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Apple is mainly known for its line of PCs and the iPhone, but the company has produced some stunning displays over the years. The Studio Display made a comeback in 2022 as an affordable answer to the Pro Display XDR.
While stunning, the best Apple Studio Display alternatives are an option for creators who don’t need some of those extras or have a tight budget. The monitors on our list may not have the Apple logo, but you might be surprised by how they perform compared to Apple’s flagship display.
- Best Overall: LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL-B
- Runner-up: BenQ SW321C
- Best Dolby Vision Display: ASUS ProArt PA32UCG-K
- Best Connected Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U3223QE
- Best Budget Alternative: BenQ PD2700Q
| LG 27MD5KL-B | |
|---|---|
| Size | 27-inch |
| Resolution | 5,180 x 2,880 |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Response Time | 14ms |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
| sRGB | N/A |
| AdobeRGB | N/A |
| DCI-P3 | 99% |
| HDR | No |
| Dolby Vision | No |
| Speakers | Yes |
| Webcam | Yes |
| Warranty | 1-year |
| BenQ SW321C | |
|---|---|
| Size | 32-inch |
| Resolution | 5,180 x 2,880 |
| Refresh Rate | 3,840 x 2,160 |
| Response Time | 5ms |
| Brightness | 250 nits |
| sRGB | 100% |
| AdobeRGB | 99% |
| DCI-P3 | 99% |
| HDR | No |
| Dolby Vision | No |
| Speakers | No |
| Webcam | No |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| ASUS ProArt PA32UCG-K | |
|---|---|
| Size | 32-inch |
| Resolution | 5,180 x 2,880 |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz variable |
| Response Time | 5ms |
| Brightness | 1,600 nits |
| sRGB | 100% |
| AdobeRGB | 99.5% |
| DCI-P3 | 98% |
| HDR | Yes |
| Dolby Vision | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes |
| Webcam | No |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Dell UltraSharp U3223QE | |
|---|---|
| Size | 32-inch |
| Resolution | 5,180 x 2,880 |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Response Time | 8ms |
| Brightness | 400 nits |
| sRGB | 87% |
| AdobeRGB | 99.5% |
| DCI-P3 | 98% |
| HDR | Yes |
| Dolby Vision | No |
| Speakers | No |
| Webcam | No |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| BenQ PD2700Q | |
|---|---|
| Size | 27-inch |
| Resolution | 2,560 x 1,440 |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Response Time | 4ms |
| Brightness | 350 nits |
| sRGB | 87% |
| AdobeRGB | N/A |
| DCI-P3 | N/A |
| HDR | No |
| Dolby Vision | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes |
| Webcam | No |
| Warranty | 3 years |
What Is the Apple Studio Display?
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The original lineup of Apple Studio Displays launched in 1998 with flat panel monitors. The popular translucent case grabbed consumers’ attention and continued with the Power Macintosh G3 and G4. Colors changed over the years, along with the size of this display, until the line came to an end in 2004.
Apple continued to produce monitors but didn’t revive the Studio series until recently. On March 18, 2022, the company released the new Apple Studio Display as a 27” monitor with a resolution of 5,210 x 2,880. It’s a 5K display with True Tone technology and 10-bit depth with a P3 wide color gamut. Colors are vivid and any images displayed will pop on the screen due to the clarity.
Apple’s A13 Bionic SoC runs the show including six speakers and the built-in 12MP webcam. The monitor has a three-mic array and Center Stage tracking which ensures you always stay in the shot. As an Apple product, it’s just as well-built and sleek as you’d expect with an aluminum frame – even if it is essentially a version of LG’s 5K computer display.
While the Studio Display has been well-received, it’s not the only option out there. Whether you want something cheaper or a 5K monitor sans speakers, consider these Apple Studio Display alternatives.
Best Overall Apple Studio Display Alternative: LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL-B
- 27 Inch 5K (5120 x 2880) IPS Display
- DCI-P3 99% Color Gamut / 500nits Brightness
- Thunderbolt 3 Port with up to 94W PD
- 3 USB Type C Ports
- Mac OS Compatibility
The best Apple Studio Display alternative comes from the LG UltraFine lineup with the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL-B. This display is the best choice if you want Apple’s display and love the tech specs, but not necessarily the price tag.
