With modern computer displays, you can have brilliant colors, tons of screen real estate and even a cool curve in the screen. But will you be happy reading text on it? That’s not necessarily a sure thing.
In today’s featured MacBook Pro-based computer setup, a developer finds she likes her 34-inch curved ultra-wide display, but not in every possible way. She craves more pixels, having been “ruined” by her MacBook Pro’s crisp display.
Developer likes Xiomi ultra-wide display in MacBook Pro setup, but text could be crisper
Redditor ResponsibleMode6376 (“Mod”) showcased the good-looking setup in a post entitled, “Decided to make some changes to my previous setup which I posted couple weeks ago. It feels better to have more width to the desk.”
“More width always feels better,” a commenter slyly noted, and Mod heartily agreed with the (almost-certainly intentional) double-entendre.
Updated from the old setup:
Photo: ResponsibleMode6376@Reddit.com
Mod runs a MacBook Pro open on a stand as well as an iPad Pro with a keyboard. The laptop drives a 34-inch Xiaomi curved ultra-wide QHD display with 3440 x 1440 pixel resolution.
A commenter asked how she likes the screen.
“For my particular use case yes (software development), I enjoy it quite a bit but I wouldn’t mind having an IPS panel with more pixels,” she replied.
“How is the ppi for you?” another person asked, referring to pixels-per-inch. “I could really do with a monitor but read so many off-putting posts about anything less than 2x on a 5k that I feel paralyzed against pulling trigger on anything else.”
Reading text is easier on MacBook Pro Display
Photo: ResponsibleMode6376@Reddit.com
Mod said the big display is readable, but added a major caveat.
“It’s quite readable at 109 ppi (res 3440 x 1440 pixels) but when you look at text on a MacBook display it ruins you. Always crave that super-sharp text,” she said.
That makes sense, given the MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR Display’s much higher pixel resolution. A 14-inch 2021 model features a crisp 3024 x 1964 resolution. And a 16-inch 2021 model boasts an amazing 3456 x 2234 resolution. Both manage 254 ppi — way more than double what the ultra-wide packs.
Excellent input devices
If we had to guess which wireless mouse is the world’s most popular judging by what we see in Setups, we’d probably say the Logitech MX Master 3 wireless mouse, which is that Mod uses. We’re pretty sure we see it even more than Apple’s Magic Mouse.
Mod uses the popular mouse in concert with a Keychron K8 Pro mechanical keyboard. It’s a “tenkeyless” model with hot-swappable switches (meaning you can swap in new switches without having to use a soldering iron).
Shop these items now:
Photo: ResponsibleMode6376@Reddit.com
Computers:
Display:
Input devices:
Audio:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches or challenges.
