Is bigger always better? Nope. And the debate rages on over how big an OLED smart TV display should be to best-suit a computer setup. Would you go large at over 50 inches, or stick to, say, 42 inches or smaller?
Today’s MacBook Pro setup raised the issue again, surfacing some sensible advice. And the smart TV in question is on sale!
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MacBook Pro drives big 42-inch LG OLED smart TV display
Redditor Katert (“Kat”) showcased the setup in a post entitled, “My endgame setup.” They run a 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro open on the desk as a secondary display, though they said they might go to clamshell (closed) mode. The laptop drives a huge 42-inch LG C2 Series OLED smart TV.
“Really curious these days about how large to go with a screen,” said a commenter. “Getting closer to large project 3D modeling, and working at 1:20 scale, a 50-inch at the back of an 80 cm depth would be so cool. How does this (what – 30 inches) feel? Would you go larger — Mebbe a 4K screen at larger?”
“I have an 80 cm deep desk and thought it would be on the short side, but it’s very doable,” Kat replied. “I have a keyboard tray I can take out to extend it a bit more, but so far I didn’t feel the need to. Came from a 32-inch screen, and this is so much more immersive, it’s crazy. For reference; its an LG C2 OLED in 42 inch.”
Any ‘burn in?’
Another commenter considering a 42-inch OLED TV for a display mentioned one concern. “Only concern is burn-in cause I basically keep Chrome windows open all day long. But love the size and design,” they said, referring to images burning in and becoming permanent on the screen.
“I had the same concern as well, but I’ve kept ABL on (while a lot of others turn it off using a service remote),” Kat replied. “It automatically dims the screen when it’s being static. Also, I’ve read experiences where people did turn it off and used it for 100s of hours and there’s still no burn in.”
OLED smart TV display
We’ve come across quite a few big smart TVs used as displays in setups. The posts showcasing them sometimes turn into debates over how big a display is too big, and are they unhealthy for both necks and eyes.
A commenter on Kat’s post concluded that 42 inches is a good size, while larger may be too big (and they should know).
“I have a 55-inch monitor, it’s nice for certain tasks, but not all tasks,” they said. “If you need to look at something in the upper corners it’s a bit of a strain. Next time I change monitors I’m going down to a 42 inch.”
Kat’s LG OLED 8 million self-lit OLED pixels that achieve 100% color fidelity and high contrast. The TV’s α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K adapts to the content on screen, adjusting picture and sound settings automatically.
And Filmmaker Mode aims to make movies as their makers intended, enhancing the viewing experience with Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos.
What’s more, LG Game Optimizer mode with Nvidia G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) enables fluid on-screen motion. And Game Optimizer manages game settings.
And while the C2 came out in 2022 (normally $1,400, now $880), the C3 is available now, too (normally about $1,200, but on sale now for $997).
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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.
OLED displays like LG's 42-inch AI-Powered 4K TV are capable of accurate color and very high contrast (OLED42C2PUA, 2022).
