27" 4K vs 34" Ultrawide?

[MacRazySwe]

Hi everyone,

I need a new high quality display and I'm looking for either a 27" 4K monitor (Dell U2723) or 34" Ultrawide (P3421). It will only be used for office-work, so websites, MS Teams and Excel. No gaming. Unfortunately the Studio Display is out of budget.

Did anyone maybe use both a 27 4K and 34" UW? Would be curious to hear some feedback before I order. I've never used an Ultrawide and I am hearing so many people rave about the Ultrawides. However, how is it working with scaling in macOS and will I be bothered by the 109 PPI? A 5K2K screen is also out of budget unfortunately.

I think maybe the 27" is big enough for me personally. It's also 160 PPI vs 109 PPI for the 34" - how much of a difference does this make?

What's your recommendation?

 

[Amethyst1]

It's also 160 PPI vs 109 PPI for the 34" - how much of a difference does this make?

All the difference in my opinion. Text rendering is simply awful on macOS on 109 ppi. It’s much better on a “4K” monitor as you get the HiDPI modes with their vastly better text rendering, plus scaling options that you won’t have on the ultrawide.

I use 164 ppi monitors myself and find them just fine.

What's your recommendation?

My recommendation is to stay the hell away from an ultrawide for use with macOS — unless it’s “5K2K”.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

I use acer predator x34p with my Macs and I love them. I can open two IDEs side by side and I find it very useful! I haven't had any issues with the PPI etc. it seems to be working flawless!

 

[chikorita157]

All the difference in my opinion. Text rendering is simply awful on macOS on 109 ppi. It’s much better on a “4K” monitor as you get the HiDPI modes with their vastly better text rendering, plus scaling options that you won’t have on the ultrawide.

I use 164 ppi monitors myself and find them just fine.


My recommendation is to stay the hell away from an ultrawide for use with macOS — unless it’s “5K2K”.

164 DPI is simply not enough, unless you want to set the scaling to 1080p with 4K. 2K scaling on 4K screen is not optimal and leads to burry text and other issues. macOS expects 220 PPI for 2x scaling There is a good article why using a 27" 4K monitor is not optimal, which is why I avoided 27" 4K monitor. Personally, I have been using 27" 2K monitors and the text doesn't bother me, although I am getting a Studio Display and making the LG ColorPrime 27" 2K monitor I had since 2016 as a secondary.

Mac external displays for designers and developers, part 2

Since writing about Mac external displays in 2016, not much has changed. LG, Dell, Samsung, and other display makers have either never catered for the specs many Mac designers and developers want, or they’ve reluctantly produced products that have been short-lived or compromised.

bjango.com

If you can't afford a 5K monitor, just go non-retina 2K 27" monitor with at least 109 DPI or find a 21-24" 4K monitor, so you don't have to deal with the scaling issues in macOS.184 DPI on a 24" inch 4K is better than a 27" 4K display with 163 DPI.

 

[Amethyst1]

164 DPI is simply not enough, unless you want to set the scaling to 1080p with 4K. 2K scaling on 4K screen is not optimal and leads to burry text and other issues. [...]

I am aware of the scaling issues and have a ≈220 ppi (27" 5120×2880) monitor sitting right next to my 164 ppi monitors. Still, I find 164 ppi to be fine even in direct comparison to ≈220 ppi but wouldn't want to go any lower. I also have a 110 ppi monitor (27" 2560×1440)... and I find that text in macOS looks awful on it. I can't stand using it.

In a nutshell: 27" 5120×2880 is just perfect. 27" 3840×2160 isn't optimal indeed but text still looks a lot better on it than it does on 27" 2560×1440 in my opinion.

But everyone is different so YMMV.

 

[chekie]

I am aware of the scaling issues and have a ≈220 ppi (27" 5120×2880) monitor sitting right next to my 164 ppi monitors. Still, I find 164 ppi to be fine even in direct comparison to ≈220 ppi but wouldn't want to go any lower. I also have a 110 ppi monitor (27" 2560×1440)... and I find that text in macOS looks awful on it. I can't stand using it.

In a nutshell: 27" 5120×2880 is just perfect. 27" 3840×2160 isn't optimal indeed but text still looks a lot better on it than it does on 27" 2560×1440 in my opinion.

But everyone is different so YMMV.

Agree with this.
Since macOS Mojave removed subpixel antialiasing, text rendering on monitors that don't have hidpi mode is just terrible. To my eyes, 27" 2K is even worse than 24"1080p. Texts are small and blurry on 27" 2K, and they are just blurry on 1080P but still big and readable.

 

[Fravin]

Mac external displays for designers and developers, part 2

Since writing about Mac external displays in 2016, not much has changed. LG, Dell, Samsung, and other display makers have either never catered for the specs many Mac designers and developers want, or they’ve reluctantly produced products that have been short-lived or compromised.

bjango.com

That article is awesome!

 

[dizmonk]

No interest in curved monitors? I got this one from Dell and really like it. My only beef is the brightness could be better.

