Looking for recommendations for a 34" ultrawide to use with an M1 Mac. Been looking at a few Dell models with 3440 x 1440 resolutions. Are those suitable? I've seen a few references that non-retina (or 4k) displays may have blurrier text on Macs - is that a real issue? Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!
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34" Ultrawide Recommendations?
- Thread starter Robdmb
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It really depends on what displays you've used before, if you've only ever used 1080p displays, then anything will look better. It becomes harder when you've used large Retina displays (iMac 5K, ASD and XDR), as with these screens you would get used to the crispness of a Retina.
You have to get the right PPI (Pixels per Inch) for use with macOS, for example, my Thunderbolt Display has a PPI of 109ppi and my 15" Retina Pro has a 218ppi. There are 2 sweet spots, under 110ppi and above 200ppi which look the best and scale properly on macOS.
A 34" 3440x1440 monitor is 109.7ppi, so it will look good in macOS (Not saying that 4K screens are bad, they are good when you need lots of real estate but don't scale right.)
This page is really helpful: Mac external displays
1440p won't look good, the text will be blurry and it will strain your eyes. For clarity, either go with 3840 x 2160 (regular 4K) or 5120 x 2160 (4K Ultra-Wide aka 5K2K). Or the 5120 x 2880 5K that is offered on Apple monitors.
Monitor resolutions have been discussed plenty here on the forum, look HERE for more info. In short, any monitor with a physical vertical resolution below 2160p (4K equivalent) will look bad on macOS Monterey / Big Sur. You could put up with a 1440p monitor, but next to a 2160p or 2880p it looks way worse, especially for text.
Monitor resolutions have been discussed plenty here on the forum, look HERE for more info. In short, any monitor with a physical vertical resolution below 2160p (4K equivalent) will look bad on macOS Monterey / Big Sur. You could put up with a 1440p monitor, but next to a 2160p or 2880p it looks way worse, especially for text.
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That page on external displays seems to say 3440 x 1440 should be ok even though not retina? Assuming I go with one with that resolution, does anyone have any thoughts between Asus ProArt PA34VC, Dell U3421WE and Viewsonic VP344a? Any thoughts are appreciated!
I’m using an LG 34UC99-w running at 3440x1440, it’s an older monitor but its still amazing for me.
The text resolution is fine. It depends what your use for it is. I purchased this at the start of the pandemic and I needed the screen realestate and haven’t looked back. Ive always liked the LG screens but have a look in person, if you can.
I am looking at upgrading to the LG 40” 5K2K, as i wanted a little more vertical height and you can also get this at a 34” size.
The issue going with 4K or 5K screens that are non Apple is the UI scaling.
The text resolution is fine. It depends what your use for it is. I purchased this at the start of the pandemic and I needed the screen realestate and haven’t looked back. Ive always liked the LG screens but have a look in person, if you can.
I am looking at upgrading to the LG 40” 5K2K, as i wanted a little more vertical height and you can also get this at a 34” size.
The issue going with 4K or 5K screens that are non Apple is the UI scaling.
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I have a Dell ultrawide 3440x1440 from work and the text and sharpness looks awful to me... like bad to the point that I just bought my own 27" 4K monitor and put the $1000+ Ultrawide from work into the closet. I was strongly suggest getting something 4K or 5K2K. It's so annoying how the monitor looks great on Windows but looks like absolute ass on Mac.
34" Class 21:9 UltraWide® 5K2K LED Monitor - 34WK95U-W | LG USA
Discover the 34" Class 21:9 UltraWide® 5K2K LED Monitor that features HDR 600 and Nano IPS Display. Find reviews, specs, and more for 34WK95U-W.
Used to run a 34'' Samsung ultrawide at 3440*1440 native, could not stand the blurriness anymore
That's the display I had - 5K resolution so text looks nice and crisp. As others have said, if you're used to retina displays, you'll want to go for something like that or it will be a shock to your eyes!34" Class 21:9 UltraWide® 5K2K LED Monitor - 34WK95U-W | LG USA
Discover the 34" Class 21:9 UltraWide® 5K2K LED Monitor that features HDR 600 and Nano IPS Display. Find reviews, specs, and more for 34WK95U-W.www.lg.com
Used to run a 34'' Samsung ultrawide at 3440*1440 native, could not stand the blurriness anymore
I went for Apple Studio Displays instead. As much as I loved the monitor, my brain seems to work better with multiple screens when working with different workflows rather than one large screen. Which I know sounds weird!
I just bought the 34'' LG as you and I love it, it replaced two random monitors I had. I say random because one was a 32'' curved Samsung monitor and the other was a regular 27'' off-brand monitor I used to have in my work office.
I have 49” 5120x1440 monitor, which I run in native resolution. I sit about 80cm from screen and everything is sharp enough for me. People who complain about blurry text are used to retina screens which are razor sharp. I know, because I was one of them 😏
Took me few weeks to downgrade my eyes to non-retina screen. The real estate is worth it, IMHO.
Took me few weeks to downgrade my eyes to non-retina screen. The real estate is worth it, IMHO.
I got the LG 34WK95U-W (previously mentioned above) and love it. I came from the 27" LG Ultrafine. I do miss the retina quality from the Ultrafine, but I also got used to it, and it's not like the resolution is "bad."
For me, that 5120x2160 screen real estate is worth so much more. And unlike the 27" Ultrafine, I can actually USE that 5k resolution without everything appearing too small on the screen.
Which Mac do you have? Any scaling issues with the 5k2k? What resolution do you run it at?
I'm running it on a Mac Studio with the full 5120x2160 resolution. I don't know what "scaling issues" are, but it looks and works great for me. I use it for graphic design and image retouching (no gaming).