Monitor Aspect Ratio

ukaskew · 22 Jul 2016

I'm currently processing everything on my Macbook Pro due to lack of space, but I've just converted our spare room into a study and have a nice shiny new desk to fill with new toys.

I love (as do my eyes) the idea of having a nice monitor feeding off of the Macbook, but I've noticed there are a few interesting aspect ratios since my days of owning PCs. Are the Ultrawide (21:9) ones any use for editing? I'm trying to figure out whether that's better as you can split the screen in two, or if additional vertical real estate is better.

I can't really picture using multiple monitors, so I wondered if anyone with experience could recommend a set up (not necessarily a specific monitor)?

Jase · 22 Jul 2016

Ultrawide monitors are really nice but you willl have to go for a good size otherwise you loose too much inheight, 34" or more...

May be worth looking at the 34" LG or Dell

Jase · 22 Jul 2016

also forgot to mention a big hi res monitor needs a good GPU to power it, make sure your MBP is up to the job.

Snapsh0t · 22 Jul 2016

I used dual monitors for a good number of years and it's a good way of working but it does help if they're fairly similar. At the moment I'm using one 27" 2560x1440 monitor but I'm think about a 34" 3440x1440 as Jason suggests. Check that your MBP can output the required resolution on a suitable port for whatever monitor you consider. My Dell M6700 can't output 2560x1440 unless I use Displayport on its docking station.

ancient_mariner · 22 Jul 2016

The Macbook will have a mini displayport output, so should cope with most monitor resolutions. HDMI was limited to 1920:1200.

Jase · 22 Jul 2016

ancient_mariner said:
The Macbook will have a mini displayport output, so should cope with most monitor resolutions. HDMI was limited to 1920:1200.

Its not a case of what it outputs but how usable it is at that res

neil_g · 23 Jul 2016

For 2d work it should be fine, start moving to 3d or video encoding at that res then yes it'll struggle.

dejongj · 23 Jul 2016

Naturally it depends on your model but it should be fine. I was toying with it many times, but 1440 isn't high enough for me

View: https://youtu.be/dRSeCKnmCLo

artographywales · 23 Jul 2016

I have a 49" LG Smart TV with HDMi adapter to my 27" iMac its great when processing video, give me more space to organise my workspace and its 4k so it works nicely with my 5k retina display

ukaskew · 31 Jul 2016

Picked up a 28" AOC 4K monitor today, connected via Mini DisplayPort (mid 2014 MacBook Pro). Perfectly usable even at 4K res, it's the most basic entry MacBook Pro from 2014 so I'm pleased its handling the screen so well.

It's a bit special to put it mildly. Using LR with all the stuff on the Mac screen and just a full screen preview on the monitor is fantastic.