New 28-32" 4K Monitor for Windows and MacOS ~£500-750

[silvagti]

I'm planning on buying a new monitor to replace my current 34" Ultrawide. I like the idea of going back to a 16:9 monitor as I don't really feel ultrawide benefits most of the productivity work I do. If I'm looking for a monitor to use with both MacOS (on my 13" Macbook Air) and Windows what size/resolution is the best option for productivity and text size/clarity? I appreciate that I'd probably need to go for some kind of scaling to make 4K work at 28-32" since native would likely be too small at that size? I'd probably play the occassional game but nothing too intenss that required a super high refresh rate.

Is 4K better or should I stick with a 27"-34" 1440P display? Is 32" or 28" better for 4K at that size?

I was thinking of somthing like one of the Gigabyte 4K displays

Gigabyte 28" M28U 3840x2160 4K SSIPS 144Hz 1ms FreeSync HDR400 Widescreen Gaming Monitor

Order Gigabyte 28" M28U 3840x2160 4K SSIPS 144Hz 1ms FreeSync HDR400 Widescreen Gaming Monitor now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

Gigabyte 32" M32U 3840x2160 4K SS IPS 144Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync KVM HDR Widescreen Gaming Monitor

Order Gigabyte 32" M32U 3840x2160 4K SS IPS 144Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync KVM HDR Widescreen Gaming Monitor now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

 

[Craig_d1]

We use 43" dell ultrasharp 4k scfeens at work. Got a 42" lg c2 at home. Works a treat...would go for a c4 now as 144hz znd brighter, but c2 bright enough and c3 is in budget...
I cant go back small anymore

 

[silvagti]

We use 43" dell ultrasharp 4k scfeens at work. Got a 42" lg c2 at home. Works a treat...would go for a c4 now as 144hz znd brighter, but c2 bright enough and c3 is in budget...
I cant go back small anymore

I mulled over buying a 42" LG OLED but having measured it on my desk it does feel like it would be very large to sit in front of at a regular monitor distance which is why I was considering a 28/32" model?

 

[radderfire]

I've got a 31.5" 4K monitor but I have to use 200% scaling for it to be comfortable for text viewing, although I wear contacts and that could just be me. In general, I would say 4K is good for gaming and for bigger monitor sizes, i.e. over 32".

I don't know much about Macs, apart from getting clear text on external monitors can be difficult to get right, so it's probably your Mac's requirements that will dictate your monitor choice.

 

[Craig_d1]

I mulled over buying a 42" LG OLED but having measured it on my desk it does feel like it would be very large to sit in front of at a regular monitor distance which is why I was considering a 28/32" model?

Work is dual 43 in screens.when i started i just thought massive. Its amazing how auickly you adjust...now i miss them. Visiting our London office this week. Have 6 1080p screens in front of me from the spare desk. All i can think of is i cant wait to get back to my own desk with the big screens

 

[silvagti]

Work is dual 43 in screens.when i started i just thought massive. Its amazing how auickly you adjust...now i miss them.

What kind of distance/desk depth do you need to sit at and how much desk space do you need to accommodate at 42/43” monitor?

I’ve measured it up on my ikea idassen desk (120mm x 70mm) and it feels like it wouldn’t be practical to sit in front of a 40”+ 16:9 monitor?

 

[radderfire]

What kind of distance/desk depth do you need to sit at and how much desk space do you need to accommodate at 42/43” monitor?

I’ve measured it up on my ikea idassen desk (120mm x 70mm) and it feels like it wouldn’t be practical to sit in front of a 40”+ 16:9 monitor?

Note there is software you can get to divide up a screen and snap windows to (for Windows at least), which means that one big monitor can actually be split into 2 or 3 or more windows, which is like having multiple monitors in one frame. As you would have 4K, then each of these windows would probably be a nicely readable resolution (although check that before buying, don't take my word for it).

The other thing to consider about bigger monitors is they are more difficult to move and transport, so less practical in that respect.

 

[Craig_d1]

What kind of distance/desk depth do you need to sit at and how much desk space do you need to accommodate at 42/43” monitor?

I’ve measured it up on my ikea idassen desk (120mm x 70mm) and it feels like it wouldn’t be practical to sit in front of a 40”+ 16:9 monitor?

at home have an ikea Bekant desk 160x80cm, c2 is in middle, have 5000x case on desk on the right of it, xsx on the left of it..keyboard in front..
work we just had new sit/stand desks installed, so mine is now 185x85cm..end desks are 180x85 with the 2 ultrasharps angled into me.. ill try get some photos in a sec

 

[silvagti]

at home have an ikea Bekant desk 160x80cm, c2 is in middle, have 5000x case on desk on the right of it, xsx on the left of it..keyboard in front..
work we just had new sit/stand desks installed, so mine is now 185x85cm..end desks are 180x85 with the 2 ultrasharps angled into me.. ill try get some photos in a sec

Thanks! Appreciate you taking the time to post the feedback and photos as it gives me a better idea of the size/perspective in relation to the 42” monitor