Why I DIDN’T return to the Studio Display: BENQ PD3225U review
#DesignVue #Monitor for MacBook Pro
This video is sponsored by BenQ.
Check out the New BenQ PD3225U 32" monitor here: geni.us/bVPdyG
In my review of the BenQ PD3225U, I reveal why I’m still not using the Apple Studio Display for video editing, and how BenQ’s latest 4K monitor has been added to my setup. The PD3225U promises a lot, with a new IPS black panel, higher brightness, and compatibility with the Display Pilot 2 software. Does it live up to the hype? Is it better than the PD3220U? Let’s find out!
Also check out the BenQ PD3220U Designer Monitor here: geni.us/pW93f
BenQ PD3225U Monitor for Designers on MacBook (UK page): benqurl.biz/3xoe5AF
BenQ PD3225U Monitor for Designers on MacBook (US page): benqurl.biz/3VLbpY0
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
01:27 - Specs and pricing
03:12 - My new setup
03:49 - Initial thoughts
05:52 - Design and features
07:45 - Conclusion
Are you a dual-monitor kinda person? If so, why?
Yep. Work is all about spreadsheets and cross-referencing data. Being able to have two 27 inch monitors side by side is awesome!
are you scaling to 1440p or native 1080?
Yes for years. Moved on from a Dell 2715Q (excellent) and a 2k Dell 27 to a Studio display (nano anti reflective) and the 2715Q. Powered by an M1 Mac mini, this combination works very well. I use the Studio for AV and photo editing and the Dell for data, spreadsheets etc. Both fit perfectly on my smaller desk, side by side, on raised glass shelves and the Mac fits between them. Whilst your 2 32 inch monitor set up looks interesting, most people don’t have the space. The stand also looks huge in comparison to the Studio display. I’m sticking with the Apple as it has: a great screen, superb sound, good noise cancelling mics for conferences and a decent webcam all built in. It’s also a beautifully constructed mainly metal build rather than plastic. My son still uses his gen1 Apple 27 inch Pro Display which is at least 10 yrs old. I anticipate my 2 year old studio display to last me well into my retirement. If I ever need to rotate a screen for data the stalwart 2715Q can do that. That also looks rather better made than the BenQ. It doesn’t have T3/4 so needs the HDMI. But with a Mac mini driving 2 screens is easy. No plug in and out cabling needed.
Wow.. thank you for making this video. Did not know it! Awesome! Thank you!
I bought a Studio Display yesterday for £1350 from Amazon so you don’t need to spend £1500. Still can’t whack them for me, this was my third. I have one upstairs on my M1 Max Mac Studio then a dual setup on my main M2 Ultra Mac Studio. I love the speakers, webcam is totally fine and they look beautiful which in my main lounge is important to me. I’m 49 and my eyes aren’t what they used to be so I run them at a custom resolution using better display so I need the extra pixels as I’m scaling things up slightly.
I wanted a good monitor for 2nd display for my MBP and read and watched lots of reviews and was leaning towards getting a BENQ. Then got into more about the difference in detail on 4K vs 5K. In the end I got the Studio Display and have had for months now, and so glad I did. Sure it was expensive what Apple product isn't, but I think it was worth it. I work in audio using DAWs and there is a lot of small things on screen in DAWS makes it easier to read. Also can drop the resolution and it is still very detailed. Also the speakers in the Studio Display are excellent for speakers in a monitor, very full sounding. So I have my Mac set to use the Studio Display speaker for basic computer use and for audio work it goes thru my audio interface and monitors. So I work in audio so hard for me to understand why someone who works in video would use a 4k monitor when they have a good 5k monitor???? Right now I working on getting a different desk and plan to get another Studio Display so I can run dual monitors and spread my DAW over two screens.
Interesting options, and thank you for the review. I always have display scaling concerns with macOS on non-Apple panels, but it likely comes down to the individual work each user is doing and how much pixel accuracy matters. I see the 5U has a 140ppi, vs. the Studio display at 217ppi. Curious if you're running either BENQ monitor at 4K scaling or at 1440p?
I just discover you and I like your reviews! What microphone do you use? Sounds great!
Great review :) Whats the laptop-stand you're using for your Macbook?
I bought the 3220u recently but should I upgrade to the 32225u Thank you for a great channel
Hi Mark, thanks for making this video I’m looking to swap out my current monitor setup, and due to white walls, the glare is atrocious. How is the anti-glare on this monitor? The studio display nano edge is very tempting but as I go from pc to mac, the BenQ might be more suitable for my needs. Looking forward to the next video on the S24!
As of now that new LG 4k OLED gaming monitor looks amazing. Makes me want to get that one.
I always work with two screens in the office-who doesn't these days? We have a vast BENQ screen for our daily team meetings. As you say about these, it is also very utilitarian and functional. I have a screen at home where I write and work on my webpage and my MacBook Air, but nothing like these two. After watching the Vlogs it is another excellent video, once again Mark.
