Until macOS supports proper UI scaling, nothing will look good below ~218 PPI. 4K at 27", nevermind 32", is just awful. macOS refuses to scale to 150% or 125% and does this weird 200% then size down thing. It's been a literal decade since 5K 27" panels have been available in the market, I'm tired of monitor manufacturers making excuses. Dell had the UP2715K in Sept 2014. The 27" 5K iMac was that same year. I'll be buying the ASUS PA27JCV instead.
For me Mac OS scaling works well, however 4k resolution at 27 inches is not enough. Thanks for mentioning the ProArt 5k monitor, I didn't see this one before.
@@Xandirishe yeah great monitor, basically a samsung S9 without all those useless smart features and at half the price. Only downside is the matte coating. I'd personally accept that at half the price of the Apple studio.
Finally there is a good monitor for a Mac, with integrated keyboard controls, nice design, power delivery and in a good price range. Thank you for a great review.
Which BenQ model is the best in terms of color reproduction without breaking the bank? I used an iMac 21" in late 2015 and I love the image quality. The use I am going to give to the monitor is a photography edition with Capture One(not professionally) to watch RUclips, Netflix and study. All the best
This one does fit the bill without breaking the bank. it looks great and works great. Other 3rd part displays don't have any integration to control with keyboard, like brightness.
Thanks for this great test. I'm considering buying it for coding. Are the texts and menus not too small to read? Did you use the monitor in its native resolution (3840x2160)?"
Hi Jerry, Could you review the new 5K external monitors once they release? The Benq PD2730S,.. Asus also announced one. Finally some big OEM's other then Samsung and Apple are on this 5K trend. It should be super sharp if they don't mess up the antiglare coating.
Yes, if you leave newer MacBooks plugged into the studio display, any display that provides power, or any power source, the MacBook will reduce the charge to 80% after a period of time.
If I directly plug the Thunderbolt cable 2 to back of the Apple Thunderbolt Display and plug through Thunderbolt 3(USB-C)-Thunderbolt 2 would help to turn the display connect(turn on)??
I use a Mac Studio with 3 slightly older BENQ 5k 28 inch monitors. I've been looking for an upgrade and even at 4k they might be a good option. So... these, or 1 monster curved monitor?
This looks great. Sadly I've never managed to find a 27" 4K monitor that works well with Mac. 720, 1440, 2880 are all fine. But the 4K just scales weirdly due to MacOS. I know you've addressed this before, but I can't help but see it. Every time.
These types of reviews all come down to what you use it for. Also if you shop around you can find an Apple Studio Display now for around 850-900 us. The tired but true argument is that for most ppl this monitor will work fine. My biggest issue with a non apple is the crispness which helps alot when doing graphic design but again I am not most people. I mean like a lot of things if you have to wait another six months to save up for something but it lasts as long as it does that it’s worth it. I mean Apple isn’t perfect by any stretch. Oh geez, that’s an understatement that said for the most part the stuff I’ve always bought from them and especially my line of work. It really does value out really well because most monitors nowadays they’re just not built very well. I don’t know what happened. I’m sure it’s a cost Like profit thing because there used to be way more better options for monitors that were so ridiculously expensive but at some point, it just became like either something was really good or just not so good.
@@JerrySchulzeUSED BROTHER, USED. A used market 5k Studio is better than any overpriced 4k ever will be. You either go for a budget 4k or spend the big bucks on a Studio, even if it's used.
Thanks for the review. Guess I am sticking with my two 24" dislays, I did check out a studio display at a Apple store using my 2022 Macbook M1 laptop. So far that is the one that I really want, just can't bering myself to spend the cash. I will but the usb-c wireless keyboarf when it comes out, as I am working on gettin off lighting ports.
Except that it's not even 50%. Between the non-retina scaling and the matte coating the clarity difference is way too big for a monitor that will be used for graphic work. It doesn't even have any redeeming features like high refresh rates to justify its price. Get a budget 4k monitors and save your money, or save up for a real 5k glossy one.
@@houssamalucad753 you could go cheaper but you will get a less even panel, worse colors, And no integration with MacOS. I think it’s a god option without spending 5k prices.
@@houssamalucad753 but a glossy surface is bad for graphic work. You want to decrease reflections. Thats why Apple also sells the anti glare glasses. There are no professional graphical monitors using a glossy display.
Thank you for the detailed review! Do you think a 90W USB-C charger is sufficient to power a 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip? From what I understand, this model requires 96W (unlike the 14-inch version). Thanks again!
The Benq software is available for multiple monitors, but as far as the auto rotate, I think it is model dependent. I’m not sure if or what other model support it.
GREAT video! Can you review the Kuycon G27X 5K monitor? It literally looks like a carbon copy of the Apple but at a significantly cheaper price point...5K...has aluminum body like Apple's to. Great design. Would love to see an indepth review by you of it.
Hey Jerry thanks for the review! I am deciding between this and the Dell U2723QE. I am a mac user who consumes video content and do some light 3A gaming. Which one would you recommend? Would you say the M-book mode gives the benq an edge?
How it's this "BUILT for your Mac" since MacOS scaling on 4k it's awful? I have one MSI 4K 32in and it's looking very bad, the text it's not sharp and the overall quality it's fuzzy and foggy. Stop promoting things that aren't supposed to work properly on MacOS. I'm really thinking to sell my monitor and get a 5k one like LG Ultrafine second hand or to build a desktop PC. However, i really like my MacBook M3 Max and i'm dissapointed that such a big problem it's not more popular in reviews, you really have to dig deep to find something about this "minor" problem. I didn't expected that since i'm coming from windows/linux devices.
it depends what you looking for, as photographers or videographers nowadays, a 95-98% color match with your macbook color is most important as most of clients is using their iphones or ipads to view their photos or videos. Mac color had already like a 'standard' in digital world. 5K or not is not the most important for them, its all about color. Some old monitors just cant sync the same color from macs even manual adjust is painful and couldn't match. BUT i will wait for a 120hz version so i can do both macs for edting PC for gaming.
Thanks for the review. As a PD series user I do not understand why BENQ would't make a mid-level 5k monitor as they are obviously aimed at pro and casual Mac users for years. Quality wise they are way beyond what Samsung does in this area.
No. Any monitor that isn't glossy wasn't built for mac. Some might even argue any monitor under retina resolution isn't either but I personally make exceptions to OLEDs. Stop with this non-sense advertising subpar overpriced monitors.
if I connect my MacBook Air via usb C can I use the second USB C port on the monitor (15W) to connect a webcam to the monitor and will it work with my MacBook?
@ oh man. I realize reading my comment now it seems rude. Apologies. I think there is anew 27” 5k monitor out. I seen it in some videos but haven’t thought about it much. I currently have 2 studio displays and a 5k ultrafine. Eventually will cut off the ultrafine for another studio display I m a developer who currently has a 2019 iMac Pro and a 27” Ultrafine 5k so yes I want more lol I m not just using 3 monitors for looks. I like having all apps open and on screen and don’t wanna use spaces or anything like that etc
Even if this was an ad, so what? Why does that bother you? Afraid you might buy one? 🙄 Trolls, trolls everywhere, and not a single ounce of courtesy. Hope you feel better about yourself now.
@@JerrySchulze IMO it's like only having USB A ports in 2024. If I buy a device now for several hundred dollars, then I'd prefer to future-proof it for a reasonable amount of time.
@@axxa5000 there is no future proofing ability for a 60hz panel. There will be no features that would suddenly work with hdmi 2.1. That’s like buying a regular car and expecting it work like a boat if it just had a completely different, watertight bottom. Now if you want to argue that 60hz just isn’t for you, that’s totally fine and there are plenty of options.
Why would BENQ spoil a product like this by installing loudspeakers that sound really bad. I'll bet that for $2 more, you could install better units and have a decent sound. Of course they want to upsell, but I consider mediocrity the bain of technology. If you want to meet Apple in the market, then deliver. Also, do you Jerry get sponsored in any way to do these 'dazzling' reviews? Just asking?
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How sharp is the text and color match against the studio display?
Until macOS supports proper UI scaling, nothing will look good below ~218 PPI. 4K at 27", nevermind 32", is just awful. macOS refuses to scale to 150% or 125% and does this weird 200% then size down thing.
