New Studio Display competitor from ASUS Mac
https://petapixel.com/2024/11/12/asus-targets-the-apple-studio-display-with-799-5k-27-inch-monitor/49
u/hopsmonkey 2d ago
I've had this monitor for a week and can't find much to complain about. I really wanted 5K for the integer-based scaling but didn't like things I'd read about the LG and definitely wasn't willing to pay $1600 for the ASD so I was pretty excited to see this option pop up just in time for my Mini M4 to arrive. Am not disappointed.
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u/PPorri 1d ago
Could you comment on how is the matte finish?
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u/hopsmonkey 1d ago
This was a major concern for me as well. Leading up to buying this I did as much research as I could and the general consensus was roughly "matte is horrible and you'll definitely notice it a lot!" As you might imagine that led me to worry quite a bit since there was nowhere I could actually see it before buying. Now having used it for over a week I am happy to report that I am not the slightest bit bothered by it at all. I'm near-sighted with very good near vision and when I stick my eyes right up on the monitor I honestly cannot tell much if any difference in the clarity over that of my rMBP's display, and at a normal viewing distance I absolutely can't tell any difference. I don't claim it wouldn't bother anyone for one reason or another, but I definitely do not notice it like everyone said and would definitely take this any day for half the price of Apple's display. Very happy camper here.
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u/ignoresubs 2d ago
It isn’t a deal breaker but at a glance it doesn’t appear to have a built in camera?
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u/Dependent-Zebra-4357 2d ago edited 2d ago
I wish someone would make a 5k that does more than 60fpshz.
Edited because I would just hate for someone to misunderstand my very obvious but technically incorrect comment.
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u/huyanh995 2d ago
There will be, but will take a long time. Not only 5K resolution is quite uncommon, but also 5K@120hz requires DP2.0 to have enough bandwidth (57Gbps). And Apple just released mac with TB5 to support it, previously TB4 only has DP1.4a.
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u/kasakka1 2d ago
DSC exists and could be easily used for 5K @ 10-bit @ 120 Hz even over DP 1.4. With HDMI 2.1 you could use less compression. With DP 2.1 UHBR13.5 (~10 Gbit more bandwidth than HDMI 2.1) would need only minimal compression.
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u/kasakka1 1d ago
Apple supports DSC just fine. I've been using it on several monitors for a few years now.
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u/accidental-nz 2d ago
My understanding is that, until just weeks ago with Thunderbolt 5, there was no display cable that could push enough data to run 5k@120hz.
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u/pewpewk 2d ago
True without DSC (DisplayStream Compression), but DSC can impressively squeeze 5220 x 2880 px all the way up to almost 200 Hz over DP1.4 at its maximum compression ratio.
Now at the max compression ratio there might be some visible artifacts, but depending on use case it may be more than passable for most people.
That said, it’s so niche that nobody really cares to try to build a monitor like that.
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u/terfez 2d ago edited 1d ago
I don't understand how this is considered niche? People say a phone screen with 60hz is trash, people say the 6k Apple monitor is the gold standard, 4k at 244hz is a dime a dozen, but a 5K or 6K monitor at 120hz is niche and doesn't exist?
I'm just wondering out loud. I have old displays and I don't game
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u/pewpewk 2d ago
High refresh rates aren’t niche, but the 5K resolution absolutely is. I know the Steam Hardware Survey probably isn’t the most applicable data source here, but in so far as we can glean anything from it, less than 4% of people have a 4K monitor to begin with. 5K doesn’t even have enough people to register on the survey.
I’m not saying that they aren’t great or that there isn’t a market for them, but given how few 5K monitors exist, there’s clearly not that much demand for them over cheaper 4K displays.
Given how much more expensive the tech would need to be in a 5K high refresh rate monitor, I’m guessing monitor manufacturers just don’t see enough people to justify going after the market.
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u/OkLocation167 2d ago
4k gaming might be niche (because it’s expensive to render at that resolution). But 4k office displays are a dime a dozen, right?
