4K Ultra HD monitor for PC and Mac

4K monitors - is it worth making the switch?

Monitors with 4x Full HD resolution for detailed and razor-sharp images on the PC and Mac

While 4K is slowly but surely making its way into the TV sector and the available sources are also becoming more numerous, PC users have been enjoying QFHD, four times the resolution of Full HD, for some time. Graphics cards from around five years ago were already able to display such a high resolution without any problems, but the type of connection used and the low availability of compatible monitors ensured that this trend is only now slowly gaining ground. 4K UHD monitors are the future and the early switch can already be worthwhile if the right conditions are in place.

The current bestsellers among the 4K UHD monitors on Amazon


10,55 EURBestseller no. 2
Lenovo L28u-35 | 28' 4K UHD Monitor | 3840x2160 | 60Hz | 300 nits | 4ms response time | HDMI |...
Lenovo L28u-35 | 28" 4K UHD Monitor | 3840x2160 | 60Hz | 300 nits | 4ms response time | HDMI |...
Scope of delivery: Lenovo L28u-35, 1x power cable, quick start guide, documentation
265,28 EUR −10,55 EUR 254,73 EUR
150,00 EURBestseller no. 5
MSI MAG 274UPFDE 27 inch 4K gaming monitor, UHD (3840x2160), 144 Hz, 1 ms, Rapid IPS panel, HDR 400,...
MSI MAG 274UPFDE 27 inch 4K gaming monitor, UHD (3840x2160), 144 Hz, 1 ms, Rapid IPS panel, HDR 400,...
4K UHD resolution - games in full sharpness and more details.; 144Hz refresh rate – respond faster with smoother images.
599,00 EUR −150,00 EUR 449,00 EUR Amazon Prime

Away from DVI and VGA

While VGA should have been obsolete for a long time, the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is still preferred by many PC users. For a full HD resolution at a maximum of 120 Hz this is also completely sufficient, a 4K Ultra HD monitor However, even with DVI-I in dual-link mode, it cannot be operated at the full refresh rate. Although it is possible for some graphics cards to send a 4K signal via the DVI interface, in practice this is paid for either by reduced refresh rates or by the interlacing process. As alternatives come both the already widespread HDMI as well as the newer Displayport in question.

4K Ultra HD monitor for PC and Mac
4K Ultra HD monitor for PC and Mac - Photo: ucadp / Bigstock

HDMI stands for "High Definition Multimedia Interface" and has existed since 2002, but has only become established since the spread of Full HD resolutions in the TV sector. HDMI has been improved and expanded over the years, which is why there are now a number of different revisions. With the introduction of HDMI 2.0, the interface is now capable of displaying 4K resolutions at 50 or 60 frames per second. Displayport is much newer, was only officially announced in 2007 and is mainly used in Apple products, preferably as a "mini-displayport", for example in the Apple MacBook and MacBook Air. All display port specifications are also fully integrated into Thunderbolt. In the current version, this supports resolutions that are even eight times as high as Full HD and twice as high as 4K.

The advantages of the higher resolution

On the PC, you benefit from the much higher resolution, because the distance between the seats is usually much smaller than, for example, on a TV. Monitors with Ultra HD also have a higher DPI value, i.e. more pixels with the same size of the image area. This makes it possible to display elements larger without losing the smallest details or to adjust the scaling so that more elements fit on the screen. In the office area, for example, more information can be accommodated on the screen. Fonts also appear much sharper and can be read without any problems even with a smaller font size. Gaming enthusiasts appreciate the higher level of detail and the more realistic representation that this makes possible.

Examples of good 4K UHD monitors

In the 4K monitor test, the Eizo EV3237-BK has already proven its skills several times and has often emerged as the test winner. No wonder, because its exceptionally short response time of just 5ms, the high contrast and the good lighting of 300 cd/sqm of the IPS panel make it perfect for demanding users who are looking for a special experience. The color reproduction shows that the manufacturer Eizo is primarily targeting professional users with this device. Instead of the usual 8 bits, the so-called "look up table" (LUT) has 10 bits in this case, so it can be controlled much more precisely.

