Which display?

[jegerLars]

I bought the 16” M1 Max last year when it was launched, and finally setup an office.

So I want a big screen for it!

I mostly do stuff like coding homepages, editing videos (Final Cut Pro) and Photoshop.

The obvious choose is the Apple Studio display. I like the design - of course.

But then a friend told me to buy a super wide screen.

Budget is up to Apple Studio which here in Denmark is around 1800-1900 USD. I’m not interested in the other ones same size like Apple. Then I pay the Apple fee and get nice design. But other resolution and sizes.

What should I consider? I know nothing.

Gonna use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (black Magic ones)

THANKS in advance.

 

[Basic75]

Do you actually want a super wide? If so here's a suggestion, a Dell 34" IPS with 3440x1440 at 110ppi which is the normal pixel density for non-retina displays, i.e. everything will have the normal size albeit it will be a bit jagged compared to the retina display of your laptop, it supplies 90W of power to the laptop via USB-C which is plenty, and it has a USB hub and even Ethernet.

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[jegerLars]

Do you actually want a super wide? If so here's a suggestion, a Dell 34" IPS with 3440x1440 at 110ppi which is the normal pixel density for non-retina displays, i.e. everything will have the normal size albeit it will be a bit jagged compared to the retina display of your laptop, it supplies 90W of power to the laptop via USB-C which is plenty, and it has a USB hub and even Ethernet.

Computer Accessories and Peripherals

Shop Dell’s high-quality computer accessories like keyboards, mice, webcams, batteries and more. Enjoy great deals and build your ideal PC setup for home or business.

www.dell.com

Honestly, I don't know. I had a 27" iMac back in 2011 and some years... and I loved that size. But of course I can see the great idea of having super wide screen, when having an open database, a coding window or two and a testing browser. But I have absolutely no experience in that, and was thinking that e.g. one of the windows could run perfectly on the 16" next to the Apple Studio Display.

Didn't think of the Retina display vs. non-retina! So great point. I only had retina for years, and when I help somebody with their Windows-machinery, my eyes tend to start bleeding... it feels that way at least. So maybe it's stupid to consider, because of that!

But the link you gave looks huge! I should find a shop to have a look at the size I think!

 

[hoo-man-b-ing]

I’d recommend looking at the criteria that matters to you most and start from there. So far you’ve mentioned Retina quality, which likely includes text quality. If so, many folks (myself included) find a 27” 5k display’s text much more legible than 4k displays, resulting in less eye fatigue/strain.

If you also need good color balance for your video and photo editing, then the Studio Display may also be a good fit thanks to its high color accuracy and preset profiles.

While I’ve used everything from just my 16” laptop up to two 30” displays side-by-side for coding, editing, gaming and watching, I prefer the Studio Display over any configuration I’ve previously had. It’s big and information dense enough that it serves my needs well without becoming unwieldy. Plus the build quality is excellent, it’s aesthetically pleasing and comes with as long of a warranty as you want since you can continue to renew AppleCare. I keep my MacBook Pro in front of the display and use it as my keyboard/mouse/secondary display (primarily for activity monitor, Instruments/Telemetry, and other auxiliary information.)

If price is similar or not a concern, I think the main motivations reasons to consider an ultra-wide are:
1. Specs not available on a Studio Display (e.g., high refresh rate, lower latency, different input types, etc.)
2. A specific need for an ultra-wide (e.g., immersive gaming)

And for what it’s worth, even in my most complicated debugging/developing days, rarely did I have more than 10 windows open (e.g., Fiddler, Visual Studio, CLI, browser pointing to cloud resource, browser pointed at web page, Task Manager, build folder, browser pointed at Kibana, etc.) and even all that fit fine 27” screen plus laptop screen.

Good luck!

 

[theluggage]

Budget is up to Apple Studio which here in Denmark is around 1800-1900 USD. I’m not interested in the other ones same size like Apple. Then I pay the Apple fee and get nice design. But other resolution and sizes.

If you want to consider "alternative" resolution and sizes, you might want to look at the Huawei Mateview (discussion thread here - actual hands on starting about p7) - 28" "4k+" 3:2 display - imagine a 27" 4k display (same PPI) with about 2 inches of extra "real estate" on the bottom.