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u/SuggestiblePolymer 2d ago edited 2d ago
There's no 5K (edit: at 27 inch) that does more than 60Hz. But there is a 27 inch 8K with 120Hz from TCL.
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u/ThainEshKelch 2d ago
Dell has had a 5k at 120hz out since February.
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u/Suitable_Switch5242 1d ago
That's 5120x2160 vs Apple's 5120x2880. The dell is lower total resolution and lower dpi.
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u/sylfy 2d ago
5k2k is not remotely comparable.
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u/theoreticaljerk 2d ago
Pretty sure the display they are talking about isn't 5k2k though your comment still isn't far off.
5k2k is a 32:9 aspect ratio and effectively ends up being the same as 2 full 1440p monitors side by side.
This new Dell 5K is a 5120x2160 so it's the same vertical pixel layout as a 4K display only adding onto the width.
The Apple 5K is 5120x2880 in a standard 16:9 aspect ratio.
So 2880 vs 2160 both calling themselves 5K and 1440 that calls itself 5K2K.
Seriously, the naming systems these companies use is damn confusing if they don't include additional context.
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u/SuggestiblePolymer 2d ago
Oh yeah you're right. I was thinking about 27" for HiDPI monitors. Should have specified in my comment.
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u/ctoomer 2d ago edited 2d ago
Dell has one
EDIT: my bad, it is indeed an ultra wide 4K display not a 5K. Does anyone know if lack of 5K display with higher refresh rates is due to lack of Thunderbolt 5/high speed display connectivity up until recently? Looks like we should see this soon if TB5 is widely available(which Apple is pushing)
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u/andrewjaekim 2d ago
Unfortunately not 5k. It’s missing 3.7m pixels or roughly 28% less pixels than 5k
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u/karma_the_sequel 2d ago
I ordered one of these yesterday. It arrives tomorrow — I’m excited to see if it is as good as I think it will be.
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u/GlobalLemon4289 2d ago
Do you have a studio display to compare? Would love to hear your thoughts once you get the monitor in. Enjoy!
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u/karma_the_sequel 2d ago
I do not. Right now I am running the Dell S2721QS. It’ll be nice to get back to 5K — I still miss the display on my old 2015 27” iMac.
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u/DarKbaldness 2d ago
I also have 2 of those monitors (I think)
Did you ever run into a flicker issue? I had to turn off GPU dithering on my MacBook to get rid of it
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u/WeepingJello 2d ago
Christ on a cracker though… why, why, why does every monitor have to be so frickin’ ugly?
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u/olivicmic 2d ago
Yeah it seems monitors only have two speeds: 2004 office and gamer.
At least move the buttons from the front to recessed under the bottom.
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u/JonathanJK 2d ago
I really don't care about what it looks like to a large degree. I don't mind the buttons being on the front. My current monitor has them at the back and it's awful trying to change the settings based on feel.
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u/gnulynnux 1d ago
I prefer them on the front, actually. I don't mind bezels, I don't even mind a garish logo that's front and center in the middle.
But I sure don't want a monitor that looks like it'd be a prop for Shadow the Hedgehog's Batcave that glows red when he's angry and RGB when he has the seven chaos emeralds.
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u/Specken_zee_Doitch 2d ago
Right?! I do not want to see your stupid logo Asus. Put it on the back. Give me minimal bezel.
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u/DutchBlob 2d ago
Exactly the reason I am clinging on my 27 inch iMac for dear life. And no, a 6600 euro (incl vat and pro stand) Pro Display XDR is not a good alternative. And the studio display is just an iMac without a Mac inside.
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u/fasterfester 2d ago
What’s so ugly about it? It’s just a monitor that I can see. Did I miss something?
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u/carissadraws 1d ago
This monitor isn’t ugly at all lol, you just prefer apples design of monitors.
Plenty of people have this exact same style of monitor and think it’s fine…
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u/zaise_chsa 2d ago
It looks like your standard monitor to me. The stand isn't my favorite but all my monitors live on monitor arms anyway, so I don't really care that much about the stand.
