used to my 32" display at home (LG - 32" UltraFine IPS LED 4K - 32UL950-W from 2020). Admittedly, at 3840x2160, it's not really retina, but I'm okay with that. I like the style and thin bezels of the LG, but what I really miss is speaker/camera integration.

Are there really any 5K (retina) 3rd party 32" monitors out there worth having? I know there are lots of similar threads on these forums, and I've done research online, but a clear option isn't really revealing itself. Any suggestions?
 
Last edited:
Bigwaff

Bigwaff

Contributor
Sep 20, 2013
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AudiA4 said:
Are there really any 5K (retina) 3rd party 32" monitors out there worth having?
Click to expand...
I don't think a 32" 5K display would be retina (218ppi) which is why the XDR is a 6K display. Here's a pretty good article on the Verge explaining how Apple's display scaling and retina displays play together. Some good tech reference links in there as well.
www.theverge.com

Here’s why Samsung and Dell’s new monitors are so exciting for Mac users

Long-awaited competition in the 5K and 6K monitor space.
www.theverge.com www.theverge.com

Sorry.. but right now, your retina (high ppi) choices are 24" 4K for $$ or 27" 5K for $$$ or 32" 6K for $$$$ if you love yourself a true retina display.
 
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R

Rnd-chars

macrumors 6502
Apr 4, 2023
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I haven't seen any 5k 32" monitors, but at $2399 US Dell's 6k 32" monitor is in your price range. It is, however, a Dell, and its build and color quality aren't similar to Apple's Studio Display. That said, I haven't used it so I'm going purely by online reports.

I ended up getting the Studio Display after considering other options. For me, quality and simplicity were worth the tradeoffs.

Good luck!
 
MacGizmo

MacGizmo

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Apr 27, 2003
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5k only comes in 27", 34" and 40". Try Kuycon (there's an entire thread about them here in the forums). Their 27" 5K in particular looks to be really nice. A few hundred bucks less than Apple's Display, but with full height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustment.
 
A

AudiA4

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 6, 2002
116
71
Little Rock, AR
Bigwaff said:
I don't think a 32" 5K display would be retina (218ppi) which is why the XDR is a 6K display. Here's a pretty good article on the Verge explaining how Apple's display scaling and retina displays play together. Some good tech reference links in there as well.
www.theverge.com

Here’s why Samsung and Dell’s new monitors are so exciting for Mac users

Long-awaited competition in the 5K and 6K monitor space.
www.theverge.com www.theverge.com

Sorry.. but right now, your retina (high ppi) choices are 24" 4K for $$ or 27" 5K for $$$ or 32" 6K for $$$$ if you love yourself a true retina display.
Click to expand...
Ah yes, sorry... "retina" at 32" would have to be 6K.
 
A

AudiA4

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 6, 2002
116
71
Little Rock, AR
Rnd-chars said:
I haven't seen any 5k 32" monitors, but at $2399 US Dell's 6k 32" monitor is in your price range. It is, however, a Dell, and its build and color quality aren't similar to Apple's Studio Display. That said, I haven't used it so I'm going purely by online reports.

I ended up getting the Studio Display after considering other options. For me, quality and simplicity were worth the tradeoffs.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
I was so excited to discover that 32" Dell 6K the other day UNTIL I saw that horrific camera/speaker forehead. No thanks! Looks like that would be perfect if they release that panel in a simplified form factor (seems like I read that they offer both in their 27" 5K).
 
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A

AudiA4

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 6, 2002
116
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Little Rock, AR
MacGizmo said:
5k only comes in 27", 34" and 40". Try Kuycon (there's an entire thread about them here in the forums). Their 27" 5K in particular looks to be really nice. A few hundred bucks less than Apple's Display, but with full height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustment.
Click to expand...
Wow. Very interesting...I'll need to study these further!
 
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meson

macrumors 6502a
Apr 29, 2014
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Unfortunately, if you want retina and an Apple look and feel, you are limited to their options. I have no idea what possessed the engineers to build such a hideous looking casing for a 6k display.

As you know 4k @ 32" works well. For something a little nicer than your 32UL950-W, how about the OLED version?

LG 32EP950-B 32”
 
A

AudiA4

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 6, 2002
116
71
Little Rock, AR
meson said:
Unfortunately, if you want retina and an Apple look and feel, you are limited to their options. I have no idea what possessed the engineers to build such a hideous looking casing for a 6k display.

As you know 4k @ 32" works well. For something a little nicer than your 32UL950-W, how about the OLED version?

LG 32EP950-B 32”
Click to expand...
Oof...I acknowledge the benefits of OLED, but that's also pretty bulky casing (compared to my current 32" LG).
 
xraydoc

xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
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MacGizmo said:
5k only comes in 27", 34" and 40". Try Kuycon (there's an entire thread about them here in the forums). Their 27" 5K in particular looks to be really nice. A few hundred bucks less than Apple's Display, but with full height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustment.
Click to expand...
The 34" isn't 5120x2880. It's a wide 5120x2160. Still pretty good, but not quite the same thing.
 
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MikeDr206

macrumors 6502a
Oct 9, 2021
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For a 32”, Dell’s U3224KB is a 6K monitor and is currently under $1,900 at B&H online. It’s a matte panel, tho, and has an ugly webcam bump. But otherwise quite solid and what I use n
 
Noctilux.95

Noctilux.95

macrumors 6502a
Jan 20, 2010
612
430
LA
baummer said:
Any good ones to recommend nearly a year later?
Click to expand...
I was initially going to purchase a pair of BenQ 32'' displays but decided to go in a different direction and go for the Dell Ultrasharp 40'' 5K 120hz (4025QW) modestly curved display instead.
 
Noctilux.95

Noctilux.95

macrumors 6502a
Jan 20, 2010
612
430
LA
xraydoc said:
Please report back when you get it all set up. Very interested to hear your thoughts on it.
Click to expand...
almost there. waiting on an apple thunderbolt 4 cable which is coming in tonight.
tempImage1inx9R.png
 
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Noctilux.95

Noctilux.95

macrumors 6502a
Jan 20, 2010
612
430
LA
Finally complete! Getting full 5K resolution at 120HZ using thunderbolt 4 port built into the display. So far very pleased!
desktop..jpg
 
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