Some buying advice regarding purchase of an 32"+ external monitor for my MBP16" (2021)

[Paratriplel]

I'm editing this post now that I've tried to read up on the subject of external monitors.

So I've tried to decide about which 32"+ monitor to go for and I believe I've decided about these features as the most important for me

Screen size: 32-35" inch
Resolution: 3440x1440 / 3840 x 2160
Connections: USB-Hub through USB-C preferably with Power Delivery (not sure if it matters if it's 96W or 60W since I'll not have to use the MacBook Pro through battery more than an hour or two very rarely. I just care about battery health)
Panel: I'd prefer IPS but I won't mind if it's VA as long as I'm satisfied with the viewing angle and the screen looks fairly nice etc.


I've tried to decide on specific monitors and I'm still not sure but right now I'm eying the

Samsung S32AM700 32"


I've also looked at other but there was always something that made them less desirable such as no USB-C Hub or curved (haven't found any of those in store so not sure I like that) but ViewSonic VG3456 34" or even more the Samsung F32U870V 32" (though a bit over my budget, though nice with Thunderbolt) are also very nice.


Also I'm a bit confused about the different Samsung S32AM70x-models, seems to be extremely little that different them such as Watt amount consumed and weight. I do think I'll like the S32AM700 32" monitor but what do you think? am I on the right track?

 

[Paratriplel]

I’d there isn’t anyone out there with the answers and time to write them down maybe give me some help on where to look or even just what to search for (I can’t find anything in these “popular areas” since search engines directed 100% of its focus on monetizing rather than finding the most relevant webpage results…) that handles the topics of a budget screen for non graphics related work but still has the very important sharp text.

 

[chscag]

I’ve decided I want a new larger display for my MacBook Pro, that is if I can get a decent one for roughly about $400 / 350€.

I may be wrong but I seriously doubt you're going to find a "decent" large 32"-34" display for $400. I've looked at displays which I consider high resolution with good clarity and the prices were anywhere from $800 to well over $1000.

I don't know where you live (country) but it may be best to go to a store that has displays for sale and look them over for yourself. Your 16" MacBook Pro MX machine deserves a high quality display to go along with it.

 

[Paratriplel]

I’m deleting this post to avoid confusion due to that I changed this thread title and TS…

 

[Paratriplel]

I decided to update this TS instead of creating another thread or such.

What do you think about the Samsung S32AM700?

I’m not looking to do any graphics work on it but rather music production and some 3D modeling (not rendering) and of course a bit of office work. Could really need some advice to push me over the edge and order it / warnings if it’s not a good monitor for that.
Still have to wait on some money from a royalty payout before I buy it but it should be here by tomorrow or early next week so it’s time to decide!

 

[Delarock]

Not bad monitor, there was a problem with usb c i think, 4k just 30 hz, not sure if they solved it . I bought here in slovakia lenovo thinkvision P32U10 for 400 euros almost new one and it is great monitor. But iam waiting for some 4k 120 hz at least 27 inch screen, iam very spoiled with pro motion......

 

[Paratriplel]

Not bad monitor, there was a problem with usb c i think, 4k just 30 hz, not sure if they solved it . I bought here in slovakia lenovo thinkvision P32U10 for 400 euros almost new one and it is great monitor. But iam waiting for some 4k 120 hz at least 27 inch screen, iam very spoiled with pro motion......

I might just be bad at noticing it but what is this fuss about 70 Hz / 120 Hz etc. if not for gaming?
I mean I understand it affects scrolling and such but what would I lose / where would I otherwise notice say the 30 Hz if I’m just using it for music production and some 3D modeling?
Really asking and not objecting!
I will check out the Lenovo display (my friend just told me that Lenovo wasn’t good for displays but he just got mad at me for asking for advice if I wasn’t going to (blindly) listen to them when I asked him why so I was putting them aside when I looked but for no good reason.

