When adding a monitor to my iMac I do not have the same clarity

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When adding a monitor to my iMac I do not have the same clarity

I have iMac Retina 4K, 21.5 inch, 2019 monitor is great. Problem is with adding monitor not same clarity, generally a dull appearance, not as crisp of picture. Trying pair right now with new Dell U2421E, their support says need to check with Apple.

Dell support says need to talk to apple. Have used couple other monitors and also same issue with more dull picture quality to them. There are limited options in system settings>displays. Tried changing a few with no improvement so put them as they were. Dell person was saying something about drivers but was not knowledgable at all, so really dont know.

Thanks

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 21.5″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 18, 2023 1:14 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Servant of Cats

Level 8

43,503 points

Oct 18, 2023 4:57 PM in response to justhelpmeplease1

To get something similar to that 24” 4.5K iMac screen, you’d be looking for a 24” 4K monitor or 27” 5K one.

LG once made 24” 4K monitors for Macs, but I think they discontinued them.

Apple, LG, and Samsung make 27” 5K monitors, but they are crazy expensive by the standards of what 27” 5K iMacs that included the whole computer used to cost.

What I and many others have done is to get third-party 27” 4K monitors and run them in Retina “like 2560x1440” mode. The Mac draws on a 5K canvas and downscales it to fit the 4K screen. There is probably some loss of picture quality relative to using a 5K monitor, but both the picture quality and the workspace area are better than they would be with a 24” 1920x1200 monitor.

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Answer 2

ku4hx

Level 7

23,786 points

Oct 18, 2023 2:44 PM in response to justhelpmeplease1

Your Mac has the Retina screen, you're likely not going to get that kind of clarity in a Dell product unless you're bough something other than the 24" model. That model isn't even 2K. You didn't say which screen size you bought.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-ultrasharp-usb-c-hub-monitor-u2421e/apd/210-axmg/monitors-monitor-accessories

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Answer 3

WheelieNick

Level 8

46,549 points

Oct 18, 2023 1:15 PM in response to justhelpmeplease1

You can try and check the dell driver website for your monitor type and your Mac's macOS version

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Answer 4

Oct 18, 2023 1:40 PM in response to WheelieNick

Had already done this: 1. Mac OS Firmware Update Package (Ver.M3T103) release date Feb 28, 2022 for U2421E monitor and 2. Dell U2421E Firmware Update release date Nov 2, 2021. So is there is something else. MacOS version is Sonoma 14.0. Is there more up to date Firmware Update Package?

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Answer 5

Oct 18, 2023 3:17 PM in response to ku4hx

It is the 24.1 inch diagonal, WUXGA 1920x1200 at 60HZ. I think you are saying because of the pixel 1920x1200 is limiting the clarity crispness, backgrounds are more cream colored than bright white and text is not as sharp as iMac. I got this based on conversation with Dell wanting to get something similar picture quality, which it is not, so sounds like I need something else. What would you suggest for monitor, I also looked at other brands, so really looking for best picture quality with reasonable price point. Thanks

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When adding a monitor to my iMac I do not have the same clarity

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