Recommendations for a 32" 5K monitor for M3 MBP that isn't $5,000 (APD XDR)

[AudiA4]

I need to replace my failing work monitor - a 2010 27" ASD - for my new (incoming) M3 16" MBP.

As the title explains, I LOVE the design and quality of Apple's 27" Studio Display, but I really want something at 32", and I'm unwilling to pay $5,000 for the 32" APD XDR. I'm willing to pay a premium (even up to $3,000), but I can't seem to find any options between Apple's 27" and 32" price points.

I love the larger size because I am used to my 32" display at home (LG - 32" UltraFine IPS LED 4K - 32UL950-W from 2020). Admittedly, at 3840x2160, it's not really retina, but I'm okay with that. I like the style and thin bezels of the LG, but what I really miss is speaker/camera integration.

Are there really any 5K (retina) 3rd party 32" monitors out there worth having? I know there are lots of similar threads on these forums, and I've done research online, but a clear option isn't really revealing itself. Any suggestions?

 

[Bigwaff]

Are there really any 5K (retina) 3rd party 32" monitors out there worth having?

I don't think a 32" 5K display would be retina (218ppi) which is why the XDR is a 6K display. Here's a pretty good article on the Verge explaining how Apple's display scaling and retina displays play together. Some good tech reference links in there as well.

Here’s why Samsung and Dell’s new monitors are so exciting for Mac users

Long-awaited competition in the 5K and 6K monitor space.

www.theverge.com

Sorry.. but right now, your retina (high ppi) choices are 24" 4K for $$ or 27" 5K for $$$ or 32" 6K for $$$$ if you love yourself a true retina display.

 

[Rnd-chars]

I haven't seen any 5k 32" monitors, but at $2399 US Dell's 6k 32" monitor is in your price range. It is, however, a Dell, and its build and color quality aren't similar to Apple's Studio Display. That said, I haven't used it so I'm going purely by online reports.

I ended up getting the Studio Display after considering other options. For me, quality and simplicity were worth the tradeoffs.

Good luck!

 

[MacGizmo]

5k only comes in 27", 34" and 40". Try Kuycon (there's an entire thread about them here in the forums). Their 27" 5K in particular looks to be really nice. A few hundred bucks less than Apple's Display, but with full height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustment.

 

[AudiA4]

I don't think a 32" 5K display would be retina (218ppi) which is why the XDR is a 6K display. Here's a pretty good article on the Verge explaining how Apple's display scaling and retina displays play together. Some good tech reference links in there as well.

Here’s why Samsung and Dell’s new monitors are so exciting for Mac users

Long-awaited competition in the 5K and 6K monitor space.

www.theverge.com

Sorry.. but right now, your retina (high ppi) choices are 24" 4K for $$ or 27" 5K for $$$ or 32" 6K for $$$$ if you love yourself a true retina display.

Ah yes, sorry... "retina" at 32" would have to be 6K.

 

[AudiA4]

I haven't seen any 5k 32" monitors, but at $2399 US Dell's 6k 32" monitor is in your price range. It is, however, a Dell, and its build and color quality aren't similar to Apple's Studio Display. That said, I haven't used it so I'm going purely by online reports.

I ended up getting the Studio Display after considering other options. For me, quality and simplicity were worth the tradeoffs.

Good luck!

I was so excited to discover that 32" Dell 6K the other day UNTIL I saw that horrific camera/speaker forehead. No thanks! Looks like that would be perfect if they release that panel in a simplified form factor (seems like I read that they offer both in their 27" 5K).

 

[AudiA4]

5k only comes in 27", 34" and 40". Try Kuycon (there's an entire thread about them here in the forums). Their 27" 5K in particular looks to be really nice. A few hundred bucks less than Apple's Display, but with full height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustment.

Wow. Very interesting...I'll need to study these further!

 

[meson]

Unfortunately, if you want retina and an Apple look and feel, you are limited to their options. I have no idea what possessed the engineers to build such a hideous looking casing for a 6k display.

As you know 4k @ 32" works well. For something a little nicer than your 32UL950-W, how about the OLED version?

LG 32EP950-B 32”

 

[AudiA4]

Unfortunately, if you want retina and an Apple look and feel, you are limited to their options. I have no idea what possessed the engineers to build such a hideous looking casing for a 6k display.

As you know 4k @ 32" works well. For something a little nicer than your 32UL950-W, how about the OLED version?

LG 32EP950-B 32”

Oof...I acknowledge the benefits of OLED, but that's also pretty bulky casing (compared to my current 32" LG).

 

[DennisdeWit]

I wanted a 32” Retina display too. For exactly this reason, I ended up buying the Pro Display XDR. I enjoy it every minute.

 

[xraydoc]

5k only comes in 27", 34" and 40". Try Kuycon (there's an entire thread about them here in the forums). Their 27" 5K in particular looks to be really nice. A few hundred bucks less than Apple's Display, but with full height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustment.

The 34" isn't 5120x2880. It's a wide 5120x2160. Still pretty good, but not quite the same thing.