Currently going for £400 in the UK so you could get a pair of them for an absolutely insane amount of screen space. I'm running two of them on my Mac Studio. Would recommend for coding and general use - for photo/video image quality isn't quite up to the standard of the 5k iMac (or, I assume, the Studio Display) but it's pretty respectable (and 1/4 of the price).

On a 4k ~27" you do have to choose between a slightly large MacOS UI in 2:1 "looks like 1080p" mode or scaled "looks like 1440p" mode (some compromise on display quality - if you climb on the desk and look with a magnifying glass) - the Mateview is similar but I find that the extra screen height makes the larger UI in 2:1 mode (now "looks like 1280p") perfectly usable, so no need for scaled mode.

 

[tstafford]

My advice - you have a sizable budget so I wouldn't cheap out. Whatever I did, I'd spend $$$ because done right it can be a long term "investment". I'm a big ASD fan. It is pricey for the size/features. But I think for someone who liked the 27" iMac and can afford it, the ASD is hard to beat.

 

[eddie78]

I would recommend go for Apple Studio display

Specifications are one thing, but ownership is a completely different experience. In all honesty, I don't do anything fancy with mine. But the incredible 5K clarity, fantastic speakers, and lovely design have made this purchase worthwhile for me. My desk is now so clean and simple that it's a pleasure to sit down at each day.

The fact that the display ‘just works’ and wakes instantly with Mac mini, and I can control brightness via keyboard are also game changing.

Tangibly, the specs didn’t add up for me. But intangibly, it’s the best thing I’ve bought and I don’t regret it one bit.

 

[tstafford]

I would recommend go for Apple Studio display

Specifications are one thing, but ownership is a completely different experience. In all honesty, I don't do anything fancy with mine. But the incredible 5K clarity, fantastic speakers, and lovely design have made this purchase worthwhile for me. My desk is now so clean and simple that it's a pleasure to sit down at each day.

The fact that the display ‘just works’ and wakes instantly with Mac mini, and I can control brightness via keyboard are also game changing.

Tangibly, the specs didn’t add up for me. But intangibly, it’s the best thing I’ve bought and I don’t regret it one bit.

Well said. I agree. Initially I tried hard not to buy one including purchasing/returning a highly regarded LG 4K, but the ASD just can't be beat. Now have several attached to my MS and love the set-up. Cry once at purchase time and enjoy for years to come.

 

[rjboris]

i have three 32" monitors. Eizo ev3285 (~1500 euros); a BenQ 3250u; a LG 32UN880.

They are all excellent with the BenQ and LG at the top end of the consumer market at ˜700$.

The Eizo is better, no question. Is it worth twice the price of the others? Probably not. But it is the best. And its warranty is best too.

I also have a new Apple Studio Display 27" with the fully manipulate stand. Is it better than the others. No. But its design is without parallel.

I could live with any of them.

​

 

[theluggage]

But the incredible 5K clarity, fantastic speakers, and lovely design have made this purchase worthwhile for me. My desk is now so clean and simple that it's a pleasure to sit down at each day.

Those are certainly the selling points of the Studio Display. My gripes are the ridiculous cost of a height adjustable stand and the stupid captive mains lead (which I know I would curse every time I needed to re-locate the display or clean the desk) - but those are probably not deal-breakers if the 5k panel is really what you value (Heck, I lived with an iMac for 5 years and the stand on that was no better).

Reasons I wouldn't buy one personally:

- I have other computers, Raspberry Pis etc. and want more than one display input.
- I have a pair of half-decent studio monitor speakers which will blow away anything built into a display.
- I like a dual display setup - a pair of Studio Displays (esp. with proper stands) is getting a bit too spend-y for me, and it would grind my gears paying for two sets of speakers that I didn't use, plus a second webcam.
- I appreciate the clarity of 5k displays but, frankly, the UI is a bit on the small side for those of us not blessed with 20/20 vision so you'd end up using fractional scaling [thunderclap of evil] anyway (not that I'd notice)

For me, the pair of 3:2 4K+ screens I have is proving perfect for my needs, even though the display on my old 5k iMac is slightly sharper and more vivid - I think the latter is mostly due to the rather good "anti-glare glossy" treatment that Apple uses vs. the regular matte finish on the Mateviews. It's a pity there isn't a better choice of 3:2 screens around (different sizes, different screen finishes).

