MBP ext 27" monitor closest to 5k iMac

[propower]

I love my 13" MBP 2016 but I also have an iMac 5K and am now totally spoiled by that screen! I have been using a Dell U2715H with the MBP (clamshell 99% of the time) and it is decent but no iMac! I would buy the ridiculously overpriced LG 5K but reviews are SO inconsistent I really worry about dropping that much coin on it.

Reality is I like closer to 1080P for my aging eyes so with all that in mind - what would one buy today in the $600 or less category for matching to MBP? FWIW I already have the CalDigit TS3+ dock so ports are no issue.

I am on the bubble of another iMac but the MBP is nice for when I travel or just want out of the office with a computer...

Thanks in advance!

 

[macbookpro-file]

The Dell U2715H is a 2k monitor 1440p resolution. So the other level in between 2k and 5k is 4k and costs actually a good chunk less than $600 USD for many quality 27" displays from dell, lg.. some in the 250 all the way to 400 range.

But you say that in reality you would like something closer to 1080p...

4k = 2160p
5k = 2880p

If the 2k Dell is not enough, I could only imagine you meant what the title says, and want a suggestion on the closest thing to 5k or just under.

I agree 5k models are way overpriced right now, and 4k models are still not cheap. The jump from 1440p to 2160p is noticeable for sure, but it's still a bit away from 5k.

With that said, the main advantage is having more real estate for work and windows, otherwise, you will rarely even be able to find any diverse 5k content yet. I would suggest an LG or Dell 4k model. No need for extremely fast gaming refresh rate models.

I use both ultrawide 32" and a couple of 27" 4k as my daily drivers, and it's already enough to get my eyes tired after a full day.

 

[propower]

Thanks for this...
My Dell is 1440p as you noted. What I meant with the 1080p comment is that I like running my 5K iMac in the setting that is very close to 1080p and it looks amazing. The desire for a 4K (or5K) is the hope that it will scale down to the near 1080p setting with close to the clarity of the iMac. I sometimes go one step up on the iMac when real estate is important. What I see on the iMac screen is every resolution looks amazing. Not so much on my 1440p Dell.

 

[macbookpro-file]

Thanks for this...
My Dell is 1440p as you noted. What I meant with the 1080p comment is that I like running my 5K iMac in the setting that is very close to 1080p and it looks amazing. The desire for a 4K (or5K) is the hope that it will scale down to the near 1080p setting with close to the clarity of the iMac. I sometimes go one step up on the iMac when real estate is important. What I see on the iMac screen is every resolution looks amazing. Not so much on my 1440p Dell.

I see, so it's a downscale scenario. I never really used any monitors like that so I would be bad at gauging the possible quality versus the iMac's display.

In this case, because of the cost of investment, I would suggest to visit a store that is modeling some 4k monitors, and test it out. Will be difficult to do a side by side test until you have them, but hopefully that way you can tell if it's good enough compared to 2k resolution down scaling to 1080p.

But that's just my idea, I don't have any real experience on this specific application, thanks for clarifying, maybe one day my old eyes will need the same or similar setup.