Eizo EV3237-BK 80 cm (31,5 inch 4K UHD) monitor (DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, 5ms response time, ...
  • 31,5 inch 4K UHD monitor with IPS technology and 16: 9 format; 3840 x 2160 pixels with 60Hz and 30Hz
  • 5ms switching time gray with overdrive function
  • Contrast 1000: 1; Brightness 300cd / qm; 178 ° viewing angle; Auto-EcoView, EcoView-Index, Sense and Optimizer for maximum ...

4K doesn't have to be expensive because with the Philips 288P6ljEB / 00 you get a 4K-capable monitor at an absolute entry-level price. It also has decent values ​​and a response time of just 1ms. However, there are slight drawbacks in terms of the panel, because instead of LED or even IPS, only a "normal" TN panel is installed here.

Philips 288P6LJEB - 28 inch UHD monitor (3840x2160, 60 Hz, VGA, DVI, DisplayPort) black
  • Ultra-fast response time of 1ms: ideal for gamers
  • TN panel, UHD, matt display with 1 ms response time, 150 mm height adjustable, loudspeaker
  • Brightness / contrast: 300 cd / m² 1.000: 1, connections: VGA (analog), DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB hub

Also the LG IT Products 27UD58-B is priced in the lower sector, but has a modern IPS panel and, thanks to Black Stabilizer and Dynamic Action Sync, can also convince with a good black value, which unfortunately often falls short on many monitors, but especially in multimedia and gaming -Applications is quite relevant. Free sync and game mode also ensure that there is no input lag, tearing or ghosting in action-packed scenes, which also makes it clear which target group LG is targeting with this monitor, although the split screen with the up to four sources can be displayed at the same time, would also be suitable for professional use.

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Is the switch worth it for everyone?

Whether the Switch to an Ultra-HD monitor worth it depends above all on personal requirements and whether you are willing to make some compromises. In recent years, technology has moved in the right direction. HDMI 2.0 and Apple's Thunderbolt or Displayport provide good and compatible connection options. Graphics card manufacturers also usually support 4K, unless you use the entry-level products.

Apple shows how it can work: The American manufacturer has been relying on the successor to Full HD for years, which is why products from 2013, such as the MacBook Pro Retina, Mac Pro and iMac, were all 4K-capable and native via the display port or Thunderbolt connection decreed. Of course, this is also the case with newer products and Apple has even set up a special support page where you can find out about the compatibility of your devices in connection with 4K.

4K display compared to other resolutions
4K picture with comparison of other resolutions. Ultra HD on TV and computer - Photo: scyther5 / Bigstock

The situation is a little different with the software: the current version of Windows itself is fully compatible with 4K, but the programs running there don't have to be, so it can happen that fonts and graphic elements are not displayed properly. This is particularly the case with older office applications. macOS can also handle higher resolutions without any problems, but the same limitations apply here as with the Windows software.

In the games or gaming sector, the support looks much better here. Almost all modern games are either natively 4k-capable, can be patched or at least upscaled, so that gamers can already get their money's worth today. If you want to take the step, you should definitely do some research before buying whether problems can be expected with your favorite game or desired applications so that 4K enjoyment does not turn into 4K frustration.

5K monitors - what are the requirements?

A 5K monitor has a resolution of 5120 x 2880 pixels. To display this resolution, you need a powerful graphics card and a fast processor. It is also recommended to have a Thunderbolt 3 port as it allows for higher bandwidth and faster transfer of data. It is also recommended to use a high quality HDMI or DisplayPort cable to ensure a stable connection.

When does a 5K monitor make sense?

A 5K monitor has a resolution of 5120 x 2880 pixels, which is about 5 times more pixels than a Full HD monitor (1920 x 1080 pixels). That means a lot more content can be displayed at once on a 5K monitor and the images are much sharper and more detailed. Another feature is that on a 5K monitor, the font is larger for better legibility.

An example would be if you upscale a Full HD image to a 5K monitor you can get a much closer look at it without it becoming blurry. Another application advantage is that multiple windows can be displayed simultaneously on a 5K monitor without becoming too small, which allows you to work more effectively.

In general, a 5K monitor is the ideal choice for applications that require high resolution and detail, such as photo editing, 3D modeling, video editing, and professional graphic design work.

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