That really rules out that unknown brand completely. You’d be risking basically the full amount paid
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Best Monitor for Text?
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That really rules out that unknown brand completely. You’d be risking basically the full amount paid
Yes correct, well summarised 👍. So for me it's:
£1083 (unknown brand, unsure delivery times)
vs
£1269 refurbished ASD (known brand, faster delivery)
So Like I wrote earlier:
If you can stomach the price of the ASD I strongly recommend it given your comments about clutter, speakers, webcam, etc. You won't be disappointed.
Main ASD is centered. Second ASD is rotated 90° into portrait and is off slightly to the left. Bezels aren’t a problem.
My two ASDs are both VESA models.
Text is very, very sharp on the 55" 8k Samsung QN700B. Yes, it is a TV. But it's the size of four 27" 4k displays, and offers more pixels than two 5k displays, with no bezels dividing them up, all for a very economical price. (I paid $999 at BestBuy.) If your Mac supports 8k, I recommend it!
Why are you going all out on a display that you admittedly only need to read text on? People have been reading text on computers just fine back when it was 1024x768 resolution.
Go 1440p and save some money. Pretty much all the major brands will have really good quality displays (color spaces, responsive times, etc.) at that resolution for 200 bucks. Text will be completely legible. If you want top of the line, then go for it, but I think you’re over thinking this.
Go 1440p and save some money. Pretty much all the major brands will have really good quality displays (color spaces, responsive times, etc.) at that resolution for 200 bucks. Text will be completely legible. If you want top of the line, then go for it, but I think you’re over thinking this.
Agreed 100%. I just wrote an answer to another thread here when someone asked about why so few choices in monitors etc. basically recommending a $300 15.6” portable 4K, 600 nits, 1500:1 etc., perfect for text and word processing, web surfing, especially in portrait mode.
Obviously, you’re not going to be doing video editing on this, but the OP said specifically “text”, so that’s where the emphasis should be, no?
Just get yourself a 27” or 32” 4K and you’ll be fine. Seriously. Run it at “looks like 2560x1440” or the next one up (in the case of the 32” display) and you’ll be satisfied without laying out $1500.
I'm a big fan of 32" 4k and run it at full native 3840x2160 resolution with my face typically 24"-30" from the screen. Menu items are still readable at that resolution. In text heavy apps, I bump up the zoom a notch or bump the default font size up a couple point to make it easier to read when I'm leaning back in my chair.
I use the LG 32UL500-W. It's pretty much LG's lowest end 32" 4k panel, but fit my budget when I got it last year. With a little higher budget, I would have opted for a model with 400 nits or more in brightness (I run mine at max brightness all of the time) and an IPS panel rather than the VA panel mine has. The IPS panels have a little better viewing angles. At my viewing distance, I can notice some slight color shifts in the periphery of my visual field.
Text looks great on my display! Running it at 3008x1692 scaled resolution will make all UI elements the same size as the default on a 27" iMac, and text looks nice at this resolution as well without need to modify scaling and font sizes. When I share my screen in remote meetings, I'll drop to looks like 2560x1440. Things look okay, but it is as low as I would choose to go. The pixel doubled looks like 1920x1080 that some YouTubers would like you to believe is the only acceptable resolution fora 4k panel looks pretty bad at my normal viewing distance.
I use my LG with my Mac mini at work and often have my MBP nearby as well. I bounce back and forth between them and the difference in resolution doesn't bother me like it did when I used older lower resolution second monitors (including and old 2013 non-retina iMac). Ever since Apple gave up on sub-pixel antialiasing, 110 pixels per inch displays no longer render text as nicely.
The only time text looks bad is when you put the monitor in a mode that favors sharpness over other image properties, typically the gaming modes. In those modes, it effectively kills off the shaded pixels that are used to help your brain recognize the curvature of text, and text will look awful. If rtings.com has a writeup on the monitor you get, follow their settings, and you should be very happy.
Try a 27" or 32" 4k monitor. I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised and your wallet will be happier as well.
