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27-inch 2560x1440 monitor (limited options)

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  • Resolution
  • Monitors
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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March 29, 2014 9:31:56 AM

So, here is the deal. I am in search of a 27-inch monitor with a 2560x1440 resolution so I can use it with my early 2013 15-inch retina MacBook Pro and also with other laptops (such as my girlfriend’s Asus VivoBook and any other laptop that I decide to buy). I have alrady discarded a 3840x2160 model as I learned that my retina MacBook Pro will not support such a high resolution on an external screen. I do not use it for heavy photo or video editing or anything. It is basically web browsing and productivity (office applications).

First, an explanation. The fact is that I live in Brazil and offers of 1440p monitors here are very limited. I cannot just order a monitor from the US or from other country (such as Korea) because the huge taxes charged by the government will make it just not worth it. I have made the calculations. Even a very cheap US$ 300 monitor will end up costing about US$ 900 when it arrives in my home due to the magic of Brazilian taxes. And a US$ 500 monitor may end up costing almost US$ 1,500. And that is only after the Brazilian customs office decides to release the product, which may take a few months. Perhaps you have heard of some guy who sends products to Brazil at no additional cost, and that really exists. It is calling smuggling and people may get caught doing that, and I am not ordering a monitor through a smuggler to save a few bucks. No workarounds here. So, the option of not buying in Brazil is pretty much non-existant, so that is why I am stuck with the limited choices and therefore I am asking for your help here.

So, the choices are pretty much limited. The Apple Thunderbolt Display costs about US$ 2,200 here, and I will not buy it (apart from the price, also because it will not work with laptops which do not support Thunderbolt). The following monitors are available here (for a reasonable, or at least payable, price), and not all of them are readily available:

• Philips 272P4QPJKEB, US$ 1,150

• Dell UltraSharp U2713HM, US$ 925 (3+ weeks to be delivered)

• Samsung SyncMaster S27A850, US$ 950

• LG 27EA83R, US$ 900 (sold out for now)

Basically, these are the only options I have. The Dell is the cheapest one to buy in the credit card, but it will take something like a month to arrive, or maybe even more. The LG model one is sold out for now, but it comes and goes all the time, so I might end up finding one. The Samsung and the Philips models are ready for shipment and will be delivered in about a week or so.

As I understand, the LG and the Dell models use the same IPS panel as the Apple Thunderbolt Display. The panel is made by LG and is has a 350 nit brightness.

The Samsung and the Philips, on the other hand, both share the same PLS panel made by Samsung, and they sport a 300 nit brightness. PLS is supposed to be Samsung’s answer to IPS.

I would like to know which of these monitors is better and would be more recommended. First, which panel is the best? Second, which monitor is the best and most polished?

Thanks.

More about : inch 2560x1440 monitor limited options

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March 29, 2014 3:32:22 PM

I would say Dell. The new coating is very good and picture is nice even without calibration. The only issue may be some light leak, but same can be said with all those alternatives...
I personally like Dell because of picture quality, price and good looks (IMHO) it is very sharp looking monitor. Not the best for first person shooters, but if you want good quality, ISP or PLS is the way to go and forget all TN-alternatives.
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March 29, 2014 9:30:22 PM

hannibal said:
I would say Dell. The new coating is very good and picture is nice even without calibration. The only issue may be some light leak, but same can be said with all those alternatives...
I personally like Dell because of picture quality, price and good looks (IMHO) it is very sharp looking monitor. Not the best for first person shooters, but if you want good quality, ISP or PLS is the way to go and forget all TN-alternatives.


Thank you. Is the Dell monitor really that much better than the other ones? I ask that because while the Dell is available for sale, it must be ordered through the website (there is no other place where I can find this monitor here in Brazil). The estimated time for delivery is over 3 weeks, and some customers have waited more than 2 months to get the product delivered. So, I would only go with the Dell if its quality is really worth the wait.
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March 29, 2014 9:31:08 PM

Nikola Aslanov said:
Read this thread before ordering the monitor.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5475430?start=0&ts...
I did not have the patience to read it all, but from what I read the support of 4k over 30Hz is not yet "polished".
If you decide to buy - I'd also go with the Dell.


Thank you. But I guess this only applies to 4K (3840x2160) resolutions, and not to 2560x1440, isn't that so?
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March 30, 2014 1:37:46 AM

skaertus said:

Thank you. But I guess this only applies to 4K (3840x2160) resolutions, and not to 2560x1440, isn't that so?

I'm not sure man. Check the thread.
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March 30, 2014 1:44:52 AM

skaertus said:
hannibal said:
I would say Dell. The new coating is very good and picture is nice even without calibration. The only issue may be some light leak, but same can be said with all those alternatives...
I personally like Dell because of picture quality, price and good looks (IMHO) it is very sharp looking monitor. Not the best for first person shooters, but if you want good quality, ISP or PLS is the way to go and forget all TN-alternatives.


