Bought this to use with my new Mac M4 Mini. It's working fine. I have it set on 2560 x 1440 My new set up replaced a 27" iMac with the 5k Retina display. The BENQ is not quite as sharp but its absolutely fine for what I do - which is nothing too challenging. Zero regrets considering it's 85% of the Studio performance for 23% of the price! Oh, it also has a longer warranty !!
Honestly, I think 4K resolution is more than enough for me, and the price fits perfectly within my budget. I've had a great experience with BenQ products before.
Great video thanks so much! I have a MacBook Air M2 and a Dell 2721QS 4K monitor that's half the price of the Benq, and to me (mac/monitor tech newbie) the specs look pretty close, and it's half the price. Do you think I would notice a big difference with the Benq? I know it has the built in "mac mode" the Dell doesn't . . . Reason I'm asking is I go to a store and look at a 4.5K iMac display and it (to my untrained eye) looks 1000 times better than my Dell at home. The studio display is lovely, but I might as well buy an iMac instead of that so wondering how big a difference I would see with the Benq?
Good piece, thank you. Is it correct that using 5k monitor with your Mac is better for resolution scaling. I was using a 27" 4k Dell from Windows work PC. Purchased as SAMSUNG 27" ViewFinity S9 Series 5K at reduced price (need to start using it more). I am newer to Mac and use it for FCPX primarily.
Last month the company paid bloggers to promote a wooden monitor that is supposedly adapted for Mac, but this is not true. Personally, I have been using Samsung ViewFinity S8 - 4K with a brightness utility for over a year and it is much better than what this brand supposedly released hahahaha
It seems odd that BenQ are creating monitors specifically for Mac, yet doing them at 4k 60hz, not 2k or 5k at 144hz. Yes, the colours may match and the features look really nice, but it's a well documented issue that Mac OS doesn't _natively_ support 4k displays. Instead it has to do a load of GPU scaling to fake a 4k output (60 times a second at 60hz). This isn't a dealbreaker for a lot of people given the macs are so powerful now, but if you're doing GPU intensive work you start to notice it. It's also just not as crips as a native 2k/5k retina output would be. So it feels like they're duping customers calling them 'Made for Mac' when they're overlooking one of the key factors that Mac displays need.
Of course MacOS supports 4K. It's the scaling, that's an issie, and could easily be fixed in the OS. But why would Apple do that?! They did it this way, to sell more of their own displays.
@@scorlog You are still wrong. The OS supports 4K natively. You are mixing scaling and resolution. But the OS also supports 4K scaling natively. Text just gets too large. Your Mac computer needs to render 60 times in any case, if the FPS is 60. It doesn't matter, if it's a 4K or 5K Retina display. But more computation has to be done, with 4K - an upscale of the UI and a downscale, instead of just a downscale. Windows supports decimal scaling, and it has no impact on performance, whatsoever. I can adjust my fonts by 1% interval, as I please. MacOS used to support something similar, but they took it away to sell more of their own monitors, and have 4K "look bad". At least, if I want to see a TH-cam or Netflix movie on a 4K monitor, the video will be displayed in a perfect 1:1 or 1:2 scaling for 1080p and 4K video...
@@JordanPulmano how about real refresh rate for 4K? can you physically check that display can work using usb-c as 4K@60hz, because I saw information in different places that it can’t due to usage usb 3.2 gen1 and this version can show only 4K@30hz. It looks/sounds strange, but your help is needed) thanks!
Which BenQ model is the best in terms of color reproduction without breaking the bank? I used an iMac 21" in late 2015 and I love the image quality. The use I am going to give to the monitor is a photography edition with Capture One(not professionally) to watch TH-cam, Netflix, and study. All the best
Look at their PhotoVue series. Find the size you need, and in a price range that's in your budget. Any of these will be better than the Studio Display, for photography.
Re the keyboard issue when the MacBook Pro lid is closed: have you experienced the same with a desktop keyboard, such as a Mac Studio or Mac mini? Thanks
I have not tried since I don’t have any of those currently… BenQ did see my concern with this and said they are looking into it, so I can only imagine a firmware update will fix this!
That 4K resolution is a dealbreaker for me. How can they say it’s for a MacBook without matching the 5K resolution of MacBooks? BenQ should drop the speakers and pairing software-we only care about a matching 5K resolution for a truly crisp display! I don’t understand why no company gets this. It's so obvious, yet no one has done it. What’s going on? I’ve been waiting for BenQ or Dell to step up with this for years now. My for 4k display makes me feel I am going blind cuz I am not getting that delicious crispy display after waiting for so many years. I am starving to death and think that from now on I will no longer await a single beat for this company's to step it up. Soooo disappointing.