It's been a literal decade since 5K 27" panels have been available in the market, I'm tired of monitor manufacturers making excuses. Dell had the UP2715K in Sept 2014. The 27" 5K iMac was that same year. I'll be buying the ASUS PA27JCV instead.
have you tried out BetterDisplay? It adds a lot more scaling options that let me not go insane running 4k at 27"
Also need glossy coating for any monitor to look good next to a macbook. There is a reason all iMacs were glossy.
For me Mac OS scaling works well, however 4k resolution at 27 inches is not enough. Thanks for mentioning the ProArt 5k monitor, I didn't see this one before.
@@Xandirishe yeah great monitor, basically a samsung S9 without all those useless smart features and at half the price. Only downside is the matte coating. I'd personally accept that at half the price of the Apple studio.
Finally there is a good monitor for a Mac, with integrated keyboard controls, nice design, power delivery and in a good price range.
Thank you for a great review.
thanks for watching.
Slava Ukraina
@@june5646
Heroyam Slava!
@@Espesia1 Hope its all right out there. Best of luck man.
Which BenQ model is the best in terms of color reproduction without breaking the bank? I used an iMac 21" in late 2015 and I love the image quality. The use I am going to give to the monitor is a photography edition with Capture One(not professionally) to watch RUclips, Netflix and study.
All the best
This one does fit the bill without breaking the bank. it looks great and works great. Other 3rd part displays don't have any integration to control with keyboard, like brightness.
Don’t you think that the BenQ PD 3725U is a better machine?
What do you recommend? This or dell u2723qe? Both exactly same price right now
The BENQ MA if you want to have a display that looks like the Mac out of the box and you can control brightness with keyboard.
I wonder which is better: this monitor or the DELL U2723QE ? The text looks crisp in your video and there don't seem to be any scaling issues.
same question
Thanks for this great test. I'm considering buying it for coding. Are the texts and menus not too small to read? Did you use the monitor in its native resolution (3840x2160)?"
Is it good for the new Mac Mini M4? Is so, should we choose the 27 or 32 version?
Yes, it will work great with the Mac mini. 27 or 32 is personal choice.
Hi Jerry, Could you review the new 5K external monitors once they release? The Benq PD2730S,.. Asus also announced one. Finally some big OEM's other then Samsung and Apple are on this 5K trend. It should be super sharp if they don't mess up the antiglare coating.
One important question , the battery for macbook air or pro , stays at 80% as with the studio display??
Yes, if you leave newer MacBooks plugged into the studio display, any display that provides power, or any power source, the MacBook will reduce the charge to 80% after a period of time.
Is this monitor 10bit?
It is over 1B colors and I can't find any reference to FCR, so yes, I believe it is 10-bit.
If I directly plug the Thunderbolt cable 2 to back of the Apple Thunderbolt Display and plug through Thunderbolt 3(USB-C)-Thunderbolt 2 would help to turn the display connect(turn on)??
Thanks for the review, that's a nice looking budget monitor.
Thanks for watching.
I use a Mac Studio with 3 slightly older BENQ 5k 28 inch monitors. I've been looking for an upgrade and even at 4k they might be a good option. So... these, or 1 monster curved monitor?
This looks great.
Sadly I've never managed to find a 27" 4K monitor that works well with Mac.
720, 1440, 2880 are all fine. But the 4K just scales weirdly due to MacOS.
I know you've addressed this before, but I can't help but see it. Every time.
Yeo I get it. 5k is better but also much more expensive options.
These types of reviews all come down to what you use it for. Also if you shop around you can find an Apple Studio Display now for around 850-900 us. The tired but true argument is that for most ppl this monitor will work fine. My biggest issue with a non apple is the crispness which helps alot when doing graphic design but again I am not most people. I mean like a lot of things if you have to wait another six months to save up for something but it lasts as long as it does that it’s worth it. I mean Apple isn’t perfect by any stretch. Oh geez, that’s an understatement that said for the most part the stuff I’ve always bought from them and especially my line of work. It really does value out really well because most monitors nowadays they’re just not built very well. I don’t know what happened. I’m sure it’s a cost Like profit thing because there used to be way more better options for monitors that were so ridiculously expensive but at some point, it just became like either something was really good or just not so good.
@@roguewavecreative I haven’t seen the studio display less than 1300. Where have you seen it lower?
@@JerrySchulzeUSED BROTHER, USED.
A used market 5k Studio is better than any overpriced 4k ever will be. You either go for a budget 4k or spend the big bucks on a Studio, even if it's used.
@@houssamalucad753. I personally wouldn’t buy a Used studio display except from Apple refurbished. But, that’s just me.
Thanks for the review. Guess I am sticking with my two 24" dislays, I did check out a studio display at a Apple store using my 2022 Macbook M1 laptop. So far that is the one that I really want, just can't bering myself to spend the cash. I will but the usb-c wireless keyboarf when it comes out, as I am working on gettin off lighting ports.
How is this monitor any diffe
rent than the BenQ PD2705U
Thank you so much for the 4K/5K side-by-side, its not much but I'm still glad I spent the coin for my ASD.
What’s with manufacturers releasing old tech and marketing them as new products? Innovation is dead.
Great review, Jerry. Now I need to decide if I’m ok being at 88-90% vs the Apple Studio. 🤔
At Less than half the cost.
And it also has height adjustment
Except that it's not even 50%. Between the non-retina scaling and the matte coating the clarity difference is way too big for a monitor that will be used for graphic work. It doesn't even have any redeeming features like high refresh rates to justify its price. Get a budget 4k monitors and save your money, or save up for a real 5k glossy one.
@@houssamalucad753 you could go cheaper but you will get a less even panel, worse colors, And no integration with MacOS. I think it’s a god option without spending 5k prices.
@@houssamalucad753 but a glossy surface is bad for graphic work. You want to decrease reflections. Thats why Apple also sells the anti glare glasses. There are no professional graphical monitors using a glossy display.
Thank you for the detailed review! Do you think a 90W USB-C charger is sufficient to power a 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip? From what I understand, this model requires 96W (unlike the 14-inch version). Thanks again!
Could you please tell me what the difference MA and PD series? I’m a little confused with huge options from Benq.
MA for everyday Mac users, creators, PD for real professional color work.
Is the software that auto rotates available for All Benqs or just this model? I would love this feature!
The Benq software is available for multiple monitors, but as far as the auto rotate, I think it is model dependent. I’m not sure if or what other model support it.
Based on guesstimates from previous products, how long might these displays last?
No Thunderbolt. P3 color gamut is only 95%, strange given that modern MacBooks are 100% P3.
Also cheaper than a Thunderbolt Display.
4K. Definitely Not built for Mac.
400 nit is a deal breaker, cannot use in summer time. why all of them are so low on brightness when TVs push over 1k nits
GREAT video! Can you review the Kuycon G27X 5K monitor? It literally looks like a carbon copy of the Apple but at a significantly cheaper price point...5K...has aluminum body like Apple's to. Great design. Would love to see an indepth review by you of it.
Does this monitor also works with a pc? (Microsoft etc)
Yes, it works with Windows as well.
Hey Jerry thanks for the review! I am deciding between this and the Dell U2723QE. I am a mac user who consumes video content and do some light 3A gaming. Which one would you recommend? Would you say the M-book mode gives the benq an edge?
Same dilemma. What did you buy?
@@maryalandswent with dell, better brightness and contract ratio. And no chin, so a better viewing experience overall.
@@louisxue3292 thanks, it definitely looks better, I’m decided
Not glossy, only 163 ppi, only 60 Hz. Yeah I’ll stick with my Apple studio display.
How it's this "BUILT for your Mac" since MacOS scaling on 4k it's awful? I have one MSI 4K 32in and it's looking very bad, the text it's not sharp and the overall quality it's fuzzy and foggy. Stop promoting things that aren't supposed to work properly on MacOS. I'm really thinking to sell my monitor and get a 5k one like LG Ultrafine second hand or to build a desktop PC. However, i really like my MacBook M3 Max and i'm dissapointed that such a big problem it's not more popular in reviews, you really have to dig deep to find something about this "minor" problem. I didn't expected that since i'm coming from windows/linux devices.
What’s scaling option Are you choosing with a 32 inch 4K display?
it depends what you looking for, as photographers or videographers nowadays, a 95-98% color match with your macbook color is most important as most of clients is using their iphones or ipads to view their photos or videos. Mac color had already like a 'standard' in digital world. 5K or not is not the most important for them, its all about color. Some old monitors just cant sync the same color from macs even manual adjust is painful and couldn't match. BUT i will wait for a 120hz version so i can do both macs for edting PC for gaming.
60hz is a deal breaker
Thanks for the review. As a PD series user I do not understand why BENQ would't make a mid-level 5k monitor as they are obviously aimed at pro and casual Mac users for years. Quality wise they are way beyond what Samsung does in this area.
BenQ has announced a 5K monitor (PD2730S). Pricing TBD.
'A little bit' that chin on the monitor is Huge.
It's not, I bought one and it's not noticable. I'm too busy looking at the screen. 😂
No. Any monitor that isn't glossy wasn't built for mac. Some might even argue any monitor under retina resolution isn't either but I personally make exceptions to OLEDs.
Stop with this non-sense advertising subpar overpriced monitors.
if I connect my MacBook Air via usb C can I use the second USB C port on the monitor (15W) to connect a webcam to the monitor and will it work with my MacBook?
That would depend on the camera, but it would be USB 2 speeds unless you want to drop to 31st per second.
What scaling do you use in your MA270U?
with 4k I stick with the 1080 scaling. I used to hate it but moving to 1440 adds just a bit of blur.
If it is not 5K it is not for Mac.
Exactly. That is the main feature needed! All the rest is a distraction from this big miss.
I wish I had a 5K 27Inches 144hz monitor with 99% Adobe RGB.
Maybe with thunderbolt 5.
8k?😊just joking?
27” 5k
32” 6k
Those are the options. I will not buy anything else
Got something for you in a couple days.
@ oh man. I realize reading my comment now it seems rude. Apologies.
I think there is anew 27” 5k monitor out. I seen it in some videos but haven’t thought about it much. I currently have 2 studio displays and a 5k ultrafine. Eventually will cut off the ultrafine for another studio display
I m a developer who currently has a 2019 iMac Pro and a 27” Ultrafine 5k so yes I want more lol I m not just using 3 monitors for looks. I like having all apps open and on screen and don’t wanna use spaces or anything like that etc
Drink every time he says "Mac users"
“I’ll be your huckleberry”
There's a reason why the video doesn't say "review" as this is an AD...
@@ColorOfTheDay sorry you think so.
@@JerrySchulze If it is not 5k it is NOT built for Mac. Everything you said is pointless
@@PeterbFree k, thanks for watching.
Even if this was an ad, so what? Why does that bother you? Afraid you might buy one? 🙄
Trolls, trolls everywhere, and not a single ounce of courtesy. Hope you feel better about yourself now.
Imagine having a sponsor on an ad video.
Only HDMI 2.0 in 2024?
It’s only 4k 60. Why would you need 2.1?
@@JerrySchulze Woah close to $500 and only 60?! seesh. What a joke.
@@ColorOfTheDay depends on what’s important. Screen uniformity, color reproduction, and integration may be worth more than high refresh.
@@JerrySchulze IMO it's like only having USB A ports in 2024. If I buy a device now for several hundred dollars, then I'd prefer to future-proof it for a reasonable amount of time.
@@axxa5000 there is no future proofing ability for a 60hz panel. There will be no features that would suddenly work with hdmi 2.1. That’s like buying a regular car and expecting it work like a boat if it just had a completely different, watertight bottom. Now if you want to argue that 60hz just isn’t for you, that’s totally fine and there are plenty of options.
Why would BENQ spoil a product like this by installing loudspeakers that sound really bad. I'll bet that for $2 more, you could install better units and have a decent sound. Of course they want to upsell, but I consider mediocrity the bain of technology. If you want to meet Apple in the market, then deliver.
Also, do you Jerry get sponsored in any way to do these 'dazzling' reviews?
Just asking?
Nope, this was sponsored by CalDigit.
Great review. But the monitor looks too ugly for my eyes.
@@klaymoon1 what do you use now?
@@JerrySchulze I'm using Samsung M8(?) 32" 4k. It's an ok monitor, but not a perfect match for a Mac. I'm also interested in 120hz monitor.