Samsung CRG9: what 9 Hacker News owners think

Likes it

I also use and love the exact same 49" CRG9, but if you do the 2x retina math, to deliver the pixel pitch Apple customers expect on desktop in the 32:9 display form, that would realistically have to be a 10240x2880 display at a minimum of 60fps. Not sure if there are bandwidth considerations over displayport or similar as this is essentially two 5k Studio Displays (5120x2880) side by side at that point. I love my CRG9 with MacOS, but there's no escaping the text rendering is significantly poorer than on Apple's own 2x retina stuff.

Likes it

I have the same monitor and honestly BetterDisplay.app has made the CRG9 a lot better - it fakes HiDPI so you have much larger readable text (my eyes ain't what they used to be). Before that app, I was leaning into my monitor, now I sit back and enjoy.

Neutral

Since this thread seems to be about niche asks for pro users, despite the product being targeted towards casual users who want an easy out of the box experience, I'll add my own to the mix. I'd love a bigger/better screen on these, specifically an ultrawide variety. An iMac Pro with an 8k ultrawide would be a near-instant purchase for me. I find the ultrawide form factor so good for productivity. I love the apple "it just works" approach to their hardware, so if something was fully integrated I'd jump on it immediately. Today I use a 49" CRG9, but the input and connection setup is somewhat finicky. Not a huge blocker, but it would be lovely to be able to simplify.

Recommends it

I consider M1 as already supporting two external displays if you're using a 49" DQHD monitor. :) Mine (Samsung CRG9) is the exact same resolution as two 27" 1440p monitors. Highly recommend, after switching and getting used to window management software (Rectangle is great and open source) it's hard to imagine going back. There are use cases I just can't do with a gap in the middle of my display. Like being able to take up the whole screen with my IDE when needed or treat center center of my display as my 27" monitor and 1/4 sides as split 27".

Likes it

Samsung CRG9 (previous sale at Costco for $749, currently $849) connected through HP USB-C Dock G5 (models are confusing, exact one I bought was https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RGC9QSL/ ). I'm using original base M1 Macbook (currently $749 at Costco) and have had zero issues with the monitor. Without the dock you might need a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter like mentioned in reddit comments you linked to, but I already had the dock from a previous workstation and everything just worked when I plugged it in. Considering minor Macbook upgrades can get you into >$1500 price territory pretty easily I think this a fantastic value. If you wanted to buy my full setup right now it would be $849 + $749 + $145 = $1745 but you're getting “dual” monitors and dock that can be reused with any modern machine, making it easy to switch between work and play. I can even plug my Steam Deck into it. :) (No affiliation with any of these products!)

Doesn’t like it

I've had 3 monitor setups for decades. Then I got an ultra wide Samsung CRG9 at 49" and 5120x1440... Which was terrible. Too wide and not tall enough. Now I have the LG 40WP95C-W at 40" and 5120x2160 and it is perfect. Especially with window tiling that does thirds well.

Likes it

I couldn't agree more - I was shocked when I discovered the Air can't natively drive two displays, even with many docks. The only real solution are things like that kensington dock's display-over-USB hack which is not as reliable as a native monitor connection in my experience, and requires additional driver software on your OS :( I just took it for-granted that every laptop in this price range on sale today will by and large be able to drive two external displays, but nope! I ended up using a "double wide"/32:9 style monitor - the Samsung CRG9 - these 32:9 panels can be had in 5120 x 1440 resolution, which is exactly the size and res of two 27 inch 1440p panels side by side but in a single display. Works great on the Air, although its not a super cheap option. > https://www.samsung.com/ca/monitors/gaming/super-ultra-wide-...

Doesn’t like it

Would also be wonderful if they could use a halfway modern CPU so the monitor didn't take 30 seconds to wake up. My CRG9 takes long enough that my macbook will fall asleep again from the password prompt as I'm waiting for the monitor to light up, if I don't keep hitting keys.

Neutral

I have an M1 Air and I use it with a Samsung CRG9 monitor. For a while I had to manually set the refresh rate, which was annoying, but since the latest MacOS update I haven’t had any issues.

Likes it

I can run my Samsung CRG9 (a 49” UW monitor) with one of my M1 machines (an original 13” Pro w/ M1) at 120hz with no issues, FWIW. I suspect it would probably have issues running 4K @120hz however.

Neutral

I experienced the same thing, even more abruptly, when I switched away from a 32 inch 4K monitor to a Samsung CRG9 49-inch monitor. Feels like I can count the pixels on the 49 inch monitor. I love the wider real estate, but now I want something with at least the vertical pixel density of the 4K monitor, but the same height as a 32 inch, and the same width as a 49 inch. Whatever that comes out to be.

Recommends it

I use the CRG9. Combine it with the ms powertoys and you’ll be a happy camper. I divide mine in 3 where i have vscode in the middle and 1 column left and right. I do reccomend getting the one with the 5120x1440 resolution. I still have the old 3840x1080 one and I miss having more pixels sometimes. One downside tha you have to take into account is that you can never share your whole acreen when using teams when the other persons don’t have an ultrawide. It will look super small on their screens.

Samsung CRG9

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