Apple’s 5K Studio Display in on the pricey side for many folks, so many less-expensive 4K monitors like the one in today’s featured MacBook Pro and Lenovo laptop setup tend to stand in for it.
But not every big-selling 4K display is designed to look like it belongs in an Apple setup. This one is.
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
MacBook Pro and PC setup depends on rarely seen external display
Redditor migueltomas showcased the utilitarian-but-attractive setup in a post entitled, “Desk Setup 2023 (MacBook & Lenovo).”
He runs a MacBook Pro and a Lenovo laptop. One or the other usually sits in clamshell mode on a vertical laptop stand on a small shelf in a corner just behind the desk. The Mac is there most often because the Lenovo often goes with Tomas in a knapsack, he said.
Tomas uses a Ugreen 7-in-1 USB-C hub with an extension cable to connect peripherals to the laptops. His input devices are a full-sized Magic Keyboard and the always-popular Logitech MX Master 3 wireless mouse. He also uses a Rode condenser microphone on a Neewer stand.
Alogic Clarity 27 4K UHD display
Photo: migueltomas@Reddit.com
But the main connected item is the 27-inch Alogic Clarity 27 ultra-high-def 4K external display. We don’t see it much in Setups, but it’s a popular and well-reviewed alternative. At about $700, it steeply undercuts the pricey Studio Display’s $1,600 price tag.
“I’m loving it! Glossy monitors are so so so good,” Tomas said. “(Be careful with windows and reflections). I [picked] this one because Apple Studio Display are [too] expensive.”
Alogic’s Clarity 27 4K UHD display isn’t a 5K display like Studio Display, but it has a nice 4K screen and lacks overt branding. That can appeal to proud Apple users who wish they one of Cupertino’s displays and would rather not have words like DELL showing up in their setup.
Plus the Alogic monitor follows Apple design cues and looks like it belongs with Apple hardware.
The Clarity display claims a palette of 1.07 billion colors, a fair amount of brightness and an impressive contrast ratio of 1000000:1. It provides 90 watts of power delivery to a laptop and runs at an Apple-friendly refresh rate of 60Hz. It comes with two 5W speakers and an adjustable stand.
If your wallet’s not up to a Studio Display, you could do worse than Alogic’s Clarity 27, especially if you find a deal on one.
And if you like the desktop wallpaper showing on the external display, Tomas said you can find it here.
Shop these items now:
Photo: migueltomas@reddit.com
Computers:
Dock and cable extension:
Display and iPhone mount:
Input devices and accessories:
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, challenges and plans for new additions.
Wireless Performance Mouse with Ultra-fast Scrolling, Ergo, 8K DPI, Track on Glass, Quiet Clicks, USB-C, Bluetooth, Windows, Linux, Chrome - Pale Grey