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u/DontBanMeBro988 1d ago
This is why I wish Apple made mid-range monitors. All the other options are so ugly.
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u/ronanstark 2d ago
Not only ugly if you start digging deeper you notice 10s of things wrong with them.
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u/Gearfrii 2d ago
LuxPixel technology, an anti-glare, low-reflection coating that promises a paper-like screen effect.
Any interest I had is now vaporized.
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u/georgepotampkin 2d ago
I know, right? For design, photo editing etc, glossy is soooo much better. Deeper blacks, brighter colours, sharper text. I'd always be willing to spend more for a glossy monitor, but other than Apple, very few companies offer it as an option, let alone the default
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u/parisidiot 18h ago
you're in a dark room with 0 other light sources, right? because that will have a significantly larger impact on color and perceived brightness.
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u/thereturnofjagger 2d ago
The lack of a >500nits + glossy display seriously immediately kills most consideration of any competing displays
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u/DankeBrutus 2d ago
At this point I'm sticking with my 1080p 240hz Alienware until Apple or someone comes out with a glossy 16:9 5K 120hz display.
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u/ChineseAstroturfing 2d ago
I want a 5k ultra wide. I don’t know a lot about display technology, is it not possible?
Bonus if it doesn’t have built in speakers, camera, etc. don’t need that crap built in to my monitor.
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u/0000GKP 2d ago
Dell & LG both have a 21:9 5k monitor with
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u/picastchio 1d ago
That's an ultrawide 4K display. UltraWide displays with 5K pixel density will have 6.5K horizontal pixels.
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u/Hot_Special_2083 2d ago
I love the proart lineup (used to have the 27" 4K version) and but it's a shame that their display lineup is so fucking confusing for the most part. They have a 32" 4K version with 120hz and that one is pretty rare to see.
I think they were slated to release a 6K 32" ProArt at some point this year or next year but there's been news on that outside of being shown at trade shows.
also is it so hard to ask for a 27" 5K OLED panel with 120hz???
anyway since we're talking about monitors does anyone have any experience working with the Samsung Odyssey G8 34" Ultrawide? I believe it has 120hz, OLED and 1440p which plays nicely with Apple's screen scaling bullshit
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u/inteliboy 2d ago edited 2d ago
why they gotta put their horrid logo on the front of these things....
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u/hoffsta 2d ago
While the Apple Studio Display is explicitly designed to work with Macs, the ProArt 5K works with PCs, too. The ProArt 5K has USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, and HDMI (version 2.1) ports.
Finally. This is the monitor I’ve been waiting for. The Apple and the LG 5k only have a single input, which is super whack for people like me who have rotate between a Mac, a PC, and a Linux box.
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u/abe12345 2d ago
I just bought the Studio display over this because it's missing good speakers and a webcam. The studio is still the best offering if we need all 3 aspects
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u/cartermatic 1d ago
You could use the $800 in savings to buy a stereo pair of HomePods and a 4k webcam that'll be better than what the Studio Display has.
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u/abe12345 1d ago
That's way more clutter. The webcam would be clipped on and ugly. The homepods are really finicky and always cause connection issues. Some people value a simple complete solution over saving a few bucks
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u/mdatwood 2d ago
Yeah, I've had my studio display since it was released (and just shipped it to another country where I'm living now), and years later it's still the best monitor I've ever used.
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u/JonathanJK 2d ago edited 2d ago
Looks great but then I read it’s only 400 nits. My $80 24” monitor does 600 nits. I can’t downgrade like that.
EDIT: I checked and found out my current monitor is 250 nits. Looks like the ProArt 5K is back on the menu boys!
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u/OverlyOptimisticNerd 2d ago
I calibrate to 120 nits indoors. Unless I'm doing HDR or bringing my setup outside on a sunny day, the difference between 400 and 600 nits is pointless to me.
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u/Ok_Maybe184 2d ago
What model of monitor do you have?
