Having owned quite a few Macs over the years I've come to realise that the screen that looks best, to my eyes, is an elusive combination of pixel density, brightness, contrast ratio, lcd covering layer, and the frame around the lcd. Here is my list of the best displays ever:
(all brightness and contrast values measured myself with my colorimeter)
My list
1. iMac 21.5" Retina 4K+ (219 ppi, 610 nits, 1125:1 contrast, fully laminated glass with plasma deposited anti-reflective coating, black bezels)
This for me is like the Kindle Voyage of Mac displays. Created using the most advanced technical processes you could imagine for a consumer device, and a razor sharp feast for the eyes. The thick bezels are actually great for focusing on the display content. I still use one every day. If only they made a M4 machine with this display, life would be perfect!
2. LG Ultrafine 24" 4K (186 ppi, 615 nits, 1250:1 contrast, semi-gloss smooth plastic layer over the lcd, black non-flush bezels)
I read somewhere an LG engineer saying this is the best Ultrafine panel they made. No pink fringes or controller issues. Text looks deep black. Slightly softer than the iMac as I run it with 120% scaling, but very clear and pleasant on the eyes.
3. iMac 24" Retina 4K+ (218 ppi, 485 nits, 1100:1 contrast, fully laminated glass with unknown anti-reflective coating, minimal bezels)
I own this, but don't particularly like it! Viewing angles aren't great and somehow it doesn't have the "richness" of numbers 1. and 2. on my list.
Probably amazing (but I don't own one)
4. iMac 27" Retina 5K - i am guessing Apple went to the same effort to make this display as great as it's smaller sibling
Should be great, but aren't
5. Apple Cinema Display (600 nits, 1000:1 contrast, fully laminated) - I have seen this in various places and felt it to be an underwhelming experience. Probably that low contrast ratio. There are now 2000:1 5K IPS panels but Apple haven't used them.
6. LG 21.5" and 27" Ultrafines - unless you were lucky these were plagued by problems involving the optical adhesive ageing badly, and dead controller boards
Anyone have their own preferred list?
(all brightness and contrast values measured myself with my colorimeter)
My list
1. iMac 21.5" Retina 4K+ (219 ppi, 610 nits, 1125:1 contrast, fully laminated glass with plasma deposited anti-reflective coating, black bezels)
This for me is like the Kindle Voyage of Mac displays. Created using the most advanced technical processes you could imagine for a consumer device, and a razor sharp feast for the eyes. The thick bezels are actually great for focusing on the display content. I still use one every day. If only they made a M4 machine with this display, life would be perfect!
2. LG Ultrafine 24" 4K (186 ppi, 615 nits, 1250:1 contrast, semi-gloss smooth plastic layer over the lcd, black non-flush bezels)
I read somewhere an LG engineer saying this is the best Ultrafine panel they made. No pink fringes or controller issues. Text looks deep black. Slightly softer than the iMac as I run it with 120% scaling, but very clear and pleasant on the eyes.
3. iMac 24" Retina 4K+ (218 ppi, 485 nits, 1100:1 contrast, fully laminated glass with unknown anti-reflective coating, minimal bezels)
I own this, but don't particularly like it! Viewing angles aren't great and somehow it doesn't have the "richness" of numbers 1. and 2. on my list.
Probably amazing (but I don't own one)
4. iMac 27" Retina 5K - i am guessing Apple went to the same effort to make this display as great as it's smaller sibling
Should be great, but aren't
5. Apple Cinema Display (600 nits, 1000:1 contrast, fully laminated) - I have seen this in various places and felt it to be an underwhelming experience. Probably that low contrast ratio. There are now 2000:1 5K IPS panels but Apple haven't used them.
6. LG 21.5" and 27" Ultrafines - unless you were lucky these were plagued by problems involving the optical adhesive ageing badly, and dead controller boards
Anyone have their own preferred list?
Last edited:
