The Best Gaming Monitor Paired With a Mac

[@mbvx7]

I have a Calibrated 4K LG 32GQ950 HDR 1000 / True black / ATW / nano IPS, and a Dell Alienware AW3225QF 32" 4K QD-OLED hooked to my Mac Studio. Both look Amazing. That gives me one Matte, One Glossy.

[@ConorButkovic]

Sounds like a fantastic setup you have there! Still wish I had a glossy display

[@andread323]

This is a really clean setup. Thanks for the video.

[@ConorButkovic]

Appreciate it! Glad you liked it.

[@akin242002]

Super clean setup! Take this like good sir.

[@ConorButkovic]

Thanks a bunch!

[@A.H_610]

What about Apple's way of scaling things by X2? You use 1080p, so you get this 4K resolution. If you used the 4K resolution from the Apple menu, it would be super tiny. So, how can you enjoy the 4K resolution natively in that sense?

[@ConorButkovic]

I use the 1080p mode yes which meets the "retina" spec. although the scaling is set to 1080p everything is still shown in full 4k picture quality. its just the way the Mac works if that make sense. no matter what it is set to 4K but you choose the UI size essentially via the system preferences

[@thru_mi_lens]

so what exactly resolution are you using with this monitor? I always wonder which resolution can give me the real life 1:1 ratio, meaning 1cm at 100% in layout apps on screen equals to 1cm physically.

[@ConorButkovic]

I’m using 1080p in system settings to achieve the “retina” standard (half of the native resolution) which gives true 4K resolution. I’m not too sure which resolution gives 1:1 as Mac’s handle displays differently than windows would

[@Guillemod]

?

[@CHADAFGHAN]

BRO THAT SETUP IS CLEAN & AMAZING

[@ConorButkovic]

Appreciate that man!

[@capturedbyfabian]

6:08 Not true. You can use the thunderbolt 4 to hdmi dongle and get higher refresh rates on M1. I do have mine running with the M1 Pro using the dongle.

[@ConorButkovic]

very true, I was just talking about natively supporting it though HDMI

[@oluwaseunus]

That intro was so gorgeous and well done!

[@ConorButkovic]

Thanks! Glad you liked it, I was pretty happy with how it turned out

[@gr2goire726]

Using the Magic Keyboard only for Touch ID is the ultimate flex ! Gave me some ideas 😂

[@nu2463]

Would you be able to add an additional monitor? ( 1440p @120hz )

[@ConorButkovic]

you can but that would be dependent on your computer

[@MakiPavlidis]

Great use of that display. I’d want to run it at higher that 1080p though as the UI would be too large for me on a 32”. I think 1440 achieves the same UI scale as the default on a 5K display, how does that look in terms of sharpness / pixels? Also… wth is your Mac!? I couldn’t spot it…

[@ConorButkovic]

I've been switching between the two scaling options but haven't found what feels best just yet. both options offer basically the same sharpness which too my eyes I can't make out any pixels. oh and the Mac is hidden behind the wall off the setup lol

[@anonymous47873]

I have the same setup, how do the blacks look for you in apps? I find dark backgrounds etc can look a little washed out? Have you adjusted your settings any further? What are you using to control screen brightness?

[@nightingale1692]

Update the firmware

[@deadlock8]

Beautiful screen! But a question, how is this older screen for your eyes? I’ve had a lg c2 42” and the widescreen Samsung odessey oled, but experience a lot of eye restraints problems and headaches (despite settings and adoption time)…

[@ConorButkovic]

I didn’t experience any eye strain or headaches, but I think that has a lot to do with the fact, I sat pretty far away from it as my desk is pretty big

[@deadlock8]

Yeah that might be the reason then, my desk has a depth of only 120cm so that might cause some difficulties with this type of screen…

[@playerongaming]

1:29 that's very difficult dictation man! Congratulations for the new monitor.

[@ConorButkovic]

Thanks!

[@khaledlkurdi]

thanks Conor, does mac works well with 240hz? i tried it in my macbook pro m1 pro but the animations and refresh rate is not up to 240hz like you get in windows! also is the text clarity good? i know the OLED is not the best in text clarity

[@ConorButkovic]

I do get the full resolution and refresh rate as it supported on the M2 Ultra. The M1 family of chips don't support high refresh rates at least not without additional gear. the test clarity is really good also, it isn't a sharp as an Apple display but you can't make out any pixels on the LG

[@sbd8106]

Opinions on the black apple watch ultra?

[@ConorButkovic]

It looks really nice! Its the same as last year so maybe the Ultra 3 will be be better overall

[@henryisaacs6268]

Cool video man! You gotta hide your dock on your desktop though its taking up so much screen real estate!

[@ConorButkovic]

I usually use apps in full screen mode with virtual desktops but yeah I definitely gotta hide it… I’m just not used to it yet

[@wayanbarre]

How did you manage to get the 240Hz through HDMI 2.1? I thought it was capped at 4K 120Hz (I saw something about 180Hz also somewhere). Do you confirm that you get the full refresh rate? Thanks :)

[@ConorButkovic]

Yes I have the full fresh rate and resolution! Macs via HDMI 2.1 can support 4K 240Hz which is the max it can do

[@wayanbarre]

@@ConorButkovicawesome!

[@JonRomera]

Hi Conor! very nice video and setup :) I am about to buy this monitor to pair it with the new mac mini for design purpose, however I am on the fence wondering if you can control brightness and sound from mac? Also when mac goes to sleep, does the monitor turns off by itself?