I use the LG 32UL500-W. It's pretty much LG's lowest end 32" 4k panel, but fit my budget when I got it last year. With a little higher budget, I would have opted for a model with 400 nits or more in brightness (I run mine at max brightness all of the time) and an IPS panel rather than the VA panel mine has. The IPS panels have a little better viewing angles. At my viewing distance, I can notice some slight color shifts in the periphery of my visual field.
Text looks great on my display! Running it at 3008x1692 scaled resolution will make all UI elements the same size as the default on a 27" iMac, and text looks nice at this resolution as well without need to modify scaling and font sizes. When I share my screen in remote meetings, I'll drop to looks like 2560x1440. Things look okay, but it is as low as I would choose to go. The pixel doubled looks like 1920x1080 that some YouTubers would like you to believe is the only acceptable resolution fora 4k panel looks pretty bad at my normal viewing distance.
I use my LG with my Mac mini at work and often have my MBP nearby as well. I bounce back and forth between them and the difference in resolution doesn't bother me like it did when I used older lower resolution second monitors (including and old 2013 non-retina iMac). Ever since Apple gave up on sub-pixel antialiasing, 110 pixels per inch displays no longer render text as nicely.
The only time text looks bad is when you put the monitor in a mode that favors sharpness over other image properties, typically the gaming modes. In those modes, it effectively kills off the shaded pixels that are used to help your brain recognize the curvature of text, and text will look awful. If rtings.com has a writeup on the monitor you get, follow their settings, and you should be very happy.
Try a 27" or 32" 4k monitor. I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised and your wallet will be happier as well.
Not to be pushy... as you did not ask... but an M2 Max really seems like overkill for doing text stuff in Word and Scrivener.
A Mac Mini is fine for that kind of stuff. Save you a lot of money over an M2 Max (Studio or MacBook Pro). And with the money you save on the computer you can buy a better monitor.
If one is reading text on a monitor 8 hours a day, I will argue that this is a use that calls for a very high quality monitor.
Contra watching videos, which do fine at less quality displays.
So if someone is using Word and Scrivener all day long, I say splurge on the monitor and save money on the CPU box.
Seems like solid advice. I'd rather spend on the monitor as well.
I agree. The actual interface to any computer is the display, keyboard and mouse (or trackpad). These are not things I like to sacrifice quality or power to save a few bucks on. In this case, I think the OP should just get a MacMini and splurge on the display. But hey, it's not my money (which may or may not even be a consideration).
That's my current plan, so I'm going to put my money where my
Priced out a Mini w/16GB RAM (I'll just add external SSDs for storage) + ASD (VESA mount version). There are some desktop VESA stands that look like they'll work for me, at around $100. All together it will not be inexpensive but if I can make it last for 10 years then it'll all be worth it.
My older eyes will really be helped by the Retina display. And I'll still likely run the UI at 200% zoom (maybe a little less, I'll see if 150% will work for me.)
I spend 40-100 hours a week staring at a computer monitor. So spending my $$$ there is really a no-brainer.
I'm not sure what kind of desktop VESA stand you're looking for, but a simple height-adjustable desktop stand should cost less than $50. I have this one. If you need one with an arm for much more flexible adjustments, the cost will be higher obviously. I have a bamboo wood top desk and didn't want a clamp model (which most VESA arms are).
Enjoy the ASD!
Look hard at an Ergotron LX arm. They seem to be the standard that all arm are compared to.
There are some rebadged models where the Ergotron logo on the base gets swapped out for someone else’s along with a slightly different paint finish. I opted for an HP BT861at. The HPs are new old stock that seem to have been warehoused for a period of time, but are now being sold off. They can be found for $80-$100. Amazon Basics has one as well and that would likely be a current production model, but has a bit higher price.
Hope you all had a Happy New Year. As per title of post - re text, any aliasing or blurry bits around text irritates me. Although I do not write etc for a living, I do read a lot. I was balking at the Studio Display price and was looking for a cheaper option. Having read the many posts here about 4k vs 5k, glossy vs matte etc. I eventually stumbled on the monitor MSI MD271UL (4K) as per my first post the other day
forums.macrumors.com
I can say that this is not a high end fast speed gaming monitor (neither is the ASD). As far as text goes next to my 2014 27" 5K iMac it's replacing with the Studio Max I cannot tell any difference with text (connected via HDMI). I even looked with the iPhone magnifier to see the pixels and how letters were displayed slight difference (of course) but does not effect normal vision. It has anti-glare finish so not glossy.