@@JordanPulmano Not exactly x) this is the my original version asking ChatGPT for help. Help me correct any mistakes: That 4k is a killer for me, how dare to say is for MacBook without a matching resolution at 5k? BenQ get rid of the speakers and paring software, (we only care for matching resolution of 5k for crispy resolution). I don't understand how no company gets this, it's so obvies and yet no one has done it. wtf is going on? Ive been waiting for BenQ or dell to come up with this. I also elaborated a bit more 😅. But it's all true and coming from the bottom of my heart/frustration lol. This is 100% me. How can they say it’s for a MacBook without matching the 5K resolution of MacBooks?. I am starving to death and think that from now on I will no longer await a single beat for this company's to step it up. Soooo disappointing. The rest is an enhance version of my original draft.
And 4K is not crisp? lol! At a normal viewing distance, no one can see a difference. Why they don't make them? It's not a industry standard resolution. And "Retina" is just a made up buzz word, fooling Apple customers, that anything but, sucks. Also, if they made such displays, who would care? The Apple fanatics would buy Apple anyway. Also, Apple is only 15% of the market. Small market, small sale. They are already making pro displays, for photography and color grading, where the market is different. And not very big.
Yes, 5k displays do have better text quality. But does it mean the text quality on a 4k display is bad? No. Just get BetterDisplay and most of us should be fine. The good thing about 4k monitors is that you can also attach other devices easily.
But Apple Studio is 5K unlike the Benq that is only 4K so you're not comparing apples with apples, If you had showcasing LG 5K 27 inch monitors then yes the comparison would have been fair.
I don't think there's a single 5K monitor from other brands, that are high quality. They all seem to fail. So, a 4K is a better option, as there are so many good monitors out there, that will beat the ASD in picture quality. And there's nothing wrong with a 4K.
If it's not 5K resolution, it's not a replacement. You'd have to scale to the same look as 1080p at 4K (2x zoom). That comes out as too zoomed in. I have two 4K monitors and I'm constantly wanting more screen real estate.
I think my next jump is to move into a 5K monitor. My last 5K display was the 27 inch iMac from years ago. I feel like I’ve completely gotten how crisp that resolution is.
@@JordanPulmano That was a reference to the legendary meme my friend, my day is not affected by it at all lol and the video is well produced, just can't do anything with the monitor ;)
60hz is really not that big a deal breaker at 4k. I would argue matte vs glossy is the biggest deal, followed by OLED/IPS, then resolution... then refresh (only if you are gaming, its an unneeded nice to have for productivity)
@@euphoriantraveller8651 fair. but we do care about hardware calibration and 100% adobeRGB coverage, both not met by this monitor. BenQ has decent SW monitors for the purposes you mention, this is not it.
Great to see color accuracy and budget-friendly 4K together!!
Bought this to use with my new Mac M4 Mini. It's working fine. I have it set on 2560 x 1440
My new set up replaced a 27" iMac with the 5k Retina display. The BENQ is not quite as sharp but its absolutely fine for what I do - which is nothing too challenging.
Zero regrets considering it's 85% of the Studio performance for 23% of the price! Oh, it also has a longer warranty !!
Same here, my iMac died and I’m looking for a new monitor for my Mac Mini.
Honestly, I think 4K resolution is more than enough for me, and the price fits perfectly within my budget. I've had a great experience with BenQ products before.
Excellent review Jordan. I received MA27OU in September. Lovin it!
Great video thanks so much! I have a MacBook Air M2 and a Dell 2721QS 4K monitor that's half the price of the Benq, and to me (mac/monitor tech newbie) the specs look pretty close, and it's half the price. Do you think I would notice a big difference with the Benq? I know it has the built in "mac mode" the Dell doesn't . . . Reason I'm asking is I go to a store and look at a 4.5K iMac display and it (to my untrained eye) looks 1000 times better than my Dell at home. The studio display is lovely, but I might as well buy an iMac instead of that so wondering how big a difference I would see with the Benq?
I think the monitor we are all waiting for is on its way but it’s not this.
So, the difference between this Model and the PD2725U is mainly the Thunderbolt option?
great video, does it support split screen with 2 sources?
Hi Sir, What is Best or Recommended Settings for Low Blue Mode?
Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4 ?
