Ultrawide monitor for Macbook Air M1

[kzly]

Hello,

I have been looking at 40" Ultrawide monitors like Dell U4025QW, LG 40WP95C-W, and LG 38WN95C-W but are not very impressed with complaints and issues found in their reviews. I am currently using a Studio Display, which is gorgeous but I just need extra real estate...

I know there is no monitor like Studio or XDR display that works seamlessly with macbooks without any scaling and/or compatibility issues, but it would be great if I could get some opinions!

Thanks,

 

[ignatius345]

I recently added a little portable LCD to my setup for some extra space. Despite it being a 2560x1600 display, Mac OS did not by default set it as a "High Resolution (HiDPI)" display -- but I found a little piece of software called BetterDisplay that VASTLY improved the sharpness. If you try out one of those monitors you mention, try firing this up and seeing what it does.

It's here, and the free version seems to be doing what I need just fine:

GitHub - waydabber/BetterDisplay: Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more!

Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay

github.com

Can I have your old studio display?

PS: here's the before and after. Doesn't show super well on a photo but it's much crisper in real life.

 

[halledise]

I recently added a little portable LCD to my setup for some extra space. Despite it being a 2560x1600 display, Mac OS did not by default set it as a "High Resolution (HiDPI)" display -- but I found a little piece of software called BetterDisplay that VASTLY improved the sharpness. If you try out one of those monitors you mention, try firing this up and seeing what it does.

It's here, and the free version seems to be doing what I need just fine:

GitHub - waydabber/BetterDisplay: Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more!

Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay

github.com

Can I have your old studio display?

PS: here's the before and after. Doesn't show super well on a photo but it's much crisper in real life.

View attachment 2434797View attachment 2434796

*ventura and later only
edit - actually there appears to be a legacy version of monterey and earlier yet it has no real benefits over system preferences settings from what i can tell …

 

[kikote]

Hello kzly,

I own an XDR Pro with nano coat and the Dell U4025QW.
I also had the LG40WP95C-W in the past - but I sold it because of the lack of brightness
There is no doubt that the XDR Pro has the best image, HDR10.... It is the best non gaming monitor - but very pricy...

The DELL U4025QW is a fantastic monitor... I use it with better display at a resolution of 3840x1620 at HiDpi... It is not as sharp as the XDR but it is way better than a normal monitor... The DELL U4025qw is better than the LG 40WP95C-W. It is much brighter (peak of 600 NITS) and has a much higher contrast ratio 2000:1 (IPS Black)

The DELL U40WP95C has also a refresh rate of 120Hertz - something I am missing at he XDR Pro or the LG 40WP95C-W... And it also has an integrated thunderbolt4 dock... If you are using a MacBook Air M1, you will probably not be able to get that refresh rates!

If I only could afford one monitor - the DELL U4025QW would be the monitor that I would choose. It is in my opinion the best package for the price... And in my opinion the 40 inch format ultra wide ist the sweet spot between ergonomics and real screen estate

I don´t use the monitor for gaming - so I can´t tell you how it performs when used with a gaming console... I just use it for work and video/image editing.

I did a lot of research before buying the DELL... I hesitated at the beginning, especially because the rating at rting https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/dell/u4025qw was disappointing ... Also some people in reddit having problems in the combination with an apple MacBook M3 Max...

I have that combination DELL an Apple M3 Max Macbook and I have had zero problems with it. I am running the newest firmware and SEQUOIA. The monitor wakes up instantly, everything works flawlessly. If you want a good review of the monitor, I recommend you this videos from Pete Matheson:
Guide for ultra wide monitor in 2024:

Review of the DELL Ultra 4025qw after 3 months:

 

[kzly]

Hello kzly,

I own an XDR Pro with nano coat and the Dell U4025QW.
I also had the LG40WP95C-W in the past - but I sold it because of the lack of brightness
There is no doubt that the XDR Pro has the best image, HDR10.... It is the best non gaming monitor - but very pricy...

The DELL U4025QW is a fantastic monitor... I use it with better display at a resolution of 3840x1620 at HiDpi... It is not as sharp as the XDR but it is way better than a normal monitor... The DELL U4025qw is better than the LG 40WP95C-W. It is much brighter (peak of 600 NITS) and has a much higher contrast ratio 2000:1 (IPS Black)

The DELL U40WP95C has also a refresh rate of 120Hertz - something I am missing at he XDR Pro or the LG 40WP95C-W... And it also has an integrated thunderbolt4 dock... If you are using a MacBook Air M1, you will probably not be able to get that refresh rates!

If I only could afford one monitor - the DELL U4025QW would be the monitor that I would choose. It is in my opinion the best package for the price... And in my opinion the 40 inch format ultra wide ist the sweet spot between ergonomics and real screen estate

I don´t use the monitor for gaming - so I can´t tell you how it performs when used with a gaming console... I just use it for work and video/image editing.

I did a lot of research before buying the DELL... I hesitated at the beginning, especially because the rating at rting https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/dell/u4025qw was disappointing ... Also some people in reddit having problems in the combination with an apple MacBook M3 Max...