Glad you enjoyed it - thanks!
I currently have the PD3220U and would like to add a second monitor. Would you suggest the PD3225U or should I just get another 3220? Would the difference in the monitors be distracting?
Thanks for the review. Btw did they pay you to pronounce the full name of newer model every single time?
Glad you enjoyed it. And in answer to your question, no, mate - that isn't how this works! It was all very tongue in cheek ;)
Hello, yes i confirmed is the best monitor for MacBook ❤
I watch Mark for entertainment value. I love his delivery style. His no no-nonsense reviews are brilliant for us non geeks.
Thank you!
Mark, if you could get the Apple Display for $1099, which would you go for? I'm a Mac guy, been using an old HP monitor and it's time for upgrade. I do Music, media and fiction writing and video editing.
If you take the price equation out of the decision making process.....would you still be choosing the Benq? My other half uses older Benq monitors for her professional design work and whilst they're colour accurate, I think they look flat when compared with the studio display. Granted these are different generations but everytime I use my studio display (had one for a year), I approach the desk with an 'oohhhh'. No other monitors I've seen give me that response.
For the size of the display - yep.
The SDR fullscreen brightest is pretty much the same as the numerous 4k OLED monitors came out this year. They are also roughly the same price. Between a LCD panel and OLED? There is not contest.
Mark Ellis, you should have showed an ugly box in which Benq ships its monitors in your video!!!!
What about macbook scaling issue? Isn't that an issue?
Mark, as a long term Benq monitor /Mac user, have you ever experienced the image flickering? Benq keeps telling me that the Apple Silicon is the reason of the issue. Thx. PS: on the other side I wonder why they have no 5k display in the lineup, as the professional Mac users is clearly their target audience. I would be really interested in the Black IPS 5K 27 inch Benq display to replace my 4K also Benq.
Nope, no issues like that!
@@MarkEllisReviews this is not what the user asked you... read the question before you write an answer
i'm being picky, but you saying 322-5U is a little distracting. I'm pretty sure 3225 means 32" for year 2025 (or 3220 = 32" for year 2020). So in my head it reads 32-25 rather than 322-5. Just speaking my thoughts out loud here. Otherwise, great video!
What about MacOS scaling? Do you use native 4k?
5k or 6k monitors, preferably glossy, is the only way for Mac
250 nits is fewer nits than my old Thunderbolt Display! What if I want to use it during daylight??
It’s good monitor if you live in a dark mines of Moria 😂
This is the same as the fullscreen brightest for 4k OLED monitor came out this year. They are also roughly the same. Between a LCD panel and OLED? There is not contest.
why did you switch from a 5k monitor to a 4k monitor...
60hz??? Does this matter for media consumption? Will I be able to tell if I've always been on 240hz+
Nope.
How many seconds does it take to wake up the monitors from sleep on a MacBook Pro?
a lot.... 10 or 11 5 seconds.
How does the BenQ compare with Asus ProArt?
The PD range is aimed at designers rather than photographers and/or videographers and are sRGB compliant. The 2K monitors are 100% sRGB compliant and the 4K monitors slightly less. I’ve just checked a 32in ProArt spec on the ASUS website and it was 99% AbobeRGB compliant. I have a BenQ PD 27” 2K monitor and a 27in PD 4K monitor. Both work well, but I should have stuck to 2k at 27”.
Great Video Mark! At the end of the day these still don’t look as good as the Studio display.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
It's a 32 inches monitor, why call it a Three Two instead of a Thirty-two? There's your snappier name. 😆 Nice review, as usual.
What was the model name?
I think it was the PD-something. It would have been nice if the video mentioned the full model name at least once 🤷♂
PD3225U
@@1BSDjunkie thanks, I don’t think he mentioned it in the video.
Did anyone catch it? I should have made a note.
@@jspa8030he did. Pay attention
Not remotely interested in these monitors but the video was interesting and had me watching to the end Great job
Glad you enjoyed it!
500 more for a perfectly made Aluminium housing, totally worth it. Benq is not really cheaper considering the build quality.
this one is 32 inch not 27, so its not comparable
In fact, it is built better than it may look, definitely better than samsung ones.
Ok, the size is a plus. Benq has good panels nowadays, I don’t doubt the image quality. But people tend to forget the cost of production of high quality metal cases.
I can buy a lg 120 hz 42 inch oled tv for 800 dollars.Why would i buy a 1400 dollar monitor?
Dell U3223qe is almost the same spec at a lower price
Probably an arm and a leg cheaper that that apple studio monitor....
sponsored
Correct.
This monitor is horrible. It's bulky, it's heavy, the design is horrible. Packaging is piece of cram. Once you open it, there is no way to ship it back. Benq gives free monitors to KZhead creators for positive reviews.