Last Thoughts on a Monitor...

[plum]

I guess I could find another forum for this question; but honestly if it wasn't for wanting to run a professional DP based studio I can not say I would necessarily be buying a new computer until my early 2008 iMac died... My computer is going to arrive sooner than my monitor at this point. I really need to order one NOW! For some reason I kind of got steered into the Samsung 32 inch curved at a price point of approximately $300. I see unbelievably (from 10 years ago $), you can get one this size for almost 200 bucks. Now, I also realize I could spend a little more but I'd say I am already over my head with the computer so I would call 400 my budget! I spend most of my additional screen time fiddling around the internet at about 2 feet away from my screen. I do on occasion like to sit back maybe 5 feet and watch a show. But not every day! Any thoughts. I did read the curved monitor is OK for that purpose if you do not sit too far back. Seems to me it would be nice to have the maximum "tilt" adjustment... I have also noticed there are different resolutions... HEre's one even bigger at 34": https://www.amazon.com/LG-34WL550-34WL5 ... B084D48S86 Ooop that's not curved. Anyway I also realize there are different connection options and some bad reviews on HDMI.

[mikehalloran]

My advice is unchanged from last time. For not much more, you can get a 4K.
https://www.amazon.com/LG-32UD60-B-UHD- ... ics&sr=1-2

I also realize there are different connection options and some bad reviews on HDMI.

Stop reading armchair experts parroting what someone read about what someone else read based on what someone else wrote who may or may not be knowledgeable.

That HDMI vs DisplayPort nonsense isn't an issue unless you're a serious gamer—and then you'll likely want eGPU for that anyway (and be really disappointed that you didn't go 4K off the bat).

The Mini has an HDMI 2.0 port. Anything else hangs off of a TB port.

[HCMarkus]

Check out 4k TVs... I'm running a 40" Samsung as my main display; at that size 4k worth of pixels are big enough to work great for me. Cost me $300 several years back. Connected via HDMI with no complaints since I moved from Sierra to Mojave macOS.

If you go with a TV, run it in "Game Mode" to minimize processing lag.

[RROY]

Not a fan of curved monitors. I tried a 32” Samsung curved. Took it back the same day. Made me feel ill in matter of minutes. Really bothered my eyes.

[plum]

I never though about the possible weird feeling with a curved monitor. I might not get one now...
After 50 years of looking at a flat surface and figuring it out that could really create some lack of equilibrium!I also think it is interesting that I accidentally listed a regular flat monitor in my original post. Something tells me those are for gaming, not for watching movies and running DAW's. However I read that a movie theater has a curved screen. I am glad I have n;'t ordered one yet. Unfortunately I do not know anyone around here -- who probably wouldn't want be breathing on their screen anyway -- to see one. Not sure if I want to drive to Best Buy either (50 minutes).

[tremo]

I got a 43" Samsung 4K TV at Best Buy a few months ago for $250 (it was a ~50-minute drive for me too, but worth it). I used to use two smaller monitors with the arrangement on the left and mixer on the right. Now I have plenty of room to keep arrangement at top and mixer below.

I'm actually not using the full 4K resolution; I bumped it down a notch, from 3840 x 2160 to 3360 x 1890. Overall it makes type and other small elements easier to see.

[b.g.]

My advice is unchanged from last time. For not much more, you can get a 4K.
https://www.amazon.com/LG-32UD60-B-UHD- ... ics&sr=1-2

I also realize there are different connection options and some bad reviews on HDMI.

Stop reading armchair experts parroting what someone read about what someone else read based on what someone else wrote who may or may not be knowledgeable.

That HDMI vs DisplayPort nonsense isn't an issue unless you're a serious gamer—and then you'll likely want eGPU for that anyway (and be really disappointed that you didn't go 4K off the bat).

The Mini has an HDMI 2.0 port. Anything else hangs off of a TB port.

Mike, that monitor looks tempting. Thanks for the rec. May I ask, would this monitor work well with my MacBook Pro 2015? It has HDMI and Thunderbolt 2 connectors. I guess my question is would the MBP send full resolution to the monitor?

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Mike, that monitor looks tempting.

It sure does!!

[mikehalloran]

I guess my question is would the MBP send full resolution to the monitor?

That 32" LG has 3840x2160 resolution. You may need an MDP cable connected to the TB2 port to get faster than a 30 Hz refresh rate.

From Everymac.com:

This model can support a single external display up to 5120x2160 at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt 2. Via HDMI video output, it can support 1080p up to 60 Hz, 3840x2160 at 30 Hz, and 4096x2160 at 24 Hz.

[b.g.]

Thanks for posting the Everymac specs, Mike. Appreciate that. If I buy the LG I'll order a DisplayPort to mDP cable. I don't think I'd even use the full res though. I'm squinting as is with my old Dell 3007 30", which is 2560 x 1600.

Aside: My 2008 MacPro is dying. I want to use my MBPr instead, with a big monitor. The Dell 3007 will not get over 800 vertical resolution with the MBP, which is why I'm interested in the 32" LG 4k which apparently would work with the MBP.

This begs the question, if I'm squinting now with 2560 x 1600 res, would a 32" 4k be worse? Or do you just get used to scaling the interface in DP?

[mikehalloran]

You’re trying to see the differences on paper. “Ain’t nothing like the real thing, Baby.”

As to the difference between HDMI and DP on your 2015 machine, it’s 30 vs 60 Hz. It will be interesting to see if you can tell the difference or if it’s just a paper statistic. A number of people are genuinely interested so please let us know. I could have tested with my daughter’s 2015 and my LG 27” 4K but she moved out last week so I missed that opportunity (I’ll live).

[b.g.]

You’re trying to see the differences on paper. “Ain’t nothing like the real thing, Baby.”

The ring of truth.

I ordered one. Will report back.

[HCMarkus]

I have experienced 30Hz... When I first got the 40" 4k TV I use as a main display, I connected it to my AMD RX460 GPU directly via HDMI. I was running Sierra at the time, and discovered the GPU driver would not do 60Hz over HDMI.

Response to mouse movements @ 30Hz was, for me, noticeably slow. I was able to get to 60Hz by using a combination of software (SwitchResX) and hardware (DP to HDMI adaptor) and noticed the much snappier response to my input @ 60Hz.

Happily, Mojave brought with it updated GPU driver software and the whole adaptor thing became superfluous. I now connect my 4k TV directly via HDMI @ 60Hz and it works great.

I'll mention again, if using a TV, make sure to run in Game Mode for the best response.

[mikehalloran]

Also, remember that the stats I posted are 5 years old. As has been reported, things do change and there's probably a workaround.

[b.g.]

LG 32UD60-B 4K UHD Monitor - MacBook Pro Retina 2015

The LG is good. I’m getting full resolution (3840 x 2160) at 60 Hz using a 10 foot DisplayPort to mDP cable. I lowered the res to make it easier on my eyes and it’s very legible.

As requested, I tried 30Hz. In System Preferences / Displays tick “Scaled” and tick “Show low resolution modes”. This lets you choose between 30 and 60 Hertz in the “Refresh Rate” field. 30 Hz makes the mouse cursor slightly sluggish. Not dramatic, but noticeable.

I recommend messing around with the LG Onscreen Control. It’s a little joystick right under the LG logo. At first the monitor colors looked washed out. I changed the settings to up the contrast, lower the brightness, and make the blacks blacker. DP looks good now.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.