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LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar

Written by:

Updated 11:20 pm

Expert Rating

86

When looking to pick up a new monitor, most people aren’t really sure what to look for. Some of the few things that are considered are mainly the size of the display, as well as what brand it’s made from. Otherwise, nothing else seems to matter. As much as this might work for most people, you might have to do a little more digging especially if your line of work involves color accuracy, and places an emphasis on graphic detail. If this sounds like you, then the LG 27MD5KL-B might be worth looking into. It’s got a crisp 5K UHD resolution, and despite being a little bit pricey, it could be the best monitor for mac mini and also one of the best computer monitors if you’re a designer or photographer.

Why We Like It – LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine

The LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine UHD, USB type C enabled MAC OS compatible monitor is pretty much compatible with most Apple devices, as they can be connected via its Thunderbolt port.

Pros
  • Multiple USB Type C ports
  • Camera and Microphone at the top center of the screen
  • Crystal clear 5K resolution
Cons
  • Expensive

Performance

The LG 27MD5KL-B boasts of a 60Hz refresh rate, and while it’s not ideal for gaming, it’ll still do well. The LG monitor shares this refresh rate with the Samsung 32 inch Curved Monitor Costco, but the two have a large difference in terms of screen size as well design since the Samsung display happens to be curved. The LG IPS display also has an aspect ratio of 16:9, and a stunning 5K resolution that allows for sharp text and imagery. The screen’s brightness tops off at 500 nits, and with a contrast ratio of 1100:1, blacks appear sharp and detailed, and whites appear bright.

Related: If you like this monitor, you might be interested in our LG 27 GL850 review.

Viewing Angle

Like most wide screen displays, the LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine has a decent viewing angle of about 178 degrees, and this applies both horizontally and vertically. You should be able to watch it without any screen tearing, but the unit does allow for some adjustability so that you’re able to fine tune its angling to your preference. Alternatively, you can also use it without stand and have it hung onto your wall because it is VESA compatible, but this does significantly limit how much you’ll be able to tilt it.

Durability

The LG 27MD5KL-B is held up together by a stable, square base, so you shouldn’t expect it to be unstable. Similar to the Asus TUF VG27AQ, the monitor is made up of mostly black plastic bezels, but they happen to be slightly thicker compared to those on the Asus. The camera and the microphone at the top center of the screen add a nice touch to it, and to its back, you’ll find a bunch of ports that allow for expanded connectivity.

Ports/Expandability

On the back panel of this LG 27MD5KL-B monitor you’ll find 3 USB C ports that are much easier to connect to your devices, and a Thunderbolt 3 port that supports data, power and video simultaneously. The USB type C ports make it way easier to connect your Macbook Pro, iPad pro or even your iPhone to the display, making it abundantly clear that this is a screen that’s meant to make macOS compatibility as seamless as it can be.

Value

At just shy of $1000, a lot of people might think that the LG 27MD5KL USB type C enabled monitor is too expensive for what it has to offer. In comparison, the Dell Ultrasharp U2415 is a fairly decent screen that costs less than half of that, but if you’re a photographer who needs to do a lot of color grading, the monitor is worth the purchase. It comes with a USB type C cable included, but you can also go ahead and buy another one from the Apple store if you need to. Power consumption is fairly low, and with almost 100% coverage of the color gamut, you can rest assured that this monitor from LG electronics is definitely worth its weight.

Related: Also check out our LG 27UD58 B review.

LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine Wrap Up

Although most people found it to be expensive, the LG 27MD5KL-B still remains a worthwhile investment, and this is evident through the many different customer reviews that have been left for it on its Amazon page. The unit is easily compatible with Mac OS devices, and is also very easy to set up.

Kenn Muguna Avatar