Thank you. Is the Dell monitor really that much better than the other ones? I ask that because while the Dell is available for sale, it must be ordered through the website (there is no other place where I can find this monitor here in Brazil). The estimated time for delivery is over 3 weeks, and some customers have waited more than 2 months to get the product delivered. So, I would only go with the Dell if its quality is really worth the wait.


The difference is not so big, but I personally think that Dell is a worth of it cost. If you can calibrate all of those monitors, they all will do fine! Then it is up, what connections you need.
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March 30, 2014 1:51:14 AM

I agree with everyone above Dell actually had a pretty good reputation when it comes to monitors. your going to get the resolution on any of those but as far as calibration goes Dell is going to be the best.
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March 30, 2014 5:46:43 AM

hannibal said:
skaertus said:
hannibal said:
I would say Dell. The new coating is very good and picture is nice even without calibration. The only issue may be some light leak, but same can be said with all those alternatives...
I personally like Dell because of picture quality, price and good looks (IMHO) it is very sharp looking monitor. Not the best for first person shooters, but if you want good quality, ISP or PLS is the way to go and forget all TN-alternatives.


Thank you. Is the Dell monitor really that much better than the other ones? I ask that because while the Dell is available for sale, it must be ordered through the website (there is no other place where I can find this monitor here in Brazil). The estimated time for delivery is over 3 weeks, and some customers have waited more than 2 months to get the product delivered. So, I would only go with the Dell if its quality is really worth the wait.


The difference is not so big, but I personally think that Dell is a worth of it cost. If you can calibrate all of those monitors, they all will do fine! Then it is up, what connections you need.


Thank you for the feedback. Actually, it is not a matter of cost (as the price is about the same), but of time, since the Dell may take over 2 months to be delivered.

I thought those calibration issues were applicable to the Dell 2713H and not to the 2713HM (which is the monitor I am thinking of). If I understand correctly, the end result may be similar if I am able to calibrate the other monitors?

Among the other monitors, do you have any preference? Do you know if the LG uses the same panel as the Dell? I was under the impression that both monitors had the same panel. Do you know if there is any significant difference between the IPS panels used by the LG and the Dell and the PLS panels used by the Samsung and the Philips?
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March 30, 2014 5:52:38 AM

Presler said:
Have a look at this monitor:
http://www.philips.com.au/c/pc-monitor/e-line-27-inch-6...
It's however 1080p and not 1440p but has two modes in which you can take the advantage of both tn and ips monitors. In one mode you get better colors and viewing angles for images and slide shows and when you switch to other mode you get better response time ideal for gaming.


Thank you. It is an interesting concept.

However, I already own a 1920x1080 monitor and I am only buying a 27-inch just because of the 2560x1440 resolution. Otherwise, I would not even bother looking at it, since the size of the monitor does not matter to me, only the display resolution and the work area it will allow me (actually, there are a lot of 27-inch 1920x1080 monitors for sale here, and at a cheaper price, but I am not looking into these ones, only the 2560x1440 ones). I am not using the monitor to play games, so I am not even considering a TN panel.

In addition, even if I wanted it, I would not be able to get it. As I mentioned in my post, I live in Brazil and this particular monitor is not available for sale here. And to order one from another country is really something that would take a lot of time and would cost a lot of money (you would not believe the taxes the government charges here).
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March 30, 2014 5:53:51 AM

ikavanagh said:
I agree with everyone above Dell actually had a pretty good reputation when it comes to monitors. your going to get the resolution on any of those but as far as calibration goes Dell is going to be the best.


Thank you.

If I choose not to go with the Dell (due to the long time it may take to be delivered), which would be your second choice, if any?
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March 31, 2014 2:32:48 AM

Presler said:
any other brand available in your country.


Unfortunately, there are only those brands available here in Brazil. 1440p monitors tend to be expensive, and taxes are very high. In addition, people are not usually interested in buying 1440p monitors for productivity, and most of them prefer 1080p monitors with fast response times for playing games. So, the 1440p monitor options here are very limited.

Apart from the models I listed (the Philips 272P4QPJKEB, the Dell UltraSharp U2713HM, the Samsung SyncMaster S27A850 and the LG 27EA83R), there is the Apple Thunderbolt Display (for an amazing US$ 2,200) and the ViewSonic VP2770 (for an also expensive US$ 1,500). I limited my choices to the four I listed in the beginning, because I limited my budget to something that is not outrageous.

No cheaper models available here, unfortunately.
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April 4, 2014 3:55:17 PM

Phillips is I have heard is quite nice the Samsung Syncmaster I have heard mixed reviews I would say Phillips. However I recall the Samsung Syncmaster to have better calibration samsung has greatly improved their product all around but Phillips was always a solid choice for me but dell will definitely give you the best calibration they are known for that clear crisp picture everybody likes.
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April 14, 2014 7:59:30 PM

Does anybody know if the LG 27EA83R and the Samsung S27A850D are matte or glossy? I have seen the Philips model and it was matte.
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