Turn out 4K monitor is useless for me

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Jul 14th, 2021 4:34 pm

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Jul 10th, 2021 6:25 pm

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 10th, 2021 6:25 pm

Turn out 4K monitor is useless for me

I am not hardware savvy. I thought 4K monitor must be the best. and I stare at monitor all day long. so I bought one for my work laptop. turns out not as clear as my 3600*1440 monitor on my personal computer. so I plug the 4K in to my personal computer. looks not clear too.

now I learnt if your computer is not good, 4K monitor makes no difference for you. Is it true?

Can't test the 4K on my personal computer as I Dell doesn't provide HDMI to USB-C cable (my personal laptop only has usb-c, usb and mini display port)

also why is 4K more yellowish than my other monitor. Is it because of eye care?

also how come the display port on my laptop is so much smaller than the display port on the Dell's one? are there different display port outlet?

Please share your knowledge. Thanks.

44 replies

Jul 10th, 2021 6:35 pm

recordman: Deal Fanatic; Jan 19, 2005; 5144 posts; 2412 upvotes; Vancity

Jul 10th, 2021 6:35 pm

Are you devices actually outputting 4K? If the device can't output 4K, then a 4K monitor adds no benefit. The monitor can upscale, but it's not the same as true 4K.

The yellowish tint may be a display mode that you can change from the monitor settings.

signature closed for renovation

+5

Jul 10th, 2021 6:36 pm

redflagdealsguy: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2018; 26161 posts; 35302 upvotes

Jul 10th, 2021 6:36 pm

It's useless at 27", it's essential at 43" or larger.

I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.

+7

Jul 10th, 2021 6:55 pm

zerod: Member; Feb 9, 2008; 409 posts; 332 upvotes; Vancouver, BC

Jul 10th, 2021 6:55 pm

Mini display port is smaller so it fits on a laptop.
You need a "Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort" cable to connect the monitor.

Make sure your personal laptop can do 4k, preferably at 60hz.

+1

Jul 10th, 2021 7:37 pm

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 10th, 2021 7:37 pm

I just checked the graphic card of my work computer: Intel UHD graphics 620, which is supposed to be able to display 4K? but I looks I am not getting 4K. why?

um............wonder if I should return the 27" 4K

Jul 10th, 2021 7:39 pm

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 10th, 2021 7:39 pm

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ It's useless at 27", it's essential at 43" or larger.

why? my Lenovo 34" which is 3260*1440 clearly is more clear, but more bluish, which actually more realistic. but I heard blue is harmful to the eye?

Jul 10th, 2021 7:41 pm

zerod: Member; Feb 9, 2008; 409 posts; 332 upvotes; Vancouver, BC

Jul 10th, 2021 7:41 pm

1000islands wrote: ↑ I just checked the graphic card of my work computer: Intel UHD graphics 620, which is supposed to be able to display 4K? but I looks I am not getting 4K. why?

um............wonder if I should return the 27" 4K

Did you change the resolution in Windows display settings, or Intel graphics properties?

+2

Jul 10th, 2021 8:09 pm

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 10th, 2021 8:09 pm

zerod wrote: ↑ Did you change the resolution in Windows display settings, or Intel graphics properties?

I check my work computer display setting. the highest I see is 1920X1080. When I choose 'duplicate display
' I was able to choose resolution.

When I choose to display on the monitor only. the resolution and scale are disabled. so no idea what I am getting.

Jul 10th, 2021 8:21 pm

zerod: Member; Feb 9, 2008; 409 posts; 332 upvotes; Vancouver, BC

Jul 10th, 2021 8:21 pm

1000islands wrote: ↑ I check my work computer display setting. the highest I see is 1920X1080

Try updating the graphics drivers.

If using HDMI, your computers need at least HDMI version 1.4 to support 4k, and 2.0 for 4k at 60Hz.
You might need to get a display port cable to fully use the monitor.
Check the display port versions too, while you're at it. Should be at least 1.2

Duplicate display will limit it to the lowest resolution monitor. You should use Extend, to have different resolutions.

