What are the best budget curved monitors for MacBook Pro?

Hello


I currently have a Dell curved monitor S3221QSA. The picture and text is ok at 3008x1692


If i open the laptop screen it looks so poor in comparison.


What is the best recommendation for a curved screen that does not break the bank - apple display is not curved and costs about 5k.


Maybe this is as good as it gets.


Thanks


dpaq




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Feb 26, 2025 5:44 AM

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Feb 26, 2025 6:46 AM in response to dpaqdqaq

¿WHICH screen looks bad when you compare your external to the Built-in?



the dell S3221QSA

appear to be a 4K display capable of 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) with High Dynamic Range (10 bits/color) capability

interfaces include:

  • 2 x HDMI (HDCP 2.2)
  • DisplayPort 1.2


Your Mac's HDMI port is capable of driving that display at 4K (3840 x 2160) at 60 Hz with HDR OFF, but less (without compromising colors) with HDR on.


HOWEVER: those data rates requires a certified cable labeled PREMIUM, or ULTRA (ULTRA is higher spec, but backward-compatible. )

If you are using an HDMI cable 'found' behind your TV set, you are likely making an error -- those are NOT high enough spec.

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Feb 26, 2025 1:08 PM in response to dpaqdqaq

I am FAR from convinced your current display is "bad".


Closing the display should change NOTHING -- Unless you have the two screens "Mirrored" (i.e, locked together). When Mirroring is active, the Mac computes a compromise resolution that seems like both displays can attain, and uses it for both. ONE display-generator services BOTH displays, in lock-step.


When you close the display while Mirroring, the external display is released from servitude and can use the highest attainable resolution (without data errors caused by low-spec cables)


Cables that shipped in the box are notorious for being "lowest bidder" cables. They have the right connectors on the ends, and that is ALL the checking that was done on them.






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Feb 27, 2025 7:55 AM in response to dpaqdqaq

Thanks for posting that.


why did you not mention your CS-DeskPro-2 display ?


that suggests you are running a DisplayLink display at the same time, which makes understanding your settings slightly more complex.


It is possible DisplayLink may be getting in the way of higher settings for your Dell display.



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Feb 27, 2025 11:43 AM in response to dpaqdqaq

you have not mentioned a requirement that your external display to REPLICATE the built-in display.


The Dell display you have now could easily EXCEED the resolution and color reproduction ability of the built-in display, if you only had an adequate cable.

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Mar 4, 2025 11:47 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hey Grant


Tweaking both of those options have made it an almost perfect replica of the main screen.


Key takeaway here is


  1. Get a good cable
  2. BetterDisplay Software is great for tweaking the settings easily and getting a good resolution!


Thanks a lot for your help.


Happy now :-)


dpaq

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Feb 26, 2025 12:40 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

hey Grant. Many thanks for the reply.


I am using the MAC's HDMI port currently and the cable that came with the monitor.


I will invest in a higher spec HDMI cable and see if that is better. I notice that the picture is better with the lid closed.


From looking online there is a lot of talk of OLED and 5K, too much choice!


Regards


dpaq

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Feb 27, 2025 9:44 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I can turn off the display adaptor but it does not make any difference to the behavior of the other 2 screens.


is there anywhere you know that Apple recommends external monitors that will replicate the screen on the laptop. maybe that is not possible without spending a lot of money on OLED or 5K.


thanks!

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Mar 3, 2025 6:45 AM in response to dpaqdqaq

Since this is considered a HiDPI display, using a different setting on the 'more information <-> larger text' scale may change the sharpness a little.


There also may be some settings in the display, tuning AWAY from gaming settings is usually tuning toward text sharpness.

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What are the best budget curved monitors for MacBook Pro?

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