Apple's Studio Display vs. LG's UltraFine 5K Display

[deevey]

Really, with a true comparison, you’d have the adjustable stand price factored in as it’s included with the LG. Now you’re at a $700 difference.

Or you could buy the Vesa model and $50 stand which would STILL be better than the LG's built in one, making it just $350 difference.

I'm confused... How YouTube can Enable HDR on the ASD if the ASD does not support HDR?

It's "HDR Ready" in the same way some 1080p displays are marked "4K ready".

That's what we would rightly say about any monitor in the PC space trying to claim HDR with these specs.
The same should apply to an Apple product.

They never claimed it was HDR, heck they never even mentioned HDR playback was a possibility.

the power cable is removable.....

With a massive tool or brute force, and as Linus demonstrated, it does physically damage the plastic on the plug. It's like saying the iPhone screen is removable.

 

[wilberforce]

The problem with the Studio Display is just knowing what it could have been.

Also, the problem with the LG Ultrafine is was it could have been.

It astonishes me that LG would package an expensive quality display in the worst possible cheesy black plastic enclosure and nasty wobbly plastic stand, with uneven bezels and a plasticky face panel (instead of flush glass) with a poor anti-reflective coating.
Many cheap products are packaged in slick enclosures to fake their quality and sell well, but to package a quality product in a cheap enclosure is commercial suicide.
I assume LG are not totally stupid; I can only think they had some non-compete agreement with Apple to not sell their 5K panel in an enclosure that competes with the iMac (which used their panel).

 

[The Clark]

Very excited to watch this later!

 

[snak-atak]

I’ve owned a LG 5k for over a year now and have loved that display. I have no intention to switch, but man, is that what I look and sound like on the other end of my Zoom and Teams calls?

 

[turbineseaplane]

They never claimed it was HDR, heck they never even mentioned HDR playback was a possibility.

Not sure who you mean by "they" - I was talking in general terms here.

My point remains - discussion of anything "HDR" by any reviewers or commenters re: ASD should be deleted before it's even posted.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

600 nits and no FALD = "not HDR" and/or "fake HDR"

That's what we would rightly say about any monitor in the PC space trying to claim HDR with these specs.
The same should apply to an Apple product.

Is the Studio Display claiming HDR? Oh, you mean for anyone trying to claim that that what Apple sells as a non-HDR monitor is HDR?

 

[KPOM]

Really, with a true comparison, you’d have the adjustable stand price factored in as it’s included with the LG. Now you’re at a $700 difference.

Unless you opt for the VESA mount and a $50 VESA stand from Amazon. Then it’s a $350 difference.

 

[KPOM]

These are pretty consistent with my observations with the two side-by-side. With the standard display, reflectivity is similar, with a slight edge to the Studio Display. I am waiting for my nano-texture order screen to arrive.

 

[MacRumorUser78]

For adjustability get the VESA mount version if you can mount one to your desk or wall. I've got one for a 27" LG 4k. Assume there on VESA stands that sit on a desk too. Also have an iMac sitting on blocks which works too. Cool NOT.

 

[nvmls]

Good video Dan!

 

[MisterSavage]

The LG UltraFine includes the ability to adjust both tilt and height and the stand can be easily removed if you want to convert to a VESA mount, but the display does have a fair bit of wobble.

This is something I noticed almost immediately with my LG. I could see it wobbling when I was typing.

 

[topdrawer]

If you need height adjustability, the delta here is actually $700!

Of note - the Studio display sits lower than other previous Apple displays or iMacs

The LG also allows you to easily convert between stand and VESA mount, by default.
Great flexibility there (really wish Apple would have built some of that flexibility into their design)

there are other ways to raise the height of a monitor. it doesn't have to be in the arm.

 

[Mind1218]

Seems like there may be technical / higher price point reasons for not including mini LED and a high refresh rate. As much as would have liked that, price gets to me more given that this is 5 year old tech. Yes there isn't really other options if you want 5K, but a bit hard to stomach knowing this panel has been around for a bit.

Still a good monitor, but that's where it just doesn't make entire sense to me. Also I use a 32" monitor now, so was hoping for this size as a lower price point to the XDR.

 

[nwcs]

A few of the display differences would be evened out with proper calibration of the displays. Ideally you wouldn't be wanting/needing extreme brightness either.