Jul 10th, 2021 9:04 pm

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 10th, 2021 9:04 pm

zerod wrote: ↑ Try updating the graphics drivers.

If using HDMI, your computers need at least HDMI version 1.4 to support 4k, and 2.0 for 4k at 60Hz.
You might need to get a display port cable to fully use the monitor.
Check the display port versions too, while you're at it. Should be at least 1.2

Duplicate display will limit it to the lowest resolution monitor. You should use Extend, to have different resolutions.

After seeing your post, I tried extend, still the highest resolution is 1920*1080. My graphic driver? um...how? damn, I will give the work IT support a call to see if they can do anything about it.

Now I will get a HDMI to USB-C cable from amazon to plug the 4k to my personal computer which has much higher configuration to see. If it's not any better then the monitor is not good. I will return the 4K monitor.

Jul 10th, 2021 9:10 pm

zerod: Member; Feb 9, 2008; 409 posts; 332 upvotes; Vancouver, BC

Jul 10th, 2021 9:10 pm

You should go for the mini displayport cable if possible.

If extend doesn't work, it could be the port version.
What's the model numbers of your laptop/computer?

Jul 10th, 2021 10:57 pm

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 10th, 2021 10:57 pm

zerod wrote: ↑ You should go for the mini displayport cable if possible.

If extend doesn't work, it could be the port version.
What's the model numbers of your laptop/computer?

The usb-c and mini display are using the same port of my personal pc. The dell monitor doesn't have mini display.

The work laptop is Dell Latitude 7400, the personal pc is Lenovo Yoga 7i

Thanks:)

Jul 10th, 2021 11:30 pm

zerod: Member; Feb 9, 2008; 409 posts; 332 upvotes; Vancouver, BC

Jul 10th, 2021 11:30 pm

So if your dell laptop is the same as below, it fully supports the monitor on HDMI or through a compatible USB C/thunderbolt dock with displayport. The Amazon cable might work.

You'll probably have to ask your IT to update or troubleshoot (assuming they locked everything down).

Same deal with the Yoga, USB C to DisplayPort.
If you need that port for anything else, you might want to get a dock.
Maybe work will provide one? They're a bit pricey...

Jul 11th, 2021 1:52 am

X360: Deal Addict; May 13, 2005; 4635 posts; 5110 upvotes; Montreal

Jul 11th, 2021 1:52 am

1000islands wrote: ↑ also why is 4K more yellowish than my other monitor. Is it because of eye care?

Wonder what is the model of your monitor so we could check the specs.

For me, I like the IPS monitor and having high brightness (ie. 350 cd/m²).

For example, $350 - Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor - S2721Q
https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/dell-27 ... ccessories

Jul 11th, 2021 9:56 am

dazz: Deal Fanatic; Dec 10, 2004; 7348 posts; 2985 upvotes; Canada

Jul 11th, 2021 9:56 am

Anyone saying 4K is useless is absolutely clueless. It is a must for a monitor of 27"+ and you can see the difference. At 43K it's actually on a brink of being not enough. I own 27, 38,43" monitors,etc and tested and owned many more.
The reason why a new monitor may be more yellowish because it is COLOR CORRECTED. Your phone as well as TV and most cheap monitors have more blue tones for esthetics and those colors are not true. They may appear more vibrant due to how your eyes see it. Real calibrated monitor is not as bright, has more yellowish tones(which is great for your eyes by the way), not as vibrant as colors are true and not exaggerated. You can create different profiles and many monitor allow you to set profiles for work, movies,etc where you can change from true colors to weird ones. Now, if your monitor at it's native resolution is soft then it may be your monitor, which is not very good and cheap. That happens too.

I use voice typing, expect mistakes...

+3

Jul 11th, 2021 11:15 am

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 11th, 2021 11:15 am

zerod wrote: ↑ So if your dell laptop is the same as below, it fully supports the monitor on HDMI or through a compatible USB C/thunderbolt dock with displayport. The Amazon cable might work.

dell.jpg

You'll probably have to ask your IT to update or troubleshoot (assuming they locked everything down).

