New Monitor that’s suitable for work and play

[dUnKle]

Since last asked my circumstances have changed dramatically
I now no longer have a pc, using instead a 2018 Mac mini
I now also use my monitor for my Xbox series x for gaming and watching movies

My current monitor is 28” but feel, for most things, that’s too small, and 32” be better

I also work from home a fair amount currently so extra space be helpful

Also “silly” things I would like would be that the controls are on the front of the monitor for ease of access and that it had at least 2 hdmi inputs and 1 digital input for the Mac. It would also be handy, but far from essential if could act as a usb hub

No need for internal speakers, but I would like phono speaker out so the sound would go to my existing speakers

Budget wise ? I have no idea. Let’s say 500 but that can be adapted. Obviously cheaper be good but aware 4k monitors can be expensive.

I am currently looking at the EX3203R which seems well regarded

I am based in the UK if that helps


Cheers

 

[dUnKle]

Would 1440p be ok for the Mac mini ?
Would text within macOS and the like be crisp and clear ?

 

[Erehy Dobon]

The Dell S3220DGF fulfills your requirements.

I decided on this model based on this review:

Dell S3220DGF Gaming Monitor Review: High-Performance Work and Play

A 32-incher fit for office work and speedy gaming.

www.tomshardware.com

and my previous experience with a 24" Dell 1080p monitor that lasted 13 years.

Dell has a comparable 27" QHD version that is also apparently stellar:

Dell S2721DGF 27-inch Gaming Monitor Review: Great HDR Value

For fans of color

www.tomshardware.com

The 32" model works great with my Mac mini 2018, the eGPU that I occasionally power up (containing a Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 card), and a custom built Windows PC with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER card. Very satisfied with this monitor.

 

[dUnKle]

So 1440p is ok for the Mac ?

 

[Fishrrman]

1440p is just fine with the Mac, and probably the optimal resolution to use with a 32" display.
Pixel size on these is about .277mm -- very usable.

BUT... I WOULD NOT buy a "curved" one.
Particularly if you do photo or video editing on it.
I'd get a standard "flat panel" instead.

My opinion only... yours may be different.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

The curve on the Dell S3220DGF is quite subtle and not a distraction at all. I do some occasional video and photo editing (Shotcut, DaVinci Resolve, Affinity Photo, GIMP) and am not compelled to switch to my spare LG 27" UHD monitor (27UL850-W) that resides in a different room.

 

[dUnKle]

Cheers guys. Appreciated

 

[dUnKle]

How is the text display when connecting the Mac to the dell at 1440p ?

for years I used a dell 2405fpw
Wonderful monitor with 1,920-by-1,200 resolution and use, back then with windows, was a joy with real crisp text

when it failed I got a fairly expensive 1080p monitor. A 27 inch Samsung. It lasted about half an hour before being sent back as I couldn’t cope with how the text looked

I went with, and still use, an LG 27ul600 which is 4k

it looks good, but never been blown away by picture
Also, the controls on back and the joystick really annoy and more than anything, it’s too small. More so now that I find myself gaming on it more and watching movies on it more

so how do you think I would fair with the dell at 1440p

it seems to meet all my technical needs. The hub, the size and seems well regarded by gamers

 

[Erehy Dobon]

The 1440p text on my Mac mini 2018 looks fine with this Dell 32" monitor. Admittedly my visual acuity is not great; my eyes are old and tired and won't be getting any better as time passes.

Dell has maintained their high build quality over the years and it never crossed my mind to return the monitor.

 

[dUnKle]

Thank you.
i actually just realised that I have by 4k LG monitor set to scale to look like 1080p as text too small, but guess that’s why it is so crisp

 

[Erehy Dobon]

That's how Apple achieves better visuals today. They dumped sub-pixel AA a few MacOS versions ago.

If I plug my Mac mini 2018 into my LG 27UL850-W monitor (4K UHD) it renders as "looks like 1920x1080".

 

[dUnKle]

Cheers. I’m guessing should be fine then on the 32” dell