Is this the Best and Sharpest 4K 32" Monitor For Your M1, M2 and M3 Mac? BenQ PD3225U

If you have an M1, M2 or M3 Mac in 2024, and need a 32" monitor, you might want to watch this video. Is the BenQ PD3225U 32" 4K ThunderBolt Monitor the best 32" monitor that you can buy for your Mac in 2024? In this video we review the brand new BenQ PD3225U monitor that is made to work perfectly with your M-chip Macs and Apple computers. Whether you have a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, or even Mac Studio finding the best monitor can be hard. Does this monitor have the sharpest text for any 4K screen on a Mac that we tested so far? Does this monitor match your Mac colors exactly? We cover all this and more to find out if you should buy this monitor for your Mac.
In this video we discuss the following monitor:
BenQ PD3225U Thunderbolt Monitor 32" 4K - amzn.to/4becso1
See Models On BenQ Website - bit.ly/3y0GYTS
Or Visit BENQ Directly for More Info/specs on the PD3225U - bit.ly/44cXThW
If you are interested in last years model you can find that here also - amzn.to/3xPhrwN
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[@asan1050]

Craig! a nice one. Thanks for posting this video

[@craigneidel]

Thanks, it's a nice monitor overall for sure. $1000 is quite a bit for a monitor but it has a very clean panel and is huge.

[@brianbs7348]

really good review i will have a look

[@craigneidel]

Thanks for watching

[@dmartyn3809]

Added to my wish list!

[@craigneidel]

It's a nice monitor to get work done.

[@albertoselvaggi]

very nice review, thx. i m thinking to buy 3 of them for my music studio and connect them to a mac studio m2 ultra.

[@craigneidel]

Thanks for watching and the post.

[@hangingoutwithryan]

Great review. Got a couple of them on the way now. Exited to see how awesome they are in real life :)

[@craigneidel]

Thank you and I wish you the best of luck.

[@digitalmarketinghumans]

That monitor looks so cool!

[@craigneidel]

It's one of my favorite screens

[@torontodev525]

thanks Craig, I am getting this after this video..

[@craigneidel]

Thanks for watching. Do your research as I always say but I like this for sure and it's a very large display. Nice professional monitor.

[@torontodev525]

@@craigneidel Actually I have been doing research, thats how I landed on your channel. :) I have Mini - Mac and use Window for me day job, and have been debating if I should Mac Display or something else and I reckon this would be better for me. thanks Mate.

[@craigneidel]

@@torontodev525 for sure and thanks for watching the channel.

[@thomaskremer9219]

I bought the device and am very satisfied with my M3 Max. Greetings from Germany

[@craigneidel]

Thanks for the info and I love Germany. I have been there 8 times now. Anyhow thanks for watching the channel.

[@dannyize]

Thanks for the review. I will be looking for a large monitor for my Mac mini. I was leaning towards the Studio Display. There are many nice perks on this Benq. I really like its hub and ports. I'd like to know if it can switch between inputs to support a second Mac/PC.

[@buitho439]

Why dont you try Samsung S9 Infinity?

[@craigneidel]

I always say just try it out if you can to see if you like it. For me having the 32" is great as I'm not huge on multiple monitors but we are all different. Colors are very good on this but it's a matte screen and the Studio is Glossy so that will make a difference depending on what you need.

[@dannyize]

I can't afford either right now, but it's good to have choices. I'm moving soon, so I might as well wait. Currently using a portable 16" panel ($100). Connects via single TB cable and it's quite nice. But I agree with you, Craig: I prefer one big panel over multiple displays. Edit: I watched again and I see that it does indeed have input switching. Nice.

[@craigneidel]

Yeah, it's a nice monitor but save your money until you need it since they can be expensive. When you are ready though it's a good choice for sure.

[@Zhinix04]

yes. there is a built-in KVM switch. you can use the same monitor, mouse and keyboard on multiple devices, and switch with with the press of a button on the hotkey puck, or from the screen menu

[@diadsoul1]

Hi thank you for detailed review. I d like to use it as my main monitor with my win pc, but sometimes plug my mcb pro, do i ned to swtch cable connection everytime, or does it works simltaneously? You mentioned that two computers can be hooked at the same time, but two different os? thank you a lot!

