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LG 5K Display for Mac - A PC User's Perspective

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips1.4M viewsMay 6, 201710:42
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The LG Ultrafine 5K is an awe-inspiring computer monitor- but is it for everyone? In this video we take a look at whether this display is as good for Windows users as it is for Mac users. Save 50% on Synergy at symless.com Buy on Amazon: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Linus Tech Tips merchandise at designbyhumans.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Production gear: geni.us twitter.com @LinusTech Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Sound effects provided by freesfx.co.uk

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LG 5K UltraFine is presented as one of the slickest monitors on the market, with LinusTechTips examining whether a display aimed at Apple users also fits Windows setups. The video opens by framing the LG Ultrafine 5K's design choices, noting a matte finish and a plastic chassis that departs from the aluminum aesthetic of Apple displays. The host highlights the lack of physical buttons, meaning no on-screen display for input or image quality adjustments, and points to the single back panel with a Thunderbolt 3 input as the core interface. Throughout the first segment the emphasis is on how the 5K panel looks, how color and sharpness come across in Mac environments, and what the overall unboxing experience feels like compared with typical PC displays. The comparison with Apple hardware continues as the host situates the 5K's performance in the context of a 2016 MacBook Pro, noting vivid color reproduction, high brightness, and retina-like clarity while acknowledging the premium price point. The narrative gradually shifts to a Windows perspective, preparing viewers for real-world limitations when the monitor is used outside macOS, and sets up a discussion about cable technology and OS-level control differences.

Topics · technology · hardware · display · macos · windows · product-review

Questions answered

What are the key hardware features of the LG Ultrafine 5K monitor?
The monitor uses a single USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 input that carries data and up to 85 watts of power, enabling a one-cable connection to a compatible laptop. It supports 5K resolution, has a 1080p front-facing camera and microphone, and relies on a Mac-like OS integration for color management, with a high brightness of 500 nits and a 218 ppi panel. There are USB 3.1 ports for data and charging on the back, but no physical buttons or onscreen display for input or image adjustments.
How does the LG Ultrafine 5K perform differently on Mac vs Windows?
On Mac, the experience is optimized with OS-level color management and settings, delivering consistently strong color accuracy and image quality. On Windows, color matching relies more on applications rather than pixel-by-pixel OS control, and users cannot adjust brightness via the monitor itself. The display can run at native 5K resolution on Windows only under specific conditions and with one-cable Thunderbolt 3, which is not universally supported by all Windows hardware.