Choosing the Best Monitor for Designers: A Guide for Mac Users

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With 24", 27", 32", 34” and more to choose from, what do these numbers mean? The size of the monitor refers to the size of the screen, which is usually calculated in inches. The measurement method is based on the diagonal length of the screen panel, and converts centimeters into inches (1 inch = 2.54cm) to measure the size of the monitor. Widescreen monitors have been mainstream for nearly two decades (e.g., 27", 16:9). In addition to providing a wider viewing area (34”, 21:9), they also help photographers view more details when editing images. For editing software such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere, VEGAS, iMovie, etc., they also support more open windows and toolbars on a desktop at once to maximize work efficiency.

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Resolution is another spec that photographers and designers sometimes misjudge or don’t pay enough attention to when choosing a monitor. 4K, also called Ultra HD(UHD) or 2160p, is currently the highest of the most common resolutions for monitors and televisions. In practical terms, it is precisely 3840 pixels wide and 2160 pixels tall and gives you four times the pixel count of Full HD(FHD) or 1080p. In terms of resolution, usually more is better. Resolution refers to the number of pixels that a monitor can display. All images, pictures, and text we see on the screen are made up of pixels. For a monitor of a given size, the higher the resolution, the more pixels a screen has, and therefore the sharper the displayed image.

A spec that helps tie resolution and screen size together is PPI, or pixels per inch. Pixels have no specific physical size. Their dimensions depend on the number of pixels you line up within a particular space. If you have 1000 pixels in a 10" area, then this is equal to 100 pixels per inch (1000 pixels ÷ 10″ = 100 PPI).

The smaller the screen size is at a specific resolution, the higher the PPI. The higher the PPI, the smaller the physical size of the pixels. For example, a 32″ monitor with a 1080p resolution has 69 PPI. At 4K, the same monitor's PPI is 138, meaning more and smaller pixels within the same area, making it nearly impossible to see individual pixels from a typical viewing distance of 60cm.

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Have you ever viewed a photograph with a friend or customer on a monitor, but noticed color deviation when you changed your viewing angle? This usually occurs when a monitor’s viewing angle isn’t wide enough. Good quality, professional monitors for graphic design and video editing are equipped with IPS panels. Compared to the TN panels used in low-end products or monitors with VA panels, IPS offers 178° wide viewing, and zero color deviation regardless of the angle from which you observe the monitor. Furthermore, IPS offers spectacular performance in terms of color display range and accuracy, making it a great choice for image professionals.

Anti-glare screens are also essential for professional creators. They ensure the screen isn’t reflective due to glare from ambient lighting, and also protect your eyes, as glare causes eye fatigue. One more tip is that you should not be tempted by cool-looking curved monitors, as those are primarily for gaming. For image professionals, they may hamper work by distorting images.

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Color gamut: different types of work require different color spaces. You can choose the most appropriate color space for your workflow when shopping for a monitor. The following table is provided for your reference:

Color gamut refers to the range of colors a monitor is able to display. The monitor’s color accuracy, as in the difference between the colors displayed on the screen and the color space reference colors, is indicated by Delta E. A lower number means a smaller color difference and higher color accuracy. Generally speaking, it is difficult for the human eye to see a difference if Delta E is lower than 3. Factory calibrated professional monitors offer the most accurate out-of-the-box color accuracy, and save you the hassle and possible cost of needing to calibrate them yourself.

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BenQ AQCOLOR monitors for Mac devices undergo tests specifically designed to make sure they’re compatible with M1, M2, and M3 chips. These tests mean you get the full premium BenQ display experience without compatibility issues or a need for lengthy troubleshooting.