Dual Studio Monitors vs LG 40'' Curved UltraWide 5K2K

[rustyosaurus]

I am currently on a 2017 5k iMac 27 and want more space. What will the difference be between dual Studio displays vs an LG 40" curved ultra wide 5k2k?

Obviously, two 5k studio displays will be better quality and more screen vs the LG 40. But will the LG 40 basically allow me to see the same amount of screen as my current 5k iMac? If so, I'd rather go with the dual Studio Displays.

 

[Amethyst1]

But will the LG 40 basically allow me to see the same amount of screen as my current 5k iMac?

What scaled resolution is your iMac running at? Default "looks like 2560×1440"? That results in a simulated pixel density of about 109 ppi.
As far as pixel density is concerned, a similar mode on the 5120×2160 ultrawide would be "looks like 3840×1620" for about 105 simulated ppi, so UI elements and text would have roughly the same size as on the iMac. In this case, the ultrawide would allow you to fit more content.

However, the ultrawide has a substantially lower physical pixel density than the iMac (139 vs. 219 ppi), so text won't be as sharp. And any scaled mode incurs blurriness you might notice and not like; the only way around that is to run the pixel-perfect "looks like 2560×1080" mode which gives you less screen estate than the iMac's "looks like 2560×1440".

 

[rustyosaurus]

What scaled resolution is your iMac running at? Default "looks like 2560×1440"? That results in a simulated pixel density of about 109 ppi.
As far as pixel density is concerned, a similar mode on the 5120×2160 ultrawide would be "looks like 3840×1620" for about 105 simulated ppi, so UI elements and text would have roughly the same size as on the iMac. In this case, the ultrawide would allow you to fit more content.

However, the ultrawide has a substantially lower physical pixel density than the iMac (139 vs. 219 ppi), so text won't be as sharp. And any scaled mode incurs blurriness you might notice and not like; the only way around that is to run the pixel-perfect "looks like 2560×1080" mode which gives you less screen estate than the iMac's "looks like 2560×1440".

Yes, I am running it in the default mode. I guess I'm trying to figure out what would be the best experience - two Studio displays or one LG 40in. I've never used dual monitors before so I don't know how much that takes away than just using a single ultra wide.

 

[Amethyst1]

I guess I'm trying to figure out what would be the best experience - two Studio displays or one LG 40in.

In terms of providing the sharpest text: two ≈220 ppi Studio Displays all the way. If you value that, the ≈140 ppi of the ultrawide probably aren't going to cut it.

 

[fgengineer]

I just bought a 32 inch 4K monitor to try out. It’s 140 PPI. After being with the LG 5k, I don’t know how people don’t notice the difference. I am trying it out and I really like the size, but I don’t know if I can live with it.

 

[somanyscreens]

I have 2 Dell 5K2K monitors stacked atop each other, running at full 5120x2160 resolution (NOT HiDPI). At 40", that resolution is perfect for me. Text is clear, there's a ton of on-screen real estate, and I'm insanely productive. Retina people love to fuss over pixel density, but for me, screen real estate is a bigger deal.

I have 2 VESA mount Studio Displays on order to test swapping out my lower monitor for the pair ALSO running at full resolution side-by-side. Yes, text will be tiny, and the experiment I'll be running will be to see if I can adjust to it. If it does work, between the one 5K2K and the 2 5Ks, that would take me to 40,550,400 usable pixels, up from 22,118,400 between the 2 5K2Ks. So. Much. Space. 🤤

Will report back with impressions and pics next month once they arrive.

BTW - I ALSO recently bought the LG 5K2K, and while on paper the specs are a bit bitter than the Dell, I prefer the picture on the Dell. Sending the LG back.

 

[agregson]

I have 2 Dell 5K2K monitors stacked atop each other, running at full 5120x2160 resolution (NOT HiDPI). At 40", that resolution is perfect for me. Text is clear, there's a ton of on-screen real estate, and I'm insanely productive. Retina people love to fuss over pixel density, but for me, screen real estate is a bigger deal.

I have 2 VESA mount Studio Displays on order to test swapping out my lower monitor for the pair ALSO running at full resolution side-by-side. Yes, text will be tiny, and the experiment I'll be running will be to see if I can adjust to it. If it does work, between the one 5K2K and the 2 5Ks, that would take me to 40,550,400 usable pixels, up from 22,118,400 between the 2 5K2Ks. So. Much. Space. 🤤

Will report back with impressions and pics next month once they arrive.

BTW - I ALSO recently bought the LG 5K2K, and while on paper the specs are a bit bitter than the Dell, I prefer the picture on the Dell. Sending the LG back.

