Need advice for selecting new monitor/display (macOS - Logic Pro)

[LoveEnigma18]

Hi, hope everyone is doing well!

I am looking to upgrade my monitor in the near future.

Here's my current setup:
Mac mini M2 Pro (also use a Windows system)
27" Asus VZ27AQ 2560 x 1440 (QHD), 75Hz, IPS monitor connected via HDMI.
Logic Pro 11

My goal:
To increase screen real estate even further with the aim to achieve quality as my current setup, not necessarily looking at 2x scaling for HiDPI viewing. I have read a lot on macOS scaling/retina/etc.

Based on my research on this topic, I am thinking about buying a 32" 4K monitor with similar features/connectivity as my current monitor and run it at its native resolution without any scaling (I know it won't be retina and using retina mode would lead to 1080p, which is pointless), as this is the only way I see to increase screen real estate.

While monitor model suggestions are appreciated, I am not really looking for them.

What I am looking for is a practical feedback and any photos of the screen from those who use 32" 4K monitor with Logic Pro without any scaling, i.e., at 100%, no retina/HiDPI. Is it usable? Any significant downsides?

My viewing distance will be about 25 inches.

Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!


EDIT: Got DELL Pro Plus P3225QE. Been using it for a couple of weeks (at native resolution, no scaling; although if needed the scaling options especially with HiDPI are available with Dell Display Manager app) and couldn't be happier.

[jdnz]

I've tried it and even with my 'computer' glasses on font/menu sizes on a 32" 4K was too small for me to tolerate

I've also used a 38" ( 3840x1600 ) - lower PPI ( 110 vs 140 ) - at 'native' res on the mac it was borderline for me, but someone younger/with better eyes might find it ok

[LoveEnigma18]

I've tried it and even with my 'computer' glasses on font/menu sizes on a 32" 4K was too small for me to tolerate

I've also used a 38" ( 3840x1600 ) - lower PPI ( 110 vs 140 ) - at 'native' res on the mac it was borderline for me, but someone younger/with better eyes might find it ok

Thank you, good information. I hope I would be able to get away with using one of the lower resolution options provided in the display settings with a 32 inch 4K monitor and strike a balance between readability/clarity and (higher) screen real estate.

[tehlord]

I've tried it and even with my 'computer' glasses on font/menu sizes on a 32" 4K was too small for me to tolerate

I've also used a 38" ( 3840x1600 ) - lower PPI ( 110 vs 140 ) - at 'native' res on the mac it was borderline for me, but someone younger/with better eyes might find it ok

I would have to concur with this. I did exactly the same a few years back with my Mac Mini (at the time) and found normal viewing distance (less than one metre) to be quite a strain on the eyes, even with the correct glasses. I found myself leaning forward quite a lot, which is obviously not ideal.

I ended up sticking with the trusty 27" at 1440p.

It might work if you can use the closer/angled/optimal screen position though.

[jdnz]

I've tried it and even with my 'computer' glasses on font/menu sizes on a 32" 4K was too small for me to tolerate

I've also used a 38" ( 3840x1600 ) - lower PPI ( 110 vs 140 ) - at 'native' res on the mac it was borderline for me, but someone younger/with better eyes might find it ok

Thank you, good information. I hope I would be able to get away with using one of the lower resolution options provided in the display settings with a 32 inch 4K monitor and strike a balance between readability/clarity and (higher) screen real estate.

if you do go for a 32" 4K invest in the 'pro' version of BetterDisplay - it exposes a lot of intermediate 'effective resolutions' that aren't accessinle from the normal Apple display options ( the system display options have rather extreme jumps ) - and being able to force hiDPI can help make those 'scaled' resolutions looks a bit snoother

[jamcat]

I went from a 27" monitor on macOS to 32" 4K, and I actually feel like the monitor is a little too big, as it extends into my peripheral vision too much, and sitting any further back from it makes me want to lean in.

Though, neither my new monitor nor my previous monitor were Apple displays. Apple uses a different aspect ratio, which is boxier than standard 16:9 widescreen displays. I think a 32" Pro Display XDR would probably be a more comfortable viewing experience. But they're also $5000.

Edit: never mind, the Pro Display XDR is also 16:9.

Sorry for not being any help.

[LoveEnigma18]

I've tried it and even with my 'computer' glasses on font/menu sizes on a 32" 4K was too small for me to tolerate

I've also used a 38" ( 3840x1600 ) - lower PPI ( 110 vs 140 ) - at 'native' res on the mac it was borderline for me, but someone younger/with better eyes might find it ok

Thank you, good information. I hope I would be able to get away with using one of the lower resolution options provided in the display settings with a 32 inch 4K monitor and strike a balance between readability/clarity and (higher) screen real estate.

if you do go for a 32" 4K invest in the 'pro' version of BetterDisplay - it exposes a lot of intermediate 'effective resolutions' that aren't accessinle from the normal Apple display options ( the system display options have rather extreme jumps ) - and being able to force hiDPI can help make those 'scaled' resolutions looks a bit snoother

Thank you for the advice. I have seen this name coming up during my research and I would certainly consider buying to improve the experience with non-default/native resolutions.

[LoveEnigma18]

I went from a 27" monitor on macOS to 32" 4K, and I actually feel like the monitor is a little too big, as it extends into my peripheral vision too much, and sitting any further back from it makes me want to lean in.

Though, neither my new monitor nor my previous monitor were Apple displays. Apple uses a different aspect ratio, which is boxier than standard 16:9 widescreen displays. I think a 32" Pro Display XDR would probably be a more comfortable viewing experience. But they're also $5000.

Edit: never mind, the Pro Display XDR is also 16:9.

Sorry for not being any help.

Thank you. Your first paragraph is helpful, and something I have been thinking about. It is also the reason I am thinking about 3440 x 1440 UWQHD monitor, but it wouldn't give any vertical screen real estate benefit. These are a bit cheaper as well. I am leaning towards 32" 4K, but let's see.

[Michael L]

I use a 32" 4k LG with HDR and IPS, normal aspect ratio, no scaling, with a mac mini. It is great. It's several years old so tech is better now, but its plenty good enough. I mounted it on the wall at eye level. The dpi means all my older plugins are big, and the 4k with IPS means images and text are sharp and contrasty. If your pixel density is too high, some GUIs will be too small. I would avoid wide screen. DAWs are designed for normal aspect ratio; you need that vertical space.

[LoveEnigma18]

I use a 32" 4k LG with HDR and IPS, normal aspect ratio, no scaling, with a mac mini. It is great. It's several years old so tech is better now, but its plenty good enough. I mounted it on the wall at eye level. The dpi means all my older plugins are big, and the 4k with IPS means images and text are sharp and contrasty. If your pixel density is too high, some GUIs will be too small. I would avoid wide screen. DAWs are designed for normal aspect ratio; you need that vertical space.

Thank you so much for your reassuring comment. I had concluded going for 32" 4K monitor but your comment is the feedback I was seeking.

I am looking at Dell P3225QE, which has great specifications (100Hz refresh rate mainly, I am coming from 75Hz, so avoiding 60Hz) and physical dimensions and adjustability, and the best features to price tradeoff overall for my needs. It doesn't have HDR, but guess that's OK.

[suseka2003]

I saw a video on some software that can setup different screen configurations for multiple monitors for mac.
I am not a mac user, hope someone can chip some more info on this.