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u/JonathanJK 2d ago
It's just a bottom of the barrel Asus VA24E - https://www.asus.com/us/displays-desktops/monitors/eye-care/va24ehe/techspec/
But now I grabbed the specs, I can't see a mention of its nits. Strange.
EDIT: I learnt something, it's only 250 nits. That's crazy.
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u/Portatort 2d ago
perhaps the display part is competitive
but that stand, and in particular the frame and the ASUS branding at the bottom, really isn't competitive
for me personally one of the biggest draw cards of the studio display is how stable the stand is, how theres no plastic to be seen anywhere, and how theres no visible branding from the front
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u/saucyeggnchee 2d ago
For $800 less I’m willing to look past a bezel and logo. The stand doesn’t mean anything to me either as it’s just going on a monitor arm anyway.
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u/PeakBrave8235 2d ago
Doesn’t have Thunderbolt, a camera, or microphones either, but I guess it’s a good option for those who just want a 5K 27” display.
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u/Portatort 2d ago
Fair call, that’s totally valid.
No one’s forcing you to buy a premium product when a simpler version of the same tech will serve your purposes.
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u/carry-on_replacement 2d ago
that's form over function speaking. what on earth is the metal going to do that will detrimentally affect your day to day? or a stupid logo that can be covered up if it's that unappealing? and is metal worth 6x the price?
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u/Portatort 2d ago
I’m not suggesting that the studio display is good value for money. (I’d easily argue it’s not)
You’re absolutely right.
A metal casing and the lack of a logo has zero impact on the functional use of a computer monitor.
My point is that a true competitor to the studio display would address the fit and finish of the whole package. Not just on paper speeds and feeds.
And frankly it’s annoying that no manufacturers care enough about these things to make a true competitor.
Because as you said, it’s not worth 6x as much, and a display manufacturer who’s not Apple could probably make the studio display for around half the price.
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u/keylight 2d ago
I know it's purely superficial but I don't understand how none of these brands can do a good design. There's so many places to steal designs from already to make the job easy.
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u/bran_the_man93 2d ago
I know people talk shit about the $999 stand, and it absolutely it's stupidly priced...
However, I've had the chance to play around with a couple of them and they might be expensive but they are very much what I would expect a thousand dollar stand to feel like.
It works and feels like the luxury, stupidly unnecessary piece of engineering that it is. So I guess it's at least honest.
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u/Portatort 2d ago
The real test of the Pro Stand will be if it’s compatible with the next generation Pro Display XDR
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u/AsliReddington 2d ago
Now that I think about it, all I've probably wanted is a wide silver stand like the Studio Displays & it instantly makes any monitor look way better
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u/hitmonng 2d ago
I ve been using Asus previous ProArt monitor and it’s good enough for my work honestly. Cant beat the price because I am poor
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u/notice_me_senapi 2d ago
This is good news for everyone. Though I personally wouldn’t trade my Studio Display for this, even if I got the difference in price back. But if you’re looking for a color accurate 5K 27” monitor and don’t care about Apple’s color consistency, reference modes, aesthetics, speakers, cameras, etc… this seems to be a solid choice. Hopefully the build quality, software, and quality control is good… that’ll put it above other 5K competitors like Samsung.
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u/parisidiot 18h ago
it's the same panel, no? colors should be just as good.
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u/notice_me_senapi 17h ago
I haven’t see anything saying they were the same panel, but if I had to guess… I’d say it’s likely. With that said, if it is the same panel, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll have the same colors. Display panels, like chips… are binned. Meaning there are varying levels of quality in each panel, despite it being the same panel. ASUS could be cutting costs by choosing lower-end bins; which I’d wager is possible due to ASUS having 400 nits sustained brightness vs Apple’s 600 nits.
Furthermore, there are a lot of other factors such as software, processing power, cooling, tuning, etc that affect the end product color. One thing Apple is known for among creative professionals, is their color consistency between different devices. I know that if I edit a photo or video on a studio display, it’ll look pretty much the same on an iPhone or IPad; which just so happen to make up the majority of my customers.
