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Scharon Harding-October 18, 2021 at 9:38 PM UTC

Apple held an autumn event today. The stars of the show are the M1 Pro and M1 Max released for the new MacBook Pro. We even got new AirPods and news on macOS Monterey. But everything in front of the monitor is quiet. The 24-inch model released in April with a larger iMac with Apple Silicon did not pay off. The Apple Pro Display XDR is still Apple's only independent display. If you are waiting for today's event to help you choose the next screen to run macOS, we will feel your pain. We can't force Apple to release new monitors, but if you need something now, we can collect some non-Apple PC monitors worth considering.

But let's solve some problems first. In terms of display resolution and computing power, nothing can truly compete with iMac at present. Each monitor listed below is just a monitor; there is no all-in-one machine here.

One of the biggest advantages of iMac and Pro Display XDR is their absurd pixel count. The iMac has what Apple calls a 4.5K resolution (4480 x 2520). Pro Display XDR claims to be 6K or 6016 x 3384. Both resolutions are not common, and the 5K (5120 x 2880) option has more pixels than the iMac (14,745,600 vs. 11,289,600 pixels). But the pixel density that affects image clarity depends on the size of each display.

Zoom / LG 27MD5KL-B. LG sells for $1,300, LG’s 27MD5KL-B offers 5120 x 2880 resolution in a 27-inch screen. Because the iMac has a smaller screen, it has a higher pixel density—218.7 pixels per inch (ppi) vs. 217.6 ppi—but if you do, you must notice the difference very closely. You may immediately notice the slightly larger size of LG (27 inches diagonally vs. 23.5 inches).

LG 27MD5KL-B and iMac both claim brightness as high as 500 nits. Both claim to cover the DCI-P3 color space, and LG is said to have reached 99%. In addition, the monitor can be used with macOS, so you can adjust monitor settings, such as brightness and volume, from macOS.

You will get a Thunderbolt 3 port with 94 W power output and three USB-C (3rd generation) ports instead of two to four (depending on configuration) USB 4 ports on the iMac.

Zoom / MSI Prestige PS341WU.MSIOK, this is not perfect 5K. This is an ultra-widescreen (21:9 aspect ratio) with a resolution of 5120 x 2160. This is equal to 11,059,200 pixels, so it is only slightly lower than the number of iMacs. The pixel density is lower at 163.4 ppi, but the display is also larger than the iMac.

The 450-nit display is not as bright as the iMac (and darker than the Pro Display). However, you do get USB-C, DisplayPort, and HDMI is different from Apple's display, although its resolution is limited to 3840x2160.

PS341WU is currently priced at US$1,000.

Zoom / LG 34WK95U-W.LGL Like the MSI monitor above, LG 34WK95U-W means you sacrifice a little resolution (5120 x 2160), but you get an impressive 98% P3 coverage and Slightly higher contrast statement (1,200:1) than the average IPS screen. Similarly, the screen is darker than the iMac, but for most indoor environments, a screen as large as 450 nits should be sufficient.

The cost of the display is about $1,300, and Thunderbolt 3 makes the Mac more user-friendly.

If you need a lot of pixels, ultra-wide screens are a great way to get them while also gaining a lot of screen space. The pixel density is much lower than that of Apple displays, but you may be willing to sacrifice some pixel density for immersive screens.

Zoom/Samsung 49" CRG9.Samsung has many 5120 x 1440 ultra-wide screens available, but if you want to get closer to matching the brightness and color of Apple displays, please take a look at Samsung’s 49-inch CRG9. It’s huge and costs $1,200-ish price It’s easier to digest, but it also means it’s harder for the monitor to find a home. It claims brightness as high as 1,000 nits and 95% of the P3. However, there are only HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-A ports.

If you can find it, on the other hand, Philips 499P9H has a built-in USB-C docking station. It is said to be 350 nits, and the brightness is not as high as the above-mentioned display, but its VA panel claims that the contrast ratio is three times (3,000:1) that of a typical IPS panel.

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