I sit 22" away and use 1440. I get why some might see the icons as small at this res. So I just tried 1080 (the default). Everything was bigger but text was clear. I even command + this web page to the max - all good. Maybe I'm not that fussy. The down side to this monitor re camera and speakers (vs ASD) was not an issue to me - iPhone continuity camera, already had my ancient Harmon Kardons for speakers.
Re brightness I didn't mention in other post. It's officially 300 nits. Some see this is as low which I get if you are in a bright environment. My study has two windows to the side and back with wooden Venetian blinds always closed. It's light enough though to keep my Logitech K760 keyboard solar powered up all except the a few of the short cloudy days in winter. I have the monitor brightness on zero and I find the white pages a bit bright compared to the iMac.
I chose this because a) text was fine (for me and tested in shop before purchase on a MacBook) and b) it was 1/5th ASD (in Australia) I don't play a lot of games, So I figured I could try it out and if not good I could re sell and get the ASD. Hope that helps.
I guess I could take some comparison pics if people are really interested.
What monitor is everyone using with the Mac Studio (can't afford the Apple monitors)?
First post here so sorry if a bit wordy. After much reading, grinding of teeth over the well documented issues 5k vs 4k etc I found a monitor that sort of looks iMac ish. I think I saw someone else here recommend it but can't find the post again. I don't have demanding requirements. I've been...
forums.macrumors.com
I can say that this is not a high end fast speed gaming monitor (neither is the ASD). As far as text goes next to my 2014 27" 5K iMac it's replacing with the Studio Max I cannot tell any difference with text (connected via HDMI). I even looked with the iPhone magnifier to see the pixels and how letters were displayed slight difference (of course) but does not effect normal vision. It has anti-glare finish so not glossy.
I sit 22" away and use 1440. I get why some might see the icons as small at this res. So I just tried 1080 (the default). Everything was bigger but text was clear. I even command + this web page to the max - all good. Maybe I'm not that fussy. The down side to this monitor re camera and speakers (vs ASD) was not an issue to me - iPhone continuity camera, already had my ancient Harmon Kardons for speakers.
Re brightness I didn't mention in other post. It's officially 300 nits. Some see this is as low which I get if you are in a bright environment. My study has two windows to the side and back with wooden Venetian blinds always closed. It's light enough though to keep my Logitech K760 keyboard solar powered up all except the a few of the short cloudy days in winter. I have the monitor brightness on zero and I find the white pages a bit bright compared to the iMac.
I chose this because a) text was fine (for me and tested in shop before purchase on a MacBook) and b) it was 1/5th ASD (in Australia) I don't play a lot of games, So I figured I could try it out and if not good I could re sell and get the ASD. Hope that helps.
I guess I could take some comparison pics if people are really interested.
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Thanks. The white version of that was already on my list, but I wonder how well it actually works. Was yours delivered in good shape?
I don't have it yet! Will wait until after paying taxes and any announced Mini M3 comes to fruition.
I need a mount that can pan but I also need a table top arm, not a clamp. Ergotron sells an interesting device that was sold long ago under other brand names, and I wonder if that will work. The Ergotron website says it is compatible with the ASD, though the display will not be rotatable to portrait.
It was actually packaged quite well. At that price I was expecting it thrown in a paper bag – but it's bubble wrapped and packed with foam tightly in the box.
As far as how it works, there's not a whole lot to these things. The stand I got was rated for a 27-32" display, but I have my 34" display on it and it's perfect. The larger stand doesn't work for me because the minimum height is too high and the larger "foot" was undesirable.
It is Amazon, so returning it if it doesn't work for you (as I did with the larger model) is simple.
Yes, but if the poster has poor eyes then a BIG screen with sharp text is what is needed. I bought a 4k TV for my Mac mini - brilliant. When there's an affordable 50in 8k TV, then I'll upgrade (and the MacMini also). There is always one drawback - on setup the text appears incredibly small - so just sit nearer for 5 mins or so.