Decent monitor recommendations
Discussion
Hi - we're in the process of looking at a new monitor for Mrs DG and was hoping that there'd be some recommendations on here. We've seen a few curved screen monitors and they do appeal IF they do as they say and reduce eye-strain.
The main usage would be general surfing and messing about with photographs (compiling into albums using the likes of Photobox etc) with some minor gaming (Baldur's Gate style isometric games so not particularly graphics intensive).
Size wise we're open to suggestions but the Samsung LC32 looked decent enough and I don't think that there'd be any point in going much bigger. Mrs DG doesn't like glossy screens so that's a potential stumbling block (obviously if a glossy one is a standout then there's a conversation to be had). Connection must be either HDMI or DP (which I suspect is normal these days but still worth mentioning) and the budget is flexible but, as always, spending less is always nice
The main usage would be general surfing and messing about with photographs (compiling into albums using the likes of Photobox etc) with some minor gaming (Baldur's Gate style isometric games so not particularly graphics intensive).
Size wise we're open to suggestions but the Samsung LC32 looked decent enough and I don't think that there'd be any point in going much bigger. Mrs DG doesn't like glossy screens so that's a potential stumbling block (obviously if a glossy one is a standout then there's a conversation to be had). Connection must be either HDMI or DP (which I suspect is normal these days but still worth mentioning) and the budget is flexible but, as always, spending less is always nice
RSTurboPaul said:
If you are doing photograph editing, do you need/want accurate colours?
Some of the BenQ offerings are calibrated out of the box and seem to perform well.
oh Lord no. This is just fun: looking; cropping; sorting into some order' chucking off to one of the afore mentioned Photobox type album producersSome of the BenQ offerings are calibrated out of the box and seem to perform well.
DodgyGeezer said:
Hi - we're in the process of looking at a new monitor for Mrs DG and was hoping that there'd be some recommendations on here. We've seen a few curved screen monitors and they do appeal IF they do as they say and reduce eye-strain.
The main usage would be general surfing and messing about with photographs (compiling into albums using the likes of Photobox etc) with some minor gaming (Baldur's Gate style isometric games so not particularly graphics intensive).
Size wise we're open to suggestions but the Samsung LC32 looked decent enough and I don't think that there'd be any point in going much bigger. Mrs DG doesn't like glossy screens so that's a potential stumbling block (obviously if a glossy one is a standout then there's a conversation to be had). Connection must be either HDMI or DP (which I suspect is normal these days but still worth mentioning) and the budget is flexible but, as always, spending less is always nice
Not sure what size you're after; but I have this connected to my M3 MBA and personal M4 MBP and it's superb:The main usage would be general surfing and messing about with photographs (compiling into albums using the likes of Photobox etc) with some minor gaming (Baldur's Gate style isometric games so not particularly graphics intensive).
Size wise we're open to suggestions but the Samsung LC32 looked decent enough and I don't think that there'd be any point in going much bigger. Mrs DG doesn't like glossy screens so that's a potential stumbling block (obviously if a glossy one is a standout then there's a conversation to be had). Connection must be either HDMI or DP (which I suspect is normal these days but still worth mentioning) and the budget is flexible but, as always, spending less is always nice
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-PD2705U-Monitor-Tech...
Very clear; great resolution
One MacBook is via USB C the other is USB C to DP - zero issues
danb79 said:
DodgyGeezer said:
Hi - we're in the process of looking at a new monitor for Mrs DG and was hoping that there'd be some recommendations on here. We've seen a few curved screen monitors and they do appeal IF they do as they say and reduce eye-strain.
The main usage would be general surfing and messing about with photographs (compiling into albums using the likes of Photobox etc) with some minor gaming (Baldur's Gate style isometric games so not particularly graphics intensive).
Size wise we're open to suggestions but the Samsung LC32 looked decent enough and I don't think that there'd be any point in going much bigger. Mrs DG doesn't like glossy screens so that's a potential stumbling block (obviously if a glossy one is a standout then there's a conversation to be had). Connection must be either HDMI or DP (which I suspect is normal these days but still worth mentioning) and the budget is flexible but, as always, spending less is always nice
Not sure what size you're after; but I have this connected to my M3 MBA and personal M4 MBP and it's superb:The main usage would be general surfing and messing about with photographs (compiling into albums using the likes of Photobox etc) with some minor gaming (Baldur's Gate style isometric games so not particularly graphics intensive).
Size wise we're open to suggestions but the Samsung LC32 looked decent enough and I don't think that there'd be any point in going much bigger. Mrs DG doesn't like glossy screens so that's a potential stumbling block (obviously if a glossy one is a standout then there's a conversation to be had). Connection must be either HDMI or DP (which I suspect is normal these days but still worth mentioning) and the budget is flexible but, as always, spending less is always nice
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-PD2705U-Monitor-Tech...
Very clear; great resolution
One MacBook is via USB C the other is USB C to DP - zero issues
Having said that, it's an excellent all round monitor and doesn't have a glossy screen, reducing reflections effectively. There's also an easily switchable low blue light mode for reduced eye strain.
I have it plugged into both an older Mac Pro, and a newer Mac mini - one via HDMI, the other via DP. The built-in KVM switch also works flawlessly meaning I can switch from one machine to the other using the same mouse and keyboard with just a tap on the included control puck.
