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Do you think that 27" at 3840x2160 is too dense without scaling?

  • Yes

    Votes: 16 94.1%
  • No

    Votes: 1 5.9%

27 inch 4k displays - is a 27" display too small or just the right size?

54K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  Asmodian 
#1 ·
I recently saw an AIO 910 display at the store. It has a 27" 3840x2160 panel that looks very sharp (it should with the ppi of 163.18 which is close to many early smartphones).

I played around with it and the font isn't that much smaller at 100% scaling, even with the native resolution. Perhaps it is because I am used to working with a 1920x1080 @ 15.6" laptop, so the font is only about 15% smaller. For daily use, do you think that if left at 100% scaling, would a 27" 3840x2160 monitor work? It seems to be quite visible and I have no difficulty seeing it with my glasses on. What I'm not sure about is it long-term use will cause eyestrain. Could always try 125% or 150% if needed.

I've been looking around and from my research, the LG 27UD68 seems to be the best price:performance panel to own. It has some of what I want (good image and Freesync), although I would prefer a glossy panel over a matte and would be willing to consider a touchscreen as well. The LG 27UD68 is semi-glossy and the AG coating doesn't seem to be that bad (I'm sensitive to AG coating I find). I don't see very any 120Hz 4k monitors coming (should be possible with 4:4:4 subsampling using Displayport 1.3), but seeing the low cost of panels as is, the price doesn't look too bad for what I am paying for.

Anyways, here's a review of the LG27UD88 (same panel, only with a better stand and more ports):
http://www.prad.de/new/monitore/test/2016/test-lg-27ud88-w.html

Just wondering, what is your subjective daily experience with 4k monitors at 27'? Do you use scaling for font due to the high pixel density?
 
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#2 ·
Most people here will say minimum of 32" for 4k. However, if it looks good to you, then go for it.

Personally, I will wait till 4k OLED at 144hz is a thing and one can afford with reasonable video card(s) that can push that out comfortably.
 
#3 ·
27" 4k = 163 PPI 32" 4k = 137 PPI 24" 1440p = 123 PPI 27" 1440p = 109 PPI. This puts it in perspective of how much sharper of an image you're going to get with the smaller 27" panel. Pixel-density = Visual Fidelity. That's why phone screens look so much clearer than monitors. Also take eyestrain into consideration. Personally, 27" is largest as I want to go and I've used a 32" screen before, you have to move you head and eyes around opposed to just moving your eyes and it can be really tiring.
 
#12 ·
27" vs 32" monitor display


I agree that eye strain is a very important (and often understated) consideration when picking screen size regardless of resolution. The bigger 32" screen may seem like an exciting and solid upgrade from 24" or 27" but after using it as a computer monitor for months on end... the amount of head and eye movement involved in looking at various elements all over the screen while sitting two or three feet away from it can be exhausting.
 
#5 ·
Yes, speaking from experience.

I had the Acer S277HK in 2015, and it's the worst monitor i've ever had. Aesthetically pleasing, but grainy image and at 27" scaling simply had to be used unless you were 30cm or less in front of the screen.

I now have a 25" Dell 1440p which provides the perfect pixel density. To be able to use 4K without scaling 32" is minimum.
 
#7 ·
The AG coating on the UD68 is really not an issue, I've seen far, far worse. Everything is so crisp on this monitor. I own a UD68 and also a 27" 1440p monitor. Tried 4K Asus PG27AQ, image quality isn't even close to the LG. I use 200% scaling on the LG as everything scales nice and large and crisp at that level except for occasional program windows. 100% scaling at 4K on a 27" screen is too small, in my opinion. 100% scaling on a 15.6" 1080p laptop is way easier to view long term for me than 100% on 27" 4K. On my 1440p monitor I use 100% scaling just fine.

If you are after 27", 4K, and FreeSync, the LG is seriously awesome and should be at the top of your list. Mine has no backlight bleed and uniformity + PQ are the best I've ever had on a (non-pro) monitor. *Disclosure* I'm a fanboy of this monitor even though I also use Nvidia and a g-sync monitor. It's that good.
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by DVLux View Post

This depends on the person, really, and the distance used.
Nope. I'm 27, and without meaning to blow my own trumpet, my eyesight is excellent... but 100% default scaling is not practical at all unless your face close to the screen.

I generally sit about 90cm away, give or take, and I had to bump it up to 125-150% for more comfortable viewing.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karnivore View Post

Nope. I'm 27, and without meaning to blow my own trumpet, my eyesight is excellent... but 100% default scaling is not practical at all unless your face close to the screen.

I generally sit about 90cm away, give or take, and I had to bump it up to 125-150% for more comfortable viewing.
This is your own subjective experience. I use a 24" 4k monitor at work with 100% scaling and have no problems. My eyesight is nothing special.

I think the most important thing to note is that running anything besides 100% render scaling can mess up some applications. A coworker has the same screen and runs it at a higher scaling since they have trouble with everything being so small, and have some trouble with buttons not being clickable in some applications.
 
#10 ·
Personally if I would use a 27 inch 4k screen without any scaling, I would get blind quick. I can´t even stand 100% scaling on a 1080p 24inch screen so yeah... really depends on each one.

I can´t also notice any advantage on using a 27 inch 4k screen for gaming. I wish 32 was the new norm for 4k pc monitors. I´m not a fan of chair and desk gaming anymore, just want to lay on my bed or couch wich is way less unhealthy than sitting on a chair looking at a small monitor.

Preferences.
 
#13 ·
I have been using a 55" 4K OLED "Monitor" for about 6 months now. I would really like a 40" 4K monitor and 32" would be interesting as well. I briefly owned a 27" 4K monitor but I do not like scaling (lost work area) and it was simply too small without it. I used it for a few days but ended up returning it for a 1440p 27". :(
 
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