I run 3 4K Dell 27 inch displays at native resolution. It works if you have pretty good eyesight. You can also scale individual programs if things are too small.
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Is there a high PPI 4K display?
- Thread starter satchmo
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Question:
"Is there a high PPI 4K display?"
If one wants a 4k display with "more pixels per inch", then the ONLY way to get one is to get a display in the form factor of 24" or smaller.
ALL 4k displays -- REGARDLESS of size -- will have THE SAME NUMBER of pixels.
A display which is larger will have (of course) larger pixels.
A display which is smaller will have (of course) smaller pixels.
But the PPI is ALWAYS going to be the same number.
CORRECTION: the number of pixels will remain constant, but...
The size of the display determines the size of the pixels.
I think what the OP is really looking for is a 6k display or an 8k display...
"Is there a high PPI 4K display?"
If one wants a 4k display with "more pixels per inch", then the ONLY way to get one is to get a display in the form factor of 24" or smaller.
ALL 4k displays -- REGARDLESS of size -- will have THE SAME NUMBER of pixels.
A display which is larger will have (of course) larger pixels.
A display which is smaller will have (of course) smaller pixels.
But the PPI is ALWAYS going to be the same number.
CORRECTION: the number of pixels will remain constant, but...
The size of the display determines the size of the pixels.
I think what the OP is really looking for is a 6k display or an 8k display...
Last edited:
Actually, I would be happy with a 5K 27" display...like the current 27" iMac.
The only reason I started out with 4K was because it's what is available in the market today.
What I really should have asked is what are the available displays with high PPI.
Not sure if this is a solution or not, but having a new M1 Mac Mini as well I looked REAL HARD at a refurbished Apple LED Thunderbolt Display (27 inch) from "Mac of All Trades" or eBay. One eBlay re-seller was refurbishing them with new panels and all new cables as well. In the $700 range at the time, but I got skittish and did not pull the trigger. (Wish I had though). Because not only does it kind of "replicate" the former iMac screens, the TB ports (or maybe firewire), Built in iSight and Speakers, and additional USB ports both eliminates the need for a Hub and goes a LONG way to replicating the iMac experience. (In fact. I may have to go try and track that deal down again after I finish posting this) Either way, my 60MHZ 1440p $200 Acer "spare" monitor (Was only around $200 "new") is just not cutting it for what I need to do either. If the price scares you on that particular deal, I see MANY regualr used ones going from around $250-$600 depending on the condition grade. Hope this helps.
2014 MacBook Pro 27s go for $550 and up in my area on Craigslist. This is cheaper than a new 5K 27 inch display so I'd look at these first. I don't recall if the Thunderbolt displays went to 5K. I know that they went to QHD but that's all that I can recall seeing. Those older machines can also be used to run routine office stuff while you run your production work on an M1. My ideal system would be a 2015 i7 but those are pretty rare in my area. The stores may have them but they add a heft markup.
This is confusing. If you want a 4K display with the same PPI as an iMac 24" then any 27" 4K display will have a lower pixel density (PPI) because you're spreading the same (actually fewer, see below) pixels out over a larger space.
In fact, to match the 24" iMac's pixel density a 4K you'd need a smaller screen because that iMac has more than 4K pixels ("4.5K" is how they're marketing it).
I haven't seen a 4K display that small, unfortunately. Seems a lot of people are fine looking at low PPI densities on a large screen. I've seen people on these forums talking about using a 32" or even 40" screen at 4K. Sounds like a crummy experience to me unless you're sitting 6 feet from your screen. But to each their own ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Is it confirmed that the LG 5Ks have been discontinued?
I have not seen anything like that, but, apple shows:
Oct 5 - Oct 18
as the delivery date if you buy one today.
Interesting.
I have not seen anything like that, but, apple shows:
Oct 5 - Oct 18
as the delivery date if you buy one today.
Interesting.
cocopar Portable Monitor 4K - 17.3 Inch UHD FreeSync HDR IPS 130% sRGB 3840x2160 Lightweight Eye Care Computer Display with Type-C Mini DP HDMI for Xbox PS4/5 Laptop PC Mac, with Smart Case VESA
17.3 portable monitor for laptop portable travel monitor for laptop portable hdmi monitor extra laptop monitor portable extended screen for laptop portable second monitor for laptop travel screen for laptop computer monitor portable for laptop
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I'm thinking of getting one of these to go with a 14 inch M1X MacBook Pro. It would give me a bigger screen when I want one.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Unfortunately that display is discontinued. The only 24” 4K displays that I can find in the US is the LG 24UD58-B or the LG UltraFine 4K. Basically either $300 or $700. And LG lists the UltraFine 4K as discontinued but Apple still lists it.