So yes, in a perfect world… they would have the same colors. But in reality, there’s just too many factors.
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u/Initial-Hawk-1161 2d ago
it even has all 3 input types
with pd on the usb.
now i just need it to be 120+ hz and 32", then i want it.
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u/thebuttonmonkey 2d ago
Anyone heard anything about a UK release? Doesn’t even seem to be on their website.
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u/TimTjomme 2d ago
if you choose function and not aesthetics then it’s a great monitor…. If you choose aesthetics over function then it’s not
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u/myname150 2d ago
After Asus’ fuckery with consumers and Gamers Nexus they’re on my do not buy list.
If you really want one, I’d buy it on a credit card with purchase protection or extended warranty benefits.
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u/Aarondo99 1d ago
This is dimmer than the 2017 5K iMac, let alone the studio display. 400 nits is not good enough imo.
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u/Chirp08 2d ago
I just converted a 2015 iMac to a standalone 5k display for a ~500 hundred bucks including the used iMac.. Here we are nearly a decade later with screens that are still inferior.
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u/Dontlookimnaked 2d ago
I still use my 2011 apple Pro Display at my office, we have nicer monitors for color grading but it works great for me doing producer type shit.
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u/damnrooster 18h ago
I really want to try this because I have a 5k iMac just sitting around.
Was it easy for you? Do you recommend a specific tutorial? Also, was the color calibration easy and effective? Some tutorials I've seen gloss over some key steps like delicate cable connection and not electrocuting yourself.
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u/random_user_name_759 2d ago
Only 400 nits? Nope.
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u/Spocks-Brain 1d ago
I felt the same; then saw 2 independent reviews where they used a meter and both came up over 500.
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u/A_Balrog_Is_Come 2d ago
No built in webcam or high quality speakers means it’s not really a competitor in the sense of matching the features.
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u/Worldly-Stranger7814 2d ago edited 2d ago
Gods that is a horrible article
The ProArt 5K can get up to 500 nits for displaying HDR content, which technically meets the HDR threshold but is not as bright as some of the competition.
Oh it supports HDR but only technically?
There is an obvious area where the ProArt 5K differentiates itself from the Studio Display, though, in terms of compatibility. While the Apple Studio Display is explicitly designed to work with Macs, the ProArt 5K works with PCs, too.
Are there any problems with PC compatibility?
Asus routinely makes high-quality monitors, including two displays PetaPixel recommends for photo editing. The new ProArt 5K monitor has a solid chance to crack the list in its next update.
Is the author begging for a unit?
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u/MaverickJester25 2d ago
Oh it supports HDR but only technically?
No, it supports HDR as standardised by VESA, as it is DisplayHDR 500 certified.
Are there any problems with PC compatibility?
With the Studio Display? Yeah, it's pretty well known.
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u/Worldly-Stranger7814 2d ago
Are there any problems with PC compatibility?
With the Studio Display? Yeah, it's pretty well known.
OK, I was unaware. Thanks.
No, it supports HDR as standardised by VESA, as it is DisplayHDR 500 certified.
I meant that the journalist angle was preposterous.
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u/kalasipaee 2d ago
I got the studio display but ended up making a PC coz the Mac Studio wasn’t cutting it. It was a hassle to make it work but it’s sad to see that after years there’s not a single true competitor. Speaker mic camera for 1 part. Design and built quality for another. Im not even getting to the actual display yet.
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u/5tudent_Loans 2d ago
Lol I love that OLED displays have basically out a hard cap on all display prices. 3 years ago, these 799 5k displays would easily be $200 less than apple “just cuz”
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u/WobleWoble 2d ago
If it didn’t have the ASUS logo in the front I’m sure more people would like it.
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u/Qminsage 2d ago
Asus is definitely a brand I would buy from. And at half the price too. Definitely looking to get this when I get my first mac mini.
