I’ve changed a few things in my processing setup and now I am at the point of changing/upgrading my monitors.
Currently have 2 external monitors (1440p) that serve double duty as office productivity and photo editing (yes I have another job).
My office setup is based on a Dell high end laptop and I edit on a MBP. Both machine have TB4.
I really do like the ASD but would need the higher speced one (better stand). Price is extremely high, despite being able to use the screen with my dell laptop, for some reason the web cam and speakers wont show up on my work laptop. No bueno.
I have also tried to size down to only 1 monitor and despite the fact a 5k 27 could accommodate my day job given higher pixel density, it still feels cramped. Tried finding a 32 6k monitor to see if that would be good solution (single monitor). The Dell 6k monitor offer me added feature of ok speakers (only for video calls) and a decent webcam. This would remove some of the clutter on my desk.
My choices are now dow to 2 Benq PD2730s (5k) or 1 Dell u3224kb (6k). Price wise these would be about same price. They offer better fit and finish than the similar specs Asus (5k) and calibration process of the Benq is much simpler (and stored in the monitor which is better given the restriction I have on my work laptop).
I couldn't perceive a difference between 4k and 5k at the same size. I was using a 5k iMac for a while with a 1440p 27" alongside it. I would highly recommend moving away from 1440p with MacOS.
I've been using 32" and 27" 4k displays side-by-side on both my work Dell, personal MBP and a homebuilt desktop. MacOS and Windows both handle having different fraction scalings on the two displays fine. There is BS about MacOS not handling any fractional scaling. The 32" is a Lenovo TB3 and the 27" is a Viewsonic USB-C. The later is plugged into the TB3 output of the former, so I can just switch the one input TB cable to switch systems.
It is too bad there is not something like a 6k2k monitor. The 32" 4k does feel lower resolution than the 27". More pixels would be nice. More refresh rate would be nice. More dynamic range could be nice.
I also keep waiting for the long rumored new Apple displays. The little MBP display is pretty nice. The "Pro" Display XDR and Studio Displays have limitations. I am thinking a 27" 240Hz QD-OLED to replace the Lenovo.
If you're still young enough that your eyes can readily change focus quickly then get whatever size monitor appeals to you. If your eyes are too limited by cataracts or the need for restrictive glasses then a smaller monitor will work better for you. That's because the bigger the monitor(s) the greater the change of viewing distance to dead centre vs to the corners.
For me the only appeal in a 32 inch monitor is to get some screen height that we lost when manufacturers went wide-screen instead of 4:3, as if nobody ever wants to see anything such as portrait-mode photo.
Also for me, screen quality far outweighs screen size. That means high-ish pixels-per-inch so that the screen content does not look pixelated, great colour accuracy and uniformity, direct hardware colour calibration (implying good contrast control without trashing pixel data), non-reflective matte screen surface, high refresh rate.
That could eliminate well over 90% of your monitor options
I always prefer 1 monitor instead of 2 because of the position you are in when viewing. With a 2 monitor setup, almost everybody will have a preferred monitor and will tilt their head/body/neck at some weird angle to view it. So for that reason alone, I'd go with the single 6k monitor.
Personally, I use a 49" for productivity reasons and I can't go back to anything smaller. My center tab is a 27" equivalent and there are two side tabs at half of that size. A 57" would be 32" center tab. Most people are viewing content on 1440p or lower resolution monitors and I am fine with that as well.
I moved from a iMac Pro (superb device) to a Studio. I did not realize just how good the resolution was on the iPro. Thought I'd save money and go with a $500 27" 4K. I was so use to the quality of the iPro that the 4k didn't even come close. I do a fair amount of development with images and precision is critical. Tried another one - No joy. Finally went with Apple's Studio Display - expensive but does the job.
My take, if you do really intense, detailed, complex work - the Studio Display does the job. Outrageously over priced, but then it's Apple.
And I ended up with a new in the box HP 27" monitor. Hope I can get $250 for it.
I think you will find the jump from 1440p to any decent 4k huge and the jump from 4k to either a PD2730s or Dell u3224kb much smaller. I don't have experience with either the PD2730 or Dell u3224kb and never owned anything above 4k.
For office type stuff, I've always pushed for the highest resolution. I am a bit miffed I've been using 4k for 10 years and anything higher res is expensive and has very limited options. I currently use 5 monitors every day, although either 2 or 3 at a time. If I had more space, I'd have a 6th monitor. And I probably have at least 1 phone, tablet or laptop screen being used at the same time.
Personally, I'd much rather use 2xPD2730s than 1xu3224kb, but it comes down to how you work. If you use both monitors now, I don't think you will be happy going down to only 1. If budget allows, you might want to consider the u3224kb and adding the cheapest 4k monitor or keeping a 1440. Whatever you choose, be prepared to upgrade your graphics card or be certain your configuration is supported (or the monitors are returnable).
