32” Display for use with two computers

[glante]

I’m looking for a 32”, 3840x2160 display to use with 1 MacPro5,1 with a AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100 and also a PC.
I need pivot and some kind of KVM functionality.
Have been looking at the following two models:
Dell 32" Bildskärm UltraSharp U3219Q
BenQ 32" Bildskärm PD3200U

I have read some advice against the Dell due to lack of Mac support.
Any thoughts on that?

The BenQ has a puck that supposedly makes the switch between computers easier.
Anybody with experience using that display?

Other models to consider?

Thanks in advance,
Håkan

 

[Fishrrman]

32" @ 3840x2160 is a "4k" display, right?

Are you going to run it in "HiDPI mode" on the Mac?
(that means, "looks like 1080p")

Because... the image will then be "on the large side", text blown up, etc.

If you try using it in "real 4k" (full resolution), then the image will become too small -- text difficult to see at normal sizes.

If you're going for 32", seems to me the display should be "QHD" 2550x1440 (also called 1440p).

Now it displays at "full resolution", and text will be displayed at normal sizes.
Dot pitch is about .27mm, small enough so that the image won't be "jaggy".

These are just my opinion, buy what you want.

 

[glante]

Thanks Fishrrman,
That’s right - it’s a 4k.
Today I’m using a 27” 2560x1440.
Would 3840x2160 on a 32” look a lot ”smaller”?

 

[Fishrrman]

"Would 3840x2160 on a 32” look a lot ”smaller”?"

I think so.
It wouldn't be "usable" to me.
But I'm not you.

 

[mj_]

In order to achieve the same pixel density on a 4K display that you have right now on your WQHD (2560x1440) it'd have to be around 40 inches in diameter:

2560x1440@27" = 110 dpi
3840x2160@32" = 140 dpi

So yes, it will be quite a bit smaller. However, you will be able to run it in scaled HiDPI mode so you should have no issues finding a HiDPI resolution that is close or equal to what you have in terms of size now.

 

[Fishrrman]

mj wrote:
"So yes, it will be quite a bit smaller. However, you will be able to run it in scaled HiDPI mode so you should have no issues finding a HiDPI resolution that is close or equal to what you have in terms of size now."

One thing the OP should be aware of is that running "in scaled mode" puts a heavier "load" (in some cases, much heavier) on the GPU. The result could be a loss of speed, increase in heat, increase in fan noise... etc.

 

[Mikedubai]

i already have pd3200u and the apps and the tools is tiny and very small i couldn’t fix it at all

 

[Boyd01]

I have a BenQ PD3200Q, which is the QHD (1440x2560) version of the screen you're considering. Really happy with it, I run it at native resolution from a 2018 Mini and text is just the right size for me - basically the same as 1080p on a 24" screen.

As for using it with multiple computers, sorry, I have no need for that. It does include the "puck" but I have not even hooked it up.

 

[badsimian]

I have a BenQ BL-3210PT 4K 32" monitor. I run it at a scaled "looks like" 2560 x 1440 and it is fine. Sharper than a normal monitor, not quite as sharp as true retina but more than fine to me.

It comes with the little puck that you can programme the little buttons on to swtich inputs, change volume etc and it is...fine....on balance I would still prefer the 5K screen but it costs loads more and you can't use it for anything else (a crime Apple continue to commit)

 

[antipodean]

I have the Dell u3219q which I switch between a windows laptop (display port) and my 13” MBP (USB-C). No problems with it on the macOS side at all. It is true that the Dell software seems to be windows only, but that (Dell Display Manager or some such name) isn’t particularly great anyway. I have a third party utility called lunar that provides great automatic brightness and contrast adjustment on macOS (e.g. synced to the MBP ambient light sensor).

I mostly use “looks like 2560x1440”. On a 32” 4K this provides good UI size in macOS while subjectively a good deal sharper than a non-retina 32” running in 2560x1440 natively. This is because you’re actually displaying a 5120x2880 frame buffer resized to 3840x2160. The next scaled mode along (“more space”) is also workable if you have good eyesight. I haven’t noticed any choppiness using the scaled modes, but I use an eGPU which no doubt helps with UI animations and the like.

The KVM abilities of the u3219q are great. I have my webcam, speakers, usb microphone and the unifying receiver for the mouse and keyboard all plugged into the Dell. I have the user-configurable shortcut buttons set-up to switch between the Surface laptop and the MBP with a single button press. All the USB stuff switches at the same time. No problems waking from sleep.

About the only criticism I can make of the u3219q is that it is somewhat high priced.