Suggest a monitor to pair with MBA M3

[namria]

Hey. I would really appreciate if you could help me choosing a new monitor for my Macbook Air M3 15".
I ran into the display issues when I've received my new ProArt 278CGV display, that are outlined in this thread (blurry image and fonts, ghosting effects and visible vertical lines):

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m1-m2-flickering-ghosting-with-external-display-merged.2271670/page-33

I am planning on returning it and getting another one, but I am puzzled which one to choose now, since people seem to be getting similar issues on all monitor brands except Apple displays.

1. I think it would be really helpful if people using similar (or any Apple Silicon) laptop would share what external display they are using without any issues.
2. My budget is 300-400$ and I will be using it primarily for the graphic design work.
3. I've been avoiding 4K displays to not step into yet another mac issue when it comes to resolution scaling. I don't have the most powerful system out there, so I am trying to avoid additional computing load if possible.

Please, share your thoughts on this matter, and more importantly your display models that you have zero issues with.
Thank you.

 

[VogonPoetry]

I use an LG 27UP850N, currently available from LG for $330, http://lgeus.to/TI6OhO , and possibly less elsewhere (or on Black Friday).
I had to fiddle with the monitor's settings to tailor the colours to my liking, but I haven't had any issues in the year and a half that I have had it. (And, thankfully, no dead pixels. Worth checking the return policy of wherever you buy it, just in case.)

It is 4k and I use it with an M1 Max Mac Studio, (along with a couple of other 4k monitors), scaled to look like 2560 x 1440, but I wouldn't expect an M3 MacBook Air to have a problem driving it.

A few points:
- 2560 x 1440 scaled text still looks fairly sharp to me (particularly black on white).
1920 x 1080 would put the least load on your Mac, but 27" is a bit large for that.
- LG have many confusingly similar model names, often with only a single letter difference. The 27UP850N has a typical contrast ratio of 1200:1 (1000:1 minimum), some of the slight variants have a lower ratio of 1000:1 typical and 700:1 minimum, and are likely to be inferior.
- One thing that could be improved is the contrast ratio, with deeper blacks - in low light they are noticeably grey. (Despite the slightly better claimed contrast ratio, it looks the same as most other IPS panels to me. I'd like an IPS Black panel, but they're usually more expensive.)
- It has been around for a while and the price reduction (allegedly $220, though does anyone ever pay the full price?) may mean that a new model is on the way.
- It has an HDR mode but anyone needing HDR is likely to be disappointed.
- It's 60Hz, so not suitable if you were looking for something higher.

Having said all that, I'm happy with it and think it's good value.
It would be great to have deeper blacks and a true 5k display, but I don't think either is available in this price range.

Good luck - I know what a pain it is to find a decent monitor.

 

[xraydoc]

I've been avoiding 4K displays to not step into yet another mac issue when it comes to resolution scaling. I don't have the most powerful system out there, so I am trying to avoid additional computing load if possible.

100% the M3 has enough horsepower to handle fractional scaling on a 4K display without any performance hit.
I was running a 4K display off my M1 MBA when they first came out and performance was perfect.

 

[camelphat2019]

highly recommend this one by LG , only $240 .... https://www.costco.com/.product.1853676.html

 

[namria]

I use an LG 27UP850N, currently available from LG for $330.

Good luck - I know what a pain it is to find a decent monitor.

Thank you for the deep explanation. I think I've found the one you mean, the name is 27UP85NP-W. The characteristic match.

100% the M3 has enough horsepower to handle fractional scaling on a 4K display without any performance hit.
I was running a 4K display off my M1 MBA when they first came out and performance was perfect.

Yes, I stay corrected. I am considering the 4K monitor now.

highly recommend this one by LG , only $240 .... https://www.costco.com/.product.1853676.html

Could you please write down the model name? The link doesn't open for me.

 

[VogonPoetry]

Thank you for the deep explanation. I think I've found the one you mean, the name is 27UP85NP-W. The characteristic match.

You're welcome and yes, I think that's basically the same monitor (and almost certainly the same display panel).
Available models do seem to vary by region, but when I bought mine in the UK the 27UP850N-W was discounted to £300 and the, presumably newer, 27UP85NP-W was at the full price of £400. The only difference in the specs that I could find was that latter had an energy rating of F as opposed to G, so I went with the cheaper but potentially less energy efficient one ☺️.

 

[namria]

You're welcome and yes, I think that's basically the same monitor (and almost certainly the same display panel).
Available models do seem to vary by region, but when I bought mine in the UK the 27UP850N-W was discounted to £300 and the, presumably newer, 27UP85NP-W was at the full price of £400. The only difference in the specs that I could find was that latter had an energy rating of F as opposed to G, so I went with the cheaper but potentially less energy efficient one ☺️.

