LG Ultrafine 5K vs a 27" 4k monitor

[DCG627]

I'm looking for a new 27" monitor, and am torn between the LG Ultrafine 5K or a 27" 4K monitor (such as the Dell U2723QE). I'm unfortunately not looking to spend the $ on the Apple Studio Display, so looking for a cheaper option (preferably under $800 or so). I'd probably go Used if I get the LG Ultrafine.

The big things holding me back from the LG (aside from reviews indicating spotty long-term performance of it) are:

1) The huge/ugly bezels. Not the end of the world, but it looks quite dated, and takes up a bit extra space.

2) The lack of ports. I'm looking for a monitor to use between both my work and personal Macbooks, and having to move the cable back and forth between them (compared to just switching inputs) sounds like a pain.

I currently have the 24" 4K version of the LG, and am happy with it, but think I'd prefer a larger 27" monitor, and I'm looking to go from using a 27" monitor (currently an older 2k monitor) for work and the 24" LG for personal use into 1 monitor I can switch back & forth between relatively easily.

The built-in KVM switch in the Dell U2723QE sounds good.

The LG Ultrafines have a Glossy screen, while most other options have a matte screen - for whatever that's worth.

 

[CubeApril]

The biggest benefits of the UltraFine 5K are a) the clarity of everything in macOS, particularly text, b) the accurate color, and c) the macOS integration.

Unfortunately, this is one of those situations where there's no perfect solution. I have an ASD and a 27" 4K screen (the Dell U2720Q) and they're both great for different reasons. Honestly, I just wish somebody like Dell would start making 5K screens with a bevy of inputs.

It really depends on your use cases, what things you value, and what kind of room your monitor is used in (e.g. where reflectivity can be important).

 

[DCG627]

I have an ASD and a 27" 4K screen (the Dell U2720Q)

Thanks for your response! How big of a difference in display quality do you notice between the ASD and the 4K? Also, do you prefer the glossy screen of the ASD or the matte screen of the Dell?

 

[CubeApril]

I actually own the nano-texture ASD, which does a better job of controlling reflections that any display I have ever owned, by far.

As far as a glossy screen goes, the glossy ASD does an *exceptional* job of controlling reflections but I am right next to two windows and it was too much to me. This page has some great picture examples:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/studio-display-with-nano-texture-glass-pros-and-cons.2337034/page-4

I don't know about the UltraFine 5K, but my 22" UltraFine 4.5K (my third display) is extremely reflective, almost obnoxiously so, even if it does look great. The UltraFine 5K might be better but unfortunately I haven't used one. Note that it's 100 nits less bright than the ASD, so that will hamper its reflection fighting capabilities.

The U2720Q, which is a great office monitor, does a pretty solid job of controlling reflections, and the U2723QE is a step back in that regards. RTings has a score for reflectivity, so if that's important I would recommend taking a look there.

 

[DCG627]

I actually own the nano-texture ASD, which does a better job of controlling reflections that any display I have ever owned, by far.

As far as a glossy screen goes, the glossy ASD does an *exceptional* job of controlling reflections but I am right next to two windows and it was too much to me. This page has some great picture examples:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/studio-display-with-nano-texture-glass-pros-and-cons.2337034/page-4

I don't know about the UltraFine 5K, but my 22" UltraFine 4.5K (my third display) is extremely reflective, almost obnoxiously so, even if it does look great. The UltraFine 5K might be better but unfortunately I haven't used one. Note that it's 100 nits less bright than the ASD, so that will hamper its reflection fighting capabilities.

The U2720Q, which is a great office monitor, does a pretty solid job of controlling reflections, and the U2723QE is a step back in that regards. RTings has a score for reflectivity, so if that's important I would recommend taking a look there.

How much of a difference in the display quality (clarity/color) do you notice on the 5K ASD over the 4K?

 

[CubeApril]

I spend all day programming and otherwise staring at text. For that purposes, it is so much better than the Dell U2720Q that it was worth the absurd pricing.

That said, I've spent the last decade or so with 27" 4K screens (the Dell P2715Q, Dell U2720Q) and I was perfectly satisfied with scaling set to 1440p. If I had never seen the ASD, I would probably still be satisfied. 😅

Unless money is no object, I'd probably recommend trying out something like the Dell and returning it if you aren't satisfied.

(I wouldn't recommend a used UltraFine 5K unless it was at a real discount, given their historic lack of reliability)

 

[chikorita157]

I have a new Ultrafine 5K and the image quality is good, but users have experience some quirks, but otherwise it’s a good alternative, although it’s more reflective than the Studio Display. The Studio Display is better, but $300 more expensive over the Ultrafine 5K.

I tried a 4K LG display and I hated how 1440p scaling looked. I noticed the blurriness of the text, which bothered me. This article explains why 1440p scaling looks bad at 4k. macOS prefers 109 DPI and 218 DPI. Anything between this will look compromised if you use a scaled resolution. Also, 1080p 2x on 27” is too big and loses too much screen real estate.

Mac external displays for designers and developers, part 2

Since writing about Mac external displays in 2016, not much has changed. LG, Dell, Samsung, and other display makers have either never catered for the specs many Mac designers and developers want, or they’ve reluctantly produced products that have been short-lived or compromised.

bjango.com

After going to 5K, I can never go back to 4K as it looks like crap. I plan to replace my 1440p monitors, which are used as a secondary display in the future when I can afford another 5K display. 4K at 27”+ are designed more for Windows, which can use non-integer scaling, but of course that introduces another set of problems, with high-dpi support being hit and miss for Win32 apps, which are basically majority of the apps since UWP is dead.

 

[DCG627]

I have a new Ultrafine 5K and the image quality is good, but users have experience some quirks, but otherwise it’s a good alternative, although it’s more reflective than the Studio Display. The Studio Display is better, but $300 more expensive over the Ultrafine 5K.

I tried a 4K LG display and I hated how 1440p scaling looked. I noticed the blurriness of the text, which bothered me. This article explains why 1440p scaling looks bad at 4k. macOS prefers 109 DPI and 218 DPI. Anything between this will look compromised if you use a scaled resolution. Also, 1080p 2x on 27” is too big and loses too much screen real estate.

Mac external displays for designers and developers, part 2

Since writing about Mac external displays in 2016, not much has changed. LG, Dell, Samsung, and other display makers have either never catered for the specs many Mac designers and developers want, or they’ve reluctantly produced products that have been short-lived or compromised.

bjango.com

After going to 5K, I can never go back to 4K as it looks like crap. I plan to replace my 1440p monitors, which are used as a secondary display in the future when I can afford another 5K display. 4K at 27”+ are designed more for Windows, which can use non-integer scaling, but of course that introduces another set of problems, with high-dpi support being hit and miss for Win32 apps, which are basically majority of the apps since UWP is dead.

Thanks!

 

[nudoru]

I'm currently using an ASD but have owned an LG 5k in the past. If you've never used a 5k display, then avoid it for the lower cost and convenience. 5k will ruin you, and you'll never be able to use anything else!

 

[CubeApril]

I wouldn’t even risk looking at a 5K screen in the store unless you were prepared to commit a huge pile of money. It’s too late to save us, but you still have hope.

 

[whodiini]

I have old eyes. I went from a QHD (1440p) to a LG 5k. Honestly, I cannot tell the difference. In fact, you can get QHD for cheap ($200) for a 32" IPS, which I did for a second system. For young eyes, you probably can see the pixels. I cannot. The 32" is easier on my eyes, since all the text is bigger. Its still retina for me! For you young people, it may make a difference.