Recommendation For Monitor - 4K or OLED ?

whyisave on 09/02/2024 - 03:25

My eyesight is starting to get bothered by the various LED panels I have,
ie.
IPS, LED, TFT, etc…
on the desktop computer, different laptops, portable monitors, smartphones.

It's about time I upgrade some of my monitors.

I got a OLED portable monitor and it's really pleasing on the eyes,
because my old 15" ASUS LCD portable monitor, was starting to get washed out colours.

I'm going to change my smartphone to an OLED screen too.

Now, for the monitor, I see that there are gaming monitors which are OLED,
and then there's also 4K Monitors (OLED, and also LED).

The 4K OLED monitors are expensive right now, and mostly for gamin.

I'm wondering whether I should just stick to a 34" 4K monitor
or should look at just a 34" OLED monitor.

I'm just looking for objective thoughts about what is 'better' or pleasing to look at, 4K or OLED (non-4K).

I'm not into games, video editing nor graphics work.
I just need something that is pleasing on the eyes,
with the odd movies, basic Photoshop, etc.
and I need something going into the next 5 - 7 years,
so 4K resolution? or OLED?

Let's just assume, money is not a barrier (it is, but I don't want that to cloud my decision-making for now, at least).

Should I just go to a JB Hi-Fi and look at them, with my own eyes?
(Are they even on demo?_)

Computing Computer Peripheral OLED Monitor

Comments

  • payless69 on 09/02/2024 - 08:21

    No oled phone yet?

    Even an obsolete Samsung A20 looks better than a midrange lcd.

    For long pc work use something matte with eye strain control.

    As for resolution with 28" or above get 4k.

    Of course movies are more dramatic on oleds.

    • whyisave on 09/02/2024 - 19:49
      +1

      No oled phone yet?

      I had OLED before in other phones, eg. OnePlus, ASUS, etc.

      It's just that over the past year, I noticed my eyes were starting to be under strain more and more.

      I started to notice, it's my mobile phone.

      I bought a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro off Gumtree, 1.5 years ago.

      I thought it was AMOLED (Global version) — https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_note_10_pro-10662.php
      but now, I'm fairly certain it's TFT LCD (Chinese version) — https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_note_10_pro_(china)-10930.php

      The Chinese person selling it, would have put a Global ROM on it, and sold it fairly new.
      I didn't think there were 2 different versions with different screen types.

      Anyway, my Poco F5 arrived today, and the screen is smooth (it's AMOLED).
      Instantly, I can tell the difference with a TFT screen.

      As for resolution with 28" or above get 4k.

      Thanks for this advice.

      Currently, I have a 34" LG monitor (IPS panel),
      and I would like to keep this kind of size,
      so, I will keep 4K in mind.

      • payless69 on 10/02/2024 - 08:24
        +1

        Yep Scumtree!
        Got some burnt fingers to lick!

  • FoxJump on 09/02/2024 - 10:30

    maybe get an i-ink monitor
    https://shop.boox.com/products/mira

    • whyisave on 09/02/2024 - 19:58

      I didn't even know that e-Ink monitors existed !?

      That looks promising.

      I've liked e-Ink since 20 years ago,
      but I've always wanted colour.

      I know the Bigme and Onyx Nova3 have colour e-Ink out,
      and the colours aren't as vivid, but it's OK to start reading comic books on them.

    • minty on 11/02/2024 - 09:34

      It's a shame they're not popular, would love to pick one of them up alas such steep asking price :c

  • jk82 on 09/02/2024 - 11:11
    +1

    I'm all for OLED so I say 100% do it

    The LG C series at 42" works well as a monitor for a lot of people

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/830577

    Otherwise most OLED monitors are aimed at gamers and you're paying for that high refresh rate. This was one of the first but still holds up as a fantastic panel

    https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/alienware-34-curved-qd-oled-…

    • whyisave on 09/02/2024 - 19:52

      I'm all for OLED so I say 100% do it

      So, you prioritise something OLED,
      instead of something 4K ?
      (4K OLEDS are fairly new, and only available at large sizes)

      The LG C series at 42" works well as a monitor for a lot of people

      Isn't 42" too big ?
      That's a giant TV screen, pretending to a monitor, haha

      https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/alienware-34-curved-qd-oled-…

      That Alienware uses the same Samsung panel as the Samsung G8 Odyssey, right ?