 

[JPack]

No height adjustable stand, VA panel, it’s definitely not a premium monitor. You can do better for the same price with the Dell S3221QS. It’s not flat like the Samsung but VA dictates a curve due to the limited viewing angles. The Samsung is flat but you’ll likely see washed out colors on the left and right edge of the screen.

 

[Paratriplel]

No height adjustable stand, VA panel, it’s definitely not a premium monitor. You can do better for the same price with the Dell S3221QS. It’s not flat like the Samsung but VA dictates a curve due to the limited viewing angles. The Samsung is flat but you’ll likely see washed out colors on the left and right edge of the screen.

I’m not to worried about colors but there is definitely a limit to how much washed out that I’m willing to take.

The Dell seems to be not too curved (or if it’s the same as other but just doesn’t look that much curved) but the issue I’m having with it is that it hasnt got USB-C. Not sure if I’m putting to much thought into having USB-C but instead of getting another hub etc I thought it’s better to pay a little more for a monitor with it.

I’m hesitant about curved monitors because I’ve read quite a few people having issues with them due to the typical grid interface in Digital Audio Workstations used when working with music production. I might not have an issue with it though but I won’t know until I’m trying it and therefore I tried to exclude them when I looked for a monitor to buy but I guess I’m not totally excluding them. I would however really want a IPS panel because I know I like my current 27” IPS panel but just can’t justify spending much more cash on a monitor just because I prefer “clear colors” but I rather pay a bit more than spending a couple of hundreds and getting something almost considered crap etc.

 

[Paratriplel]

The two monitors that is not totally out of budget that is IPS, 32”+, good enough resolution and has a USB-C connection is:

Acer CB342CKC 34”
Lenovo L32p-30 32”

The Acer monitor is one I looked long and hard at but was hoping for some bigger discounts during the end of year sales… but nothing since November when it was $100 cheaper (and 6 months ago it was about $150 cheaper, weird)

 

[Paratriplel]

I found this regarding the Samsung display:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Monitors/comments/our8xa
So that (refresh rate / 4K only at 30 Hz) seems to have a solution.

The viewing angle is something I could be conserved with but I won’t know until I’ve tried. Will use it at 1m distance at least (probably more distance 25% of the time since I’ll walk around in my studio) and correct colors isn’t top priority but of course it’s very nice and a bit important that the screen looks good.

Please provide an example of what display I should look into buying that is around the same budget if you have some suggestions, I’ve not been able to find much more than I’ve mentioned but I did try to find the ones without curves but I understand lots of displays have curves in this size range.

 

[Paratriplel]

Feck it.. maybe I should just go ahead and make sure to get something better even though a bit more expensive than the Samsung M7 monitor. Read quite a few people posting about some serious USB-C issues.


How about that Samsung F32U870V 32"?
Realized it’s still a VA panel. So maybe stupid to go with it if the viewing angles are so bad on VA.

Or what monitors under $800 are good for my purposes (music production and 3D-modeling. Not caring to much about accurate colors etc or superfast refresh rates)?
Was hoping to have some money left to make my saving up for an iPad and Apple Pencil to start drawing a bit but I guess I’ll have to wait a bit longer for that


It’s really getting out of hand though. Maybe it’s better to go with a monitor without USB-C and get a good USB-C (+Thunderbolt) docking station instead of those can be found under $200? Don’t need that many connections…

Could really use some advice!

 

[JPack]

ThinkVision T32p-20 31.5" UHD 4K Monitor USB-C | 61F2GAR2US

Shop the ThinkVision T32p-20 31.5" UHD 4K Monitor ✔️ With USB-C and HDMI connectivity! ✔️ Free shipping!