There are probably less expensive monitors out there, but if budget isn't really a problem, you could do a lot worse than get one of these in either 27 or 32 inch size.
I've just bought a Benq 3205, and it's an excellent monitor.
I've got two Mac Minis plugged in - the older one is running Windows on the HDMI input, the new one is using the USB C input.
I'm looking at re-jigging it to put a Freeview box on the HDMI input, swapping the older Mini to the displayport input. The Benq does "picture in picture".
I particularly like the KVM function, meaning I only need one keyboard and mouse for both computers. The supplied "puck" makes switching inputs simple.
I've got two Mac Minis plugged in - the older one is running Windows on the HDMI input, the new one is using the USB C input.
I'm looking at re-jigging it to put a Freeview box on the HDMI input, swapping the older Mini to the displayport input. The Benq does "picture in picture".
I particularly like the KVM function, meaning I only need one keyboard and mouse for both computers. The supplied "puck" makes switching inputs simple.
I think its pointless to curve a 16:9 monitor like the LC32.
That is also 1080p at 32 inches. That is going to look terribly pixellated and grainy.
I’d avoid that.
For a well balanced monitor, I’d pick something from Dell’s Ultrasharp range. 1440p or 4k resolutions at 27 or 32 inches. They are a real sweetspot for price / specs. Plenty of refurbished examples at discount prices as well.
That is also 1080p at 32 inches. That is going to look terribly pixellated and grainy.
I’d avoid that.
For a well balanced monitor, I’d pick something from Dell’s Ultrasharp range. 1440p or 4k resolutions at 27 or 32 inches. They are a real sweetspot for price / specs. Plenty of refurbished examples at discount prices as well.
Edited by wyson on Tuesday 22 April 21:23
I have a Philips 345B1C. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Line-345B1C-Displ...
Use it daily for work with the work laptop connected via HDMI and in the evenings with the MacBook connected via DP and I love it.
A smidge over £300.
Use it daily for work with the work laptop connected via HDMI and in the evenings with the MacBook connected via DP and I love it.
A smidge over £300.
I've got a 34" ultrawide iiyama, it's a good compromise over two monitors. It's not curved, I'm not sure it needs a curve at 34", but it seems most 34" ultrawides are now curved anyway 
As its not for gaming, I would suggest to make sure its an IPS panel and not VA. Much better image quality with IPS at the expense of refresh rate.
Most of the low end "gaming" monitors will be VA panels
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iiyama-XUB3493WQSU-B5-Inc...
Actually it's really hard to find sub £300, 34" IPS monitors..
As its not for gaming, I would suggest to make sure its an IPS panel and not VA. Much better image quality with IPS at the expense of refresh rate.
Most of the low end "gaming" monitors will be VA panels
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iiyama-XUB3493WQSU-B5-Inc...
Actually it's really hard to find sub £300, 34" IPS monitors..
Edited by .:ian:. on Wednesday 23 April 07:51
IPS - 32 inch 1440p
I'm still happy with 2560x1440 from a 32 inch IPS screen - if I was going for a direct replacement I'd get something like the above. I wouldn't bother with 4K unless I had a bigger screen. IPS is a good compromise on price versus viewing angles and is only beaten by OLED - but those are a step up in cost. There are some nice VA panels but only really needed if you are a twitch gamer who needs 240 and above fps.
I'm still happy with 2560x1440 from a 32 inch IPS screen - if I was going for a direct replacement I'd get something like the above. I wouldn't bother with 4K unless I had a bigger screen. IPS is a good compromise on price versus viewing angles and is only beaten by OLED - but those are a step up in cost. There are some nice VA panels but only really needed if you are a twitch gamer who needs 240 and above fps.
Agree with the above that for a 27" 1440 (2K) is plenty, at 32" you might see the difference with 4K, but you'd have to be sitting pretty close. I'm not a big fan of ultrawide monitors as you have to get an enormous one to get the same height as a 27" widescreen
For reducing eye strain, I found lighting made a huge difference, Having a bright monitor in a dark room, or too much light behind my monitor (eg facing a window), really seems to affect me.. I have a Benq screen bar that sits on top of the monitor and makes a huge difference, illuminating the desk below my monitor without any reflection off the screen
https://www.benq.eu/en-uk/lighting/monitor-light/s...
For reducing eye strain, I found lighting made a huge difference, Having a bright monitor in a dark room, or too much light behind my monitor (eg facing a window), really seems to affect me.. I have a Benq screen bar that sits on top of the monitor and makes a huge difference, illuminating the desk below my monitor without any reflection off the screen
https://www.benq.eu/en-uk/lighting/monitor-light/s...
The monitor is supposed to be the same brightness as ambient light to reduce eye strain.
Another area where paying for quality makes sense. First thing that goes out the window with budget monitors is colour saturation and contrast if the ambient light is at either extreme, very dim conditions or very bright conditions. A high quality monitor will cope much better.
The quality of the panel itself makes a big difference to eye strain as well. Evenness of the backlighting for example. Obviously the more you pay, the more even and stable the backlighting is.
Another area where paying for quality makes sense. First thing that goes out the window with budget monitors is colour saturation and contrast if the ambient light is at either extreme, very dim conditions or very bright conditions. A high quality monitor will cope much better.
The quality of the panel itself makes a big difference to eye strain as well. Evenness of the backlighting for example. Obviously the more you pay, the more even and stable the backlighting is.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 23 April 20:34
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