[@bertasanchez-j6h]

I would like to know that too

[@anonymous47873]

I have one. You can indeed, you’ll have to use an app like lunar

[@ConorButkovic]

Yes you can! but you will need to download software to do so

[@RohitYadav-ph5ys]

Listen, if you can provide docking session of MacBook for which laptop, please tell me

[@ConorButkovic]

I’ll be checking out the new MacBook Pro! Video will come soon for that

[@jaspalkallar5993]

Yes well said! Why cant more (gaming) monitors have better design language aka symmetrical (on near symmetrical) borders.

[@noahsolomon-q2r]

huge fan

[@ConorButkovic]

Thank you!!

[@youngoh7492]

Interesting how you got a Mac that can't push anything past 144/120hz refresh rate due to it's lack of DisplayPort 1.4/2, do you have a second desktop or smth that can reach the refresh rate ceiling???

[@ConorButkovic]

Not sure if you missed it but my Mac can push the full refresh rate and resolution which is 4K 240hz… every Mac with an M2 Pro chip or higher can via HDMI 2.1

[@youngoh7492]

@@ConorButkovic Forgot DSC existed mb 😅, but still 480hz has incredibly niche applications for Windows and even less so for Mac given it's primary use case is for gaming - hopefully Apple dips their toes into this space more as time goes on 🤞

[@MonkeyClub]

How are these speakers connected?

[@ConorButkovic]

USB

[@devrimers]

what is that magic trackpad cover ?

[@ConorButkovic]

From Grovemade

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@ConorButkovic]

Glad you liked it!

[@hafuridotus]

Wait, how did your LG C2 die? (C3 owner here using it as a desktop monitor)

[@hafuridotus]

"oh lee dee"

[@ConorButkovic]

Something went wrong with the 120hrtz and cause the screen to flicker and go static… I don’t know what exactly caused it but that’s all I can figure out

[@hafuridotus]

@@ConorButkovic So, this may or may not help. But, try a Zeskit Maya cable and turning off VRR on the display (if you still have it)

[@ConorButkovic]

@@hafuridotus I will try that!!

[@prolok94]

wall mount ?

[@ConorButkovic]

It’s a generic one from Costco, it’s just an average TV mount

[@HakimoCrays]

what are the dimensions of the desk please ? Also, how does HDR looks on it ? because on my samsung oled g8, with HDR the colors looks washed out idk why

[@ConorButkovic]

The desk is 71x30” (it’s a big desk) and HDR looked pretty good. I personally don’t like HDR because most screens don’t get it right and are usually washed out like you said

[@HakimoCrays]

@@ConorButkovic i feel like it's a macOS issue because on my windows machine it's very good. Thanks for the desk dimensions

[@LouisLuzuka]

U getting the m4 mini 😮

[@ConorButkovic]

Working on the review right now!

[@LouisLuzuka]

@ wow what spec u get

[@paulmayner7313]

Dough Spectrum Black should have the same specs and looks way better

[@ConorButkovic]

Possibly, but it doesn’t look as good design wise

[@danielpolo365]

Nothing about the speakers?

[@ConorButkovic]

its the first thing I mentioned when doing the desk recap at the end... Kanto TUK

[@TheITNerd]

I have a BenQ EX321UX Mini LED Monitor for the following reasons: - Mini LED with HDR 1000. So no burn in worries. - 144Hz with FreeSync compatibility - 99% Adobe RGB, 99% P3 (I had this verified) - Very accurate Display HDR mode (which is how I run it all the time). - Pretty close to my MacBook Pro's HDR display - It acts as my dock for my desk setup as that gives a one cable solution for my MacBook Pro

[@ConorButkovic]

That BenQ EX321UX sounds like an awesome setup! Mini LED with HDR1000 is such a great choice-I love how BenQ has that MacBook colour profile-that’s not easy to find in external monitors. Great pick!

[@TheITNerd]

@@ConorButkovic I should point out that this BenQ monitor doesn't have Mbook mode. But I found that throwing the monitor into Display HDR matches what I see on my MacBook Pro minus the matt screen of the BenQ monitor vs the glossy screen of my MacBook Pro

[@ArthropodSpidey]

0:15 Epilepsy warning

[@ItsNerradT]

Computer behind the wall? 🤔

[@ConorButkovic]

Yes indeed! I have easy access to the back of this wall which made this setup possible

[@ItsNerradT]

@@ConorButkovic I'm gonna have to research this for self; that setup is clean.

[@SpaceNutz611]

MAC Gaming!😂😂😂

[@ConorButkovic]

I mean it’s getting better… don’t use the Mac or the monitor for gaming though

[@heynotsopas]

Bano

[@delfinoazzurro2829]

OLED = Burn in? 🔥Solutions? 🤔

[@pouletropical]

modern oled are difficult to burn butt be careful with LG , they dont offer a warranty against burn in unlike MSI or ASUS

[@delfinoazzurro2829]

@@pouletropical Thank you for your kind reply

[@theendurance]

@@pouletropical it will get burn in within 1 year of productivity use. burn in is still a big problem with OLED and will always be.

[@acidbunny999]

@@pouletropicaldoesn’t asus and msi use lg panels? He’s using it for daily work, probably 8+ hours. The dock will burn in really fast. Not to mention 4K scales badly on mac.

[@ConorButkovic]

This display does come with burn in warranty (at least that’s what I heard)

[@lil-hawk3]

can you buy me this please 😊

[@ConorButkovic]

Nope 😊

[@sidsid6380]

oh just no boo

[@loremir1994]

AI narration is cringe