32-inch monitors are too big. I hope they just put out an Apple display that is 27-inch, 5K resolution.
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27-inch LG UltraFine 5K Display Removed From Online Apple Stores Across Europe
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Not quite true... there is a single 24" 4K retina-quality monitor made by LG for ~$300 (the LG 24UD58-B). I'm using one for my mac mini. There used to be a second by Dell, but that one seems to have been discontinued.
This is exactly why I decided to just buy a used 5k iMac instead of a 2nd monitor for my MBP. Best purchase ever... nothing really compares to the iMac 5k display and it's a perfect computer to work from home. I wish I could use it as a 2nd monitor for my MBP though... does anyone know if there are any ways to do this?
I am using 2 of these for an M1 Mini. They are great. I prefer smaller, retina displays because I like to sit close to the monitors. When sitting close to larger displays, the corners of the displays are hard to see and have significant color shift.
I did change out the stands with my wife's Dell stands that she was not using. The limitations of of the approximately $300 LGs are non-adjustable stands and not being able to control the monitor settings with the keyboard. A third may be max brightness at 250 nits, but I have not had an issue. I thought this would be a major issue, but I find that I actually turn down the brightness on the display.
I don't understand the hate for this monitor, it's the same panel as the 27" iMac. The quality is superb. My only complaint is it doesn't support HDCP.
While I agree and think the TB display was nice, we need to also be realistic about price and features. The issue with the TB display - apart from its usual glossy only nonsense - was that it wasn’t cheap while at the same time lagging in technical aspects.
Apple doesn’t have a display manufacturing line and will just throw somebody else’s panel into a fancy case and then attempt to sell it for 5+ years where the competition pumps out new displays much quicker.
I mean, I’m using a 27’ 4K LG and it may not be perfect ‘Retina’ quality by Apple’s standards, but I’m sure not paying $1300 CAD more for the ultra fine 5K. (It’s $1,699.95 in Canada.)
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True. But there are only two options otherwise: 1) Wait for Apple or another company comes out with a 'true' retina display, or 2) purchase the LG 27 inch. I chose the cheap option that is close to 'true' retina until a more acceptable option exists.
I waited for years for this and finally broke down and bought an XDR. It's a beautiful display but I am still hoping for a reasonable 5K retina solution from Apple for my other Macs. I'd like to retire by 30" Cinema Display.
Didn't know all that. Anything you would recommend?
I'm sure economy of scale has something to do with that. Although they are expensive relatively speaking.
Both are close to being considered technological antiques. My guess, updates are on the way. Hopefully they are better priced.
I also purchased the XDR. I sent it back. The price-to-performance, for me anyway, was just not there. As a result, I went with the cheapest option until another option exists.
I’ve tried a P-series from Dell, and I’ve got a U-series on order, but I expect the text to be gross and jagged on that, too.
I don’t want to spend a pile of cash, but I sure would like an option that looks nice to plug in to my MacBook Pro in the office.
I wasn’t impressed when I inspected an LG 21” 4k monitor at an Apple Store. It was connected to a 16” MacBook Pro. The thick bezels are rather ugly and the cheap plastic made it feel like LG had used a leftover chassis design from over ten years ago.
What was really funny was how the store was displaying the 27” LG 5k monitor. They had it connected to a 2013 Mac Pro (which isn’t equipped to handle 5k and Thunderbolt 3), so everything looked fuzzy and distorted. I was appalled. I wanted to call out the store manager about this but I just left. SMH.
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I also don’t get the complaints about them being “ugly”. how? Just because the bezel on the top is a bit thicker to accommodate the camera? It’s a simple, understated design that I quite favor. Aesthetically, I think they look better than most monitors on the market — better than the iMac with its comically huge bezels. And they work fine, as basically the only thing on the market that does what it does, unfortunately. I have two (one on either side of an iMac Pro) and the only real complaint I have — which I’ve almost never seen anyone else bring up — is that they have terrible image retention. If it wasn’t for that it’d be quite happy with them, unfortunately that alone is a pretty big issue.
I was lucky to find a refurbished one from Acer with ultra-thin bezels (which they no longer produce). I couldn’t be more happy with it. From a short distance it looks as good as Retina resolution to me.
Interesting. It is widely available in the US, including from LG's web site, Best Buy, Apple, etc. after having been unavailable or with long lead times in the second half of 2020. Perhaps LG is having supply issues.
I find this extremely hard to believe. Apple would not have a 2013 MacBook Pro out on the sales floor for any kind of demo. Unless you saw a customers system testing out the monitor. But an Apple store with a 2013 on the sales floor?.....never.
Regardless, there isn’t even another 5k 27” on the market, period. There’s nothing “average” about it. It’s well above average in terms of overall picture quality alone. It’s not like an Apple-designed monitor of the same caliber is going to be significantly cheaper, if at all.
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I have a couple of the 4K 21.5" and I love the design. Its minimalist and very very simple. I hate most of the mainstream monitors with different materials and finishes on the chin, then the sides of the screen have a little bezel, then you can see the actual case outside that bezel.
If you need a nice but cheap „retina“ monitor, try to get a used Dell P2415Q. 185 PPI, quality looks as good as my 15“ rMBP and it has 99% sRGB colors. Also very good built quality and ergonomics.
I paid 209 euros for mine. Until there are affordable 27” 5K options, this is a very good alternative.
I paid 209 euros for mine. Until there are affordable 27” 5K options, this is a very good alternative.