Same deal with the Yoga, USB C to DisplayPort.
If you need that port for anything else, you might want to get a dock.
Maybe work will provide one? They're a bit pricey...

oh, what I meant was I need a cable to connect the monitor to my yoga, because Dell 4k monitor only comes with HDMI. My Dell laptop has HDMI, so it's not an issue.

my Yoga with 34"inch Lenovo monitor has produce much more clear definition compare with the Dell 4k laptop and Dell Monitor, so I want to switch to see if the issue is with laptop or the 4K monitor. alas, Dell is so cheap only gave me one cable. Work is cheap too, I paid for my own monitor. but I could try. um probably would get a monitor from work, but I started my job after the pandemic so never been to the office. even I can get one, I imagine the quality is not ideal, so I decide to just buy one.

Jul 11th, 2021 11:16 am

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 11th, 2021 11:16 am

X360 wrote: ↑ Wonder what is the model of your monitor so we could check the specs.

For me, I like the IPS monitor and having high brightness (ie. 350 cd/m²).

For example, $350 - Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor - S2721Q
https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/dell-27 ... ccessories

It's HOT on the deal forum now.
https://deals.dell.com/en-ca/productdet ... BPBiAReVeb

Jul 11th, 2021 11:22 am

1000islands [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 8, 2010; 1221 posts; 439 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 11th, 2021 11:22 am

dazz wrote: ↑ Anyone saying 4K is useless is absolutely clueless. It is a must for a monitor of 27"+ and you can see the difference. At 43K it's actually on a brink of being not enough. I own 27, 38,43" monitors,etc and tested and owned many more.
The reason why a new monitor may be more yellowish because it is COLOR CORRECTED. Your phone as well as TV and most cheap monitors have more blue tones for esthetics and those colors are not true. They may appear more vibrant due to how your eyes see it. Real calibrated monitor is not as bright, has more yellowish tones(which is great for your eyes by the way), not as vibrant as colors are true and not exaggerated. You can create different profiles and many monitor allow you to set profiles for work, movies,etc where you can change from true colors to weird ones. Now, if your monitor at it's native resolution is soft then it may be your monitor, which is not very good and cheap. That happens too.

I don't know....what I know is I use Dell 4K + Dell Latitude compare side by side with Yoga 7i+Lenovo T34w (3226*1440 resolution), using 4k youtube video.

It's obvious the Lenovo combination has produced letters/characters/pictures that are much more defined. So now it's either the Dell computer or monitor that's the issue. got the advise from another poster here, I change color scheme, so that's no an issue anymore. on the deal forum people are saying 4k on 27' is useless. but at least shouldn't worse though as in my case.

Jul 11th, 2021 12:29 pm

jack_lee: Newbie; Feb 3, 2008; 93 posts; 67 upvotes

Jul 11th, 2021 12:29 pm

1000islands wrote: ↑ I check my work computer display setting. the highest I see is 1920X1080. When I choose 'duplicate display
' I was able to choose resolution.

When I choose to display on the monitor only. the resolution and scale are disabled. so no idea what I am getting.

For the monitor only option, did you change the active display?
If the active display is on the laptop, the resolution and scale are disabled.

Jul 11th, 2021 6:30 pm

scotsum: Deal Addict; Dec 11, 2012; 4036 posts; 2974 upvotes; Calgary

Jul 11th, 2021 6:30 pm

dazz wrote: ↑ Anyone saying 4K is useless is absolutely clueless.

Much as I'd like to agree, you do know its not wise to make a blanket statement right? I've a qhd 27" monitor at work whilst a colleague (aka lucky stiff) has the 4k. Unless I stick my face to the monitor where my nose touches, I can't for the life of me see any diff. But then I don't claim any eagle eye status.

On the other hand, being a wannabe audiophile, I've some friends (with more money than brains IMO) that claims their multi$$$ python lookalike interconnect & speaker cables makes a yuuge difference & they're flabbergasted others can't & do not have the golden ears they seemingly do. However instead of OCD'ing on cables & other such upgrades (which are almost always not inexpensive), I enjoy my music just as much. At least I like to think so.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. Just sayin...

PS: Luckily (or not), I can see the diff in refresh rates & have settled on 120/144 being the best performance to value.

+1

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