The LG 27MD5KL-B is a 5K PC monitor with a resolution of 5,120 x 2,880. The bezels aren’t as slim as we’ve seen on similar panels, but that’s due in part to the webcam. It also has speakers like the Studio Display along with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This vivid IPS panel can display 1.07 billion colors and has a contrast ratio of 1000:1 with a brightness of 500 nits.
LG’s display isn’t quite as bright as Apple’s, and while both webcams are 1080p, LG doesn’t have Center Stage technology, although it does have a Thunderbolt port and three USB-C ports. It’s a bit more versatile than the Studio Display as well, considering it has tilt and height adjustment out of the box – something that’s an add-on with Apple.
One of the complaints about the new Apple Studio Display was the fact many felt it was simply a rebranded LG panel. Well, that’s not a problem with the LG UltraFine 27MD5KL-B. It’s essentially the same display with a slightly different design and no Thunderbolt 4 port. It’s an excellent alternative to the Studio Display and several hundred dollars cheaper, even if has a short warranty compared to the rest of our picks.
Check out LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL-B on Amazon.
Best Studio Apple Display Alternative Runner-Up: BenQ SW321C
- Ideal for Photographers & Video Editing: 32 Inch 4K IPS UHD Resolution computer monitor is factory calibrated for color accuracy and comes with a report straight from the manufacturer!
- AQCOLOR Technology: Developed by BenQ that reproduces accurate colors on professional monitors. Work with colors you can trust.
- Experience Excellent Color Coverage: 100% sRGB ,95% P3 ,99% AdobeRGB color gamut, and average Delta E ≤2 for color accuracy. CalMan verified and Pantone SkinTone validated.
- Hardware Calibration for Color Accuracy: 14-bit 3D lookup table (LUT) improves color blending for precise color reproduction.
- Screen-to-Print Consistency: Confidently edit photos with BenQ's Paper Color Sync technology. Select the color gamut, printer model, and paper type to get an accurate representation of the image.
BenQ is the only company to make our list twice, and our top option from the company is the premium class. The BenQ SW321C is a more expensive alternative to the Apple Studio Display, but a monitor that can do a few things that Apple’s panel can’t.
The BenQ SW321C has the second-best color range on our list outside of the Asus ProArt. That’s ideal for photographers, but it’s solid all-around at 100% sRGB, 99% AdobeRGB, and 95% DCI-P3. This factory-calibrated monitor is accurate out of the box. It also takes advantage of BenQ’s Paper Sync tech which ensures screen-to-print consistency.
You won’t find speakers or a webcam on this monitor, but there is an abundance of ports. The display has dual USB 3.1 ports, HDMI 2.0, a DisplayPort, and a USB-C with 60w power delivery. The monitor has a modern, understated style. It tilts, swivels and pivots with the best of them and has a puck on the stand that provides quick access to your content.
Whether you want to create content in landscape mode or edit photos with accuracy, the BenQ SW321C is an excellent choice. It’s not the best option if you’re looking for a multipurpose monitor or plan on gaming, but would be a welcome addition to any photographer’s PC.
Check out BenQ SW321C on Amazon.
Best for Dolby Vision: ASUS ProArt PA32UCG-K
- 32-inch Mini LED Backlight with 1,152 zones local dimming providing 1600 nits peak brightness & 1000 nits full screen sustained brightness
- Support multiple HDR formats (Dolby Vision, HDR-10, HLG) presents lifelike experience and flexibility
- 48~120 Hz Variable-refresh-rate (VRR) with FreeSync2 HDR for game developer
- True 10 bit color with Quantum-dot technology provides DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, Adobe RGB and sRGB for exceptional color fidelity
- World-leading ∆E < 1 color performance and ASUS ProArt Hardware Calibration Technology for color-accuracy optimization, uniformity and color profile write-back
One of the drawbacks to the Apple Studio Display is pricing, even if it’s not the most expensive monitor from the company. If your budget for a new monitor is no concern, consider the ASUS ProArt PA32UCG-K, a 32-inch panel with jaw-dropping specifications.
