Ask HN: Which monitors do you use?

3 points by semidror 2 years ago | 9 comments

I can't seem to find a great monitor for mixed work and media consumption (80:20%) without compromises.

All >25" IPS panels I've tried so far had problems either with highly visible IPS glow in the corners (especially prominent on large panels), dimming at the edges, backlight glow or temporary image retention. Paradoxically, cheap <=24" IPS panels don't seem to have these problems.

The new 4K 32" 3rd gen QD-OLED panels seem to be the closest to perfection, but I'm not sure if they're suitable for long sessions of programming, web browsing and reading documentation (i.e. displaying static UI elements for hours) due to burn-in and temporary image retention.

At this point, I'd be willing to use a decent 60Hz monitor with thick bezels, only if it didn't have any issues mentioned above.

Which monitors do you use?

alecmg 2 years ago |

> The new 4K 32" 3rd gen QD-OLED panels seem to be the closest to perfection, but I'm not sure if they're suitable for long sessions of programming, web browsing and reading documentation (i.e. displaying static UI elements for hours) due to burn-in and temporary image retention.

Wouldn't worry about burn-in. 3rd gen should be more durable and equipped with all kind of burn-in mitigation tech. And a 2-3 year burn-in warranty

My concern about OLED used to be the weird pixel layout, not great for text. But on 4k QD-OLED pixels are smaller, so text fringing is not noticeable. And LG WOLED coming this year should have no problem at all.

semidror 2 years ago | |

I accept that the organic material contained in the pixels has limited lifespan and that the brightness of each pixel will eventually wear out. That's just the limitation of the technology.

But I'd like an OLED monitor to somehow mask/compensate for this degradation by e.g. adjusting the voltage/brightness of individual pixels according to their cumulative wear so that it's invisible to the user. That way, I would observe no signs of burn-in at, say, 30% brightness, but after years of cumulative usage, the monitor would get less and less bright (i.e. the wear would appear uniform).

What I'm primarily concerned about is temporary image retention; the outline of a white PDF document opened for hours being visible after switching to a dark IDE. I'm not sure if the 3rd gen QD-OLED or WOLED panels are resistant to such kind of image retention.

simonblack 2 years ago |

I use a 4K Samsung 43" TV ("The Frame") it has very small bezels, about 1 cm wide.

https://www.appliancecentral.com.au/qa43ls03bawxxy-samsung-4...

(The advertising image shows the 'art' work display with a simulated white border. In real life, the pixels extend right up to the 'Frame'.)

fuzzfactor 2 years ago |

>All >25" IPS panels I've tried so far had problems either with highly visible IPS glow

>cheap <=24" IPS panels don't seem to have these problems.

Maybe the smaller sizes have become easier to manufacture in a more satisfactory way.

Or maybe the larger ones have challenges that have not been as well overcome.

Either way they might be similarly challenging to *repair*, but I would still prefer products that are less challenging for the manufacturers' factory workers themselves.

SavageBeast 2 years ago |

Apple Studio Display - the ~ $1,600ish one - not that $5K monstrosity. If you're running a Mac and want all the volume and brightness stuff to Just Work this is a nice choice. It looks better than the 4K Samsung it replaced. As decent of sound as you can really expect from a display. Nice USB hub on the back of it too. All the brightness I could ever need. For what I paid and what I expected I don't have any complaints.

semidror 2 years ago | |

I second Apple having great IPS monitors and iPad displays. I couldn't notice any IPS glow or backlight bleeding and/or dimming at the edges when using an iMac. I can't believe manufacturers like Dell, LG or Samsung can't (or don't want to?) replicate the quality.

Isn't the 5K resolution on a 27" monitor too small? Or do you use upscaling?

gjvc 2 years ago |

Paradoxically, cheap <=24" IPS panels don't seem to have these problems

I've noticed the same thing.

NEC and Eizo seem to be the premium manufacturers. Before someone baulk at the price, consider they will outlive multiple generations of other workstation hardware, depending when you buy it and what ports it has.

akerl_ 2 years ago |

Maybe I’m not discerning enough.

I upgraded my home office to an Acer XR343CK years ago. It’s a curved ultrawide, and I’ve had no complaints with it since.

Dalewyn 2 years ago |

I use a Dell S2522HG.

Yes, the 240Hz refresh rate has spoiled me.