I would say that it's all about price point. 60hz at around $1000 is bonkers. I'm not asking for 360hz, but 144hz is very doable and the differences between 144 and 60hz are night and day, even if just general responsiveness, watching videos but especially with graphic design or CAD work.
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Review: ViewSonic's VP2788-5K Display Offers a Cheaper Alternative to Apple's Studio Display
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Yup. It makes little sense to place the ports along the bottom edge of a display, both because it looks bad to see the cables hanging down, but also because they can actually be more difficult to get to, and to see the shape of polarized/non-symmetrical ports (compared to Thunderbolt/USB-C ports) so you can insert a polarized plug into them, than ports at the rear of the display, as long as those rear-mounted ports are where Apple places them, at one side or the other rather than at the middle of the back of the display. The Viewsonic display in the article incorporates both design errors.
I'm skeptical whether having cables sticking out horizontally really places significant gravity stress on the ports and on the cable plugs and the display end of the cables, at least with ports, plugs, and cables that have been designed and manufactured properly. But if this really is a factor, then maybe rear-located ports should point downwards at an angle that reduces this stress adequately, though this would make it tougher to see the shape of non-symmetrical ports.
Interesting. In this YouTube review comparing the Asus and the ASD, the reviewer made out like the actual display performance was pretty comparable. He contrasted build quality, functionality (e.g.: the stand/cost/VESA issues) and webcam/sound differences.
Budget 5K Monitor vs Apple Studio Display (Is Cheaper Better?)
Created TechThe Viewsonic will be weighed against both these competitors. In the case of the Asus, the Viewsonic's Thunderbolt functionally vs. the Asus USB-C is an interesting point of discrimination, though I don't know how much practical difference it will make in real world use for most people.
Backlight bleed is a hit and miss thing, so it could also be due to panel lottery. Some panels are just better than others even within the same model. Apple displays sometimes have it too, but the impression I get is that Apple has better QA and/or tighter tolerances, so that backlight bleed is less common or else less obvious than average.
I’m willing to spend $2000 for the first good 27” 5K 120Hz display that is either mini-LED or OLED and hits HDR600. I’m also willing to accept 6K 60Hz 32” with the same and maybe spend a little more. I don’t need speakers. I don’t need all the downstream ports. I don’t need a webcam. Cap it at two inputs. I don’t need it to spin 90 degrees. Keep the design minimal and sturdy and free of branding.
I happen to own a VA1912w (it's 16:10 by the way), and it still works to this day. It's compatible with modern HDMI ports with a simple DVI adapter cable.
Without any question: Almost everyone has a hardware example from the past where, for example, a monitor worked for an incredibly long time without any problems. This can also happen today - we'll see. Only nowadays it has also gotten around in the industry that you can generate better & more continuous sales in the long term if the hardware is replaced in shorter cycles with new purchases and one reason for this can in some cases also be planned obsolescence or simply poorer quality control.
So, now everyone doesn't have to give an example that he/she still has a 20+ year old monitor in use.
So, now everyone doesn't have to give an example that he/she still has a 20+ year old monitor in use.
You can use Audio MIDI Setup to create an Aggregate or Multi-output virtual device, that uses both sets of speakers at the same time!
Ah, that’s right. I forgot that a lot of those early widescreen monitors were 16:10 (I think a few still are?).
True on HDMI-DVI adapters, although monitor compatibility is kind of not a thing anymore—it’s not at all hard to get even a USB-C to VGA adapter, if you needed one for some reason.
Right now the price is $950 on Amazon
Not just the case is plastic (much of it metallic painted plastic), the matte screen looks to be plastic like every other matte screen not from Apple. I have used many non-Apple monitors and have not been impressed with the build quality of any of them. I am sure there are very high quality non-Apple monitors I haven't experienced but I doubt I will find any at a sub $1000 price.
I agree on priorities. I am not interested in setting up an external webcam or speakers, but if I was they would drive up the total price. If I do need to do any serious audio work I would use headphones but I would like speakers that work well without having to wire up a set of external speakers with an amplifier. For example, the speakers in the last Intel iMac from 2020 sound just fine for most uses I would have for external speakers.