The ASUS ProArt PA32UCG-K is a top-of-the-line monitor designed with professionals in mind. While it doesn’t have the same resolution as the Studio Display, the 32-inch panel is gorgeous.
A mini-LED backlight system provides 1,152 local dimming zones and it’s the brightest panel on our list. The PA32UCG-K can sustain 1,000 nits brightness, but has a peak of 1,600 nits.
Want to test or play content with Dolby Vision? You can do that with this monitor which also has HDR-10 support. It also has plenty of ports with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI 2.1, a DisplayPort, and a USB hub. Another perk of this high-end display is the ProArt Hardware Calibration tech for color accuracy and uniformity.
This monitor is twice the price of the Apple Studio Monitor, but it’s almost twice as bright, 5 inches larger, and has more ports. Game designers will appreciate FreeSync2 HDR and the variable refresh rate of 48 to 120Hz. As a bonus, the ASUS ProArt PA32UCG-K comes with a wealth of extras, including a monitor hood, cables for all the ports, and the X-Rite i1 calibrator.
Check out ASUS ProArt PA32UCG-K on Amazon.
Best Connected Apple Studio Display Alternative: Dell UltraSharp U3223QE
- 16:9 widescreen resolution perfect for watching movies, playing video games and getting on with office work
- 4K UHD 4K UHD offers ample amount of desktop space with more than 8 million pixels
- Enjoy crisp content and energetic hues with the 400 Nit brightness
- HDMI interface allows you to connect to a variety of HD devices including gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, laptop PCs, digital cameras and many others for the ultimate true high-definition display
- 5 ms GTG (Fast) response time makes it excellent for latest action films, sports or gaming
Dell may not be the first name to spring to mind when looking for a monitor, but professionals will appreciate what the UltraSharp brings to the table. The Dell UltraSharp U3223QE is our top pick from that collection and an excellent alternative to the Studio Display.
This monitor has a premium design with a silver finish and super slim bezels. The 31.5-inch panel has a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160, and while it isn’t as bright as our top choice at 400 nits, the contrast ratio is 2000:1. It’s also a monitor that will keep your desk clutter-free thanks to a hub with three USB-C ports and five USB-A ports.
Colors pop on this monitor between the contrast ratio and the wide color gamut. The Dell UltraSharp U3223QE also utilizes a KVM switch. This allows you to seamlessly switch between PCs or a Mac without changing your keyboard and mouse. It’s a nice touch, like the Ethernet port, PXE boot, and features like Auto Restore.
The blacks are black on the UltraSharp U3223QE, and the image quality is crisp with the 4K resolution. You’ll never want for a USB port given the number of options Dell provides, and the switch makes it ideal for consumers that run multiple PCs but only need one monitor. However, the monitor doesn’t have speakers and the HDR isn’t as sound as you’ll find on comparable models.
Check out Dell UltraSharp U3223QE on Amazon.
Best Budget Apple Studio Alternative: BenQ PD2700Q
- Ideal for Professional Work: 27 Inch QHD 1440p IPS Factory Calibrated computer monitor is factory calibrated for color accuracy and comes with a report straight from the manufacturer!
- AQCOLOR Technology: Developed by BenQ that reproduces accurate colors on professional monitors. Work with colors you can trust.
- Seamless Connectivity: Easily access content via the HDMI port.
- Ergonomic Design: Easily customize your workspace to fit what best works for you! Tilt, pivot, swivel, and adjust the height of the monitor for optimal comfort.
- Built-In Speakers: Free up desk space with a built-in sound system that delivers premium audio.
BenQ may not have the name recognition of Apple or LG with general consumers, but they’ve been in business just as long. They’ve also gained a lot of popularity with PC users in recent years, and the BenQ PD2700Q is one of the best Apple Studio Display alternatives in the budget range.
While the PD2700Q and Studio Display are both 27-inch monitors designed for color accuracy, BenQ’s display only has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. The IPS panel is accurate, however, with 100% sRGB and Rec.709 coverage thanks to AQCOLOR technology. It has built-in speakers like Apple’s luxurious monitor, but there’s no webcam on this affordable panel.
