Opinions: 2k vs 4K 24” monitor for 2020 13” MBP

[danb1979]

Now I’ve ordered my 2020 13” MBP; I’m wondering whether to go for a 4K monitor or stick with the 2k monitor I’ve already got?


Both Dell & LG do a 24” 4K monitor; I’m not keen on going up to a 27” 4K due to my proximity to the monitor; 24” for me seems to be the perfect balance of going from a 21.5” iMac (felt too small at times) to then replacing that with a 27” iMac and it felt too much ‘in my face’


So the question is; will I notice a major difference from what I’ve got currently moving to a 4K 24” monitor; to justify the extra cost?


Cheers

 

[Fishrrman]

We can't answer with certainty, because this "is up to you".

Since you have a display, I suggest you try that one for a while.
If it looks "good enough", keep it and save some money.

If (after using it with the new MBP) you still "feel the longing for something better", then... get something new. Be aware that a 4k 24" display will still deliver the same "looks like" resolution (probably 1080p?), but will be perceivably "sharper" while doing so.

 

[Stephen.R]

Visually I would suggest that unless your eyesight is particularly bad or you sit a very long way back from the display, it's very likely you would notice a difference between a 24" 1920x1080 and a 24" 3840x2160 display. Whether that difference is a problem for you is very much a personal thing.

I would suggest the biggest point is going to be if you intend to use the laptop screen as well, or use it in 'clam shell' mode?

If you're using the laptop screen as well, I'd imagine that the picture quality difference between the MBP (which is 227PPI) and a 1080p 24" screen (which is 91PPI) will instantly be off-putting.

If you're not using the laptop screen as well, you may not notice the lower quality of the picture when using the older screen.

Edit: as @Fishrrman pointed out, by default the size of the picture (i.e. the size of font, icons, menus etc) on screen will be "the same" on a 1080p and a 2160p display under macOS. However, the 4K display does also allow you to scale the resolution so things look smaller (I find 'looks like 1080p on a 24" to be a little too big). This does have some caveats regarding performance and pixel-perfect image quality, but IMO even the scaled 4K resolutions are miles ahead of a native 2K display for most things except perhaps design work.

 

[danb1979]

Thanks folks


My MBP will be in clamshell mode, connected to the 24” 2K monitor via USB-C to DP


I’ll see how I get on to begin with, it was fine for my 2018 Mac Mini, but still hankering after a 4K monitor of sorts, still may upgrade size to 27” but will keep thinking...

 

[MecPro]

I didn't want to start a new thread, but I have a similar question.

So, I want to get my partner a 22" or 24" monitor. She has a MacBook Air 2020 and we can't go any bigger in screen size.

In terms of getting a retina quality (or close to) screen, what max resolution is the best? I run a 27" at 2560x1440 and it's a bit blurry, but it's OK at 3ft away. My Partner will be at about 1.5 ft so it needs to be sharper with higher DPI.

I was thinking of getting the LG Superfine 4K at 24", but some reviews said it isn't as sharp. I just have no idea at stage!

 

[Infinite Vortex]

At a standard viewing distance I would go with 4K in the 24" size… for sure. I can definitely tell the difference and I know that I wouldn't be happy with less. That said, whether that truly matters, and at what price point, to you… only you can decide.

And by the way, I thought the the display size of the 27" iMac was excessive for what I wanted (wanting a more "modest" 24" model) but I am one that wouldn't be go down if a 24" iMac happened to appear in the future. 27" is a really good size to work with.

 

[danb1979]

I didn't want to start a new thread, but I have a similar question.

So, I want to get my partner a 22" or 24" monitor. She has a MacBook Air 2020 and we can't go any bigger in screen size.

In terms of getting a retina quality (or close to) screen, what max resolution is the best? I run a 27" at 2560x1440 and it's a bit blurry, but it's OK at 3ft away. My Partner will be at about 1.5 ft so it needs to be sharper with higher DPI.

I was thinking of getting the LG Superfine 4K at 24", but some reviews said it isn't as sharp. I just have no idea at stage!

I'm a big fan of my Dell 2k monitor; it's with my 2020 Mac Mini; was with my 2020 MBP before that and it's faultless

Very good quality and size etc; I'm not sure the extra £££ for a 4k monitor would be worth it.

Each to their own though

 

[Stephen.R]

I didn't want to start a new thread, but I have a similar question.

So, I want to get my partner a 22" or 24" monitor. She has a MacBook Air 2020 and we can't go any bigger in screen size.

In terms of getting a retina quality (or close to) screen, what max resolution is the best? I run a 27" at 2560x1440 and it's a bit blurry, but it's OK at 3ft away. My Partner will be at about 1.5 ft so it needs to be sharper with higher DPI.

I was thinking of getting the LG Superfine 4K at 24", but some reviews said it isn't as sharp. I just have no idea at stage!

if s/he is going to use it in combination with the MBA screen, using a lower DPI screen (eg 1080p or 1440p 24”) will be cruel and unusual punishment. The difference between the two could quite possibly drive a sane person to scoop their own eyeballs out with spoons.

 

[KPOM]

I didn't want to start a new thread, but I have a similar question.

So, I want to get my partner a 22" or 24" monitor. She has a MacBook Air 2020 and we can't go any bigger in screen size.

In terms of getting a retina quality (or close to) screen, what max resolution is the best? I run a 27" at 2560x1440 and it's a bit blurry, but it's OK at 3ft away. My Partner will be at about 1.5 ft so it needs to be sharper with higher DPI.

I was thinking of getting the LG Superfine 4K at 24", but some reviews said it isn't as sharp. I just have no idea at stage!

The 24” SuperFine isn’t as sharp as the old 21.5”, but it is still sharper than the screen you use, and sharper than a 27” 4K, which is a more common size for 4K. I’d go with that one.

 

[MecPro]

At a standard viewing distance I would go with 4K in the 24" size… for sure. I can definitely tell the difference and I know that I wouldn't be happy with less. That said, whether that truly matters, and at what price point, to you… only you can decide.

And by the way, I thought the the display size of the 27" iMac was excessive for what I wanted (wanting a more "modest" 24" model) but I am one that wouldn't be go down if a 24" iMac happened to appear in the future. 27" is a really good size to work with.

I'm a big fan of my Dell 2k monitor; it's with my 2020 Mac Mini; was with my 2020 MBP before that and it's faultless

Very good quality and size etc; I'm not sure the extra £££ for a 4k monitor would be worth it.

Each to their own though

if s/he is going to use it in combination with the MBA screen, using a lower DPI screen (eg 1080p or 1440p 24”) will be cruel and unusual punishment. The difference between the two could quite possibly drive a sane person to scoop their own eyeballs out with spoons.

The 24” SuperFine isn’t as sharp as the old 21.5”, but it is still sharper than the screen you use, and sharper than a 27” 4K, which is a more common size for 4K. I’d go with that one.

Thank you all!

This will be an early birthday present and she's a translator, so will be constantly looking at the screen so she'll need good resolution.

I will opt for the 24" LG Super Fine which I think in terms of resolution and distance will be the best. Thanks again!