Recommendations for a USB C Monitor

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Caketiger

69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 31

#272905 23-Jul-2020 15:41

I'm looking for USB C Monitor to work with a Surface Pro 7 - screen size around 24 or 27". Ideally want to spend less than $500. Any top tips?

This one is favourite at the moment

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MONPHS2730/Philips-273B975-27-Full-HD-USB-C-Business-Monitor

Anyone see any pitfalls?

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 194

#2527838 23-Jul-2020 15:49

I have the 4k 32" Phillips with USBC dock. So it's a bit more expensive, but presumably similar in experience.

It's great. The only niggles are that to operate at 1000mbit vs 100mbit, the 4k resolution drops to 30hz, not 60hz (and the USB dock also cycles between USB2 and USB3 speeds). 30hz hasn't bothered be though, as I only use it for office tasks really, so I've left it at 30hz to allow faster network speeds. Not sure if you'd have this given you are looking at a 1080p screen.

Power Delivery over USB was hit and miss at first, but a firmware update got it working fine for me (with HP Elitebook, and Probook)

Touch buttons are a PITA but you probably wont need them often. Speakers are fine.

All in all, 8/10, would buy again.

blackjack17

1713 posts

Uber Geek
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#2527849 23-Jul-2020 16:29

I am using the HP USB C travel hub with my pro 7 which allows me to use any old HDMI/DVI monitor

(I had an HP and work provided the hub, I assume any hub would work)

This would really open up the range of monitors you could use.

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nzkc

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#2527860 23-Jul-2020 16:55

Similar to sxz I too have a Dell monitor that does USB-C. I have a DELL U2720Q which is a 4K 27" monitor. Its well outside your $500 budget I'm afraid (I justified it with a work from home job). That said I would 100% recommend this monitor! It's built in USB-C hub can do the video feed and supply power to a laptop. You can have just a single cable from your laptop to the monitor and hang all your peripherals of it. It also looks fantastic (both in image display and WAF!)

openmedia

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#2527866 23-Jul-2020 17:19

sxz:

I have the 4k 32" Phillips with USBC dock. So it's a bit more expensive, but presumably similar in experience.

It's great. The only niggles are that to operate at 1000mbit vs 100mbit, the 4k resolution drops to 30hz, not 60hz (and the USB dock also cycles between USB2 and USB3 speeds). 30hz hasn't bothered be though, as I only use it for office tasks really, so I've left it at 30hz to allow faster network speeds. Not sure if you'd have this given you are looking at a 1080p screen.

Power Delivery over USB was hit and miss at first, but a firmware update got it working fine for me (with HP Elitebook, and Probook)

Touch buttons are a PITA but you probably wont need them often. Speakers are fine.

All in all, 8/10, would buy again.

The network issue would be a killer for me. Has anyone else seen this with other USB-C based monitors.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

bigmacpaddy

72 posts

Master Geek
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#2527875 23-Jul-2020 18:17

I picked up the Philips 258B6QUEB for $566 during lockdown. 25" 1440p USB-C, 1gbps ethernet no complaints. Bit more expensive at the moment though.

https://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?itemID=438074

lxsw20

3689 posts

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#2527958 23-Jul-2020 21:27

sxz:

I have the 4k 32" Phillips with USBC dock. So it's a bit more expensive, but presumably similar in experience.

It's great. The only niggles are that to operate at 1000mbit vs 100mbit, the 4k resolution drops to 30hz, not 60hz (and the USB dock also cycles between USB2 and USB3 speeds). 30hz hasn't bothered be though, as I only use it for office tasks really, so I've left it at 30hz to allow faster network speeds. Not sure if you'd have this given you are looking at a 1080p screen.

Power Delivery over USB was hit and miss at first, but a firmware update got it working fine for me (with HP Elitebook, and Probook)

Touch buttons are a PITA but you probably wont need them often. Speakers are fine.

All in all, 8/10, would buy again.

Interesting thanks. I was about to get a review unit to see if we wanted to change from our current LG to these, but I won't bother now. 30hz would drive the devs nuts here.

A lot of USB-C monitors seem to peak at 60w power output too, which is not ideal if you're a Mac power user, need more like 90w.

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turtleattacks

1008 posts

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#2527970 23-Jul-2020 21:49

We have these monitors at work.

Would not recommend.

I think try to get something that's at least 2k in resolution or 4k, it's worth it.

At home I'm using the LG 4K USB-C monitor and it's such a difference.

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Caketiger

69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 31

#2530622 29-Jul-2020 10:45

Thanks for all the advice. I bought the one I linked to in my first post. I don't need a 4K monitor for what I do. I am very happy so far. The USB-C connects easily and I have no current need for a dock.

geekiegeek

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#2530702 29-Jul-2020 12:53

1080p at 27" is a pretty awful blown up mess from my experience. I think 1080p is only good to about 24" and 2k or 4k for anything above that, did you look at different resolutions in action?