Thanks for feedback on the Dell and LG. I am looking for a new monitor after demise of iMac 5k. It has allowed me to complete a rethink as I have had plan for some time to replace primary desktop with ultra wide. I have two other desks (one in workshop and one on second work desk) that are ultra wide. One is LG 25" 21:9 2560x1080 and other is 34" Iiyama 3440x1440. Both around 110ppi. While I enjoy retina at 220pi and had for sometime thought retina was only way to go I find I can live with and use the 110ppi on the 21:9 with no issues (both run from Intel Minis) and in many ways the extra space is preferable.

If I went to 40" the desire would be for non-retina and non-scaled. Can macOS offer a desktop at proper 5120x2160 so it "feels" 200% wider and 50% higher than the 5120x2880 scaled to 2560x1440 I use on iMac? That would be an attractive option for me at least, especially having confirmed that while I like 220ppi retina I can live with 110ppi on 21:9 and may value space over density more (plus my eyes are not what they were so even retina can feel "fuzzy" without glasses ;-))

Plan has been accelerated a little as I am almost tempted to bag an Intel Mini. The M1 mini is nice and I am trying M1 air at the moment but I do like the Intel units as there is a little more flexibility with virtualisation (and I have found a few issues with GPU running my own code on M1 that is not present on the 2017 iMac 5k). Also nice is fact I can open them, clean fans, replace memory (shame I cannot change SSD). There is a decent abundance of quality machines on eBay and even Apple and local resale agents have decent models on offer. Performance is fine for what I want - if they work with 5k2k monitor.

 

[somanyscreens]

Can macOS offer a desktop at proper 5120x2160 so it "feels" 200% wider and 50% higher than the 5120x2880 scaled to 2560x1440 I use on iMac?

That’s exactly how I run my Dells and I couldn’t imagine ever going back to having less real estate. In fact, now that I have it, I just crave more! I’ve even started using Spaces just so that in no circumstance does any window overlap another.

 

[agregson]

That’s exactly how I run my Dells and I couldn’t imagine ever going back to having less real estate. In fact, now that I have it, I just crave more! I’ve even started using Spaces just so that in no circumstance does any window overlap another.

Thanks for clarifying. I have always found overlapping window managers a pain. In terminal I like tmux, on Linux I run i3 and several spaces so I can switch between them. On Mac I use Magnet but screen is not expansive enough so I use several spaces and flip between them. I also use iPad Pro 12.9 with Sidecar or Universal Control and keep my comms and immediate apps (message, email, and so on) on it. That also means I can decouple the iPad and move to another desk and complete any responses and so on (just as I am doing now).

I really do like retina and highDPI. However with the choice between 220ppi and retina text and 110ppi and window space I am increasingly favouring 110ppi - at least for my apps and workflow. I can tell the difference in text in editors, terminal and so on. However I find after 10 mins on 110ppi it sort of becomes less apparent. I especially like the 34" 3440x1440 110ppi Iiyama on my mini and really miss the space when I go back to iMac. Also beside the mini I have wall mounted 65" LG UHD TV and Apple TV - I can quickly spin it up as a second display and even from a few metres away at my desk it is surprisingly useful ;-) Almost tempted to mount a UHD TV above my iMac in my study desk and attach Apple TV.

I am eagerly looking at the Dell and LG monitors. LG have a "coming soon" 40WP95C-W https://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-40wp95c-w. It does look compelling. I am keeping an eye out for reviews and comparisons with the Dell as I suspect they will be around same price. I do like LG monitors and TVs. However I also like Dell Ultrasharp. I had a few 2415Q a few years back and they were decent as all Ultrasharp are. I am sure the Dell would not let me down.

Interesting is that both monitors come with proper stands and a few other nice add-ons. An external GPU could even be mounted on the rear for a bit of fun!

I have a Studio display (with tilt stand) on order for delivery early June. I have a little time to think. Given the Dell and probably LG will cost the same I think I see more value and function (for me and my workflow, YMMV) in the 5k2k curved.

 

[agregson]

That’s exactly how I run my Dells and I couldn’t imagine ever going back to having less real estate. In fact, now that I have it, I just crave more! I’ve even started using Spaces just so that in no circumstance does any window overlap another.

I am considering purchase of Dell or LG. The LG is “coming soon” yet Dell is available now. As I am consumer purchaser in UK Dell are mandated to offer 14 day “change of mind” return unlike business purchases. That said I prefer to settle on and buy one.

What made you decide on Dell over LG and to return the LG? I assume it is the (previously) on sale LG 5k2k (unavailable in UK) rather than the “coming soon” which is not (yet) available in UK.?