$700 yikes!cocopar Portable Monitor 4K - 17.3 Inch UHD FreeSync HDR IPS 130% sRGB 3840x2160 Lightweight Eye Care Computer Display with Type-C Mini DP HDMI for Xbox PS4/5 Laptop PC Mac, with Smart Case VESA
17.3 portable monitor for laptop portable travel monitor for laptop portable hdmi monitor extra laptop monitor portable extended screen for laptop portable second monitor for laptop travel screen for laptop computer monitor portable for laptopwww.amazon.com
I'm thinking of getting one of these to go with a 14 inch M1X MacBook Pro. It would give me a bigger screen when I want one.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Dell Ultrasharps run $600+ these days.
I saw a portable 21.4 inch 4k monitor for $4k yesterday on Amazon. It appears that a couple of manufacturers make these displays. I don't know why they cost so much.
If I wanted a portable I might consider the 15.6” version for $370. But for $700 you can get the 24” LG UltraFine 4K. Not portable but a better display.
The idea for a portable monitor is that I'm having trouble deciding between the 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pros coming out later this year. I like the portability of the 14 but the screen of the 16. One solution would be to get the 14 with a portable 17 inch monitor so that I could have the bigger screen or even two if I wanted it. It would be useful for trips where there's a desk to do real work in the hotel room.
I bought this 4K 15.6" monitor to use with my 2020 13" MBP (i7) and it looks great in 1080P mode!
Dragon Touch S1 Pro 4K Portable Monitor, 15.6" IPS HDR USB-C Gaming Monitor, 100% sRGB FreeSync with Speakers Mini HDMI for Xbox PS4 Nintendo Switch Laptop PC Phone Mac Surface, VESA Compatible
Dragon Touch S1 Pro 4K Portable Monitor, 15.6" IPS HDR USB-C Gaming Monitor, 100% sRGB FreeSync with Speakers Mini HDMI for Xbox PS4 Nintendo Switch Laptop PC Phone Mac Surface, VESA Compatible
www.amazon.ca
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Is there any use having 4K in a 15.6" screen? Even 2560x1440 native would be hard to read.
As for a 24" 4K screen, this cheap one seems to have the same panel as either the Dell or the LG one. The hardware surrounding it is much cheaper, but the image quality seems to be surprisingly good for the price:
www.laptopsdirect.co.uk
I'm considering two of them if I would get a "mini pro" setup.
As for a 24" 4K screen, this cheap one seems to have the same panel as either the Dell or the LG one. The hardware surrounding it is much cheaper, but the image quality seems to be surprisingly good for the price:
electriQ 24" 4K UHD Gaming Monitor - Laptops Direct
Buy electriQ 24" 4K UHD Gaming Monitor from LaptopsDirect
www.laptopsdirect.co.uk
Is there any use having 4K in a 15.6" screen? Even 2560x1440 native would be hard to read.
As for a 24" 4K screen, this cheap one seems to have the same panel as either the Dell or the LG one. The hardware surrounding it is much cheaper, but the image quality seems to be surprisingly good for the price:
I'm considering two of them if I would get a "mini pro" setup.electriQ 24" 4K UHD Gaming Monitor - Laptops Direct
Buy electriQ 24" 4K UHD Gaming Monitor from LaptopsDirect
I use the Retina MacBook Pro 15s in native resolution (2,880x1,800) from time to time. I used to do the same with the 13s. I would do the same with a 17.3 inch 4k monitor.
@PeterJP - I tested 15” 1080P and 4K monitors and I found that the text was clearer on the 4K monitor at 1080P, I assume because it is running in HiDPI mode at this resolution. This is the reason that I purchased the 4K monitor and I find that it suits me well!
I have this exact monitor, and it looks fantastic. Colours are almost like the MacBook, give or take which mode you're in, sharpness is outstanding, it connects and wakes up quickly, not much to complain about. However, brightness could be higher, 300 nits barely keeps up in daylight and my unit came with four dead pixels as a bonusIs there any use having 4K in a 15.6" screen? Even 2560x1440 native would be hard to read.
As for a 24" 4K screen, this cheap one seems to have the same panel as either the Dell or the LG one. The hardware surrounding it is much cheaper, but the image quality seems to be surprisingly good for the price:
I'm considering two of them if I would get a "mini pro" setup.electriQ 24" 4K UHD Gaming Monitor - Laptops Direct
Buy electriQ 24" 4K UHD Gaming Monitor from LaptopsDirect
Didn't bother with returns, I just assume that's how they are since it's a cheap monitor. Would recommend.