Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Hands On With Eve's Spectrum 4K Display

This monitor got quite a few blocking issue for Mac.
The one cable solution does not work with this specific monitor, and the developer does not seem want to resolve the problem. There are ongoing thread specifically about this, and they do not seem to care.

I understand that it isn't a thunderbolt monitor, but at least get the charging + refresh rate right. No one could get the USB C solution to work on Mac without stuck at 30Hz, so you have to delegate DP 1.4 -> USB C to get it running at 4K 120hz.
 
Tagbert said:
I’ve waited for years for a good 27”/5K monitor and finally gave up and got a 27” 4K that I run at 1440p. I’d love something better but the LG 5K is not good enough and at $1500 is priced too dear. Apple isn’t stepping up and no one else actually ships one, so we make due.
Click to expand...
I got two of the LG ultra fine 5k when they came out in 2016 (or 2017?)and apple offered 30% off for just around $1000

I’m still using them but they have this temporary burn-in issue. Other than that they’re pretty great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert
I ordered mine three weeks ago and got it on Monday. I love it, just what Ive been wanting for over a year now. 4k 144hz monitor with HDMI 2.1 that has 100w PD over USBC so I can run my MBP off one cable and also use it with my gaming pc. I thought Id have to wait a year or two for manufacturers to figure out there was a market for this. I was apprehensive about the company but it was markedly cheaper than anything available with even remotely similar specs here so just thought id take the plunge and its great. Hopefully it never breaks because I'm sure the return/repair process will be painful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Christopher Kim
shansoft said:
This monitor got quite a few blocking issue for Mac.
The one cable solution does not work with this specific monitor, and the developer does not seem want to resolve the problem. There are ongoing thread specifically about this, and they do not seem to care.

I understand that it isn't a thunderbolt monitor, but at least get the charging + refresh rate right. No one could get the USB C solution to work on Mac without stuck at 30Hz, so you have to delegate DP 1.4 -> USB C to get it running at 4K 120hz.
Click to expand...
I had this issue out of the box with I think a low spec usbc cable, but changed the bandwidth setting in the OSD and used a better USBC cable and it works now at 60Hz.
 
I wish these kinds of reviews would mention how much heat the monitor generates. I have an LG Ultrafine 4K which has otherwise been great, but less so when I had to take it with me somewhere with no air conditioning during hot summer.
 
gusping said:
Replace that with the ‘worst track record’. You’re a fool if you buy a monitor from this company.
Click to expand...
Ok I will admit I’m not sure what Eve has done in the past but I do have, I know this is trivial, one of their smart plugs on HomeKit. It works well but I seriously doubt, not because of their past track record, I would be in the market for that particular model. Maybe a Dell 4K?
 
Buyers beware, return shipping is NOT free if you aren’t satisfied with the monitor. (Not to mention you must pay standard shipping for $100 originally with the order.) What’s worse is that the website or even terms of conditions make NO mention of it. And if your box is opened, even better, they slap you with a 20% restocking fee. So in other words, if you aren’t happy with your monitor, expect to pay around a $400 fee, which isn’t disclosed from the start. Currently disputing my bank with this, as it’s frankly illegal to not inform the customer of this kind of information up front.
 
gene731 said:
Ok I will admit I’m not sure what Eve has done in the past but I do have, I know this is trivial, one of their smart plugs on HomeKit.
Click to expand...
Eve Systems, maker of smart home products, is a completely different company than Eve Devices, maker of this monitor.
 
jinthagerman said:
I ordered mine three weeks ago and got it on Monday. I love it, just what Ive been wanting for over a year now. 4k 144hz monitor with HDMI 2.1 that has 100w PD over USBC so I can run my MBP off one cable and also use it with my gaming pc. I thought Id have to wait a year or two for manufacturers to figure out there was a market for this. I was apprehensive about the company but it was markedly cheaper than anything available with even remotely similar specs here so just thought id take the plunge and its great. Hopefully it never breaks because I'm sure the return/repair process will be painful.
Click to expand...
Have you shared that info on the forum because those waiting two years will prob be a little annoyed.
 
jinthagerman said:
I ordered mine three weeks ago and got it on Monday. I love it, just what Ive been wanting for over a year now. 4k 144hz monitor with HDMI 2.1 that has 100w PD over USBC so I can run my MBP off one cable and also use it with my gaming pc. I thought Id have to wait a year or two for manufacturers to figure out there was a market for this. I was apprehensive about the company but it was markedly cheaper than anything available with even remotely similar specs here so just thought id take the plunge and its great. Hopefully it never breaks because I'm sure the return/repair process will be painful.
Click to expand...
Still having a good experience with the monitor? Just paid my balance for it chose express shipping given the cluster that's currently going on with the LA ports. Excited to hook up my XSX, PS5, and 14" MBP to it soon!
 
esco said:
Still having a good experience with the monitor? Just paid my balance for it chose express shipping given the cluster that's currently going on with the LA ports. Excited to hook up my XSX, PS5, and 14" MBP to it soon!
Click to expand...
Had a couple of issues with HDR in the latest firmware update, but nothing that major. I still love it. I tried the ps5 with it once and it looked great but that’s it so can’t comment on that.

Have a 14” MBP on the way and excited to finally try 4K + 144Hz macOS. Kinda worried the mini LED screen on it is going to make the Eve look bad though ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: esco and Christopher Kim
jinthagerman said:
Had a couple of issues with HDR in the latest firmware update, but nothing that major. I still love it. I tried the ps5 with it once and it looked great but that’s it so can’t comment on that.

