Choosing the right display resolution for a pen display

Overview

You want to be thoughtful about picking the right resolution. Higher resolution is not automatically better, it depends on the size of the size.

Summary

  • In general, as a tablet gets bigger it's useful to have a higher resolution

  • At small sizes having a very high resolution does not help

  • Some resolutions require some extra work to use well with MacOS

My experience

Based on my experience here's what I think works. Overall the pattern is a PPI between 140ppi and 180ppi is what I think works the best.

Diagonal Size
Full HD (1920x1080)
2.5K (2560x1440)
4K (3840x2160)

13"

~169ppi

GREAT

~226ppi

EXCELLENT

~339ppi

NOT NEEDED

16"

~138ppi

GOOD

~184ppi

GREAT

~275ppi

NOT NEEDED

19"

~115ppi

OK

~155ppi

GREAT

~231ppi

EXCELLENT

22"

~100ppi

NOT ENOUGH

~133ppi

GREAT

~220ppi

EXCELLENT

24"

~92ppi

NOT ENOUGH

~122ppi

GOOD

~184ppi

EXCELLENT

27"

~82ppi

NOT ENOUGH

~109ppi

OK

~163ppi

EXCELLENT

MacOS

MacOS works with resolution differently than windows. In particular it renders text different and this can make text a little fuzzy at certain resolutions. Fortunately there are ways to mitigate the problem. See: Fuzzy text on displays with MacOS

Picking between 2.5K vs 4K resolution

People often ask about picking between these two resolutions. Overall I think 2.5K is the best value for your money.

Especially at the 13" and 16" sizes, a 2.5K delivers a massive increase over 2K. At these size, higher resolutions only provide very incremental benefits.

Last updated