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

[turbineseaplane]

Apple could have gone with an external power brick and I wish they had. Then they could have skipped the fans and made the monitor thinner.

They also could have included an ethernet option on an power brick, Ala the 24" iMac

That would have been a nice upgrade and made it a more complete "docking station" solution.

 

[nwcs]

It's not solely about the build materials. It's more about the build quality. The LG (and other brands as well) sway and jiggle when you bump the desk. Are hard to adjust so the screens are level. They also creak, crack, and moan when you adjust them which makes you feel like you paid ~$1,300 on a display that is no better constructed than a sub $300 one. Not to mention the ports and connectors have a high-rate of failure which is mostly attributed to the flexing case allowing the ports to move and dislodge the leads from the logic board. The plastic mounts that hold the ports are sometimes incapable of securing the ports from moving under the weight of cables over time as gravity pulls them down like a lever straining the solder on the other end.

I have the 5K UltraFine and I have an LG 4K 27” as well. Honestly the build quality is plenty good for my needs and the “wobble” has to be induced for me to see it. Perhaps my desks are better built than other people’s but this seems more of a “looking for problem” problem.

I have read that the first version UltraFine 5K had a higher failure rate that was resolved with an update. So is it really a current issue or more of a bringing up the past issue?

Perhaps it is a YMMV situation but I’ve seen plenty of positive comments about the UltraFine 5K until the ASD was announced and people coming out of the woodwork to declare its faults. Every device has some failure rate but in any case both my LG monitors have worked superbly for me and I have no complaints.

 

[ADGrant]

thank god LG is going to continue selling the UltraFine 5K. thank god you can still find some old thunderbolt displays for sale. I guess you need to really love Apple to love this monitor. I hope professional reviews reveal the image quality is substantial improved over a monitor released in 2016. I’m concerned it’s not even 10bit…

How is the Thunderbolt Display better than this display? It's not even 4k.

 

[ADGrant]

Is 5K that important?

Wouldn’t a 4K display with HDR, mini-LED, 1000nits, and 120hz VRR be a better option than a 5K display with none of those things?

Even so, if Apple is convinced 5K is needed for proper scaling, 5K 120hz is possible with current connections using DSC.

Very important. I would rather have a 5k 27" display than one with any of the things you mention. I would consider a 34" ultra wide OLED if I had the space though.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I would consider a 34" ultra wide OLED

ahh.. OLED

I think that's honestly what I'm waiting for at this point.

Anything sub 36", 4k or up, even just at 60hz, in OLED would be a dream come true.

For me those deep luscious inky colors and perfect blacks would give me more day to day enjoyment over all other features out there. I'd love high refresh rate too -- but if I had to pick I'd take OLED over that.

 

[ADGrant]

"just a bit more vibrant" than a 6 year-old plastic display (or my 2015 iMac for that matter) does not get me excited enough to pay $2000 for the extra features, including height adjustability, which said LG and pretty much every other display on the market offers in 2022.

One thing this review is missing is a comparison with the 5k iMac. There are a lot of people with older 5k iMacs who want to migrate to Apple Silicon and will need a new monitor. This is the obvious choice, would be nice to know how it compares.

 

[turbineseaplane]

One thing this review is missing is a comparison with the 5k iMac.

Not the best video, but a reasonable comparison

tldr.

Screens are exceptionally close -- he struggles to find any differences other than the brightness on ASD. It's somewhat questionable how useful it is, as neither needs to be anywhere near full brightness for comfortable viewing

From my viewing of it, it feels mostly like a slightly different calibration of the same actual panel....possibly some differences coming from the glass also.

 

[Springman]

I have an LG 27 and have been very happy with it. In fact, I needed a second one, and when I heard they may be discontinuing the LG model went ahead and bought a second one (used) off Amazon for $1099. Still a chunk of change but for what I use it for, it's perfect. Its hard to justify the extra expense for the screen with the adjustable height.

 

[MisterSavage]

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?

One thing I immediately noticed is that even though I'm going to be in the same place 99% of the time the camera zooms in on me and I don't appear as far away from the camera. That can be a good or bad thing I suppose!

I expect my LG will carry on for quite a few years yet. But I was wondering... with Apple's new display containing a fully-fledged version of iOS, will it become obsolete in around 7 years' time as that version of iOS becomes long in the tooth?

My monitor already had a software update available when I powered it on. With 64GB of storage there's no reason it would have to be stuck on iOS 15 when the next major iOS upgrade happens.

I have the 5K UltraFine and I have an LG 4K 27” as well. Honestly the build quality is plenty good for my needs and the “wobble” has to be induced for me to see it. Perhaps my desks are better built than other people’s but this seems more of a “looking for problem” problem.

Well my desk was custom constructed from an office supply store and I notice zero wobbling on my new studio display when I'm typing. It was something I immediately noticed with my LG. I consider that "noticing" a problem instead of "looking for problems".

 

[hughmass]

I have had several iMacs, and especially loved the 27 inch 5K (that died after only 5.5 years).
I own the new Studio Display and have it hooked up to a M1 Mac mini, and I absolutely love it. It is the headless iMac I have wanted for many years, and maybe I am being a little fussy, but the 4K display I used previously just wasn't the same. For me, it is the quality thing...sometimes I really do pay more because I know I will be happy with what I bought.
I got a simple metal monitor stand at Amazon for $15 and don't need the camera much at all, so for me, heaven.

