On Mon, 13 Oct 2025 at 18:56, D. Hugh Redelmeier via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org> wrote:
From: o1bigtenor via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org>
A number of you have indicated that you're now using 4k monitors. I've got a 24" monitor that is showing signs of dying and am considering what to do.
I have an LG 43" 4k monitor, I like it, but its no longer available. It seems that I would need to spend in the $1250 can or more range to get a monitor that has decent reviews. (The LG cost me barely over $700 can (!!).)
For those that are running 4k monitors - - -what are you running and are you happy with it?
It really depends.
- how good are your eyes?
I prefer data over beauty so I find ~40 inches to be good. I can see every pixel. A 27" is pretty but I cannot read as much data from it. Your eyes may differ.
- 40" is great for me. It takes a lot of desk space. With a 40" monitor, I don't really want a multi-monitor setup. It would require too much head movement.
- 27" 4k can be cheap. RedFlagDeals.com currently has deals for a couple of different ones for $200 - $300. If you really want multi-monitor, several of these may make sense.
- TVs are way cheaper than monitors. There are a few downsides:
Dismissing the "smart" stuff takes a couple of gestures when powering up. I found and use a setting in LG WebOS which mostly avoids this. I no longer remember it. It was about 4 deep in menus.
TVs are optimized for different use cases. My LG has an IPS screen which is good for monitors (wide viewing angles) but not so good for TVs (blacks are not that black). The site rtings.com compares TVs and has a subscore for monitor application.
I expect you can get a decent 43" TV, one that's good as a monitor, for about $400
Many swear by OLED. 43" OLED are closer to $1000. Some worry about burn-in with OLED but that might be consigned to history. I personally don't think that I do anything that makes OLED matter.
TVs use HDMI. A bunch of computer iGPUs cannot drive 4k @ 60 Hz through HDMI, but can through DisplayPort+. Converting DP+ to HDMI 4k @ 60 Hz takes a specialized dongle. I just bought one from AliExpress for $10 but I've paid as much as $30 a few years ago from Amazon.ca
I have two 43" 4K monitors (not on the same desk) and highly recommend them. As Hugh mentions, for most people it'll make a multi-monitor setup unnecessary. I've had one of them since ... 2016? Not totally sure. Paid about $700 for each. I think they still generally cost at least that. Again, as Hugh points out, you can get a TV instead of a "monitor." That has both advantages and disadvantages (both of mine are "monitors"). With the low end video hardware (I think both are Intel) on my computers and Linux drivers and 30Hz refresh rates on the monitors (there's a reason they were under $1000), I get visible tearing when watching videos. In every other respect they're fantastic and I love them. I'm not naming them because neither appears to be available anymore. A quick search on Amazon.ca shows multiple 43" 4K "monitors" in the $600-$700 range (name brands, not off-brands). Keep in mind the reviews you read are probably mostly American, and the units you're looking at in those reviews may not be available here. Don't get too picky about the reviews: my older one was notorious for mild ghosting - but only under certain circumstances, and not of the permanent variety. I set the screensaver to activate after 10 minutes and have never had a problem. Point being, unless the monitor is disastrously bad (unlikely) you'll probably be very happy to have it even if it isn't perfect. -- Giles https://www.gilesorr.com/ gilesorr@gmail.com