Help me decide between Apple Studio Display and 32" 4k

[George Adams]

Hi everyone,
I've been investigating on getting a new monitor and I'm torn between the Apple Studio Display and a 32" 4K Display.

A little background. I use a Samsung 34" Widescreen monitor for work (at home) so I'm used to having a big monitor. However, even though I calibrated the Samsung monitor it's still doesn't have great color. When I edit my photos in LRC/PS, I use the calibrated screen on my MacBook Pro M1.

I don't live in the US so I don't have any store to go and see monitors to compare. There is an Apple Distributor and I just came back from the store where I tested the Apple Studio Display. It's beautiful and looks great. LRC/PS look great when I set it to maximum resolution. I saw MacOs sets the default resolution to the middle option which was too big.

The Apple Studio display is expensive, even more so where I live. The basic model goes for $2049.

I've reviewed online and see many Youtube videos on the BenQ SW line, but these are expensive and would be more expensive than the Apple Studio Display once I import one in. So I looked at the PD line, the PD3225U which would cost around $1500 with shipping and import taxes.

Since I can't compare them, I can't decide. I know the Apple Studio will work, but I feel I'd be missing screen space for when I work with the monitor. I always have multiple apps and windows open on my screen at all times, so I don't have to switch when I need one, just click on the one I need. The BenQ 32" SW goes way over my budget and I don't print that much, so I feel the PD line is enough, from what I've read, the PD3225U is on par with the Studio Display, except no glossy screen. I don't mind a glossy screen, I'm used to the screen on my MBP.

Any guidance is appreciated, perhaps someone will come up with something I haven't thought of.

One last thing is the decision is difficult for me as I can't sit down in front of a 32" 4k monitor and make a good comparison. I'm stuck with whatever display I buy and returning is way too expensive.

TIA

 

[CAcreeks]

Yeah, I would not buy a Samsung monitor. Colors are just wrong.

Also in my opinion 32" is too big unless you have a very big (deep) desk.

I sense that you want to pay less? Dell monitors should be obtainable in Costa Rica. Here's one that looks good for only $300 on Amazon US. Full sRGB, 83% DCI-P3.

Dell S2722QC Review

The Dell S2722QC is a 27-inch, 4k monitor aimed at productivity. It's an updated version of the Dell S2721QS with a different selection of inputs. This monitor h...

www.rtings.com

 

[DirkPeh]

I have a 34” Samsung UW, too. I think it’s too big or my eyes are too close together. I think about buying a 27” SW Benq next. They are far more affordable than the 34” models. Here in Germany one can find some used ones.

 

[QuietOC]

34" 21:9 monitors are the same height as 27" 16:9 monitors.

I used a 34" 21:9 for a year or so many years ago. I've been using a 32" 16:9 with a 27" 16:9 for several years. I did dual 27" 16:9s between that.

Dual 16:9's is annoyingly wide and too short. I might prefer like a 40" 3:2 display with more like 8k horizontal pixels.

It is too bad the 16:10 ratio fell out of favor. 30" 16:10s were better than 27" 16:9s.

 

[Philip Flower]

I have 2 27 inch iMacs both of which have 5k Retina screens, Both of which are fantastic for what use them for - mostly Lightroom and Photoshop plus some video watching.

I have been planning on getting a Mac Studio at some point and have been looking at screens to go with it. I have no technical expertise in this but looking at various reviews it seems to be the consensus that 4K screens and Macs don't marry that well - or at least not as well as with 5k screens. Something to do with scaling and text sharpness, You might like to do some research on that issue and no doubt others with better technical expertise might like to chip in on that point.

The Mac Studio display looks great (I have seen one in our local Apple Store). But it is very expensive particularly if you add in the adjustable stand. What has caught my eye is the Samsung S9 27 inch 5k monitor. Available in the UK for less than £1k. Undoubtedly not as well built as the Apple version but has inbuilt calibration features ( I note the observation that Samsung colour are "wrong" from a pervious post). But there are a lot of reviews on it on Youtube (mostly when it was first released at the same price as the Studio monitor) and also written reviews. Given the price disparity it is certainly something that I will be looking at carefully. But I have never actually seen one in the flesh,

32 inches is just too big for my desk. I also have some questions as to whether 4K monitors can match 5k monitors when paired with a Mac.

Just some thoughts for you.

 

[JPAlbert]

"looking at various reviews it seems to be the consensus that 4K screens and Macs don't marry that well - or at least not as well as with 5k screens. Something to do with scaling and text sharpness"

I have a Dell Ultrasharp 27" 4k display connected to my 2018 Mini, and it looks just fine.

I have a strong dislike for 27" 5k screens -- the text is simply too small for me at normal font sizes. But 27" 4k is "just right".

 

[DirkPeh]

I've been looking for monitors too. I had the impression that the best ones are the photocentric Benq SW series.

Not to get me wrong, they are fine, but after reading some reviews I have the impression that there are other and maybe better options. Petapixel has some comparisons and reviews.

 

[Kenneth Morris Lee]

I bought a Mac Studio and got the 27 inch 5K Studio display. To save some money, I purchased the basic model without an adjustable stand. I knew there were other monitors out there, but none offered improved image quality and were either flimsier, had no speakers/camera, or presented some other obstacle to configuration.

The Studio Display is designed for the Mac Studio and as the saying goes, everything just works. Since I intend to use it for a long time (I still have other Macs in use after 10 years) I spread the difference in cost over time and haven't looked back.

I have to also point out that Apple does a very good job in calibrating this monitor. After calibration with a Calibrite Display Pro, I can see virtually no difference in the before-and-after views.

 

[teohyc]

Just take a look at Dell displays if you want to save some money. They make really good displays too.

Just look for those that are 10-bit displays (not 8-bit with FRC) and support 90% AdobeRGB and above. If you don't have a colour calibrator, consider getting one too f you have savings from the purchase to spend.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Just take a look at Dell displays if you want to save some money. They make really good displays too.

Just look for those that are 10-bit displays (not 8-bit with FRC) and support 90% AdobeRGB and above. If you don't have a colour calibrator, consider getting one too f you have savings from the purchase to spend.

My experience with displays is that you get what you pay for.

If you get a cheap display you may get lucky and get a good one, but it is luck of the draw as quality control is not as tight as expensive ones.

The last cheap one I got was a Dell which I returned as one side had a slight pink hue which I couldn't unsee. I could have returned it for another lucky dip but instead I bought a much more expensive LG which was perfect.

 

[DirkPeh]

Just take a look at Dell displays if you want to save some money. They make really good displays too.

Just look for those that are 10-bit displays (not 8-bit with FRC) and support 90% AdobeRGB and above. If you don't have a colour calibrator, consider getting one too f you have savings from the purchase to spend.

 

[lightandaprayer]

The Apple Studio Display can be ordered with a standard-size VESA mount, no stand included. It's a way to save some money over Apple's exorbitant extra $300 price for a basic tilt/height adjustable stand that is included with most displays that are much less expensive than the Studio Display's $1599 basic price.

Third-party stands can provide more adjustment options & some can be mounted on a desk or wall.

Height-adjustment can be important for proper ergonomics depending on the individual. It is arguably a requirement if you ever plan to use a motorized sit/stand desk so the display can be properly adjusted when the desk is adjusted.

 

[lumigraphics]

The Best Monitors for Photography and Photo Editing in 2025

These are the best monitors you can buy for photographers and photo editing.

petapixel.com