This video is brought to you by Benks Since the release of my monitor guide video
episodes, I have been receiving questions from viewers about displays for creators.
Today, we will take a look at four high-resolution, color-accurate monitors ranging in price from
$500 to $1600.
I will go over the specs, main differences, shortcomings, and end the video with my personal
picks from the four.
I will also make sure to link all of them, plus some other great monitor choices in the
description below.
With that out of the way, let's check out the four contestants, what makes them special,
and their respective prices.
Starting with the recently updated ASUS ProArt Display, model number PA279CRV.
This is a 27-inch, 4K panel that offers a lot for its price, which is $499.99.
This is by far the cheapest monitor on this list, but don't rush into conclusions, as
it has a lot to offer.
($499.99) Next up is the old but classic BenQ DesignVue
PD3220U.
This 32-inch 4K monitor has been in the top charts, I believe, since 2019.
We are talking about Thunderbolt 3, daisy-chain capabilities, ports galore, and more.
($1,099.99) Going up in price, we have another favorite
- the LG UltraFine 32UL950-W. At 32 inches and 4K resolution, it is yet another golden
oldie from the end of 2018 that remains a recommendation of mine to this day.
($1,299.99) The final contestant is the controversial
Apple Studio Display.
Starting at $1600 without the extras, this 27-inch display is the only 5K monitor here.
I'll leave it at that.
($1,599.00) Just like in contracts, I shall be referring
to all four monitors hereafter as ASUS, BenQ, LG, and The Studio Display.
By the way, if you end up enjoying this video, subscribe, because why not?!?
So, looking at all 4, here are some factors you should consider.
All monitors have a 16:9 aspect ratio and all four are IPS running at 60Hz.
As they are all marketed as displays for creators, all are factory-calibrated, offering various
types of intimidating lingo, showcasing how accurate they are out of the box.
I do trust only one of them though.
The LG and BenQ are both 32 inches, while the ASUS and the Studio Display are 27 inches.
Both sizes will serve you well.
I have personally been advocating in favor of 32 inches as it is a tad easier on the
eyes when looking from a proper distance, but 27 inches will not be a bad choice either.
In fact, if we talk about 4K resolution, all three, except for the Studio Display, will
give you a decently sharp picture, where the smaller 27-inch ASUS will stand out with a
pixel-per-inch density of 163.
The 32-inch choices have 137 PPI if you are interested...however...nothing can compete
with the Studio Display in terms of sharpness since at 5K, you witness over 217 PPI.
With the Studio Display, you also don't have to worry about scaling...something I'll talk
about more in a moment.
OK... so let's start with the ASUS.
In terms of panel technology, the monitor covers the most important metrics with flying
colors.
With 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe, and 95% DCI-P3, it is, in fact, the leader of the bunch if
we talk about numbers only (keep that in mind).
There are two things that make this monitor special (aside from the price, of course).
First and foremost, it can output 96W of power, which is very surprising for this little guy.
Second, it is a very bright monitor, providing 350 nits typical and 400 peak brightness.
If you work in a bright office or studio, it does make a difference... believe me.
Another thing that I appreciate is the built-in power supply.
Since the monitor is very light, you can easily mount it on an arm without worrying about
an additional power brick that you might have to hide.
The lightness brings me to the shortcomings.
This monitor feels very plastic-y and the least premium of all four.
Not that this is a problem, but it's worth considering.
The stand feels very 2013 and not 2023, and I don't like the chin, although I appreciate
the easy on-screen button access.
The biggest downside of this display, however (and it's totally justifiable), is the fact
that it's not Thunderbolt.
That means that all the additional ports will do a great job for you if we talk about peripheral
dongles and speakers maybe.
You won't be able to plug in a drive or do much with it.
Last but not least, there are no speakers, which I actually prefer, and I will tell you
why in a moment.
Moving on to the versatility king - the BenQ.
Equally impressive in terms of panel specs and, specifically color accuracy, the BenQ
shines with additional enhancements like the software tool called Display Pilot.
Aside from fiddling with all sorts of picture settings, you can assign different color profiles
and presets based on the apps you use.
And I'm not even talking about the Hotkey puck that comes in the package.
With it, you can change picture profiles, adjust the brightness, or control the volume
if you have speakers plugged in, for example.
The monitor offers 85W power delivery to the connected laptop and also has a built-in KVM
switch, allowing the user to control two systems (like a Mac and a PC) from one keyboard and
mouse set - something you usually buy separately.
Just as impressive is the size of this thing, which honestly is not something to brag about.
It is so heavy that you'd have to go for a heavy-duty stand if you decide to prop it
on a monitor arm.
Also, being so massive, one might think that it sounds decent given all the internal dimensions,
but in fact, it sounds comically unimpressive.
Finally, my biggest disappointment with it is the brightness.
At 250 nits typical brightness, my habits had me constantly smashing the brightness
up button on the keyboard with the hopes that something would change.
If we have all the blinds open, I would honestly struggle a bit.
This is the Infinity Max Laptop Stand by Benks, and it’s a laptop stand with a twist.
At a glance, it’s a height and tilt adjustable stand, able to accommodate pretty much any
portable computer under 16 inches.
When necessary, it can completely collapse for storage or on-the-go purposes.
Designed to fit any work style and desk setup, aside from looking extremely elegant, it impresses
with the cleverly-designed 360-degree rotating base.
It’s super-responsive and smooth, giving the vibes of playing with the most giant fidget
toy ever.
The adjustable front widget secures the device no matter the angle, while the main plate
ensures great heat dissipation.
To add even more style to your workspace, you can bundle it up with Benks’s Grand
Headphone Stand, which is made with the AirPods Max in mind.
