Trend alert: We’re seeing more computer setups cutting down from dual displays — or sometimes a few — to one external display. This is no scientific survey, but today’s setup looks like another example of several we’ve seen popping up on social media lately where a user wants to simplify and focus in that way.
And commenters compared the choice of display that remained — a Dell 4K gaming monitor — favorably to Studio Display.
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Mac Studio setup cuts down from dual displays to one Dell 3223Q 4K UHD Gaming Monitor
Redditor sony-boy showcased the pared-back setup in a post entitled, “Back to single monitor setup in 2024.” Cutting down to one main display seems like a mini-trend to us because we keep seeing it lately. Here’s a setup that dropped a portrait-mode (vertical) 4K display in favor of a second MacBook Pro. And here’s another one that cut back to one external display with a MacBook as a secondary monitor.
“After working with a dual monitor setup for a few years, I decided to switch back to one in order to be able to concentrate better on the actual work and not be distracted by apps like Mail, Music or Discord,” Sony-boy said. “So far so good! I was able to adapt to it quickly.”
He didn’t identify the monitor that went away, but he’s very happy with the one he kept, a 32-inch Dell G3223Q 4K UHD Gaming Monitor. It’s 25% off on Amazon right now, at $599.99.
Compare and contrast with Studio Display
“Incredible monitor for gaming and work,” he said. “The fact that it has the same color accuracy as the Studio Display is awesome.” The display features VESA DisplayHDR 600 and DCI-P3 95% color accuracy.
Commenters agreed on the choice. One said the Dell is also his favorite display. Another said they did the same thing sony-boy did, paring back displays and choosing that Dell. And that user pointed out sony-boy can make more use of his big iPad Pro as a secondary display.
“Did the same thing with the same monitor and I love it,” they said. “Whenever you need a second screen, just pop up that iPad and let Universal Control do its magic.”
Then another reply took it to Apple a bit over its displays’ refresh rates, which stick to a Mac-friendly 60Hz.
“And the Dell display runs [at refresh rate of] 144Hz,” they noted. “Studio + XDR only 60[Hz]. 100% the Nano Texture glass is the only benefit on Apple displays.”
And we might as well add that while the Dell may crush it for gaming, it lacks Studio Display’s webcam and speaker system.
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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.
This 32-inch 4K Ultra UHD (3840x2160p) display features a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, plus AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and DP/USB 3.2 Gen 1/HDMI connectivity. Height/Swivel/Tilt-adjustable.