      Honestly, I don't liked curved monitors,
      but it's hard to find a non-curved one, that is OLED.
      ( MSI have a 34" OLED monitor, but I don't know how MSI rates as a (OLED) monitor brand)

      • Franc-T on 19/02/2024 - 03:32

        Isn't 42" too big ?

        Ive used a 40" as a monitor and just shelved my G9 49". for a 38.

        (49" was only too big as my eyesight is getting bad).

        FWIW the 42 would be ok if you are happy with the aspect ratio.

        • whyisave on 19/02/2024 - 08:16

          Which 38" monitor did you end up using?

          Also, do you favour OLED over IPS panel?

          ( Then, do you choose 4K over non-4K?
          I mean, is OLED non-4K "better" than 4K non-OLED? )

          I could actually try 42" then.
          I don't mind the aspect ratio,
          because I don't particularly like ultrawide monitors (like the 34" that I have).

          I'll have a look and go to a JB HiFi or some store to see how it looks.

          • Franc-T on 19/02/2024 - 12:17
            +1

            @whyisave: Bought an Acer XZ396QUP(UM.TX6SA.P01) Nitro XZ6

            Specs:
            38.5inch 170Hz WQHD Ultrawide VA Gaming Monitor, 2560x1440 (UWFHD 2560x1080 in 21:9), 1ms VRB, 400nits, 1800R, 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.4, Speakers, VESA, FreeSync Premium, DCI-P3 93%, Ergonomic Stand

            TBH half the reason I bought this model in particular was it is white lol - waiting on delivery using an emergency 32" non widescreen and it sucks though not giving me eyestrain like the G9 started to

      • jk82 on 19/02/2024 - 13:07
        +1

        Personally, yes I definitely prioritize OLED over 4k. Those inky blacks, deep colour and response rate are like no other panel.

        The LG C3 42" isn't "pretending to be a monitor" and that's the point - it's the first "TV" that actually matches the specs of, and can be used as a PC monitor. Aside from the interface and remote it's no different from getting a 42" 120hz monitor.
        And the size all depends on your desk and how far you sit from your screen - that's for you to determine.

        Yes it's hard finding non-curved OLED and that's why I mention the C3. But more options were announced at CES earlier this year and are slowly starting to hit our shores so keep an eye out. But look, the long and short of it is, you get what you pay for with monitors. And currently the only technology that even comes close to how good CRTs were, is OLED. All the other technologies (IPS, VA,TN) have massive drawbacks one way or another that can't be rectified with resolution or refresh rate.

  • JimB on 09/02/2024 - 11:42
    +1

    I thought all OLED Monitors were 4K but why not a 4K OLED?

    • whyisave on 09/02/2024 - 19:54

      4K OLED?

      The 4K OLED monitors are only available at large sizes,
      and cost more than a normal 65" TV !

      I know money should not be considered, when discussing these opinions,
      but I was wondering if at a smaller size, eg. 34",
      should I prioritise the "best" 4K monitor over a "decent" OLED monitor ?

      • JimB on 10/02/2024 - 07:32

        My bad, I always assumed Oled monitors were all 4K like TVs.

        At 32” or more, you want 4K.

        If you’re not playing games, why not get a 40” 4K LG OLED TV?

        • whyisave on 10/02/2024 - 16:11

          why not get a 40” 4K LG OLED TV?

          Good suggestion.

          I'll go to a store and see how it looks on the eyes.

          I haven't checked out OLED TVs at all,
          and I need to see if that 40" size is comfortable to view,
          at a desk from about 1m away.

          The other thing is that a 40" TV would need VESA mount,
          so I can use a monitor arm on the desk and also, TVs are heavier
          than a monitor, so I would need to change my monitor arm too
          (assuming that TVs have VESA mounts ! )
          so I would need to change my monitor arm

  • tight-ass on 10/02/2024 - 10:46
    +1

    There's rumours that LG will finally release a 32" OLED TV this year…..fingers crossed it happens. I'll buy one straight away to use as a computer monitor and I'm sure many others will too.

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