[@Zhinix04]

they have a built in KVM, so can be hooked up to several devices. (HDMI/displayport for the pc and thunderbolt for the mac for instance.. just switch between them at will, using the same mouse and keyboard. I'm switching between a mac mini, MBP and my ipad pro for instance)

[@diadsoul1]

@@Zhinix04 Thank you so much!

[@craigneidel]

Yes, can work with several devices. Thanks again for watching.

[@dancevids23]

Does it work with Mac studio or Mac mini? Or does it have to be iPad or Macbook pro running it?

[@bryans8656]

That's a beautiful monitor. More than I need, but beautiful nonetheless.

[@craigneidel]

It's a very clear panel and huge.

[@craigneidel]

@@yuri.moiseyev Nothing, I said that in the video - zero.

[@winstonsmith1222]

Can you do a 27” under $600 monitor with good colour accuracy for prosumer photographers please

[@craigneidel]

I made a video on some monitors the experts recommend, see that video. I also like this one - www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/professional/pd3205u.html but it's all up to the user.

[@houssamalucad753]

The best one right now is by far the Spectrum One (glossy version), but the company is sketchy so don't count on the warrenty

[@craigneidel]

Yeah I head the company could be an issue but maybe getting better.

[@houssamalucad753]

@@craigneidel just buy for B&H or Amazon or anywhere where returns and cancellations are easy, don't get it straight from them

[@craigneidel]

Nice tip.

[@ernie599]

How fast is the firewall with an SSD on it?

[@craigneidel]

Firewall?

[@buitho439]

@@craigneidel I think he wanted to mention about Firewire.

[@craigneidel]

Ok, thanks but firewire was from many years ago.

[@tomdfrog]

I do not get the 4k display craze. I have never seen anyone use them at their native resolution. Everyone's OS does pixel doubling/halving contortion to get the elements on screen to be readable. Typically, making it an effective 1920x1080...just super crisp. All that money for just HD work area. Maybe if all you do is play games and videos...but for regular use...(IMHO) a display with a native 2560x1440 is ideal. Easy to read on, extra real estate, and MUCH lower price. Also explains why Apple went the 5k route. Half of 5k...2560x1440 I got lucky. Scored some sweet 27" 2560x1440 Dell displays before the big price increases. At the time, the BenQ I wanted was $700...got all 3 Dell's with tax and free shipping for $650. They replace 3 30" Apple Cinema Displays.

[@craigneidel]

Some scale better then others and this one does a very good job where I don't even notice it at all. The screen is large and vibrant and a pleasure for getting work done. Also, when you scale it the text can be 2560 x 1440 but when you watch videos and other stuff like that it would still come in as 4K (or design work) if you have it setup correctly.

[@lorenzodorsi243]

Does it work with a Windows PC?

[@craigneidel]

Yes, for sure.

[@Im2qwik]

I tired the last one you reviewed and sent it back...too dark...bought a Mac Studio display and luv it..this sounds like a better model...the extra size would be great..Apple needs to step up with a 32" studio display with better hz..good review thanks Craig

[@buitho439]

You should try Asus Proart 32 inches instead of Apple Studio Display.

[@buitho439]

@@yuri.moiseyev Studio Display is much more expensive compared with other 4K and 5K monitors.

[@Im2qwik]

@@buitho439 yup apple tax but I’m okay with it

[@Im2qwik]

@@buitho439 maybe next year if apple does not step up

[@buitho439]

@@Im2qwik Don't you think 27 inches screen would be small in the next 3-5 years?

[@sglatitude]

For the quality and its price in comparison to Apple Studio; as Bob Barker said “the price is right”

[@sglatitude]

Apple studio has much smaller screen real estate (27 inch) as compared to 32 inch BenQ. For old man like me, bigger screen real estate is a plus point. Not to mention, I already have Sonos Beam gen2, sub mini, and pair of Era 300 which I believe offer better speaker than Apple Studio, coupled with Insta360 Link. The Thunderbolt 3 in the BenQ is good enough and connected to one of Thunderbolt 4 of Belkin Thunderbolt 4 dock. I’m very pleased with my current setup.

