If you prioritize image and text clarity for productivity or digital photo editing and are willing to pay a premium for it, the Apple Studio Display might be an excellent fit due to its higher screen resolution and superior color accuracy for print photo editing. Conversely, if you're looking for a good balance between price and performance for both casual and competitive gaming, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD is more suitable. It offers a higher refresh rate and variable refresh rate technology, which reduces screen tearing, making it better for gaming, plus it has a good response time which minimizes ghosting. However, the MSI monitor's lower resolution means it won't be as sharp for productivity tasks compared to the Apple monitor. 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 MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
Good refresh rate
Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.0/10
5.8/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
20.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Apple Studio Display (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
9.5/10
6.2/10
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 MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.0/10
6.0/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,599
$436
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) has a price of $1,599 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) 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 MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1/10
6.1/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Apple Studio Display (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) 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 MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
"The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has the largest color gamut we’ve ever seen and near-perfect out-of-box accuracy. sRGB content will be oversaturated though, and HDR doesn’t do anything for image quality."
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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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.