Yes, the price is very nice for the specs. I found out that there is also a LG 27UQ850V-W model that is within the price range and offers 98% DCI-P3 coverage and 2000:1 contrast ratio. 😲

 

[VogonPoetry]

I found out that there is also a LG 27UQ850V-W model that is within the price range and offers 98% DCI-P3 coverage and 2000:1 contrast ratio. 😲

That one is new to me (and doesn't appear on LG's UK website), but from what I can see elsewhere it looks to be the same monitor with an improved, IPS Black panel, so if it doesn't cost significantly more, it may be worth the additional expense.

(A couple of other points:
- As with most monitors, the built in speakers are not great; you're better off with a pair of cheap USB-powered desktop speakers.
- I don't bother but... if you want to control the monitor's brightness and volume from your keyboard, you'd have to install additional software on your Mac (again the norm for non-Apple monitors, as well as requiring a connection via USB C or DisplayPort rather than HDMI).)

BTW, Camelphat had linked to the LG 32UN650K-W, which may be worth considering if you're after a larger screen.

 

[namria]

That one is new to me (and doesn't appear on LG's UK website), but from what I can see elsewhere it looks to be the same monitor with an improved, IPS Black panel, so if it doesn't cost significantly more, it may be worth the additional expense.

(A couple of other points:
- As with most monitors, the built in speakers are not great; you're better off with a pair of cheap USB-powered desktop speakers.
- I don't bother but... if you want to control the monitor's brightness and volume from your keyboard, you'd have to install additional software on your Mac (again the norm for non-Apple monitors, as well as requiring a connection via USB C or DisplayPort rather than HDMI).)

BTW, Camelphat had linked to the LG 32UN650K-W, which may be worth considering if you're after a larger screen.

27UQ850V-W is +100 eur over the older version.

Once again, thank you for the additional information. I might want to install that software. Does you mac adjust the brightness for your external monitor the same way it does for you built-in display via ambient light sensor?

 

[VogonPoetry]

27UQ850V-W is +100 eur over the older version.

Once again, thank you for the additional information. I might want to install that software. Does you mac adjust the brightness for your external monitor the same way it does for you built-in display via ambient light sensor?

For me an additional 100 Euros would probably be worth it, but it depends on whether the black levels on a standard IPS panel bother you. (Through careful adjustment it's really only for dark scenes viewed in low light that it's noticeable.)

I don't think the monitor has an ambient light sensor, and my Mac doesn't have one, but the following thread suggests that automatic adjustment may work via your laptop's sensor, if you leave it open (though I think True Tone works by adjusting the colour profile rather than the brightness, so I'm not sure).
That thread also links to MonitorControl, which is an example of a utility that would allow you to adjust the brightness manually.
(My monitor is not in direct sunlight so leaving the brightness at 4% and having the tone adjust automatically via Night Shift in the evenings works for me.)

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/monitors-that-you-can-control-the-brightness-from-mac.2342024/

 

[namria]

I'm done with my search for a new monitor. I'll leave some suggestions here in case someone else will be searching for the same thing and in the same price range.

LG Ultrafine 27UP85NP-W 4K 27'', 95% DCI-P3, Contrast Ratio 1200:1 - absolutely the best value for the price. Currently goes for 259 EUR on Amazon. The monitor isn't manufactured anymore, so grab it if it's still available in your area.

LG Ultrafine 27UQ850V-W 4K 27'', 98% DCI-P3, Contrast Ratio 2000:1 - the newer version of the previous monitor. The best monitor in the price range, in my opinion. Thanks to its IPS-Black panel you get really deep blacks and excellent colors. As close at it gets to OLED displayers in terms of blacks from all the IPS monitors I've checked.

LG Ultrafine 32UQ850V-W - 32" version of the above.

Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K 27'', 98% DCI-P3, Contrast Ratio 2000:1 - the same IPS-Black panel, so it shares the same qualities. It costs around 100 EUR more than LG, but it has much better connectivity via its integrated USB Hub. It's your choice if you think it's worth the price difference.

Dell UltraSharp U3223QE - 32" version of the above. Outside of the stated price range.

BenQ PD2706U 4K 27'', 95% DCI-P3, Contrast Ratio 1200:1 - the monitor suggested by the BenQ support. They say it should be working with Apple Silicon just fine. It has the "M-Book" color mode to match the colors (as close as it's possible) of your Apple laptop. Not exhibited in my local stores, so I couldn't check it IRL.

BenQ MA270U and MA320U - the monitors advertised as the ones created specifically for Macbooks. Not available in my area, so I couldn't check. Personally I expect them to be inferior to LG Ultrafine 27UQ850V-W both in picture quality and price.


Good luck!