4k monitor

Long story short, I'm a software developer, and haven't been in the loop of the latest and greatest computer tech…

I originally had a 3 monitor setup (2 external monitors + laptop), but I felt the setup was pretty clunky… I'm now interested in a 4k monitor and would ideally prefer a larger screen (32 - 40"). The Seiki Pro SM40UNP 40.0-Inch 4K LED-Lit Monitor looks like a pretty sweet setup; though it's about 1000$ USD :(

Anyone have experience or recommendations for something possibly cheaper and better, and maybe leads to any black Friday deals?

Ive been looking a bit at the idea of using a 4K TV as a monitor. Seems like this is also a viable option and cheaper too. Can get 43" from Costco for quite a bit less than $1000. Word in the net is it's just as good as a dedicated monitor and Costco has the best return policy if it doesn't work as desired.

I'm currently running 2x wide 24's and 2x square 19's for work and would like the cleanness of 1x 43 or 48. Windows 10 let's you snap to quadrants which is nice for that setup but I need to wait til our company upgrades first, as this is a necessary function and I'm not allowed to install any other software to do this. Although I suspect i would probably get greedy for space and end up keeping the two 24's and running 3 monitors with 6 zones to snap to. I find 4 is still not as efficient as it could be and having the option to run full screen 48 for my main drafting window at 4K with all my tools, files and markups visible on the side screens would be so fkn amazing.

What do you want out of the monitor? Good gaming? Full colour gamut? More apps open on the desktop?

I use a 30" Dell 4K monitor, and usually run a resolution of 1920x1080 because of some scaling issues with applications at 4K resolution. Otherwise it's awesome at 4K for development; the quadruple screen real estate allows for a lot of windows in an application like Visual Studio.

4K is awesome for photo and video editing. Just viewing photos are 4K looks amazing.

I used to run two Dell 30"'s at 2560x1600 until switching to a single Seiki 39" 4k about 3 years ago. I am definitely happier with the 4k setup. I wouldn't go smaller on the screen size at 4k.

What output are you using? You need HDMI 2.0 to run higher than 30hz at 4k.

My laptop (Intel HD4400 graphics) was not fast enough to smoothly play full screen video, but my desktop has no issues and I use it for Zwift at 4k and max detail/framerate (on HDMI 1.4).

If you're gaming on it, better budget for a new video card to drive the panel at better than potato framerates. For gaming, I actually prefer 1440p. I have a GTX 1080 and a 34" ultrawide 1440p monitor and it hits the sweetspot of great framerates and graphical quality on major titles with setting maxed.

London Drugs has a 43" Sony on sale right now. I almost pulled the trigger on the 43" LG last week when they had it on sale for only $599. 4K is getting cheap.

https://www.londondrugs.com/sony-43-4k-hdr-ultra-hd-android-tv---xbr43x800d/L6021737.html?cgid=ele-television-4ktv

https://www.londondrugs.com/lg-43%E2%80%9D-4k-uhd-smart-led-tv-with-webos-3.0---43uh6100%2F50/L5690045.html?cgid=ele-television-4ktv

I don't play games anymore…

My current laptop has a Geforce 840M. I don't know if that's going to run 4k or not…

Switch900, the items you listed are 4k Televisions, and I believe the performance is not the same as a 4k "Monitor". But I don't have direct experience with this either…

I don't play games anymore…

My current laptop has a Geforce 840M. I don't know if that's going to run 4k or not…

Switch900, the items you listed are 4k Televisions, and I believe the performance is not the same as a 4k "Monitor". But I don't have direct experience with this either…

I could be wrong but I doubt an 840m will drive a 4K panel. If it does, you're going to be limited to 4k 30hz as I doubt it has a Display port or HDMI 2.0. I'd look at 1440p panels.

4K TV's have horrible response times compared to proper monitors. Beyond that, the refresh rates on TV's are different because they use interpolation instead of actually refreshing the picture. For instance a 240hz TV is usually a 60hz panel that interpolates frames, which is why TV manufacturers use phrases like 'Truemotion 120hz' (LG) and 'Clearmotion 120' (Samsung) and can't simply say that it has a 240hz refresh rate.

I don't play games anymore…

My current laptop has a Geforce 840M. I don't know if that's going to run 4k or not…

Switch900, the items you listed are 4k Televisions, and I believe the performance is not the same as a 4k "Monitor". But I don't have direct experience with this either…

Sorry I should have qualified that. It depends what you are doing with your monitor. I've used a basic 1080P LCD as a computer monitor in my living room for years. For streaming movies, surfing the web or doing basic computer work it's fine. I'm sure a 4K TV will work even better. An equivalent computer monitor will cost 3 times the price but if you are using graphic heavy software or gaming you are going to need it. Otherwise it's not worth the money IMHO.