Thank you ❤ 🎉
Does it have built in microphone? Does it work with mac mini?
u recomended this monitor over the benq pd2705u ? the m book mod is the same in both of them or the color are different? thank u
Good piece, thank you. Is it correct that using 5k monitor with your Mac is better for resolution scaling. I was using a 27" 4k Dell from Windows work PC. Purchased as SAMSUNG 27" ViewFinity S9 Series 5K at reduced price (need to start using it more). I am newer to Mac and use it for FCPX primarily.
Last month the company paid bloggers to promote a wooden monitor that is supposedly adapted for Mac, but this is not true. Personally, I have been using Samsung ViewFinity S8 - 4K with a brightness utility for over a year and it is much better than what this brand supposedly released hahahaha
To be fair, as a UX designer, this screen fits in my budget and my need, I'm willing to use it as a transit till BenQ comes out with sth 5k
This monitor also perfect for meme producer and meme editor,stunning monitor
Does it work on windows too?
It seems odd that BenQ are creating monitors specifically for Mac, yet doing them at 4k 60hz, not 2k or 5k at 144hz. Yes, the colours may match and the features look really nice, but it's a well documented issue that Mac OS doesn't _natively_ support 4k displays. Instead it has to do a load of GPU scaling to fake a 4k output (60 times a second at 60hz). This isn't a dealbreaker for a lot of people given the macs are so powerful now, but if you're doing GPU intensive work you start to notice it. It's also just not as crips as a native 2k/5k retina output would be. So it feels like they're duping customers calling them 'Made for Mac' when they're overlooking one of the key factors that Mac displays need.
Of course MacOS supports 4K. It's the scaling, that's an issie, and could easily be fixed in the OS. But why would Apple do that?! They did it this way, to sell more of their own displays.
@@akyhne I think you missed the word _natively_ there mate i.e. without scaling everything 60 times a second for no reason. 😄
@@scorlog You are still wrong. The OS supports 4K natively. You are mixing scaling and resolution. But the OS also supports 4K scaling natively. Text just gets too large.
Your Mac computer needs to render 60 times in any case, if the FPS is 60. It doesn't matter, if it's a 4K or 5K Retina display. But more computation has to be done, with 4K - an upscale of the UI and a downscale, instead of just a downscale.
Windows supports decimal scaling, and it has no impact on performance, whatsoever. I can adjust my fonts by 1% interval, as I please. MacOS used to support something similar, but they took it away to sell more of their own monitors, and have 4K "look bad".
At least, if I want to see a TH-cam or Netflix movie on a 4K monitor, the video will be displayed in a perfect 1:1 or 1:2 scaling for 1080p and 4K video...
When you get a monitor from the manufacturer for review, do they not answer to problems you have with the software?
They do! They reached out immediately after this went live and I’ve been on an email thread with the team sending them the issues I’m having.
@@JordanPulmano how about real refresh rate for 4K? can you physically check that display can work using usb-c as 4K@60hz, because I saw information in different places that it can’t due to usage usb 3.2 gen1 and this version can show only 4K@30hz. It looks/sounds strange, but your help is needed) thanks!
4K resolution is actually decent at this price.
Is this monitor VESA mount compatible? It doesn’t mention it and the back looks like it isn’t
Just about every $200 and up monitors have VESA mount. If in doubt, download the quick install guide or the manual for the monitor.
Can I use it with Mac mini M4?
i have and it works fine
@@gap9992 Thanks . Huge difference with your iMac 5K Retina display ? I mean, it's noticeable or not ?
Which BenQ model is the best in terms of color reproduction without breaking the bank? I used an iMac 21" in late 2015 and I love the image quality. The use I am going to give to the monitor is a photography edition with Capture One(not professionally) to watch TH-cam, Netflix, and study.
All the best
Look at their PhotoVue series. Find the size you need, and in a price range that's in your budget. Any of these will be better than the Studio Display, for photography.
@@akyhne What brand is PhotoVue?
@valhala73 BenQ PhotoVue series.
Re the keyboard issue when the MacBook Pro lid is closed: have you experienced the same with a desktop keyboard, such as a Mac Studio or Mac mini? Thanks
I have not tried since I don’t have any of those currently… BenQ did see my concern with this and said they are looking into it, so I can only imagine a firmware update will fix this!
@@JordanPulmano 🙏
Il est aussi recommandé pour un mac mini M4 ?
