Since most 4K monitors are 27 inches or larger, desk space is a necessity for anyone looking to make the jump. If you own a Mac, though, you don’t have to worry.

Be aware of the issues others are having using a 4K monitor with Windows so you know what to expect. High DPI scaling on Windows 10 is still a work in progress. Finding the balance between scale and additional screen real estate is subjective-you’ll have to decide which end of the scale you prefer. The tiny text would be hard to read, and onscreen buttons would be difficult to click.īy increasing the scale at which windows and other core OS elements appear, you can take advantage of increased pixel density without sacrificing too much usability. A native 4K resolution on a small, 24-inch monitor would be a lousy experience. On Windows, you can adjust the “Scale and Layout” preferences under Settings > System > Display.ĭisplay scaling inflates the size of onscreen elements, like windows, buttons, and text, so they aren’t too small to see or use. On macOS, this is as simple as moving a slider under System Preferences > Display. Display Scaling on PC and Macīoth macOS and Windows can get around the issue of 4K resolutions on small screens using scaling.

This makes for a very pleasing, sharp image. At the same time, a high-pixel density makes it difficult to see individual pixels with the naked eye. Without display scaling, larger sizes have a lower pixel density, but provide an, arguably, more “usable” experience. The big difference between them is pixel density, which is measured in dots per inch (DPI).Ī 4K resolution at 24 inches is very different from a 4K at 32 inches or greater. All display sizes provide the same number of pixels on the screen. 4K displays come in a range of sizes, but most commonly 24-, 27-, and 32-inch.

4k mac monitor