One office monitor to rule them all

ozbargainsam on 06/07/2021 - 09:02
Last edited 10/07/2021 - 22:12

I'm in want of a one really good monitor to go with my work Surface Pro 4 (soon 7) for the time being. Later, the monitor will be used with my personal or other work laptops as I move between projects (such is consultant life).

For reference, I have a single 25" U2515H (still nice, though) that I'm forced to use since my gooder monitor, the original LG UltraFine 5K, is TB3-only and isn't usable with the SP4 or 7.

What I'm looking for:

  • Single large/wide monitor
  • Excellent text legibility
  • IPS/decent colour
  • High-ish DPI
  • At least 1440p vertical pixels
  • Max screen height of ~13" (height of 27" 16:9 monitor) - basically no 32" 16:9 4K monitors, etc.

I'd be mounting it on a monitor arm and the desk would suit almost any sized monitor with a moderate curve.

Ones that have my interest I've come across:

  • U3821DW - 38" 3840 * 1600 (this spec is about right)
  • Dell U4021QW - 40" 5120 * 2160 (a tad too tall, though)
  • Dell U4919DW - 49" 5120 * 1440 (this is a bit old but if they updated it, I would consider it)

And there's that non-XDR Apple Monitor that's forever on the horizon.

The above are references for a monitor spec, not for pricing (they're all very pricey).

TIA 🙂

Computing Computer Peripheral LCD Monitor

Comments

  • iforgotmysocks on 06/07/2021 - 09:14

    I have the dell S3422DW, found it a nice upgrade from my 27 inch gaming monitor in terms of productivity. Under $500 on sale.

    It is VA though.

  • stratbargain on 06/07/2021 - 09:44
    +2

    Don't underestimate high refresh rate even if you're not gaming. a 144hz+ monitor will mean much smoother mouse movement and window movement. It's very hard to go back to 60hz even on the desktop/office apps after a while.

    But will be $$$ with all of your other criteria

    • idonotknowwhy on 06/07/2021 - 14:49

      I agree with you about this, I end up really clumsy when using other people's 60hz computers now.
      I'm even getting a 120hz phone this week to reduce latency browsing the net.
      But unless they're used to >60hz, they won't miss it.

    • ozbargainsam on 10/07/2021 - 21:58

      HFR displays have compromises at the moment so I'm okay with missing out.

      I get where you're coming from. It's one of things you can see if you're looking for it, but it's also the thing that totally disappears as soon as you stop looking for it (for me). I have an iPad Pro (M1) and it's very noticeable (if you're looking for it) on the multitasking screen versus the iPhone. Until I tried it now, never bothered me.

      Besides, the dinky CPU in this Surface Pro, I'm not trusting it to keep up 120Hz all the time anyway.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 06/07/2021 - 09:47

    I'm not sure a Surface Pro will support an ultrawide 1440p monitor, I have two 1440p monitors in my WFH setup and both SP4 and SP7 will only drive one at 1440p and the other at 1080p.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 06/07/2021 - 09:48

      Also if you haven't already you should get a little desk fan to blow across the metal backplate of the SP, it'll prevent it from throttling and you'll see a huge performance boost.

    • ozbargainsam on 06/07/2021 - 10:01

      They have provided the surface dock thing so I have a handful of mDP ports. Then again, I only need one. Just need to check the max resolution I can drive

      • Cheaplikethebird on 06/07/2021 - 10:16

        Yeah same, I'm running the Surface Dock 2 with two 2560x1440p monitors connected with DP>mDP cables. Only way I was able to get both the externals to run at 1440p was to reduce the resolution on the SP display which took a whole bunch of messing around and created a whole lot of other issues.

  • Mechz on 06/07/2021 - 10:04

    I have a ln old SP3 at home, will test on my LG 38" Ultrawide if I remember tonight.

    Why is the 40" to tall for you? That's the one I'd get if I needed a new one. It looks amazing.

  • Gunther on 06/07/2021 - 10:18
    +1

    Xiaomi Mi 34" Curved Gaming Monitor :D

  • Stopback on 06/07/2021 - 10:30

    big monitors take a while to get used to, prefer two as your eyes just see screen all the time.

    • ozbargainsam on 10/07/2021 - 21:40

      You're suggesting the deadspace between two monitors is enough room to rest your eyes?

      I've not considered two closely spaced monitors vs a double-wide monitor being all that different, but I don't expect it'll be something that'll take much time to adjust to.

  • Switchblade88 on 06/07/2021 - 14:37

    I'll throw my vote in for a Kogan 34" ultrawide, but a Dell ultrawide is likely going to be a better screen if you're happy to pay more $$

  • MinimalistWallets on 10/07/2021 - 17:15

    Did you end up getting a monitor? What did you go for?

    I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a Xiaomi 34" Ultrawide. Best deal i can find is $525 from Kogan, take off 5% for code gladys and then 6% off for suncorp rewards vouchers which brings it down to $468.12 and free delivery with Kogan First.

    • ozbargainsam on 10/07/2021 - 21:29

      I may have accidentally ghosted this thread…it was a busy few days.

      The Xiaomi is a really good deal, but it's not the right fit for me especially if HFR doesn't matter. I'm coming from a 2560x1440 25" screen which is higher DPI. The Xiaomi is only moderately wider (34% more width in pixels), so not really the 'one monitor to rule it all' 🙂

    • ozbargainsam on 12/07/2021 - 13:58

      I assume that if I don't have a box to enter in the coupon code then the item isn't eligible?

  • ozbargainsam on 11/07/2021 - 20:51

    The 'oooh shiny' person in me really wanted that ridiculous 40" Dell.

    But I think I'm just gonna order a 'regular' 16:9 primary display and move my U2515H to the right.

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