The lack of additional video inputs is certainly a drawback of the Apple monitor and if you want a visa mounted multi-monitor setup, the inability to switch to vesa could be problem.
OTOH I would also be happy to sacrifice all the Apple niceties for a 5k micro led or OLED screen but the panel on this monitor offers neither.
I need a webcam and decent speakers on my desktop monitor. I don't use a MBP on my desktop but if I did I would be using it in clamshell mode. I am not interested in setting up HomePods and an iPhone as substitutes and even if I was, I don't have the desk space.
Apple's choice of display options are indeed limited but this particular Viewsonic display doesn't seem to offer anything over the Apple 27" (no OLED, no micro-led, no high refresh rate). OTOH instead of Aluminum and glass it offers plastic and more plastic. I don't like plastic painted with metallic paint, some people must I suppose but I think it looks cheap. My bigger objection though is to the matte plastic screen cover. Such screens scuff and scratch so easily and end up looking terrible after a few years of use.
Seldom moved but not always seldom touched. The display might need to be cleaned and the position of the monitor adjusted..
Aesthetics are a matter of taste of course but personally I find metallic painted plastic quite ugly.
Is it good enough for a Zoom call? I am completely uninterested in using my iPhone for video calls and I don't care for center stage. I do like not messing about with an external camera when I have to get on a call though. If I can fire up zoom and it just works, that would be perfect.
Again, the ASD display speakers are probably good enough if you just want to be able to put a zoom call on speaker or watch a short YouTube video.
Most displays today are matte plastic which is easy to damage (so is the ASD matte option but the solution to that is simple).
Yes, that is the biggest selling point (other than build quality).
Yes, there are certainly drawbacks. The question is, are you getting something for the extra money Apple is charging and do you want that something.
It is nice that there are now several alternative 5k screens but I wish the value proposition was greater or the panels were much better.
I don't think there's any doubt that the overall "fit and finish" of the Studio Display is nicer, or that it's glass screen and glossy-but-anti-reflective coating is excellent but it costs twice as much as the Viewsonic (if you include the adjustable stand) and still doesn't offer additional video inputs or aftermarket VESA.
The SD a particularly poor deal if you want a dual display system - even if you want a speaker and webcam you don't want two speakers and webams... also, it's the second display where an extra DP/HDMI/whatever input makes the most sense (I have dual 4k displays onmy studio and it's often useful to plug a different system into the second display).
There don't seem to be any 5k3k panels with OLED or HFR out there yet... and there are probably reasons for that. Like, the demand would be tiny, because it's only really Mac users that want 5k3k, only a few of the newest Mac models have TB5 which is more-or-less needed for HFR at 5k3k or greater. Plus the big demand for higher frame rates is from gamers - and just because your display can do 5k3k @ 120Hz doesn't mean that your GPU can actually run Doom Fortress Of Ops Duty XVIII at that speed and resolution. Otherwise, that's a lot of extra processing, bandwidth and cost - even compared to 4k at 120Hz - to throw at just making window dragging a bit more silky smooth.
I've got a logitech C920 and it's more than good enough for Zoom - both as webcam and microphone. It plugs into one of the downstream USB 2 ports on my 3rd party 4k display and Just Works in Zoom, Teams and Discord.
Plus, the display bezel where it clips is so thin that it obscures a bit of the menu bar, so I get to enjoy the wonderful MacBook "notch" experience even with my Mac Studio... Magical!!!
Seriously - display makers could perhaps think about putting a webcam mount on their screens... but a bit of foam padding solves the problem and - guess what - the "notch" effect has never been an issue. Also, I'm not sure that the top of a large desktop display is the best place for a webcam...
Heck, the built-in speaker in a Mac Studio (and probably the mini) is good enough for that - we're talking 1970s transistor radio quality here, but it can produce perfectly legible voices. It's probably clearer than the (rubbish) speakers in my 3rd party 4k display - but even those would get the job done for speech & system beeps and bloops.