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Lenovo ThinkVision T32p-20 32" Class 4K UHD LCD Monitor, 16:9, Raven Black - Walmart.com

Buy Lenovo ThinkVision T32p-20 32" Class 4K UHD LCD Monitor, 16:9, Raven Black at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[Paratriplel]

ThinkVision T32p-20 31.5" UHD 4K Monitor USB-C | 61F2GAR2US

Shop the ThinkVision T32p-20 31.5" UHD 4K Monitor ✔️ With USB-C and HDMI connectivity! ✔️ Free shipping!

www.lenovo.com

Lenovo ThinkVision T32p-20 32" Class 4K UHD LCD Monitor, 16:9, Raven Black - Walmart.com

Buy Lenovo ThinkVision T32p-20 32" Class 4K UHD LCD Monitor, 16:9, Raven Black at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Thanks for the tip, I’d really like to get some argument to why that monitor is good (is it because you’ve had it, it’s truely the best for the price or whatever etc.) just because it’s so hard deciding on a monitor since it’s so many factors that come into the decision and not only up to the specs and so forth.
This one is still about $50 over my budget in my country (Swe) but I could stretch to it if it’s necessary.

But it’s nice seeing it has USB-C, if I should get a monitor with USB-C. Because I figure if I get a docking station I could just plug the monitor into it and that way have just one cable to plug in and plug out.

 

[Christopher Kim]

What is your rationale behind wanting a 32 - 35" size? Do you think you could get by with a 27" monitor?

I think given your budget contraints, if you can give on one of your requirements, it would bring more available monitors into your price range. There's a lot of monitors in the 27" size, and as someone who uses one himself (LG 27" UD68 4K), there are plenty of good ones in the "bang-for-buck" value category.

I've used mine for 5 years already (which I would use as an external display for my 2016 13" MBP w/ Touch Bar, and now using with my new 14" M1 Pro MBP). Instead of getting a native 1440p monitor, getting a 4K one (which there are many of in the 27" size) with a Mac allows you to use their great HiDPI scaling. You can run your desktop at "Looks like 2560 x 1440", which in my opinion is the right size of text / icons in a 27" form factor, and MacOS will pixel-double it to a 5K render (5120 x 2880), and then downscale it to the actual 4K (3840 x 2160) pixel resolution of your monitor. This ends up, imo and many others, looking better than if you just ran a 27" 1440p monitor at native 2560 x 1440 resolution.

The only downside is you take a slight performance hit because you're doing non-integer scaling, but especially with the new M1 Pro/Max laptops, it's basically nil effect. It looks almost as good as if you had a true 5K 27" monitor (of which your only real option is the now-5yr old LG Ultrafine 5K which is $1k+), but at a fraction of the price since 27" 4K monitors are very reasonably priced.

So if you could see yourself being okay with the 27" size (which btw, I think is plenty big enough for most computer external display needs), I think you could get a much better monitor for the price. And open up your world to more monitors.

I might just be bad at noticing it but what is this fuss about 70 Hz / 120 Hz etc. if not for gaming?
I mean I understand it affects scrolling and such but what would I lose / where would I otherwise notice say the 30 Hz if I’m just using it for music production and some 3D modeling?
Really asking and not objecting!

If you're not gaming, I agree, the benefit is less, but "the fuss" is mostly for the crispness and smoothness of scrolling. Moving windows around, or in particular, if you scroll webpages a lot in Safari / Chrome. It looks really nice being buttery smooth. It's a nice to have, and if you've seen a newer iPad Pro with Pro Motion (or the new iPhone 13 Pros with Promotion), than there is something quite sweet and sexy about it.

That being said, as long as you get 60hz at your resolution, I think of it more as a luxury. While there's a big difference imo going from 30hz -> 60hz, the jump from 60hz > 120hz/144hz is less, especially if you're not gaming.

 

[Paratriplel]

Hlo Christopher and happy new year to you.

I already have a 27” display (though not at 4K but instead 2440x1440) and I like it a lot but I’ve felt I’ve struggled a bit with screen estate (?..) and I’ve tried to solve it with a second monitor but it didn’t work at all. I just get confused and everything i tries to do took much longer than with one display.
I think I really want a 32-35” display and preferably 4K or at least UHD resolution. It shouldn’t be that hard to find something that works out good for that money? Not today (even though the pandemic is messing things up) in 2021 with all those options available (that appear when no longer requiring USB-C and instead get a docking station that the monitor is connected to).

I’ve read a lot about the HiDPI scaling but never really understood it or how to use it (maybe I’ve used the wrong monitors to notice it).