I have that combination DELL an Apple M3 Max Macbook and I have had zero problems with it. I am running the newest firmware and SEQUOIA. The monitor wakes up instantly, everything works flawlessly. If you want a good review of the monitor, I recommend you this videos from Pete Matheson:
Guide for ultra wide monitor in 2024:

Review of the DELL Ultra 4025qw after 3 months:

View attachment 2434936

great set-up and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I also don't play games so don't really mind lower fresh rate. Is it absolutely necessary to use betterdisplay for scaling? My main workflow is software development and I wonder how small texts look at the native resolution on U4025QW... I have used dell U2723QE in the past and didn't have to touch any resolution (because it's 4K 27"... this is why I am also debating if I should get two of these and docking station). How did you like the LG 40WP95C-W? This monitor seems discontinued but I don't mind low refresh rate and low brightness so also open to this as well. So hard to decide!!

 

[kikote]

Hello kzly,

here my answers to your questions:

1.) Is it absolutely necessary to use betterdisplay for scaling?
It depends. Normally you don't need it. You can also hold the option key when pressing on the resolution and you will get all the resolutions your MAC hast to offer. There also a lot of programs that enables you to quickly change the resolutions in HiDpi like switchresX, monitorcontrol, EasyRes...
But in your case, that will not be enough. You have a MacBook Air and it has a limited scaled resolution support. Normally you need a M1pro (or higher) to use a scaled resolution of 3840x1620... As your system does not allow it, you need better display to create a dummy display...
I have never used the dummy display with an M1 chip - so I can not really tell you how it will perform and how it works... In your case, I would read the better display site before buying an Ultrawide monitor if you want to use scaled HiDpi resolutions...

Fully scalable HiDPI desktop

Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay

github.com

2.)How did you like the LG 40WP95C-W?
The LG 40WP95-CW is a nice monitor with good color accuracy and a good panel. Great for office work and programming... It can go up to 72Hertz in the refresh rate and has a thunderbolt 4 connection.
I just find the 350 Nits not bright enough if you are working in an environment with a lot of direct sunlight... That was my case... And be aware that you are now using a monitor with 500 Nits brilliance

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I'll second the Dell. I chose it when I embraced separates (from iMac 27") and think it is fantastic. To my perfectly-good eyes, it looks as good as the old iMac screen (which is the ASD screen now) while providing much more horizontal space for apps. And don't overlook:

• the loaded, built-in hub with a nice mix of "the future" and "the present" ports.
• multiple inputs so you can- for example- buy a little PC if you need full Windows compatibility and plug it right in... or a game console... or an AppleTV.... etc.

If this one conks today, I'll be buying it again immediately. There's no going back to a squarish screen.

 

[kzly]

Hello kzly,

here my answers to your questions:

1.) Is it absolutely necessary to use betterdisplay for scaling?
It depends. Normally you don't need it. You can also hold the option key when pressing on the resolution and you will get all the resolutions your MAC hast to offer. There also a lot of programs that enables you to quickly change the resolutions in HiDpi like switchresX, monitorcontrol, EasyRes...
But in your case, that will not be enough. You have a MacBook Air and it has a limited scaled resolution support. Normally you need a M1pro (or higher) to use a scaled resolution of 3840x1620... As your system does not allow it, you need better display to create a dummy display...
I have never used the dummy display with an M1 chip - so I can not really tell you how it will perform and how it works... In your case, I would read the better display site before buying an Ultrawide monitor if you want to use scaled HiDpi resolutions...

Fully scalable HiDPI desktop

Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay

github.com

2.)How did you like the LG 40WP95C-W?
The LG 40WP95-CW is a nice monitor with good color accuracy and a good panel. Great for office work and programming... It can go up to 72Hertz in the refresh rate and has a thunderbolt 4 connection.
I just find the 350 Nits not bright enough if you are working in an environment with a lot of direct sunlight... That was my case... And be aware that you are now using a monitor with 500 Nits brilliance

I actually have m1 max 16" macbook as well. Do you think I can use 40WP95C-W at its native resolution or should I use a scaled resolution for software development workflow?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

...the loaded, built-in hub with a nice mix of "the future" and "the present" ports....

Hmm, more like "The Present" and "The Past" 🤣

 

[ctjack]

You only have issues with mac and externals if running scaled non-native resolutions of external displays.

So native 2k external - as crisp as it gets in your panel and device. Text is big enough and overall cool for productivity. Of course not 4k if fomo matters.

4k - native 4k has very tiny fonts so need to have an eagle eye. Otherwise scapes perfectly to 1080p and works great. Limitation is that sharp 1080p here has huge text, so running 1080p mode on my 27” 4k looks like a waste of space since I can’t have 2 windows at the same time.

5k - of course tiny at 5k. But can scale down to 2k and keep it sharp. 2k is ideal for font size and productivity, screen space. But 5k displays are expensive.

Basically you got the point of mac’s shenanigans with the external screens.

 

[kikote]

I actually have m1 max 16" macbook as well. Do you think I can use 40WP95C-W at its native resolution or should I use a scaled resolution for software development workflow?

I think the native resolution is too small. This is the reason why I use on my DELL the scaled resolution. At the moment I drive it with a 3840x1620 HiDpi resolution.