Apple Studio Display vs 5k2k Dell U4025QW for M4 Mini?

[Black Diesel]

I've been holding off on the Apple Studio Display for a long time but I was set on buying one now to pair with a new M4 Mini. I've nearly bit the bullet a few times already but now I'm thinking a 5K2k monitor like the Dell U4025QW might be a better call due to it having more real estate. These monitors can be had for nearly the same price in the US so for the sake of comparison, forget about the cost.

Even if the ASD might have a slightly better IQ (does it?), I'm thinking the Dell has to be very close and with the extra real estate to boot. Does anyone have one of these who's also had experience with an ASD? How do they compare? What is the finish on the Dell display like (matte, satin, semi gloss)? Is there a scaling issue with the Dell?

Any issues I should be aware of with the Dell that makes the ASD much better in comparison?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1814581-REG/dell_u4025qw_40_curved_5k_120hz.html

 

[redheeler]

It's not more real estate, the vertical resolution is less than the Studio Display. I guess the main advantage is 120 Hz so it depends how important that is to you.

 

[dmr727]

There's a thought that with Thunderbolt 5, Apple might release a 120Hz Studio Display with the M4 Mac Studio next year. You probably don't want to wait that long, but it's something to consider.

 

[Black Diesel]

It's not more real estate, the vertical resolution is less than the Studio Display. I guess the main advantage is 120 Hz so it depends how important that is to you.

So the ASD's vertical real estate exceeds the extra width of the Dell? Hmmm, my bad I'll have to take a closer look at both panels. If losing just a tiny bit of vertical I would rather have the extra width unless I totally misunderstood the size of these two panels.

 

[redheeler]

So the ASD's vertical real estate exceeds the extra width of the Dell? Hmmm, my bad I'll have to take a closer look at both panels. If losing just a tiny bit of vertical I would rather have the extra width unless I totally misunderstood the size of these two panels.

There is no extra horizontal resolution either, you're getting fewer pixels but each pixel is physically bigger. So less screen real estate but bigger physical size from the Dell.

 

[waloshin]

There are new Asus and BENQ 5k displays coming soon.

 

[littlepud]

There's a thought that with Thunderbolt 5, Apple might release a 120Hz Studio Display with the M4 Mac Studio next year. You probably don't want to wait that long, but it's something to consider.

I’d expect whatever high refresh rate refresh (pun intended) to be on the XDR Pro and not the Studio.

 

[maksakal]

Consider your priorities when choosing a monitor. Do you want more screen real estate or ultra-crisp text?

I currently have a 34" 5K2K ultrawide with 163 PPI, which is likely the highest PPI you’ll find in an ultrawide. Am I satisfied? Yes, but I'd love to have even sharper text.

If you go for a Dell 40" 5K2K, expect around 137 PPI. If budget allows, consider either an XDR display or dual ASD. The ASD isn’t just a slight upgrade, it’s significantly better, with 218 PPI and no scaling needed.

I'll say, make your choice based on your priority list. For me, PPI is the top priority.

 

[Black Diesel]

Consider your priorities when choosing a monitor. Do you want more screen real estate or ultra-crisp text?

I currently have a 34" 5K2K ultrawide with 163 PPI, which is likely the highest PPI you’ll find in an ultrawide. Am I satisfied? Yes, but I'd love to have even sharper text.

If you go for a Dell 40" 5K2K, expect around 137 PPI. If budget allows, consider either an XDR display or dual ASD. The ASD isn’t just a slight upgrade, it’s significantly better, with 218 PPI and no scaling needed.

I'll say, make your choice based on your priority list. For me, PPI is the top priority.

Sounds good. It looks like I'll be taking a look at the new Asus or BenQ, or worst case just revert to an ASD. Thanks.

 

[grandM]

I wonder what the projected life span is of the ASD. Monitors used not to have fans which can break down.

 

[tonkem]

My wife uses an Apple Studio Display with 2 27' Dell's on the side of it for her business. I am still using a Dell 3007 monitor at 2560x1600 screen resolution along with an older 2405 24" monitor in portrait at 1200x1920, the width of the 40" dell ultra wide is almost the same as these two monitors next to each other, yes the pixel density will not be the same as the ASD, but it will be close to the same size as a 30" and 24" in width. I have been using the 30" dell for quite a number of years, connected to a 2010 Mac Pro, and will likely upgrade the monitor to the U4025QW to have one monitor rather than 2. I sit in front of my wife's ASD and it is very crisp text, but I want the larger screen, regardless of the number of pixels. To each his own. I would not discount the Dell jut because of the PPI of the ASD. The dell is 5120x2160 and the ASD is 5120 x 2880, not that much of a difference, but the way I understand the ASD, it appears to be 2560x1440 with the computer scaling so the text will not be ultra small. Might do some more research before deciding. I want the larger screen, rather than the highest PPI. I am sure the PPI of my old dell is pretty bad, and the text is not terrible, but is not as sharp as the ASD.

 

[grandM]

My wife uses an Apple Studio Display with 2 27' Dell's on the side of it for her business. I am still using a Dell 3007 monitor at 2560x1600 screen resolution along with an older 2405 24" monitor in portrait at 1200x1920, the width of the 40" dell ultra wide is almost the same as these two monitors next to each other, yes the pixel density will not be the same as the ASD, but it will be close to the same size as a 30" and 24" in width. I have been using the 30" dell for quite a number of years, connected to a 2010 Mac Pro, and will likely upgrade the monitor to the U4025QW to have one monitor rather than 2. I sit in front of my wife's ASD and it is very crisp text, but I want the larger screen, regardless of the number of pixels. To each his own. I would not discount the Dell jut because of the PPI of the ASD. The dell is 5120x2160 and the ASD is 5120 x 2880, not that much of a difference, but the way I understand the ASD, it appears to be 2560x1440 with the computer scaling so the text will not be ultra small. Might do some more research before deciding. I want the larger screen, rather than the highest PPI. I am sure the PPI of my old dell is pretty bad, and the text is not terrible, but is not as sharp as the ASD.

At start I used to get eyestrain with my dell. Did not experience it when using Windows.

 

[dcphilly]

I have both. Got the ASD with my Mac and decided to put the 4025qw full time on my work issued Windows machine. Dunno why scaling on Mac OS is so awful. One really good pro about the ASD is that you can move it around the desk really easily. It just glides around. I move it closer and further depending on what im' doing... in addition to using trackpad zoom and also the 3-finger accessibility zoom every now and then.