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

Diagonal size	2K (HD)	2.5K	4K
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.

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