Dell 32 Inch Curved 4K UHD Computer Monitor - S3221QS | Dell USA

View the Dell 32 Inch Curved 4K UHD Monitor (S3221QS) and enjoy expansive views in 4K plus built-in dual 5W speakers, or shop all Computer Monitors at Dell.com.

www.dell.com

 

[MacRazySwe]

164 DPI is simply not enough, unless you want to set the scaling to 1080p with 4K. 2K scaling on 4K screen is not optimal and leads to burry text and other issues. macOS expects 220 PPI for 2x scaling There is a good article why using a 27" 4K monitor is not optimal, which is why I avoided 27" 4K monitor. Personally, I have been using 27" 2K monitors and the text doesn't bother me, although I am getting a Studio Display and making the LG ColorPrime 27" 2K monitor I had since 2016 as a secondary.

Mac external displays for designers and developers, part 2

Since writing about Mac external displays in 2016, not much has changed. LG, Dell, Samsung, and other display makers have either never catered for the specs many Mac designers and developers want, or they’ve reluctantly produced products that have been short-lived or compromised.

bjango.com

If you can't afford a 5K monitor, just go non-retina 2K 27" monitor with at least 109 DPI or find a 21-24" 4K monitor, so you don't have to deal with the scaling issues in macOS.184 DPI on a 24" inch 4K is better than a 27" 4K display with 163 DPI.

Surely 164 PPI must be better than 109 PPI? First time I'm hearing someone suggest avoiding a 4K display. ?

 

[MacRazySwe]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I'm leaning towards the U2723QE. Reason being, I'm not much of a multitasker and usually run my windows full-size. Ultrawides seem to be unsupported both on my Xbox Series X and also for YouTube video which results in black bars. I think this would bother me.

I'm actually using a 24" display today and I'm fine with the size, but the 109 PPI is more of an annoyance.

Think the 27" 4K and 163 PPI will be the upgrade I'm looking for. Still a bit undecided though. Ideally it's the Studio Display one wants...

 

[Amethyst1]

Think the 27" 4K and 163 PPI will be the upgrade I'm looking for. Still a bit undecided though.

If you're fine with 24", you might want to look at a ≈24" "4K" monitor, most of which have unfortunately been discontinued AFAICS. They're around 185 ppi, i.e. sharper than a 27" at 163 ppi. And if you don't mind the UI being a bit on the large side, you can even run pixel-perfect "looks like 1920×1080", avoiding all the sideffects of non-integer scaling.

 

[MacRazySwe]

If you're fine with 24", you might want to look at a ≈24" "4K" monitor, most of which have unfortunately been discontinued AFAICS. They're around 185 ppi, i.e. sharper than a 27" at 163 ppi. And if you don't mind the UI being a bit on the large side, you can even run pixel-perfect "looks like 1920×1080", avoiding all the sideffects of non-integer scaling.

Thanks Amethyst! I'm "Fine" as in "I can live with it", but I'm looking forward to something a bit bigger when upgrading.

Think the 27 4K will be a good balance.

 

[agregson]

I have recently sold off my 5k iMac and waiting on SD to use with an MBA (base model while I wait for Air refresh and upgrade).

Currently MBA is connected to LG 24UD58 24" 3840x2160. Very nice display at 1920x1080. A little cramped compared to the iMac I was used to but workable. The PPI is around 183 so looks reasonably well especially at proper distance. I would recommend this but seems hard to get now. I actually have another new one on order for second desk/second display option.

On a second desk I have an LG 34WN750 34" 3440x1440. PPI is around 111. The width is incredibly handy and works very well. Text is noticeably less sharp but I find after a bit I can work with it okay.

On a third desk I have an LG 25UD58 25" 2560x1080 I have had for many years. Love this display. PPI is around 111. The width is very productive.

On the LG displays I find the display is very impressive. I also like the matt and lack of reflection. I had issues in early 2021 with a mini and wake from sleep on LG and Acer Predator X34P. No such issues on mini and MBA now. MBA works fine via DP or HDMI.

When I look at my desk I do miss the all in one. I now have speakers, webcam (Logitech V20 USB powered and DAC for now, Logitech 920) and a separate hub along with a USB power supply (Anker USB with PD) and finally using Apple Magic keyboard and trackpad and split between it and Logitech MX Mini and Master.

On one hand I am looking at the pending £1611 on my Apple order for SD with AC+ and comparing with the LG (£260 for 24", £380 for the 34") but also factoring in a decent Plugable dock (£260), decent speakers (£120), Webcam (£80) then a bunch of cables to hide and thinking if the Apple is worth the premium given I also gain back a 5k display.

I would say if you can get a 24" 4k they are a decent compromise especially on price. I would not go with 27" 4k (tried it and did not like it - even the Dell). Ultrawide is very useful but does bring compromises. If you can live with the space over sharpness compromise then I would recommend the LG.

One reason I often go with all Apple is they take away all of this angst and decision making and make it simple. Rather than fussing with specs and trying this and that then left trying to hide cables I can just plug in, switch on and work - with occasional moan about the price ;-) However everything has a price in one metric or another.