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LG UltraFine 4K now in retail stores -- first impressions

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pedregosa

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 31, 2010
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The new LG 21-inch monitor can now be picked in Apple Stores (even though online shipping times are still about five weeks out). I picked mine up today. And I'm very pleased with it. I think it's much nicer looking than some critics -- disappointed by the lack of a new Apple-branded monitor -- have allowed. It's got a very clean and (to my eyes) stylish industrial look. And the monitor has great image quality -- just as good as on a 21-inch 4K iMac as far as I can tell. The size is smaller than I would have preferred (coming off a Thunderbolt display that I used to use with my old Air). But the height is adjustable and so I find it very usable.

Set-up with my 2016 MacBook was seamless. And the price is right with the current discount. So this is a keeper. Am thinking of picking up a second one.

There's a good review on The Verge: http://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...he-lg-ultrafine-4k-is-a-great-macbook-monitor
 
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2x 21" monitors is so 2013.

You should buy a 34" 21:9 if you're thinking of getting dual 21" monitors
 
Anyone else feel the bezels are a step back into 2011? I have an old widescreen IPS 23" Dell display and those bezels are just as thick. I have been trying to get rid of it for a decent price on CL and let go but since tech moves so quick I may be out of luck.

Now to be fair, I am not a professional that needs this quality of screen. I also do not have an engineering background so I am not sure what goes into these 5k displays and if extra room is needed.
 
pedregosa said:
The new LG 21-inch monitor can now be picked in Apple Stores (even though online shipping times are still about five weeks out). I picked mine up today. And I'm very pleased with it. I think it's much nicer looking than some critics -- disappointed by the lack of a new Apple-branded monitor -- have allowed. It's got a very clean and (to my eyes) stylish industrial look. And the monitor has great image quality -- just as good as on a 21-inch 4K iMac as far as I can tell. The size is smaller than I would have preferred (coming off a Thunderbolt display that I used to use with my old Air). But the height is adjustable and so I find it very usable.

Set-up with my 2016 MacBook was seamless. And the price is right with the current discount. So this is a keeper. Am thinking of picking up a second one.

There's a good review on The Verge: http://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...he-lg-ultrafine-4k-is-a-great-macbook-monitor
Click to expand...

I think that is the problem, that it has a industrial look - I wanted an Apple "cool" look ;)

Also, just me or, is 4K wasted on a 21 inch? I would personally get 27 or 32 inch, with 25 inch minimum.

Also what are with those bezels, just not cool.
 
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Have you had any trouble with the monitor not charging your Macbook Pro? For me it will recognize external power but not charge the battery about 50% of the time. Often after disconnecting and reconnecting a few times it starts working. I have 2 monitors and it doesn't seem to matter which, both show this behavior.
 
I had one. Found that 4k on the 21.5 was painful. I was used to the workspace of 2560x1440 of the TB monitor. When viewing it at that res on the 4k, it was soooo small. To get it usable, I had to lose space...not good. I think 4k needs to be at least 27". For me, I think anything 24" and lower should be 2k at 2560x1440 native....larger = 4/5k.
 
kwandrews said:
I had one. Found that 4k on the 21.5 was painful. I was used to the workspace of 2560x1440 of the TB monitor. When viewing it at that res on the 4k, it was soooo small. To get it usable, I had to lose space...not good. I think 4k needs to be at least 27". For me, I think anything 24" and lower should be 2k at 2560x1440 native....larger = 4/5k.
Click to expand...

Then you can happily buy the 5k monitor while those who prefer the 21.5 size can buy this one. That way, everyone is happy.
 
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EightyTwenty said:
Then you can happily buy the 5k monitor while those who prefer the 21.5 size can buy this one. That way, everyone is happy.
Click to expand...
Except that you can't use the 5K with the MacBook (only works with Thunderbolt 3)
 
FWIW, those of you here who mentioned you'd prefer a 27", I recently bought an LG 27UD88-W (LG website link) primarily for my new gaming build, but also to use with my MacBook (base 2015).

I was slightly hesitant when ordering it - generally am with non-Apple stuff - but I've been nothing but impressed so far. So, so easy to setup: USB-C in, done.

I run it at "Looks like 2560x1440" - using the native macOS HiDPI scaling in System Preferences - from the MacBook and, after some colour calibration, it's not too dissimilar to our 5K iMac. With apparent "better than 20/20" vision, I only notice the difference when I really look for it.

The few reviews available online are mostly from when the monitor first came out, so there's a lot of "only HiDPI / 4K @ 30Hz" out there. That's no longer true, it runs 4K @ 60Hz natively on any rMB through USB-C.

Plus, it doesn't look like a monitor from the early 2000s and it's only £500 (probably ~$400).
 
andy9l said:
FWIW, those of you here who mentioned you'd prefer a 27", I recently bought an LG 27UD88-W (LG website link) primarily for my new gaming build, but also to use with my MacBook (base 2015).

I was slightly hesitant when ordering it - generally am with non-Apple stuff - but I've been nothing but impressed so far. So, so easy to setup: USB-C in, done.

I run it at "Looks like 2560x1440" - using the native macOS HiDPI scaling in System Preferences - from the MacBook and, after some colour calibration, it's not too dissimilar to our 5K iMac. With apparent "better than 20/20" vision, I only notice the difference when I really look for it.

The few reviews available online are mostly from when the monitor first came out, so there's a lot of "only HiDPI / 4K @ 30Hz" out there. That's no longer true, it runs 4K @ 60Hz natively on any rMB through USB-C.

Plus, it doesn't look like a monitor from the early 2000s and it's only £500 (probably ~$400).
Click to expand...

$699 USD, thanks for the info!
 
BeatCrazy said:
A PPI of ~80 is so 2013.
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3440x1440 on a 34" is not 80ppi, its 109.


second, most people who are actually running "retina" screens are actually just upscaling their resolutions anyway.

In terms of productivity, an ultrawide 34" is far superior to my 27" retina imac. But that's just my findings/impressions after actually having and using both.
 
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just curious:
1. does the built-in usb-c hub charges rMB?
2. does the usb-c video-in supports rMB's usb-c port?
3. what's the price?
 
skizuki said:
just curious:
1. does the built-in usb-c hub charges rMB?
2. does the usb-c video-in supports rMB's usb-c port?
3. what's the price?
Click to expand...

Are you asking about the OWC USB-C dock? Yes, it has 1 USB-C cable that goes to the MacBook to charge and carry all-data. It will charge the 12" and 2016 13". Yes, it will support the 12" video, it was originally designed FOR the 12" specifically. I have it with a 2560x1440 monitor right now via the HDMI port on the dock and it's carried to the 13" via the USB-C cable. I tried it on the 12", works well. For 4k, it will work as well at 30 (not 60). Price $149 at macsales.com
 
thingstoponder said:
What do you mean? A scaled 200PPI screen still looks much better than a 100PPI screen.
Click to expand...

im not saying otherwise, my real argument is that 16:9 is not optimal for productivity or efficiency if you're using a computer for work or fun or games.

Once you've tried a 21:9 ultrawide there simply is no scaling hack that beats the productivity that it offers. I was blown away, shocked, by how much more natural a 21:9 felt over my retina 16:9 scaled iMac.

I guarantee you most people on 16:9 just have windows on top of windows on top of windows. on 21:9 I can realistically recall information from two windows side-by side. Its simply something you cannot do as efficiently on a 16:9.
 
Does anyone else notice a subtle. static-ish electrical popping noise when they disconnect the USB-C cable from the MBP? Even when the MBP is already sleeping when you disconnect? Just doesn't seem right to me.
 
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