The IPS display on the BenQ PD2700Q is factory-calibrated out of the box and has 100% sRGB and Rec.709 coverage. It has an HDMI 1.4 port, DisplayPort and MiniDisplay Port along with a USB 2.0 Hub. It also has an interesting trick up its sleeve. You can adjust the height. This monitor can also tilt, swivel, and pivot. In addition, you can also rotate it into portrait mode.
The BenQ PD2700Q isn’t as sleek or powerful as the Apple Studio Display, but it’s a fraction of the price and still very accurate for content creators. If you’re looking for something a little larger and more Mac-friendly, the BenQ PD3420Q is an excellent option. It’s a bit more expensive but has a 4K panel, M-Book mode, and a USB-C port.
Check out BenQ PD2700Q on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Apple Studio Display Alternative: Step by Step
The Apple Studio Display is known for its accuracy and it’s one of only a handful of 5K monitors in that class. It’s overkill for most PC users that don’t own a Mac but may not be enough for some content creators. Choosing the best Apple Studio Display alternative is easy, however, once you understand the areas you should focus on:
- Image Quality
- Features
- Warranty & Quality Control
Let’s look at each one in more detail.
Image Quality
Many of the best computer monitors come in multiple sizes, but image quality can vary considerably from one model to the next. Resolution is usually the first specification consumers turn to, but you’ll want to take a look at the refresh rate, response time, brightness, and HDR formats, as well.
Resolution tells you how much detail you can expect from images on the screen. Higher resolutions are better, so there’s a noticeable difference between 1080p vs 4K. The uptick between 4K and 5K is minimal to most. Brightness is self-explanatory, while refresh rates refer to how often a monitor can display an image each second.
Response Time
It’s a specification that’s key for gamers looking at response times. HDR is a different story, however. HDR and Dolby Vision are two technologies that make content pop, but Dolby is harder to find on monitors than HDR. The Apple Studio Display doesn’t have either.
All of these specifications give you a good idea of how a monitor will perform during certain activities. If you’re designing games and want to play the ones you create, look for a monitor with a low response time. Alternatively, if color accuracy is what you’re after, it’s time to consider the color gamut and the current standards.
Color Gamut
Color gamut is the maximum range of colors a monitor is capable of displaying with a spectrum of colors. You’ll often hear manufacturers say their displays can produce more than a million colors, but you need to dig deeper to understand what it means. Viewsonic does an excellent job of explaining that, and the higher the percentage, the better range of colors for the given color gamut standard.
Features
The main features of a computer monitor come into play with image quality, but there are other things to consider when looking for an Apple Studio Display alternative. That includes ergonomics along with extras like speakers, webcams, and ports.
Every monitor on our list has a variety of ports, but not all have a Thunderbolt 3 port. That speeds things up on a Mac compared to traditional USB-C ports. If you’re constantly plugging in peripherals, consider a monitor with a USB hub.
Buying a monitor with built-in speakers can save on desk space, but it’s not something you should pay a premium for. Usually, the speakers are subpar, and we found webcams are also hit or miss. All monitors provide a level of adjustment. Some rotate and swivel further than others, and a handful of models allow your monitor to swing into portrait mode.
Warranties & Quality Control
When you’re buying any piece of tech, it’s important to take a look at the warranty. That’s even more important with displays and PC monitors unless you enjoy dead pixels.
While you might think the Apple Studio Display would have an amazing warrant, you actually only get a 1-year guarantee. Other manufacturers like BenQ provide 3-year warranties. That’s hard to ignore given the price difference between some models, but you also can’t overlook quality control.
While all of the brands we chose have a reputation for producing top-tier products, quality control can still be a problem. It’s something you can avoid by looking at verified customer reviews. It’s also a good idea to read the fine print on a warranty and consider an extended plan with any pricy PC component.
Final Thoughts
The best Apple Studio Display alternative depends on what you need from a computer monitor and your budget. None will have the style Apple is famous for or features like Center Stage, but there are some fantastic options available. If you’re just looking for a solid 4K display and not one geared for professionals, check out our list of the best 4K monitors.