Haven't heard the SD speakers, but I assume that they're comparable to the old iMac speakers - which thrashed anything else I've heard built into a display... but didn't hold a candle to even a pair of bargain-bucket Behringer monitor speakers. So the SD speakers are kinda in a niche between "good enough for Zoom" and "good enough for serious listening/audio work" - which is fine if that hits your sweet spot, but the reality is that the price difference between the SD and most 3rd party alternatives will buy you a good quality 1080p webcam and a pretty nice pair of studio monitor speakers & audio interface.
I’d not heard of this but that sounds like exactly what I want. 6k but not a complete fortune.
Anyone have an ultrawide at this pixel density for me??
Get a stunningly high PPI on a 32-inch screen with the ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV - Edge Up
The ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV gives you outstanding PPI on a large 32-inch panel with its 6016x3384 resolution.
AFAIK, no.
We aren't allowed glossy here (Germany) for business monitors, it is considered a health and safety violation, which is one of the reasons why most business laptops have a matt screen, or at least a matt option. The exception is for touch screens. Some companies allow the employee to sign a waiver to use a glossy screen.
Among other things, the monitor must be height adjustable, it must be able to tilt and and forth and it must have low reflective surface. It should not be placed directly in front of a window or with a window directly behind it, which would cause additional reflection.
In addition, the employer must test users' eyes every 5 years (under 40) or every 3 years (over 40).
The only reason I am able to use a MacBook Air at work is that I have agreed that I use it at my own risk. The 42" display it is usually tethered to is matt.
No one is expecting or asking for a 240 or 480+ refresh rate and those are very high rates are indubitably used solely for gaming.
Are you under the impression that game developers make a game once and it just magically works across nintendo, xbox, playstation and PC?
There a variety of reasons why mac lags behind in gaming, that mindset is just one of them.
I don't think much of such specifications and fortunately I'm allowed to choose the equipment I think is right for the company I work for.
It's this typical German bureaucracy that only makes everything more difficult and which I detest. But there are people who have to hide behind it because they have no experience of whether things always have to be as prescribed. Example: 10 years ago, we were told that every workplace keyboard had to have light-colored keys. What nonsense! Or that you have to sit on a suitable office chair at a computer workstation with a straight back, when even back then every good orthopaedist said that people couldn't possibly work in this position for 8 hours, because we humans aren't made for that. Today, it is recommended (as any reasonably intelligent person does OOTB) to adopt as many different sitting positions as possible to keep the body moving and to get up and move around frequently.
Back to the monitor: Of course, matte screens also have negative effects, which is why they should not be seen as a general rule. And where it is not critical to use a glossy screen, the user should also have the option of purchasing such a monitor!
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Get a stunningly high PPI on a 32-inch screen with the ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV - Edge Up
The ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV gives you outstanding PPI on a large 32-inch panel with its 6016x3384 resolution.edgeup.asus.com
AFAIK, no.
This is the one all the smart people are waiting on... Wouldn't be shocked if Apple makes a "budget" 6K model to replace the Studio Display later this year, and than makes the Cinema Display 8K.
I am waiting for this, but it's not first on my list. It's inexpensive, but the design is not very nice. I tried some other ProArts and the design was identical... and looked pretty unappealing on my desk.
BTW, the ProArts I got were Calman calibrated out of the factory and came with a print out of the colour calibration, but had backlight bleed. Who cares if it has accurate colour if there is significant light bleed at the edges? I'm not saying all Asus monitors are like this but I wonder how much attention they pay to QA.
However, if I were lucky enough to get a perfect panel, I could overlook the Asus design at that price, but I'm hoping the LG 6K will be decent and won't be crazily high-priced.
I would. Apple likes to pick a resolution that works well for MacOS at a particular panel size. For 24" that is 4.5k, for 27" 5k and for 32 it's 6k.
It is now law that desks have to be height adjustable as well. Our company has just about finished rolling out electrically adjustable standing desks, so we can adjust them from around 62cm up to 127cm, so you can sit or stand.
Here, it was never straight backed chairs, since I've lived in Germany, always had to have adjustable backs, adjustable seat plate (forward/backward and tilt) and tiltable and height adjustable sitting position.