It's 4K, how can it be a Studio Display Competitor?
there are 5k monitors out there and thinner but not at this price point
still sticking to my LG ultra fine. I just don't like the no glossy/glass look
That 4K resolution is a dealbreaker for me. How can they say it’s for a MacBook without matching the 5K resolution of MacBooks? BenQ should drop the speakers and pairing software-we only care about a matching 5K resolution for a truly crisp display! I don’t understand why no company gets this. It's so obvious, yet no one has done it. What’s going on? I’ve been waiting for BenQ or Dell to step up with this for years now. My for 4k display makes me feel I am going blind cuz I am not getting that delicious crispy display after waiting for so many years. I am starving to death and think that from now on I will no longer await a single beat for this company's to step it up. Soooo disappointing.
Did AI write this
@@JordanPulmano Not exactly x) this is the my original version asking ChatGPT for help. Help me correct any mistakes: That 4k is a killer for me, how dare to say is for MacBook without a matching resolution at 5k? BenQ get rid of the speakers and paring software, (we only care for matching resolution of 5k for crispy resolution). I don't understand how no company gets this, it's so obvies and yet no one has done it. wtf is going on? Ive been waiting for BenQ or dell to come up with this. I also elaborated a bit more 😅. But it's all true and coming from the bottom of my heart/frustration lol.
This is 100% me. How can they say it’s for a MacBook without matching the 5K resolution of MacBooks?. I am starving to death and think that from now on I will no longer await a single beat for this company's to step it up. Soooo disappointing. The rest is an enhance version of my original draft.
And 4K is not crisp? lol! At a normal viewing distance, no one can see a difference.
Why they don't make them? It's not a industry standard resolution. And "Retina" is just a made up buzz word, fooling Apple customers, that anything but, sucks.
Also, if they made such displays, who would care? The Apple fanatics would buy Apple anyway. Also, Apple is only 15% of the market. Small market, small sale. They are already making pro displays, for photography and color grading, where the market is different. And not very big.
Yes, 5k displays do have better text quality. But does it mean the text quality on a 4k display is bad? No. Just get BetterDisplay and most of us should be fine. The good thing about 4k monitors is that you can also attach other devices easily.
@@haderlumpiwhat happens if we hookup a windows pc with the 5k display? It shows black borders or stretches the content to make things unclear?
But Apple Studio is 5K unlike the Benq that is only 4K so you're not comparing apples with apples, If you had showcasing LG 5K 27 inch monitors then yes the comparison would have been fair.
I don't think there's a single 5K monitor from other brands, that are high quality. They all seem to fail.
So, a 4K is a better option, as there are so many good monitors out there, that will beat the ASD in picture quality. And there's nothing wrong with a 4K.
If it's not 5K resolution, it's not a replacement. You'd have to scale to the same look as 1080p at 4K (2x zoom). That comes out as too zoomed in. I have two 4K monitors and I'm constantly wanting more screen real estate.
I think my next jump is to move into a 5K monitor. My last 5K display was the 27 inch iMac from years ago. I feel like I’ve completely gotten how crisp that resolution is.
@@JordanPulmano Benq announced this a while ago. PD2730s, a real 5K alternative
ASUS has a new 5K 27" monitor as well. Hoping we can get a 120hz one soon as we have Thunderbolt 5 on the new Macs.
@@livedreamsg Yes but when will they start selling it? In Europe
@@canarinis Not sure. It's available in the US at B & H and the price is $800 which is almost half of the Studio Display.
Saw the video title, thought oh cool, possibly alternative? Then comes 4k resolution. My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined
Wow that’s all it takes to ruin your day huh? Yikes.
@@JordanPulmano That was a reference to the legendary meme my friend, my day is not affected by it at all lol and the video is well produced, just can't do anything with the monitor ;)
No 5k, no thank you. Not a true Studio Display alternative.
Pay more and have it. Who will give you true display at half of the price ?
🍽
Too bad it's matte, yuck
60hz IPS panel in almost 2025!! why are we wasting time on this? just send it back and you will thank me later.
What do you use your monitor for, and which of your workflows benefits from high refresh rates?
60hz is really not that big a deal breaker at 4k. I would argue matte vs glossy is the biggest deal, followed by OLED/IPS, then resolution... then refresh (only if you are gaming, its an unneeded nice to have for productivity)
Not everyone has a need for high refresh rate monitors.
Videographers and photographers don’t care about high refresh rate except if it’s also for gaming ! Even for gaming I don’t care 🤷🏽♀️
@@euphoriantraveller8651 fair. but we do care about hardware calibration and 100% adobeRGB coverage, both not met by this monitor. BenQ has decent SW monitors for the purposes you mention, this is not it.
60Hz is embarrassing in 2024
Not every display needs to be 60Hz. Not everyone needs their display to be 60Hz.