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Is 32 inches too big?

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bunce66

macrumors regular
Original poster
Looking to upgrade from my LG UltraFine after 8 years. It's "Retina" level 4K at 21 inches.

I definitely want to go bigger at either 5K (27 inch) or 6K (32 inch).

These are my options at 27 inch
BenQ's new 27 inch

At 32 inches, looking at the
Asus 6k
Kuycon 6k

All of these are affordable to me. I would consider the Apple Studio Display XDR, but I'm very hesitant price-wise on it.

To people who have a 32 inch monitor, is it too big? DO you ever find it overwhelming sitting at a normal length from it? Would everyone say that 27 inches is big enough for 99% of use cases? (docs, coding, internet, etc.)

To people with the Kuycon, how do you find the quality? I think at first glance, it looks like an Apple product, but I'm concerned about the brand's lack of reputation. I like that the screen is glossy, whereas I've heard the Asus 6k is more of a matte panel.

The new BenQ 5K seems to be a great option. I'd definitely get that one if they had a 32 inch version.

Any thoughts? Thank you!
 
the biggest question is if your desk support 32"


to be clear: at 32" you will begin to have to move your head around to see the entire screen, at a normal viewing distance it will be a small to nothing adjustment, but if your desk is not deep enough, you will suffer and 27" would have been the correct size for you.
 
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@kepler20b's advice is right on the money. I use a 27" LG at my desk, roughly 24" from my nose to it. That works fine.

I have a 32" display in my workshop, and frankly, wish I had a 27" there. It's on a VESA arm but due to various restrictions on the workbench, it can't go back far enough to be really useful.
 
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It's a personal question, but for me the answer is a resounding yes. 24" is quite ideal. Never tried 27". But 32", I hate it.

edit: as this is a topic that has preoccupied me for quite some time now, let me expand on what I hate about 32" and why I think it's too large (for me)
-aesthetics: to me, aesthetics, and a harmonious looking space are very valuable, a display that is oversized makes a desk look just terrible.
-psychology: I feel it is overpowering and makes you feel like a drone automatron worker with no identity, burried behind large machinery.
-ergonomics: I feel the effects on my upper back are bad, even when moving it back on a deep desk, I can tell it is not as ergonomic as a 24" monitor. I am not a bio-mechanics doctorate holder, but I can tell the effects on my body and they are not favorable.
 
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I have the Asus 6K and find it great. I sit quite close - and of course I need to move my head at times which is hardly a problem. It means that I can have a lot of stuff available to refer to on screen as I am working. When I am writing I have the page I am working on at the center with the other reference stuff around it.
 
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I currently use a 27-inch monitor. I have used a 32-inch monitor for a few years, but it is a little bit too large and somewhat uncomfortable, as I had to move my head to view the entire screen. A 27-inch monitor fits my field of vision perfectly.
 
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skaertus said:
I currently use a 27-inch monitor. I have used a 32-inch monitor for a few years, but it is a little bit too large and somewhat uncomfortable, as I had to move my head to view the entire screen. A 27-inch monitor fits my field of vision perfectly.
Click to expand...
relatable, although I have not tried 27", I have tried 32" and 24" and 32" is definitely more taxing on the upper back
 
I'd agree that 27 is about as a big as you can look at without having to move your head. It pretty much fills my point of focus, and outside it is my peripheral vision.

I have a second display (24" portrait) right next to it, and I have to move my head to look even at the first couple of inches of it.

TBH, I find having two displays more useful for organization than one massive one.
 
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I've been using the Asus 32" 6K recently and for my workflow, desk setup etc, I found the screen too tall. It wasn't a major thing, but I did find myself not really using the top area of the screen sometimes. When I've had a pair of 32" screens, they took up a lot of desk space too.

Monitors are a very subjective thing and there's so many personal parameters to consider that its difficult to know what will work for people.
 
I previously had a 27” and moved up a few years ago to the Pro Display XDR and never have been happier. 32” is the sweet spot for me. No issue at all with moving my head to view all content, etc. Whenever I use my wife’s 27” display it always feels cramped.
 
For me, 32" is the minimum. I would have bought the Studio Display XDR if it hadn't been 27".

I have had a 32" and it worked well. I currently use a 42" on a VESA arm. Slightly big, but better than 27". I have had a 37" in the past and that was probably my sweet spot. All 16:9. I don't like ultrawide.
 
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bunce66 said:
Looking to upgrade from my LG UltraFine after 8 years. It's "Retina" level 4K at 21 inches.

I definitely want to go bigger at either 5K (27 inch) or 6K (32 inch).

These are my options at 27 inch
BenQ's new 27 inch

At 32 inches, looking at the
Asus 6k
Kuycon 6k

All of these are affordable to me. I would consider the Apple Studio Display XDR, but I'm very hesitant price-wise on it.

To people who have a 32 inch monitor, is it too big? DO you ever find it overwhelming sitting at a normal length from it? Would everyone say that 27 inches is big enough for 99% of use cases? (docs, coding, internet, etc.)