 

[montuori]

Also, the problem with the LG Ultrafine is was it could have been.

It astonishes me that LG would package an expensive quality display in the worst possible cheesy black plastic enclosure and nasty wobbly plastic stand, with uneven bezels and a plasticky face panel (instead of flush glass) with a poor anti-reflective coating.

Given that it’s the one part of a computer system I spend all my time actually looking at, the LG’s aesthetics would drive me insane. (Never mind the ports in the middle of the back of the display instead of the bottom. What could be the rationale for that?)

 

[NightOne]

Remember when Macs were made out of plastic and no one said anything bad about plastic?

I do.

 

[star-affinity]

Also, the problem with the LG Ultrafine is was it could have been.

It astonishes me that LG would package an expensive quality display in the worst possible cheesy black plastic enclosure and nasty wobbly plastic stand, with uneven bezels and a plasticky face panel (instead of flush glass) with a poor anti-reflective coating.

Yeah, what strikes me first is how much nicer the Studio Display looks with its even bezels and lack of any logo on the front. Clean and nice when it comes to that at least.

 

[turbineseaplane]

there are other ways to raise the height of a monitor. it doesn't have to be in the arm.

Which starts negating the aesthetics (unless you mean multi level desks, etc)

The broader point is that height adjustability should be designed in to a $1600 monitor.

It's not just a convenience thing, but an ergonomic one.

I really wish more folks would take Apple to task for making good healthy human ergonomics something you have to "pay extra for". It's absurd.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Remember when Macs were made out of plastic and no one said anything bad about plastic?

I do.

I honestly wish Apple would use more plastic where it could.
All these new phones that almost necessitate a case -- could be made with plastic shells (at least partly) to get the weight down.

I'm probably in the minority, but I loved the iPhone 5C case and the fun colors that were possible with the plastics.

It's also way more "grippable" and secure in the hand if you go caseless

 

[Macative]

The problem with the Studio Display is just knowing what it could have been.

The displays on the 14” and 16” MacBook Pros are absolutely beautiful and I think people expected the same level on this display, especially for the $1600 price tag. Then they ask $400 more for an adjustable stand, and add a non-removable power cable..it’s just odd.

For that price, it should have all the tech from the MacBooks. HDR, 120hz with variable refresh rate, mini-LED.

Really a disappointment knowing what they could have done..

I don't expect 5K 120Hz because thats physically not possible over TB4. So I don't think its reasonable to keep repeating this point amongst all of the other valid points.

Ultimately, the fact that neither the regular stand or $400 extra adjustable stand can rotate to portrait is just a huge letdown and means I will pass on the display altogether.

 

[DesignMonkey]

Been using mine for a couple of days now. Compared to the Thunderbolt Display this is a huge upgrade. In addition to the other features that have already been mentioned I have to say whatever anti-reflective coating they added is much better than the old TB Display and I have a 24" 4K LG as well which is more reflective than the Studio Display. So save your money and just go with the standard glass instead of the nano-textured glass.

P.s. Anyone interested in an old Thunderbolt display?

 

[Maury]

Am I missing something here? The portions showing the camera and mic in the Studio Display seem orders of magnitude better than the LG. The LG has glaring lighting and flat color and terrible sound quality, while the SD is colorful and much smoother lit, while the sound quality matches that of the external mic. It doesn't look a little better, it looks a LOT better. Am I alone in this?

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don't expect 5K 120Hz because thats physically not possible over TB4.

I think HDMI 2.1 can do it with DSC

Possibly DP1.4 w/ DSC also

 

[cr2]

I might have bought this last year or the year before, but I invested in a nice camera and so I don't see the benefits of a camera on the device.

About speakers.. well I'm always using my AirPods max.

Can't beat AirPods Max!

 

[Orange Bat]

What’s disappointing is that this is a “but“ product.

The speakers sound nice….“but” I can buy nicer external speakers.
The camera is okay, and center stage is nice…”but” I can buy a pretty nice external camera, and who needs Center Stabe on a monitor they sit squarely in front of 99% of the time?
It looks fantastic…”but” I can‘t adjust the screen height or attach it to a VESA mount without spending extra.

It’s a confounding product that is great….”but” it sucks.