[@craigneidel]

I like it but it comes down to if you want a larger screen. The studio display is nice but smaller and this could go on sale also eventually. But I always tell people to just try them out first or have a good return policy and then if you like it keep it. Thanks for watching.

[@sglatitude]

@@yuri.moiseyev no really. Before I switched to BenQ, I had a 38-inch ultrawide LG that was amazing for multitasking-I could have three windows open side-by-side, which really sped up my workflow. I ended up giving it to my son for his projects, so now I'm on this BenQ.

[@craigneidel]

It all depends on what works best for you. I like to work on a single monitor but I know others like dual or triple setups.

[@Zhinix04]

many go on complaining about "only 60Hz".. that's plenty, in most games you're not getting more than 60fps in 4K anyway. (unless you spend silly money on a mad gaming PC and GPU. but these monitors are designed for image quality, not FPS) works like a dream for gaming too. I got the 27" model, exactly the same screen, just a little smaller. (don't have space for a 32" on my desk). perfect for design and gaming.

[@craigneidel]

I agree but I'm not a huge gamer. But for what I do 60 Hz is fine and even the Studio Display is 60 Hz. Overall I tell people get what they need personally, but many people like to tell us what we need when they are different then us. I agree with you and the 60 HZ is fine as long as you know what you are buying and are not gaming 24/7. Thanks for watching.

[@houssamalucad753]

I would just get the new QD OLEDs 4K, much better monitors (colors, contrast....) that can also game(240hz), and with the 3 year warranty I'm not afraid of burn in anymore.

[@craigneidel]

Maybe but my channel is more about Macs and with the M-Mode that matches a MacBook's colors these are very nice. I don't game that much.

[@houssamalucad753]

@@craigneidel If you're serious about color work you probably have a monitor calibration tool. And you don't really need it anyways, since both your mac and those monitors have accurate SRGB and HDR modes, they would match almost perfectly anyways.

[@craigneidel]

Yes, that is why I like the BenQ as it has the MBook mode.

[@NewWalls98]

I didn't look at their QLEDs policy, but gigabyte policy for burn in does NOT cover static elements. So if you do get burn in from static elements (shortcuts, start bar, browser bar, window edges), its NOT covered by warranty. Be sure to read the small print before you bite the bullet so you don't regret it in 2-3 years.

[@houssamalucad753]

@@craigneidel what? how much did BenQ sponsor you for to be chilling them like that? This monitor is cool but it isn't even close to the best out there for the price.

[@remierrard6195]

60hz !! WTF !!! in 2024 ! Shiiiit !

[@craigneidel]

Nice pleasant response. Funny.

[@remierrard6195]

@@craigneidel But no, but we have to stop saying that 60hz is enough for work. I'm in architecture and all day I zoom in and out on my screen. We don't realize it but we do this all the time. I'm fed up with this myth that only gamers have the right to 120hz. These people didn't understand anything. All day long I zoom in and out.

[@craigneidel]

For many 60 Hz is fine with they types of work they do, and I'm sure some Architects are Ok with it. I'm just saying we all have different tolerances and for many 60 Hz is fine. A few years ago it was 100%. I mean I have been using a 5K imac with 60 HZ to create 650 videos and other stuff and I don't even notice it. Maybe if side by side but in everyday work it's more then fine. Yes, it could be better but I really don't notice it at all so I just have a different need is all. But, if you don't like it that's fine to since we all have different needs.

[@digginestdogg90]

No. At 400 nits it does not possess the dynamic range at all. I looked at them, found their colors muddled and unappealing, and chose the Studio display in the end.

[@craigneidel]

I didn't see that at all so not sure if you had settings correct. It's bright enough for almost any type of work in my opinion. But get what works best for you as that is what matters.