It’s sturdy yet super gentle thanks to the silicone surface, which protects your headphones
from scratches.
As an extra perk, that stand can wirelessly charge your devices with 15W fast charging,
which I definitely appreciate.
Be sure to check out the first link in the description below to take advantage of Benks'
special offer on both stands.
Next up is my old friend, the LG.
I've covered this display extensively, and I still use it because it's great.
It's a five-year-old display at this point, yet LG still keeps it on their roster because
it has everything you might require, including elegant and even front bezels.
You can prop this display both horizontally and vertically, and it will look amazing.
It's the second-brightest display after the Studio Display, yet it offers the slowest
charging capability at 60 watts.
What I don't like about it is the external power brick and the OEM stand, which takes
up too much desk space - but as always - monitor arm.
Feel free to watch my full review in the description below, but don't laugh at my newbie YouTube
self from back then.
The Apple Studio Display impresses with unmatched build quality and aesthetics.
Like its predecessor, this monitor will look good even 10 years from now, yet you might
still remember how much you paid for it.
This is the fastest booting up monitor of all, by the way, but even more impressive
is the stunning picture quality.
If you have any of the latest iPhone 13 or 14, this is exactly what you can expect in
terms of picture, yet in 27 inches.
It is plenty bright at 600 nits and it provides 96W of power to the laptop.
The built-in speakers are unmatched in the category of speakers, as is the 5K picture.
Mac OS is designed to work in a 1440P scaled environment (also known as 5K native resolution),
so in 5K, you can expect plenty of real estate, crazy sharp PPI, and no GPU pressure by default.
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, though.
You can't mount it on an arm unless you pre-order it that way.
The ergonomic stand will cost you an Apple premium, and this monitor is the least versatile
of all.
Think of it this way - you have a Mac, you have a Studio Display.
That's it.
You can't have a Studio Display and have a PC, or a Switch, or any console for that matter.
You can just use this monitor with a Mac or maybe an iPad.
No multiple inputs.
In terms of extra features, all four monitors have something to impress with.
For starters, all the monitors, with the exception of the Studio Display, offer daisy chaining
- the ability to connect a display to the main one and plug in just a single cable to
the computer.
However, all three are very picky when it comes to that feature.
Perhaps this works flawlessly if we daisy chain two of the same monitor models, but
daisy chaining random brands like I did in my tests really depended on proper cables,
multiple restarts, and a little prayer.
The ASUS, for example, was only able to mirror itself without being able to extend the secondary
display.
But this $500 shines with the plethora of ports, including the additional ports on the
bottom left where you have a USB-A, plus USB-C, which offers 15W of power - great for plugging
in a phone charger, for example.
The same extra ports are available on the BenQ, yet on the side, where one can find
the headphone jack.
To be honest, this is not the best place for a headphone jack to exist since even if you
decide to plug in headphones, it would still be too far.
If we talk about external speakers, you cannot possibly achieve a clean setup with cables
coming on the side.
The side ports should be more of temporary ports if you ask me.
Needless to say, BenQ also shines with the additional Hotkey puck, which sits neatly
toward the user, allowing instant adjustments.
The LG monitor doesn’t have any groundbreaking perks to brag about, but out of all, it is
the most elegant-looking with its thin profile and even bezels…especially on this Ergo
arm.
The arm, by the way, is not part of this particular model…but just between us - I can’t remember
where I’ve placed the original stand, which I don’t use because it takes up too much
desk space.
OK…so the Apple Studio Display can flex with the 1080p built-in FaceTime camera and
amazing microphone array.
With the A13 chip, the monitor is capable of delivering a decent picture for meetings
with very good sound quality, but where it really shines is the speakers.
I have two pairs of studio monitors which I keep in my storage because the speakers
on this monitor are just fantastic.
Which leads me to speakers.
Aside from the Studio Display, the LG monitor is second in place when it comes to sound,
yet it’s far behind what Apple has created.
It sounds like a monitor…nothing more.
BenQ on the other hand, sounds like a 5-dollar radio.
Tiny, tinzy sound that I honestly didn’t expect from a display that has such a thick
and sheer presence.
The ASUS has no speakers at all, and you know what - I am totally fine with that.
Like I mentioned in my Samsung M8 review, I prefer having no speakers and a headphone
jack than having compromised speakers that I am paying for and I will never use.
So, which monitor would I pick?
In complete transparency, I am using the Apple Studio display and will continue to use it
because I think it delivers the best possible image out of all four.
I did mention that on paper, it is not the best, yet somehow I trust what I see best.
Whatever I see on it looks 100% the same on all my other devices.
However, it is not the display I would recommend.
It is very limiting when it comes to ports and leaves the user stuck with just a Mac
in the form of a laptop, iPad, or desktop.
You can't have the studio display and have a Mac and a PC, for example, or play games
on your console - it's just not built for that.
I would 100% recommend the ASUS because it's honestly too good of a package.
The fact that it's just as bright as the almost three times more expensive LG, offering just
as versatile ports, can't allow me to bench it.
If all four monitors were equally priced or equally affordable, I would probably go for
the BenQ because of the software and hardware versatility (if I work in a relatively darker
environment).
If I had to pick just one, I wouldn't go for the Apple display because of the application
limitations.
If you are not looking for color-accurate monitors, feel free to check out my monitor
guide video as well as my recent unique monitor's update to it.
If you are thinking about a dual-monitor setup, you can find some useful information in my
guide here.
Like and subscribe to the channel, as well as my newsletter.
As always, it's been an absolute pleasure.
This is E. Over and out.