For imaging, if I want to see details, I zoom in, so resolution is largely irrelevant. If I want to see a high quality view of an entire single image, either I print it, or I broadcast it to my TV (a 4k 77 inch OLED). I don't think that would change if I had a PD2730 or u3224kb or even a 30 inch 8k monitor that I thought would be released by now but doesn't exist yet.
I preordered a BenQ PD2730s which is due to arrive Tuesday but subsequently found the Viewsonic VP2788-5K which seems to match or better the BenQ for only $850 (vs 1100). I may sit on the BenQ (unopened) and see what reviews of the Viewsonic say.
As @OntheRez (Robert) eluded to, once you've spent time doing editing on a 5k monitor dropping down to a 4k is dissatisfying effort. Been there, and totally agree. Just did a quick view on BenQ's site and this monitor is very nice, love the daisy chain and the built-in KVM capability which might be right up your alley given you use both Mac and PC. There should be somebody up there that can order the BenQ PD2730s for you. Or call BenQ 1-866-600-2367
UPDATE: Looks like this is a 'bug' if don't have USB power turned on (when monitor off) on the BenQ. Once I turned that on and kept the BenQ on its own TB4 cable, the connection was faster and kept the arrangement and resolutions intact.
Now that I have it properly set up, I really like this BenQ monitor. So the 'proper' setup for me is:
M3 Max MacBook Pro - TB4 cable - BenQ - TB4 cable - Eizo CS2740
M3 Max MacBook Pro - TB4 cable - TB hub - NVMe SSD, OWC RAID5, OWC SD/CF reader
I can now get consistent display arrangement and 4k 60Hz on the Eizo and 5k 60Hz on the BenQ
I do think BenQ is being a bit disingenuous calling this a 'hub' as the 3rd USB-C on the back seems to be for KVM and I could not connect the TB hub not directly to externals. Also the one additional USB-C gave me 700/700 Mbps speeds for my NVMe SSD vs my current 3000/3000 speeds.
I calibrated with an i1 Display Pro using the ColorPalette software and it looks really good.
Prior text:
Just set up my new BenQ PD2730S and, while I'm impressed by the screen resolution and nano matte display, there seem to be wake from sleep issues that are a huge problem so far...
Setup:
M3 Max MacBook Pro with thunderbolt 4 cable (suppled with monitor) to BenQ
BenQ with TB4 cable to Eizo CS2740
Separate TB4 cable to TB hub and external drives (I tried connecting the hub to the BenQ but the drives never connected)
I have system settings to arrange the monitors as Eizo (extended) - BenQ (main) - Built in display (extended). And the Eizo is 3008x1692 at 60Hz and the BenQ at default 2560x1440 60Hz with built in at default ProMotion.
After the MacBook has been asleep (lid open), if I use the keyboard TouchID or mouse to wake, the built in display wakes immediately but the other two do not. I had previously hit the BenQ power button to wake but decided to wait and found that the BenQ eventually woke from sleep presumably after it scanned the source on a cycle. Still VERY slow to wake after the MacBook Pro.
Further, on waking, the displays are messed up both in arrangement and with the Eizo dropping to 30Hz and not being fixable.
Previously, I had the following:
M3 Max MacBook Pro with TB4 to OWC TB hub then to Eizo, Dell Ultrasharp 2k and external drives. All woke from sleep nearly instantly and all maintained correct display arrangement and resolution/Hz.
Will reach out to support for options but, as of now, I don't see how this monitor is usable for me.
Despite the above, a 5k screen is a HUGE improvement over a 4k one as far as visual comfort. I was grabbing for eyeglasses with the Eizo 4k but no longer with the BenQ 5k
Alan321 wrote:
If you're still young enough that your eyes can readily change focus quickly then get whatever size monitor appeals to you. If your eyes are too limited by cataracts or the need for restrictive glasses then a smaller monitor will work better for you. That's because the bigger the monitor(s) the greater the change of viewing distance to dead centre vs to the corners.
For me the only appeal in a 32 inch monitor is to get some screen height that we lost when manufacturers went wide-screen instead of 4:3, as if nobody ever wants to see anything such as portrait-mode photo.
Also for me, screen quality far outweighs screen size. That means high-ish pixels-per-inch so that the screen content does not look pixelated, great colour accuracy and uniformity, direct hardware colour calibration (implying good contrast control without trashing pixel data), non-reflective matte screen surface, high refresh rate.
That could eliminate well over 90% of your monitor options ...Show more →
Makes sense. Which monitors do you recommend that meet your criteria for older eyes?
