Recommendation for 5K or 6K glossy usable with macOS, Linux and Windows
I have been looking to replace my old iiyama ProLite XUB2792QSU (27" IPS 2560*1440) with a 5K (27") or 6K (32") monitor, now that I regularly work on macOS (with a MacBook), for text clarity and reduce eye fatigue (BTW, I'm already using defaults -currentHost write -globalDomain AppleFontSmoothing -int 3, without it's a crime designed by Apple to make text looks horrible on non-HiDPI monitors). I also have a desktop machine which runs both Linux & Windows and I want to use the same monitor for both.
I have tried the BenQ PD2730S and I'm rather disappointed:
- The screen looks very grainy to me, i.e. white isn't white and I feel this reduces the perceived sharpness a lot. I can't see such grain on the iiyama.
- When uniformity is enabled (default) the max brightness is very low
- When uniformity is disabled the max brightness is much better but I can see brightness varies a lot by viewing angle (I'm sitting 4--50cm from the screen), so color actually varies significantly between the center and edges of the screen, even the bottom is noticeably different. Moving the screen upper so my eyes are really in the center vs 2/3 of the height helps a bit, but it feels like a workaround and still not perfect. Moving my head in any direction clearly shows different level of brightness by viewing angle.
- On the plus side it's easy to connect (has USB-C, DP, etc), the Hotkey Puck is great to adjust brightness and the KVM works well. And it ships with lots of cables.
I have tried the Apple Studio Display & Apple Studio Display XDR at the shop, in glossy they both look clean & great to me, no graining there. In the nano-textured glass variant they look grainy to me, basically same as BenQ PD2730S to me, so I guess that means it's glossy or nothing for me in 5K/6K.
- The trouble with Apple displays is then I would need to use DisplayPort Alt Mode (which may or may not work with my
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER). And some kind of Thunderbolt switch or so which sounds expensive and hard to find. - Also the brightness can't be adjusted without connecting a MacBook to it, which is quite lame (I don't care much for the webcam & speakers). Though not a deal killer as my macbook would be on my desk anyway.
What other glossy options are there in 5K or 6K that would be worth looking into? I'd like an image like the Apple Studio Display but more usable on Linux & Windows (i.e. a DisplayPort input ideally. And an integrated KVM so the keyboard & mouse follow the monitor input automatically).
I have heard of the BenQ MA270S in https://www.reddit.com/r/HiDPI_monitors/s/Uy06dOUZPR
- I wonder if it's "as glossy" as the Apple Studio Display since it's called "Nano Gloss"
- It requires DisplayPort Alt Mode, I bought such a cable, but not sure it'll work
- It seems not great in terms of switching and controls: https://www.reddit.com/r/HiDPI_monitors/comments/1u6x2pm/comment/osbkl6a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Any other good glossy option in 5K/6K, ideally with a DisplayPort input and integrated KVM? (I'm in Europe if that matters)