4K monitors

When 4K earns its price

4K carries four times the pixels of Full HD. Photo work, video editing, CAD and anything where detail or text sharpness matters gain the most. In ordinary office work the difference is smaller than the effect of 144 Hz.

• Size. At 27 inches 4K is very dense — Windows scaling at 125–150 % is needed. From 32 inches up, 100 % works.
• Graphics card. Integrated graphics handle work and video; 4K gaming needs a top-tier card, so a QHD gaming monitor is the smarter buy for players.
• Cable. HDMI 2.0 or DP 1.2 for 60 Hz; HDMI 2.1 or DP 1.4 for 120 Hz. An old cable is the usual reason 4K drops to 30 Hz.
• USB-C. Many 4K models double as a dock: picture, network and laptop charging over one cable. Standalone options: docking stations.

Alternatives

If the goal is working area rather than sharpness, look at ultrawide monitors or 32 inches. Full range: monitors.

Colour work

For photo and video, check sRGB and DCI-P3 coverage and the factory calibration report — those numbers matter more than resolution.

Frequently asked questions

Does 4K make sense at 27 inches? Yes if you do image work or sit further back. For text, set scaling to 125 %.

Can a laptop output 4K? Most models from the last five years can at 60 Hz. Check that the USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode.

Can a 4K monitor replace a TV? Picture-wise yes, but there is no tuner or remote — for that see TVs.