I do however understand I’ll get much greater display for the money if going for a 27” monitor but unless I upgrade to a 32+ inch display I wI’ll most likely not upgrade at all because I don’t really see the point.

Since I’m almost always standing at my height adjustable studio desk I do see myself having good use to a larger display but of course I might find myself just trying to find something to buy to “improve my setup” but money is tight so I will return the display if I don’t find it useful for my needs.
As said I’m always at least 1 meter from the display but sometimes more (rarely control the computer then however but might check if I got the right track selects or if recording is going on etc.)

I could however give up on getting a larger display if it’s hopeless to get something decent for this money because I’m not paying that money for crap, at least not at this time.

Will make sure to not get a display with 30 Hz or such because. I can imagine it feeling like lag. Never tried Pro motion in those devices but/until I got this MBP 2021 but haven’t really noticed any difference even though I switched between the computer and my old 2015 MBP within seconds.

 

[Paratriplel]

Happy new year guys.

If I skip the requirement of USB-C and instead buy a docking station for that (any tips for good docking station under $200 will be great fully accepted.
Don’t have much requirements for the dock, just the most basic stuff like a few USB-A, some port for the external screen and maybe Ethernet) that I will connect the display to if I ever come to a decision.

So then what’s wrong with these 8 displays:

HP X34 34”
Philips E-Line 34”
LG 34WN750 34”
LG 32UN650 32”
LG 34WN700-B 34”
LG 32BN67U 32”
Acer CB34CK 34”
Lenovo L32p-30 32”


As I previously said I don’t need the display to be gaming/video edit/graphic designer graded. Just a good display for the cash being spent and hopefully the best I can possibly get for the cash.

I just can’t understand how not any of these could be any good?
All of them are IPS panels and has a resolution between 3440x1440 and 3840x2160. Most of them seemed to have a refresh rate of 75Hz or around that.

My “needs” for this external display is to have a larger space working with music production and I could probably use some china crap 24” and still get by but I’d prefer something better and I think I will benefit from having a larger display than my current 27” and it’s not just about work space but also larger objects on screen.
Sure some of the listed displays should be alright for this purpose? Or?

When I read MacRumors about displays I get a feeling people are having an attitude like if you aren’t getting something above at least $1500 you should just don’t get anything at all and I understand people working with graphics are probably the majority of the ones interested in displays but not everyone can or even if they can are willing to spend that much on a freaking display.
I am however of course understanding that I can’t get everything that someone paying $2000 for a display gets with their display but seeing as color accuracy is one of the hardest part to get right for manufactures I’d think giving it up and just wanting “nice colors” would lower the price significantly and not caring to much about refresh rates (being thankful for getting something above 60Hz) lower the price to the point where I can afford it.

I have a huge chunk of decision anxiety so getting some help finding a good display and understanding just a tiny bit why it’s better than X or Y would really help me out, worst case I’ll have to return the display if it’s unusable so even if you haven’t tried them all out maybe you can recommend something you know is decent enough for yourself or maybe your son/daughter (if the screen usage is somewhat for the same purpose as mine). Thanks.

 

[Delarock]

What device you will be connecting to monitor???

 

[TinyMito]

Monitors meant to last on your desk for years and monitors are investment for your eyes especially for work.

If budget is not an issue; the M32U monitor is the best on market 4K 144Hz, your MacBook Pro 2021 can take advantage of the variable 48-144hz refresh rate.

However, the USB-C is only a 18w charging. Either way, it trickles charge it at idle and it is able to keep my MacBook Pro 2021 100% all day unless you are rendering videos 8 hours straight. Your mac idle at 3-5 watts (18w - 5w = 13w charging).

Bonus with M32U, there is a built-in KVM+ for switching between your PC or Mac or Linus or Phone etc.

