If exceptional text quality and image clarity are paramount for work such as digital photo editing, the Apple Studio Display with its higher resolution and superior color accuracy could be worth the premium price. However, if you're focused on a combination of casual and competitive gaming, along with good productivity, the Gigabyte M28U provides variable refresh rates and quicker response times at a much lower cost, making it a solid choice, though it falls short in brightness and doesn't offer the same level of clarity as the Apple monitor. The Apple display isn't suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption, so if that's important to you, you might want to consider other options. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Studio Display (IPS)
Best in class for productivity
Good for media consumption
Best in class text clarity
Best in class image clarity
Good brightness
Advantages of the Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.0/10
5.7/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
20.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.7 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Apple Studio Display (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
9.5/10
8.8/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
160 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is best in class for productivity, while the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is very good.
Cost
$1,599
$470
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) has a price of $1,599 and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) costs $470.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1/10
6.1/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
65.0 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Apple Studio Display (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Media Consumption
7.0/10
6.7/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Studio Display (IPS) to be good for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) compare to other monitors
"Fundamentally the M28U is an impressive 4K monitor; between the resolution, refresh rate, and IPS panel, it's a great all-rounder for the step up to 4K. Even beyond PC gaming, the inclusion of a HDMI 2.1 port offers 120Hz gaming for consoles, so it's quite the multi-faceted package for its price. Gigabyte has made no major sacrifice to tick all the checkboxes with the M28U."
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.