External displays are used by many Mac users: owners of Mac mini, Mac Pro and MacBook, as well as everyone who does not have enough of a single display. Its firm Thunderbolt Display Apple last time updated in far 2011, and since then it is obsolete. While there is no information on its upcoming update, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the available alternatives.
Came to replace the LED Cinema Display in July 2011, the 27-inch Thunderbolt Display was the first monitor equipped with a Thunderbolt port and at that time was very steep. Now with the development of technologies and the increase in the resolution of displays, many more modern alternatives have appeared.
Dell UltraSharp 27 ‘Ultra HD 5K (UP2715K)
In the line of UltraSharp monitors from Dell there are very worthy offers on the price-quality ratio. The 27-inch UltraSharp is no exception and is close to the hypothetical 5K Thunderbolt Display from Apple.
When using two DisplayPort cables, this monitor can output a picture in the resolution of 5120×2880 pixels with a frequency of 60 Hz. When connected with a single cable, the resolution will be less – 3840×260 pixels (at the same 60 Hz). The LED backlight provides an amazing brightness of 350 cd / m², which almost matches the Thunderbolt Display (375 cd / m²).
The model went on sale about two months ago and you can buy it now only on Amazon ($ 2176), BH Photo ($ 227.99) or directly from Dell ($ 2499.99).
LG ColorPrime IPS 27 ‘(27MB85R-B)
For those who are looking for a replacement for the Thunderbolt Display, but do not need a 5K resolution, there is an unlikely option from LG, which, as you know, is one of the suppliers of LCD panels for apple Thunderbolt Display. The 27MB85R-B model has an IPS display and supports WQHD resolution (2560×1440) and other features similar to Thunderbolt Display, except for a matte finish.
Unlike other monitors in this price category, the 27MB85R-B has a dual-channel DVI-D port, HDMI, DisplayPort and mini DisplayPort. LG equips the monitor with calibration tools Scaler and True Color Pro, providing high accuracy of color rendering.
In fact, the 27-inch ColorPrime is the next generation of Thunderbolt Display, which Apple will no longer create. It can be bought at BH Photo ($ 597.99), and the more advanced ColorPrime 27MB85Z-B with two Thunderbolt ports is on Amazon ($ 748.16).
Asus PB287Q True 4K UHD 28 ‘
The Taiwanese computer giant also has something to offer in the category of external monitors with a diagonal of 27 inches – a new 28-inch model PB287Q, operating in 4K-resolution (3840×2160) with a frequency of 60 Hz.
Of the connectors on the PB287Q on board there is HDMI 1.4, HDMI / MHL 1.4 and DisplayPort, which offer great connectivity. Asus uses internal processing technologies SplendidPlus and VividPixel to increase the clarity and accuracy of color reproduction. There is also a convenient stand that allows you to raise the display by 15 centimeters, tilt it by 60 degrees or arrange it in portrait orientation.
Despite the abundance of features, the Asus PB287Q can be bought on Amazon for only $ 584.
Sharp 4K PN-K321 32 ‘
If we consider monitors over 27 inches, the undisputed leader is Sharp solutions, for example, Sharp PN-K321, which was one of the first professional monitors with support for 4K. It uses a high-quality IGZO-panel, providing stunning color accuracy and brightness on a diagonal of 32 inches.
This model has a version with a touchscreen, which includes an inclined stand for convenient position during operation and its own touchscreen driver and software for OS X.
Sharp PN-K321 can be bought on BH Photo for $ 3595, Sharp PN-K322B with a touchscreen is there on BH Photo, but at a price of $ 4675.
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