Display resolution
Introduction
Just like a monitor a pen display contains a display panel with a native display resolution.
Some considerations about the display resolution
Seeing pixels
Some people are very sensitive to seeing pixels.
When drawing on a pen display you'll be much closer to it than when you are using a monitor
So you might notice the pixels more due to this proximity
Compatibility
The resolution with the least compatibility issues is 2K. This format has the least issues with ports, cables, GPUs, adapters, etc. As you start getting into higher resolutions, you have to be more careful about compatibility and ensure everything is going to work.
For example:
Not all HDMI cables support 4K
Some laptops struggle to support an external 4K display
Macintoshes have difficulty supporting 2.5K resolutions
Some systems support the higher resolutions but not a high-enough refresh rate. For example one of my laptops supports 4K but only at 30Hz instead of the standard 60Hz.
Pixels-per-Inch at different diagonal sizes
13"
169.45
225.94
338.91
16"
137.68
183.58
275.36
22"
100.13
133.51
200.26
24"
91.79
122.38
183.58
27"
81.59
108.79
163.18
32"
68.84
91.79
137.68
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. After that the benefits are incremental.
Typical resolutions
Modern pen displays mostly use a small number of resolutions.
The vast majority of pen displays use these three resolutions:
Full HD = 1920x1080
2.5K = 2560x1440
4K = 3840x2160
But, a few pen displays use resolutions such as 2560 x 1600.
My experience and recommendations
Based on my experience here's what I think works. Overall the pattern is a PPI between 150ppi and 180ppi is what I think works the best.
13"
~169ppi
works fine
~226ppi
works fine
~339ppi
definitely too much
16"
~138ppi
works fine
~184ppi
works great (ideal)
~275ppi
definitely too much
19"
~115ppi
not enough
~155ppi
should work great
~231ppi
works great (ideal)
22"
~100ppi
definitely not enough
~133ppi
works great
~220ppi
works great (ideal)
24"
~92ppi
definitely not enough
~122ppi
works fine
~184ppi
works great (ideal)
27"
~82ppi
definitely not enough
~109ppi
probably not enough
~163ppi
works great (ideal)
MacOS
MacOS text rendering can appear not work OK by default with certain combinations size and resolutions. This can be addressed with an app called Better Display.
Anti-glare sparkle
Given a specific physical size for a display panel, anti-glare sparkle is more noticeable on higher resolutions. See this document for more information: anti-glare sparkle.
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