 

[curnalpanic]

My personal preference would be, in order:

1. Convert an old 5K iMac (link)
2. Studio display
3. Some random 4K display

 

[okkibs]

What should I consider? I know nothing.

There's hundreds of monitors out there released in the last couple years and a lot of articles about the dozens of technologies used in them and the pros and cons. Read a couple monitor reviews and you'll find out more. I don't think it makes sense to recommend you anything. Some people will love this tech, some another, some will recommend widescreen, others will say something else is much better... and your Mac supports every modern monitor out there.

How likely is it that based on your info that you know nothing want a big monitor we just so happen to find you exactly what you want from over a hundred choices?

But as a general idea, for photo and video editing you will want a monitor with an IPS panel. That will cut down the amount of choices already. Then find out the biggest size monitor you can get based on the space you have on your desk and the distance from your eyes. Then cut out the cheapest monitors since your budget is quite big, make sure it has at least a 4k resolution of 3840x2160px, or higher, and see what's in stock in your area. Then we can help you narrow it down from the dozen choices that are left.

 

[jegerLars]

My advice - you have a sizable budget so I wouldn't cheap out. Whatever I did, I'd spend $$$ because done right it can be a long term "investment". I'm a big ASD fan. It is pricey for the size/features. But I think for someone who liked the 27" iMac and can afford it, the ASD is hard to beat.

🙏 I definitely like that view. I visited a shop today, and the ASD is gorgeous. Tried to plug-in my MBP, and it just worked like I hoped.

I would recommend go for Apple Studio display

Specifications are one thing, but ownership is a completely different experience. In all honesty, I don't do anything fancy with mine. But the incredible 5K clarity, fantastic speakers, and lovely design have made this purchase worthwhile for me. My desk is now so clean and simple that it's a pleasure to sit down at each day.

The fact that the display ‘just works’ and wakes instantly with Mac mini, and I can control brightness via keyboard are also game changing.

Tangibly, the specs didn’t add up for me. But intangibly, it’s the best thing I’ve bought and I don’t regret it one bit.

I don’t care about the specs to be honest. I just want what works like I hope.

As written above I visited a shop today, and saw it in action, tried the different modes (multi screen, closed lid).

Then I went and wanted to plug it on some other screens in the gaming area, and that was a negative feeling right away!

I could see that the MBP16 screen shows much better detail in dark areas, but it doesn’t add up for going Apple XDR screen.

I’m pretty sure my Xmas present for my self will be ASD!

 

[jegerLars]

There's hundreds of monitors out there released in the last couple years and a lot of articles about the dozens of technologies used in them and the pros and cons. Read a couple monitor reviews and you'll find out more. I don't think it makes sense to recommend you anything. Some people will love this tech, some another, some will recommend widescreen, others will say something else is much better... and your Mac supports every modern monitor out there.

How likely is it that based on your info that you know nothing want a big monitor we just so happen to find you exactly what you want from over a hundred choices?

But as a general idea, for photo and video editing you will want a monitor with an IPS panel. That will cut down the amount of choices already. Then find out the biggest size monitor you can get based on the space you have on your desk and the distance from your eyes. Then cut out the cheapest monitors since your budget is quite big, make sure it has at least a 4k resolution of 3840x2160px, or higher, and see what's in stock in your area. Then we can help you narrow it down from the dozen choices that are left.

I guess the other guys understood me quite well. 🙏 But thanks for a great post.

If I’d started visiting a shop, I would have had no doubt. ASD is the choice!

 

[jegerLars]

My personal preference would be, in order:

1. Convert an old 5K iMac (link)
2. Studio display
3. Some random 4K display

I like that conversion actually. But ASD is beautiful. It’s so much more beautiful irl than on the pictures.

 

[EzisAA]

LG 4K 24md4kl-b

• 
  
• 23.7" IPS 4K Display
• DCI-P3 & 500nits
• Thunderbolt™ 3
• 4K Daisy Chain
• Mac Compatibility
• Height & Tilt Adjustable Stand

 

[tstafford]

^^^Annoying that the ASD can't be daisy chained for sure.