To people with the Kuycon, how do you find the quality? I think at first glance, it looks like an Apple product, but I'm concerned about the brand's lack of reputation. I like that the screen is glossy, whereas I've heard the Asus 6k is more of a matte panel.

The new BenQ 5K seems to be a great option. I'd definitely get that one if they had a 32 inch version.

Any thoughts? Thank you!
Click to expand...

What did you decide?

The truth is, no one can really tell you if a 32-inch monitor is too large for you. After going to a 32-inch monitor, I cannot imagine using a smaller one on my Studio. My Debian box has a 24-inch monitor, and when I use that computer, I am acutely aware of the lack of screen space, which makes moving windows around difficult.

I sit 27 inches from my 32-inch monitor, and I do move my head around. But then, I also have multiple windows open on different areas of the screen. I expect to move my head around. I am not staring at a 14-inch CRT. Generally, the larger the monitor, the farther back you will need to sit from it. If you only have 14 inches of viewing space, then you will be moving your head and eyes a lot.

If you do not have neck mobility issues, a 32-inch monitor will likely work quite well for you. You will begin to enjoy the extra screen space and discover the height at which you like the monitor to work best with your body, eyes, and mind.
 
I find 32” 6K too small, which is why I never bought the original XDR over the last six years, or any of the new, cheaper options over the last six months.

The perfect workspace for me is a 34” ultra wide 3440x1440, which provides a crucial extra 400 pixels horizontally over a 32” 6K. This is, of course all at 109DPI, half that of the retina options, but the effective screen real estate is higher.

I’d be satisfied with a 34” 5K2K at 167 DPI, even with an LCD Black display for some decent brightness and contrast, but no such display exists. LG has a new 40” 5K2K with a decent panel and even more horizontal real estate, but the DPI is just too low. And there are numerous reports of fan noise, which is a total deal breaker for me.
 
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I would personally LOVE a 32 inch monitor but, I also have a deep desk. The extra screen real estate would be great and I could likely get away without having a dual monitor setup if I had a single 32 inch.

As others said, if your desk supports it, go for it. Try cutting out a piece of cardboard at the size of the 32 inch monitor you're looking at (I assume you know monitors are measured diagonally) and just tape it to your current monitor. If it's uncomfortable you likely need a deeper desk.
 
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Some 32" monitors can go into two LCD mode so they operate in macOS as two unique monitors. That is the killer feature for 32".
 
You'll have to try for yourself and see. I personally can't stand having any screen above eye level, but some don't care. Wider is fine, but taller is not.

I run two 24" screens at work, and that's enough for me there. At home, I have a 27" 4k, and don't want anything bigger.
 
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I have a 4K 32" display, and I find it to be perfect for gaming, but a hair too large for productivity. I have a large, deep desk, so it doesn't sit too close. As others have said YMMV.

Incidentally I feel the same about the OLED. Incredible for gaming, but I wish it were a touch brighter when looking at expanses of white, like on an Excel spreadsheet.
 
It really is a personal decision. I had two - 32” 4k monitors connected to my Linux PC. They worked well with a few minor issues.
1. It takes a few days to move the mouse from the far left of monitor 1 to the far right of monitor 2. Just joking. Not a big deal, just noticeable.
2. Occasionally, I lose track of the mouse. When you have a lot of pixel real-estate things can get lost.
3. I found myself repositioning and resizing windows a lot. With my new Mac mini Pro I went back to a single monitor. It is just as easy for me to minimize the window.

I find the 32” size to be just right. As my eyes get old I would like to get a bigger monitor at some point.

A 27” monitor might be a bit more energy efficient.
 
I don't get this argument that a monitor is to big if you have to move your neck. The neck was meant to be moved. Actually, not moving your neck is probably worse for you. I don't think there anything wrong as long as your not constantly twisting your neck.

I personally think 32 inch is a bit small.

Ultimately, this is a personal decision, but 95% of people will be able to work with a 32 in monitor and most will prefer.
 
Back in July I switched from the Apple Studio Display (27") to the Kuycon 32" 6K. Absolutely love it. The extra space is particularly nice for coding, where we seem to have endless panels in the IDEs these days. But even doing things like my taxes, having two full-page docs fully and clearly on the same screen is nice.

I have had no trouble with the Kuycon and can hardly distinguish the difference in quality between it and the Apple's monitor. Be sure to check out this thread about it for more details:
forums.macrumors.com

Kuycon G32P - 31.5″ 6K (6144×3456) IPS Black Monitor

It looks like Kuycon, maker of many Apple look-alike displays, is at it again. I don't see it on their U.S. website yet but the retailer ClickClack.io has it listed for sale at $1,699. Stated specs: Kuycon G32P 31.5″ 6K (6144×3456) - 223 ppi 60Hz, native 10-bit, 500 cd/m², HDR10, 2000:1 99%...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
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