LG DualUp Monitor … unique. With its almost square, slightly vertical aspect ratio, it definitely stands out. However, for some reason I really love this case. It's a 2560×2880 HDR display, meaning two 1440p displays stacked on top of each other. Trying to watch a movie or play a game can be a bit odd on this display, but it's the king of performance, especially for a device like the M2 MacBook Air, which is limited to only one external display.
Contents
- Video: Is LG DualUp the perfect M2 companion?
- LG DualUp specifications
- DualUp games?
- M2 performance limits
- LG DualUp performance
- Ergonomics
- Connection
- Cons
- Low pixel density
- Matte versus glossy
< li> 9to5Mac view
Video: Is the LG DualUp the Perfect M2 Companion?
I have a lot to say about the LG DualUp, but before I get into it, here's a brief overview of the specs:
LG DualUp Specs
- Resolution: 2560& #215;2880 pixels.
- Size: 27.5 inches
- Brightness: 300 typical
- HDR10, 98% DCI -P3 color
- Inputs: USB-C, 2xHDMI, DisplayPort
- USB Hub: USB-C or USB-B upstream, 2x USB-A downstream
< li>Refresh rate: 60Hz
Play on DualUp?
Gaming is by no means the focus of this monitor, but people will ask, so I have to answer that. For most games, DualUp just doesn't make sense. Bizarre aspect ratios can put menus and on-screen elements in strange places, and the peripheral vision afforded by ultra-wide monitors has really boosted their popularity for a reason. But it's based on the same resolution – 1440p – as most ultra-wide monitors. This is a good medium resolution that is easier to use at high frame rates than 4k, but sharper than 1080P.
DualUp goes in the opposite direction from ultrawide and makes the display taller. – but that doesn't mean that *any* games don't make sense on the display. Retro games designed for the square-cut TVs of yesteryear play great without the massive black bars that most modern monitors would have. It's a great experience, made easier by the fact that you can rotate the monitor to the side for a wider gaming experience. If you like emulations and retro games, DualUp is great for them.
Its ability to function essentially as two separate displays – the top 2560x1440p shows one display input and the bottom 2560x1440p shows the other – might even be useful for streamers controlling multiple devices.
M2 productivity limits
The entry-level M1 and M2 provide significant efficiency and power improvements over the MacBook Air. past days. But one limitation prevents them from being true productivity machines, namely the inability to connect to multiple external displays. (There are some workarounds, but they have their limitations.) Limiting yourself to a single external display (without some limited workarounds) won't affect most people, but for advanced users who like a multi-monitor setup, it can certainly get in the way. With entry-level chips, you are limited to the screen size of your laptop's built-in monitor and one external display. So, something like DualUp with resolution and size 21.5×8243; 1440p monitors stacked on top of each other can provide additional productivity enhancements.
LG DualUp Performance
In line with this goal, DualUp offers a large screen and good color accuracy rather than focusing on high refresh rates or resolution to the limit. In the images of LG products, they focus on creative work such as video editing in Premiere. Using it for the same use case was stellar. Of course, you can have a large source window with your video, with plenty of extra vertical space for your timeline, effects panels, project, color grading, and more. I like working with such a large preview without having to use another dedicated monitor.
DualUp is also great for short vertical videos. Using a 9×16 frame on a 16×9 monitor has always been limited, but the extra vertical space to rearrange windows with DualUp makes it so much better. With a PC or a high-end MacBook/Mac Studio, you can achieve a similar solution by pairing multiple monitors with each other, but DualUp does this in a more elegant way, and multiple monitors are not possible with a MacBook Air.
My main use for DualUp was video work, but whether you're working in Photoshop, editing raw files in Lightroom, compositing in After Effects, or even just working with large spreadsheets and lots of windows, you can find a use for more screen real estate. I'm sure there are many other uses for this weird 16×18 aspect ratio, so if you have any, please share them in the comments.
Ergonomics
LG refers to the stand included with the DualUp as the “Ergo-Resistant Stand”. and it certainly deserves that name. The stand attaches to your desk, and then the bracket lets you position the monitor just the way you want it. It provides height adjustment, the ability to move the monitor back and forth, rotate and swivel. You can use it to position your monitor in its standard slightly portrait orientation, or rotate it sideways for a slightly landscape orientation. It's really great for the included stand, providing even more versatility than Apple's $1,000 Pro Stand for Pro Display XDR (and over $300 less including the monitor itself).
The size is about as big as I think is reasonable – it is much taller and it can be difficult to read some of the items at the very top of the display. Be that as it may, the 27.5-inch display, with its unique aspect ratio, is a reasonable size to look at.
The stand also includes all cable routing at the back, and you can have quite a few because there are several different connection options.
Connectivity
For Macs, the only connection required is the USB-C cable (included). The monitor can provide enough power to power your MacBook, and with two USB-A downstream ports, you can connect your keyboard and mouse (or other peripherals) to the monitor with a single cable.
But this DualUp isn't designed exclusively for for Mac computers, so you also have two HDMI inputs and a display port input, in addition to a USB upstream port, a headphone jack, and a power input. LG comes with a USB-B cable, a USB-C cable, and an HDMI cable.
One potential downside compared to Apple's Studio displays, or even LG's Ultrafine 5k, is the reliance on physical display controls rather than macOS software controls, though some may find this to be preferable. Fortunately, however, the control joystick at the bottom of the display makes it very easy to switch between settings, change inputs, adjust color, or do anything else you might need in the menu.
Flaws
Low pixel density
If you're used to the high resolution of Apple devices, especially ones like their 5k studio display, going down to a sub-4k display might seem like a major downgrade. Depending on your application, this may be. The Studio display has its advantages: very high resolution, good color reproduction and integration with MacOS. It also costs about $1,000 more than the DualUp, has a standard aspect ratio, and doesn't include such an ergonomic and versatile kickstand. If you really need a higher resolution, you can get it with a studio display, but if you're looking to maximize some form of performance, DualUp is the way to go. I also never had issues with the DualUp's lower pixel density when sitting at a standard distance from my monitor.
Matte vs glossy
This comes into play first if you want to use DualUp with the built-in MacBook display and you you will regularly look from one to another. While MacBooks have built-in glossy displays, the LG DualUp has a matte display. None of them are “good”. or “bad” but they are different and having a matte display next to a glossy display can cause them to look different depending on the lighting conditions in the room. For me, this is not a deciding factor, but it is certainly worth knowing about before you choose one of them.
Reflections on LG DualUp (right) and M2 MacBook Air display (left)
9to5Mac Opinion
LG DualUP has its pros and cons, but it's excellent in its area of performance. DualUP has been an extremely useful tool when writing a lot of reference material, editing videos, or just doing normal multitasking. If you're looking for a new gaming display, of course, look elsewhere, but if your desktop setup is performance oriented, I can't think of another monitor that matches the capabilities of the LG DualUp.
You can get the LG DualUp on Amazon for $690