Have a 14” MBP on the way and excited to finally try 4K + 144Hz macOS. Kinda worried the mini LED screen on it is going to make the Eve look bad though ?
Click to expand...
When your 14” MBP gets here, are you going to run it at “Looks like 2560 x 1440”? Or at actual 4K? I have a much cheaper / older 27” 4K screen (the LG UD-68) that I run my 2016 13” MBP into at “Looks like 1440p”. So macOS’s HiDPI pixel doubles the 2560 x 1440 to 5K (5120 x 2880), and then it’s shrunk to fit the 4K 3840 x 2160 pixel screen. I think it looks great, not as good as having it on a true 5K screen, but there are so few of those. And I think it’s perfect in a 27” monitor for size of text / icons on macOS.

I also have a 14” MBP on its way - and I’ve been itching for maybe a monitor upgrade too, hehe. I was thinking maybe trying to find a used 32” Pro Display XDR, but even that is really a stretch price wise for something I don’t ”need”. Wondering if maybe this Eve Spectrum might be a more reasonably priced alternative. And still a nice upgrade from my 5yr-old LG UD68!
 
Christopher Kim said:
When your 14” MBP gets here, are you going to run it at “Looks like 2560 x 1440”? Or at actual 4K? I have a much cheaper / older 27” 4K screen (the LG UD-68) that I run my 2016 13” MBP into at “Looks like 1440p”. So macOS’s HiDPI pixel doubles the 2560 x 1440 to 5K (5120 x 2880), and then it’s shrunk to fit the 4K 3840 x 2160 pixel screen. I think it looks great, not as good as having it on a true 5K screen, but there are so few of those. And I think it’s perfect in a 27” monitor for size of text / icons on macOS.

I also have a 14” MBP on its way - and I’ve been itching for maybe a monitor upgrade too, hehe. I was thinking maybe trying to find a used 32” Pro Display XDR, but even that is really a stretch price wise for something I don’t ”need”. Wondering if maybe this Eve Spectrum might be a more reasonably priced alternative. And still a nice upgrade from my 5yr-old LG UD68!
Click to expand...
Yeh, I’m using “looks like 1440p” currently and plan to continue using it with the 14”.

I got excited by the Apple 27” miniLED external display rumour but looks like that ain’t happening any time soon anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Christopher Kim
"Express delivery" took 5 weeks - but it arrived today.

It is a great display, the blacks are not as black as on the pro display xdr - but much faster.

On the new Macbook Pro using an USB-C to Displayport Cable it is flawless running at 4k 144Hz.
There is no lag dragging a Google-Crome window displaying MacRumors.
I hope the higher refresh rate will protect my eyes.
 
radus said:
"Express delivery" took 5 weeks - but it arrived today.

It is a great display, the blacks are not as black as on the pro display xdr - but much faster.

On the new Macbook Pro using an USB-C to Displayport Cable it is flawless running at 4k 144Hz.
There is no lag dragging a Google-Crome window displaying MacRumors.
I hope the higher refresh rate will protect my eyes.
Click to expand...
Just don't upgrade to Monterey 12.0.1 as it seems to break 144Hz support.
 
jinthagerman said:
Just don't upgrade to Monterey 12.0.1 as it seems to break 144Hz support.
Click to expand...
I am on Monterey 12.0.1 - I did not test it, but it is said that it is broken on USB-C - USB-C, not on USB-C - Displayport.
4k 144 Hz were available on Firmware 1.02 and luckily on 1.04 to.
 
radus said:
I am on Monterey 12.0.1 - I did not test it, but it is said that it is broken on USB-C - USB-C, not on USB-C - Displayport.
4k 144 Hz were available on Firmware 1.02 and luckily on 1.04 to.
Click to expand...
that's true. Missed the USB-C - Displayport part
 
What I wonder about is, that even my X1 Yoga 6th Gen is able to use the 144Hz over USB-C to Displayport cable.

On the Macbook Pro with a Dual - Monitor setup:
XDR Display Pro
Eve Spectrum
You see a huge difference when you drag a browser window from the Eve Spectrum over to the XDR Display Pro.
 
My problem with Eve isn't that they screwed up massively with the Eve V. That happens sometimes, and it sucks, but you try and recover and do the best you can by the people you've let down.

Eve didn't do that. There are still people who never got their device or a refund, years later. They played a careful game of cat and mouse, stringing people along until it was too late to do chargebacks or get, say, PayPal involved, because the customers had waited too long. Now, years later, those people have little recourse or hope of ever collecting what they're owed.

The people who run Eve are thieves, plain and simple. This is not a company I would ever do business with. Caveat emptor.

https://www.reddit.com/r/evev/comments/krwkda

https://www.reddit.com/r/evev/comments/nvq2b4
 
Mockletoy said:
My problem with Eve isn't that they screwed up massively with the Eve V. That happens sometimes, and it sucks, but you try and recover and do the best you can by the people you've let down.

Eve didn't do that. There are still people who never got their device or a refund, years later. They played a careful game of cat and mouse, stringing people along until it was too late to do chargebacks or get, say, PayPal involved, because the customers had waited too long. Now, years later, those people have little recourse or hope of ever collecting what they're owed.

The people who run Eve are thieves, plain and simple. This is not a company I would ever do business with. Caveat emptor.

https://www.reddit.com/r/evev/comments/krwkda

https://www.reddit.com/r/evev/comments/nvq2b4
Click to expand...

I can only tell my experience. I ordered the Eve Spectrum 4k on October the 7th ( express delivery - 175€ more ) and got it yesterday delivered by UPS.
 
Very interested in this monitor. I own a M1 iPad Pro and would love to see how it performs with the eve.
Why would the lack of Thunderbolt matter? Is thunderbolt that much better than USB - C ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back