- Apple launched a new Studio Display screen earlier this week
- It has lots of improvements but misses some features
- You can get similar features at lower prices with these alternative displays
Apple released a slew of new displays this week, and that includes a Studio Display that’s getting its first updates since 2022. But despite its new features and improvements, it falls short in a few areas. That means it might not be the right choice for you.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other options out there. Here we have found three screens that are good alternatives to Apple’s Studio Display.
1. BenQ MA270S
BenQ is known for making some of the best monitors around, and its new MA270S continues that trend with a range of features that match (and often surpass) what you get from Apple.
For example, it has the same 5K resolution, 27-inch frame and IPS LED backlight. Its 70Hz refresh rate is faster than the Studio Display’s 60Hz, and it supports HDR10, which Apple’s offering doesn’t. There is a Nano Gloss texture option, which is similar to Apple’s “nano texture glass” and eliminates glare and reflections. And BenQ’s MA270S costs $1,000 / £899 – a whopping $600 / £600 less than Apple’s Studio Display.
That said, there are some downsides. The MA270S’s 450 nits maximum brightness, for example, falls short of the Studio Display’s 600 nits. It also lacks Apple-specific features like True Tone, which dynamically adjusts the screen temperature based on your ambient lighting.
The Studio Display offers Thunderbolt 5 connectivity (BenQ’s MA270S is limited to Thunderbolt 4) and a 12MP camera with Center Stage and Desk View built-in. Finally, you’re unlikely to get anywhere near the audio experience you’ll find on the six-speaker Studio Display, as the MA270S only has half the number of speakers.
Still, for $600 / £600 less, you might not mind these limitations. Considering the savings, it’s a strong option.
2. Asus ProArt Display PA27JCV
Asus is best known for its gaming products, but it also has a ProArt line aimed at the same creatives who might be interested in what Apple has to offer. ProArt Display PA27JCV is therefore an interesting alternative to Studio Display.
You get a 27-inch screen, 60Hz refresh rate, 5K resolution and an IPS LED-backlit panel, just like the Studio Display. Asus’s screen offers marginally less brightness (500 nits versus the Studio Display’s 600 nits), but supports HDR10 and is compatible with both DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces – the Studio Display only works with the former, while you’ll have to shell out $3,299 / £2,999 if you want Apple RGB XDR support.
Like the BenQ MA270S, the Asus monitor has its share of drawbacks. There’s no front-facing camera, no True Tone equivalent, and no Thunderbolt 5 (in fact, there’s no Thunderbolt support at all). Then again, it costs $799 / £649 (currently down from its usual £749), which is half the Studio Display’s asking price. It’s nothing to be sniffed at.
3. INNOCN 40C1U
At first glance, you might think the INNOCN 40C1U is too good to be true. After all, it surpasses the Studio Display in a number of ways – its 40-inch ultra-wide screen and 100Hz refresh rate are way beyond what you’ll get from Apple – yet it costs just $750 / £795, less than half of what Apple wants for the Studio Display.
The benefits don’t end there. For your money, you get a 5K resolution, Adobe RGB compatibility and much more ergonomic freedom (including height, tilt and swivel adjustments) than the Studio Display. It also offers AMD’s FreeSync Premium if you want to try some gaming. All that made us score it 4.5 stars in our review.
Of course INNOCN has to make sacrifices somewhere. First, the 40C1U doesn’t look nearly as nice as the Studio Display. For another, there’s no support for Thunderbolt or 10-bit color, and it lacks any kind of webcam. The maximum brightness of 400 nits is surpassed by Apple’s 600 nits, and its two speakers will be blown away by the six-speaker system of the Studio Display. But at $750 / £795 (note that INNOCN doesn’t ship directly to the UK), it still brings plenty to the table.
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