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The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

jamejone.github.io

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Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#51

Post by spockz »

insertnickname wrote: post #26

I have an old Dell U2713HM, but text looks terrible on it when connected to my MBP. It looks fine with other computers running Windows or Linux, but not with the MBP for whatever reason. I already tried all the configuration changes suggested in various places around the Internet, but it doesn't make any difference. Is it possible it could be because I'm using a DisplayPort to USB-C adapter? I'm looking at buying a n…

I’ve seen this with my 2410U on hdmi. It had to do with the colour being send being in ~~cymk~~ YPbPr instead of rgb which makes the display think it is acting as a TV and applies some smart stuff. This is fixable with a monitor profile but I do not have link ready.

Edit: found the link: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250732856

Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#52

Post by noahtallen »

yangl1996 wrote: post #6

One thing to notice is that 1440p at 27" (one main criteria set by the author) is ideal for non-Retina macOS UI. For Retina UI, stick to 5k at 27" or 4k at 21.5" (or, look for a DPI of around 218 PPI).

I’ve never noticed any UI issues with my 27” 4k monitor on macOS. I also usually notice little issues like that. So while 5k is probably better, I personally don’t think I’m missing out on much. At least, I wouldn’t say 5k is an absolute requirement to enjoy higher DPI. The price difference is pretty big too, with solid 27” 4k monitors around half the price of 5k.

Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#53

Post by yeahgoodok »

eludwig wrote: post #49

Earlier in the year I was searching for a monitor that I could use to switch between my work-supplied MacBook 16 and my gaming PC (Nvidia 1080-based). I decided to go with the Acer XV273K (27", 4K, 120Hz). This monitor has some things that make it a nice thing to share. It has 2 DisplayPorts and 2 HDMI connections for lots of connectivity. I am currently using the 2 DP connections, one for MacBook, one for PC. The PC…

Would you not prefer to have USB-C integrated into the monitor?

Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#55

Post by insertnickname »

videlov wrote: post #50
insertnickname wrote: post #26

I have an old Dell U2713HM, but text looks terrible on it when connected to my MBP. It looks fine with other computers running Windows or Linux, but not with the MBP for whatever reason. I already tried all the configuration changes suggested in various places around the Internet, but it doesn't make any difference. Is it possible it could be because I'm using a DisplayPort to USB-C adapter? I'm looking at buying a n…

You may try adjusting the font smoothing configuration in MacOS. It used to be in System Preferences > General but since the Big Sur release it has been removed from there. Setting it in the terminal seems to continue to work defaults -currentHost write -g AppleFontSmoothing -int 0

That's one of the things I already tried.

Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#56

Post by yeahgoodok »

6a74 wrote: post #40
kmike84 wrote: post #34

I'm unsure about the advice of sticking to 1440p at 27". I have a non-retina imac 27 (1440p), external LG 27" 4K USB-C monitor and a macbook pro 13 with a real "retina", and use them all regularly. For my eyes, scaling works fine with 4K - font rendering is significantly better than on 1440p imac. 13" screen on macbook pro is even better, and 5K 27" would be perfect, but that's a different price point. I'm quite happ…

Here's [1] an article on why 1440p at 27" might be better. [1] https://bjango.com/articles/macexternaldisplays/

Not to mention it's great for gaming.

Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#57

Post by wmf »

6a74 wrote: post #37

IMO, the best MacBook monitor is the LG 38WN95CW ultrawide monitor [1]. Pros: * Larger 38" screen * 90w charging * Thunderbolt 3 (like USB-C but better) * 144hz refresh rate * 1ms response rate And current generation MacBooks only support one external monitor, so two 27" 1440p monitors should not be recommended. And there are methods to having more monitors, but they require additional hardware and do not always work…

I've been using the cheaper ($1,000) but very similar LG 38WK95C for around a year. I have it attached to a Mac (via USB-C) and a PC (via DisplayPort) and the only drawback I've found is that when you switch inputs it "disconnects" the other input so the Mac thinks the monitor has been unplugged; my previous monitor did not do this.

Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#58

Post by insertnickname »

spockz wrote: post #51
insertnickname wrote: post #26

I have an old Dell U2713HM, but text looks terrible on it when connected to my MBP. It looks fine with other computers running Windows or Linux, but not with the MBP for whatever reason. I already tried all the configuration changes suggested in various places around the Internet, but it doesn't make any difference. Is it possible it could be because I'm using a DisplayPort to USB-C adapter? I'm looking at buying a n…

I’ve seen this with my 2410U on hdmi. It had to do with the colour being send being in ~~cymk~~ YPbPr instead of rgb which makes the display think it is acting as a TV and applies some smart stuff. This is fixable with a monitor profile but I do not have link ready. Edit: found the link: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250732856

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a shot.

Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#59

Post by wmf »

eyelidlessness wrote: post #30

I used a 27@1440[1] for years, and for a long time I thought it was the perfect size and resolution for me (and of course I love HiDPI, a 27@2880 would be great too; but I actually prefer to keep a low DPI screen for web/visual work so I can see what a lot of the world sees). On a lark, last year I bought a 42.5@2160 (4k)[2], with the intention of using it primarily for tv/movies at that size, not knowing whether it…

38" monitors solve the vertical height problem while providing almost as much space. And they're curved so you look like you're in The Future.

Re: The Ultimate MacBook+PC Monitor Showdown

#60

Post by yeahgoodok »

wmf wrote: post #57
6a74 wrote: post #37

IMO, the best MacBook monitor is the LG 38WN95CW ultrawide monitor [1]. Pros: * Larger 38" screen * 90w charging * Thunderbolt 3 (like USB-C but better) * 144hz refresh rate * 1ms response rate And current generation MacBooks only support one external monitor, so two 27" 1440p monitors should not be recommended. And there are methods to having more monitors, but they require additional hardware and do not always work…

I've been using the cheaper ($1,000) but very similar LG 38WK95C for around a year. I have it attached to a Mac (via USB-C) and a PC (via DisplayPort) and the only drawback I've found is that when you switch inputs it "disconnects" the other input so the Mac thinks the monitor has been unplugged; my previous monitor did not do this.

That monitor doesn't have upstream USB-B. How do you connect your keyboard & mouse?
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