27” 4K vs 27" 1440p - Which Is The Best For Mac?

Summary

This video compares the user experience on Mac devices using 27-inch external monitors with different resolutions—4K and 1440p. It explains how MacOS utilizes 2x scaling for high-resolution displays to optimize text and UI element size while maintaining clarity. The video covers various scenarios, including screen real estate and performance effects when switching between resolutions. The presenter highlights the advantages of 4K for content creation and programming, while recommending 1440p for gaming or older devices. Ultimately, 4K is shown to provide sharper visuals, but 1440p offers benefits in performance and affordability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mac OS uses 2x scaling for high-resolution monitors (4K, 5K, 6K, 8K) to optimize the UI for readability.
• 😀 For 27-inch 4K monitors, Mac scales the UI to 1920x1080, but the native resolution remains 3840x2160.
• 😀 On 27-inch 1440p monitors, the UI is not scaled, as the pixel density is sufficient for readability at the native 2560x1440 resolution.
• 😀 Higher resolution monitors like 4K and 5K provide sharper visuals and crisper text due to their higher pixel density compared to lower resolutions like 1440p.
• 😀 Mac assumes that non-Retina displays (with pixel densities of around 100-110 PPI) don’t need scaling for readability, which is why UI elements appear at their native resolution.
• 😀 Using a scaled resolution (like setting a 4K monitor to 1440p) may lead to a message about performance impact, but for Apple Silicon Macs, this has no noticeable effect on performance.
• 😀 Running a 4K monitor at its native resolution (3840x2160) can make UI elements appear very small, but Mac OS scales the display to make it more readable, with text and icons appearing sharper.
• 😀 If you prioritize more screen real estate, running a 4K monitor at a scaled resolution like 1440p offers more usable space compared to 1080p scaling.
• 😀 The sharpness difference between 4K and 1440p monitors is notable; 4K displays offer higher pixel density, which makes text and UI elements clearer even when scaled down.
• 😀 For gaming, a 1440p monitor with a high refresh rate (e.g., 180Hz or higher) is often more affordable and offers a better experience compared to 4K, where high refresh rates are more expensive.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video compares 27-inch 4K and 1440p external monitors for Mac users, focusing on which resolution provides the best user experience.

How does macOS handle resolution scaling for high-resolution monitors like 4K and 5K?

macOS uses 2x scaling for high-resolution monitors such as 4K, 5K, 6K, and even 8K to make the UI elements appear at a readable size. For example, on a 27-inch 4K monitor, macOS sets the default UI scaling to 1920x1080p, even though the native resolution is 3840x2160.

What is 'macOS scaling' and how does it impact display readability?

macOS scaling adjusts the size of text, icons, and other UI elements to ensure they appear appropriately sized based on the display's resolution, making them readable and sharp. This is particularly important for high-resolution monitors.

What are the pixel per inch (PPI) differences between 27-inch 4K and 1440p monitors?

A 27-inch 4K monitor has a higher PPI compared to a 27-inch 1440p monitor. Specifically, a 4K monitor typically has around 163 PPI, whereas a 1440p monitor has around 109 PPI. This higher PPI in 4K monitors results in sharper images and clearer text.

Why does macOS not use scaling for 27-inch 1440p monitors?

For 27-inch 1440p monitors, macOS assumes the pixel density is sufficient for readability without scaling. This is why the UI appears natively at 2560x1440p without the performance warning that scaling can affect performance.

What is the performance impact of using a scaled resolution on a 4K monitor?

While macOS displays a warning that using a scaled resolution may affect performance, this impact is minimal for modern Apple silicon devices like the M1 and M2 chips. The GPU and CPU do not experience significant performance drops, as confirmed by tests using tools like Geekbench.

What advantage does a 4K monitor have over a 1440p monitor when scaled to 1440p?

A 4K monitor, when scaled to 1440p, appears much sharper than a native 1440p monitor because it has more pixels per inch (PPI). The higher pixel count results in clearer text and better image quality, even though the UI resolution is effectively lowered.

When should a user choose a 1440p monitor over a 4K monitor?

A user might prefer a 1440p monitor over a 4K monitor if they are using an older Mac device that struggles with performance at scaled resolutions, or if they are looking for a more budget-friendly option for gaming, as 1440p monitors can offer higher refresh rates at lower costs.

How does the scaling behavior differ for 27-inch 1080p, 1440p, and 4K monitors on macOS?

For a 27-inch 1080p monitor, macOS displays the UI natively at 1920x1080p without scaling. For a 27-inch 1440p monitor, the UI is set to 2560x1440p without scaling. For a 27-inch 4K monitor, macOS uses 2x scaling to display the UI at 1920x1080p, even though the panel's native resolution is 3840x2160.

What is the main benefit of using a 4K monitor for content creation and productivity?

The main benefit of using a 4K monitor for content creation and productivity is its sharp image quality and high pixel density, which ensures that text, images, and UI elements appear crisp and clear. This enhances the overall visual experience and helps in tasks requiring detailed work, such as video editing and programming.