If image clarity and text quality are crucial for your productivity, and you are heavily involved in digital photo editing, the Apple Studio Display's high resolution and color accuracy might be worth the premium price. In contrast, the KTC M27T20 offers a better contrast ratio and is more suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption due to its higher peak brightness in HDR, and has features advantageous for casual and competitive gaming, such as variable refresh rate and a higher refresh rate, at a lower price point. The KTC also offers better value if you need a versatile monitor capable of relatively high performance in various use cases without spending a premium. 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
Best in class text clarity
Best in class image clarity
Advantages of the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED)
Best in class for casual gaming
Very good for media consumption
Good refresh rate
Excellent contrast
Very good color volume
Very good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.1/10
9.5/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
4000:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1200 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
93.0 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Apple Studio Display (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
5.0/10
6.1/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
20.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
3.0 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is only fair for competitive gaming, while the Apple Studio Display (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
9.5/10
7.1/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is best in class for productivity, while the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is good.
Media Consumption
7.0/10
8.6/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
4000:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1200 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is very good for media consumption, while the Apple Studio Display (IPS) is good.
Cost
$1,599
$500
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) has a price of $1,599 and the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) costs $500.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) compare to other monitors
"The KTC M27T20 brings mini-LED and HDR1000 features to much more affordable price levels than before. It cuts some corners, however, and the settings require a lot of tuning for optimal colors and black levels."
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.
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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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.