 

[visualseed]

Apple could have gone with an external power brick and I wish they had. Then they could have skipped the fans and made the monitor thinner. Apple could also have designed a user removable power cable. It is absurd that they did not.
They have earned all the criticism for that decision.

User-removable power cables have to meet international standards. If it's not one of the 15 types approved by ITA, it can't be sold in the US (or IEC for most other countries). Removable (for service) with a special tool was probably the best compromise that was still regulatory compliant. Could Apple have used one of the approved plugs? Maybe, but there were obviously design and functionality considerations that took priority. This bugs me less than not having a VESA mount, though.

 

[dogface1956]

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.

I don't agree, the first thing I look for in a display is how good is the... well...display. The Studio display looks great. You can always connect up better external speakers, anyone who is purchasing a display for the speakers is...an idiot. Decent sounding speakers are a nice add-on but no reason to purchase a display. You can always find an better camera than one built into the display, it is always going to be that way, if you want to pay for a better camera you can get a better camera. You don't need to spend extra for the VESA mount you just need to order the VESA mount when you order the display, then you can go crazy with options for mounting you display.

So I guess what I am saying if a display has the worlds best speakers, but a crappy display that would suck, or the worlds best camera, but a crappy display that would suck, or had the best height adjustment/tilt/VESA stand/mount but a crappy display that would suck, but a display that actually has a good display, which is the main job of a display seems to be a bad thing to many of the people here.

 

[dogface1956]

MKBHD had a great observation:

When using the Studio Display next to a MacBook Pro, the difference in quality (and modern features) between the displays is untenable. The big display is so inferior, you end up just using your laptop for the proper screen.

Then he needs to purchase the Pro Display XDR since from my understanding the Display on the MacBook Pro is close to that. The fact is that there is no 27" Display that uses the same tech that is on the MacBook Pro.

 

[ascender]

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 agree about the former point, but if this display was to have the same tech as the MacBook Pros, I suspect it would be priced at $2500 - $3000.

 

[Madonepro]

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)

To compare I also think that the VESA mount should be added to the price, after all, the LG comes with the mounting as standard too.

 

[cmaier]

To compare I also think that the VESA mount should be added to the price, after all, the LG comes with the mounting as standard too.

Ok. Are you going to add the cost of a replacing the LG‘s case with aluminum in the price of the LG, because, after all, the Apple monitor comes with that standard?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Right, but if Apple can produce their own insanely good silicon, they could produce their own panels, 5K OLED or otherwise.

Their own silicon comes after making several strategic purchases of companies with those skills quite awhile ago. In order to make their own panels, they’d have to at least have strategically purchased some display companies quite some time ago in order to, TODAY, produce a 5K OLED panel. And even THEN, Apple doesn’t produce their own silicon, TSMC produces it for them… so, they’d still need someone to produce the 5K OLED panel they design.

Having money goes a LONG way towards making things possible, but there’s still reality to contend with.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

As long as we ignore the realities of what it takes to actually MAKE something, then anything is possible. Like, I don’t see why the Studio Display even needs a stand or a power cable. It would be far sleeker and more worth the money if it could float, holding it’s position rock solid when in use above a desk (height adjustment as a bonus!) and able to be moved around the room with just the touch of a finger. No bulky power cables. I also don’t see why we have to settle for extremely low reflectivity. With their amount of money and their silicon, they should be able to make a monitor with NO reflectivity. Turn it off, shine a light onto it and nothing, just beautiful pitch blackness. And 218 dpi? That should not only be OLED but more like 436 dpi AND 1000 nits of brightness while we’re at it. Oh, and not “quiet” operation, ZERO noise operation, no fans. I’m sure with all their money they could come up with a monitor that bright that doesn’t make tiny amounts of noise.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

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

This is totally spot on and highlights while I am passing on the Studio Display. I have to essentially pay $700 more if I want to line up the display with my existing iMac. No thanks Apple...not paying the Apple Tax on this one.

 

[HKSig]

How about a comparison with the 32" LG Ultrafine?

 

[tomtad]

The UltraFine has also seen a lot of complaints over the years about image retention or "burn-in," something we've definitely experienced with our own units, and we've yet to see any issues with that on the Studio Display.

Given you’ve had the display for what a week?… how can you say this?

 

[turbineseaplane]

The UltraFine has also seen a lot of complaints over the years about image retention or "burn-in," something we've definitely experienced with our own units, and we've yet to see any issues with that on the Studio Display.

Given you’ve had the display for what a week?… how can you say this?

Great catch. I'm surprised no editor read this and snipped it out.
It's comparing two different situations entirely.

I'm pretty sure there's no burn in on an LGUF5k after a few weeks either.

 

[tomtad]

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..

Promotion on this display was never going to happen, genuinely the technology isn’t there.

Mini-LED on the other hand could have however no doubt it would be double the price.

I agree shame about the lack of mini-LED but don’t get too disappointed about promotion. It’s simply not possible with the connectivity available.

 

[bsolar]

This is totally spot on and highlights while I am passing on the Studio Display. I have to essentially pay $700 more if I want to line up the display with my existing iMac. No thanks Apple...not paying the Apple Tax on this one.

Just go with the VESA option and buy a decent compatible stand. You can spend significantly less that the adjustable stand from Apple, which IMHO makes sense only if you have money to burn and don't want to bother with a third-party mount or really want the stand from Apple for aesthetic reasons.

 

[deevey]

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

I miss the Polycarbonate iBooks, they were absolutely bombproof (possibly literally). Not to mention touching my skin on them didn't create deep black pits.