Gigabyte M32U Review

The Gigabyte M32U is a 32-inch 4k mid-range gaming monitor that's bigger than the Gigabyte M27U. It has several gaming-focused features, like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth,...

www.rtings.com

I have this monitor at home - ignore the "gaming", a monitor is a monitor and if you hate the stand, switch to a desk mount 100x100 vesa. I use electric tape over the logo and I love the powerbrick is actually inside the monitor itself for cleaner cable management.

 

[Delarock]

TinyMito

You go 144 hz 4k through USB C with macbook pro 2021 ?
Is there big difference in smoothness wheren scrolling pdf documents?

 

[Paratriplel]

Delarock: I’ll be connecting it to my MacBook Pro 16” (2021) but preferably through an USB-C docking station unless the monitor has a good hub built in.

TinyMito: Sadly budget is an issue. The M32 monitor wasn’t that much above the budget but since I already stretched it quite a bit it would be hard to stretch it further.
Otherwise the monitor looks great both in specs and esthetic ally.

I agree to think of stuff to purchase as investments for different reasons but since I won’t be doing anything graphically work related with the monitor I can’t see how it would be entirely necessary to spend more cash to get the “best” 4K 144Hz monitor since I probably won’t need or notice the higher refresh rate unless specifically looking for it, but maybe there’s something considered the best for the same but regarding just 32+ Inch + IPS + 4K?

 

[JPack]

Thanks for the tip, I’d really like to get some argument to why that monitor is good (is it because you’ve had it, it’s truely the best for the price or whatever etc.) just because it’s so hard deciding on a monitor since it’s so many factors that come into the decision and not only up to the specs and so forth.
This one is still about $50 over my budget in my country (Swe) but I could stretch to it if it’s necessary.

But it’s nice seeing it has USB-C, if I should get a monitor with USB-C. Because I figure if I get a docking station I could just plug the monitor into it and that way have just one cable to plug in and plug out.

We have a number of these Lenovo monitors in our office as touchdown stations. People bring in their notebooks and connect a single USB-C cable to the monitor, which charges the computer and sends video. A keyboard and mouse are always connected to the monitor. It’s a solid IPS panel that has been pre calibrated at the factory (printed results in every box).

Unless you need Ethernet or need to output to a second monitor, a docking station is kind of going backwards. The trend is to integrate the dock into the monitor. A separate dock however gives you more charging power (>65W), replicates the headphone jack, adds Ethernet, and additional USB ports. The MBP only supports two external displays so a dock doesn’t help (you can simply use HDMI for a second display).

 

[Paratriplel]

We have a number of these Lenovo monitors in our office as touchdown stations. People bring in their notebooks and connect a single USB-C cable to the monitor, which charges the computer and sends video. A keyboard and mouse are always connected to the monitor. It’s a solid IPS panel that has been pre calibrated at the factory (printed results in every box).

Unless you need Ethernet or need to output to a second monitor, a docking station is kind of going backwards. The trend is to integrate the dock into the monitor. A separate dock however gives you more charging power (>65W), replicates the headphone jack, adds Ethernet, and additional USB ports. The MBP only supports two external displays so a dock doesn’t help (you can simply use HDMI for a second display).

Alright thanks! I probably won’t need 65W power anyway since I rarely do that demanding work on it and I will only need Ethernet once every 6 months or so and I already have a adapter for if and I’m getting a large display just because I don’t want to ever try to connect a second monitor again (just can’t get organized) so I guess this monitor could really be good alternative for me. I do however need a couple of USB ports but I guess I can use my old USB-A hub for it (controlling vintage hardware synthesizers and drum machines through midi interface etc).

Edit: I would assume the L32p-30 would fit me better than the T32p-20 since it’s cheaper and it seems the KVM switch is the only different (I can find) and I don’t really need that anyway. And it fits better in my budget range.

 

[Delarock]

Go lenovo, i have t32 and p32 (both models) and works great with m1 and m1 pro macbooks. no problem with waking up etc. P.S: ethernet is no problem you just need usb a - ethernet reduction.

 

[Paratriplel]

Alright thanks I’m sure it will be a great monitor. Btw, Is there more differences than the KVM and stand between t32p-20 and l32p-30?