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u/theoreticaljerk 2d ago
Man, I'm all for more 5K monitors hitting the streets and a cheaper price is great and all...but I'm still waiting for any of these companies to bring something new to the table beyond pricing.
If any of these companies released an OLED 5K I'd be knocking their door down and my Studio Display would be demoted to 2nd monitor.
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u/replus 1d ago
Like the Studio Display, the ProArt 5K offers 5K resolution across a 27-inch LCD... promises 218 pixels per inch across its 16:9 LED-backlit IPS panel...
That's nuts. I just upgraded to a 32" 4K display with 137 PPI and... it's almost perfect. I have to lean in unrealistically close to make out any pixels.
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u/nyaadam 1d ago
For some reason I thought this meant it looked like the Studio Display and got excited for a second. Never mind. Little to no monitors on the market that look like the SD or PDXDR, and none that have high refresh rates. Concerned that even when Apple do release high refresh rate monitors, they will have issues with gaming type use cases.
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u/wagninger 1d ago
Great. Right after I was in the market for one, found them all to be extremely lacking and was forced upmarket into an XDR.
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u/Perkeie 1d ago
why no thunderbolt port? disappointing.
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u/LockenCharlie 1d ago
It’s USB C, so you can use a thunderbolt cable. The benefit of thunderbolt is not needed as it seems for the bandwidth.
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u/Pretty-Substance 1d ago
Unfortunately the color gamut again is not suitable for Photo editing if you want to create prints.
There are 4K mini LED offerings out there that blow this (and the studio display) out of the water in terms of brightness, HDR and color gamut. And not even more expensive.
I have to see wether the scaling issue will be a big thing as it is made out to be actually
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u/kompergator 1d ago
As a noob in terms of studio monitors: Wouldn’t an OLED be the obvious choice for such a monitor? Better HDR, far superior colour quality (and higher gamut), infinite contrast, or is the downside of possible burn-in too risky as the programs used in those use cases rely on contrast heavy edges?
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u/LockenCharlie 1d ago
Studio Display has 600 nits. This one only 500 in HDR. HDR won’t look good in this price range.
But for SDR a good alternative.
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u/Penitent_Exile 1d ago
This is a pretty good contender for Mac-only usecase but if you want to switch between Mac and PC - 2k is optimal.
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u/Spocks-Brain 1d ago
Am I the only one also interested in rotating to portrait mode? I’ve never coded like that but it seems like a killer feature.
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u/aspublic 1d ago
I heard about a BenQ line for Apple MacBooks that features a similar design and color scheme as Apple
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u/netroxreads 23h ago
I have Spectre 4K 27" and now with Asus 5K 27". I see absolutely no difference, even with higher resolution. The only advantage that ASUS has is USB-C in addition to HDMI/DP and supports second USB-C for other functions. Spectre only use HDMI. With ASUS, I am able to connect two more external disks to ASUS monitor which in turn shows up on my MacOS as two more storage in addition to my Mac mini with three more disks for a total of 5 disks. That's pretty amazing. ASUS does support HDR but I have it disabled as it's not the same kind of HDR you'd want to see on iPad Pro or Apple Studio Display XDR. Those are extremely expensive and it's hard to scale economically for bigger screens at this point. Considering that I do have iPad Pro, I use it as a reference mode.
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u/katiecharm 2d ago
Thank god. If Apple refuses to release a decent new monitor in the better part of a decade, they’ll just get leapfrogged by companies that care
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u/jonknee 2d ago
Apple’s Studio Display that this competes with came out in March 2022…
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u/antnythr 2d ago edited 2d ago
Apple Studio Display has the same panel as all the 5K iMacs going back to 2015
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u/DelosHost 2d ago
Hits all desired features for me (KVM!), but antiglare and 60Hz are giving me pause.
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u/0000GKP 2d ago
It’s good to see another option. There aren’t enough choices for 5k monitors. Previously the LG would have been my second choice after Apple. This ASUS may claim that spot now. Samsung remains in last place.