I like this monitor. I don’t play games, so the refresh rate is fine. The colors are lovely. The resolution is crisp and shows me I need to improve my ability to focus an image.

LG 27UL850 vs LG 27UP850 - DisplayDB Compare LG 27UL850 vs LG 27UP850 - DisplayDB

I’ve been using this monitor for a year-and-a-half and I’m still very happy with it. It’s been problem-free the entire time. But I’ve discovered two quirks you should know about: The total image area is 3840 x 2160 pixels, which equals a UHD display. However, it defaults to Retina Display behavior which means that it changes the screen resolution to 144 ppt, then pixel doubles a 1920 x 1080 image. This makes text much easier to read, without, as far as I can tell, damaging image quality. It can also upscale regular SDR (standard dynamic range) content into HDR, using an algorithm to improve tone mapping and luminance. It’s not true HDR, but a nice feature to have nonetheless. UPDATED Nov. 28, 2020, with tips I’ve learned after using this monitor for a year and half. They are posted at the end. Also, read my product review disclosure statement.] Your sense of color may be different than mine, which is fine. There are several controls you can adjust to make this look the way you want.System Preferences > Display > Arrangement makes it easy to indicate the physical position of the monitor. Scrolling the mouse from one monitor to the other is flawless. Assembly required attaching the stand and connecting the HDMI and power cables. The entire process took 15 minutes; I timed it. You’ll need a Philips screwdriver to attach the stand. However, even though the printed instructions are cryptic, you won’t have any problems assembling this.

27UN83A 68.58 Cm UHD 4K IPS Monitor, 5ms, AMD FreeSync LG 27UN83A 68.58 Cm UHD 4K IPS Monitor, 5ms, AMD FreeSync

The monitor has a pair of 5W speakers, and while LG boasts of its MAXX Audio technology, sound really isn’t the strong point here. It’s acceptable for general computer notifications and occasional radio and podcast listening, but if you want to play music or watch movies and TV you are much better off connecting the monitor, or your computer, to a separate speaker or audio system. During our time with the LG 27UL850 we enjoyed the breadth of its capabilities. The IPS panel means colour and contrast remain consistent when viewed from any angle, while the resolution, HDR, brightness, response time and refresh rate are all good for working, gaming and watching video. The display doesn’t particularly excel in any one of those use cases, but in a world where we are all working at home more than ever, a do-it-all display is of more value than one that is superb at gaming but is overkill for spreadsheets and Zoom calls. LG makes lovely display panels. Colors are clean, resolution is crisp, the image holds up extremely well, even when compared to the 27″ iMac it is sitting next to. In fact, I ran the Apple Display calibration software when I first connected the display. It was right on, no adjustments were needed.For most users, these ports should give them everything they need. We connected a MacMini using the USB-C port and a couple of game consoles via HDMI. And because the USB-C port carries power as well as video and audio, the monitor can be used to charge a MacBook (or other USB-C laptop) while also acting as an external screen. When given HDR content, the display automatically shifts into the right mode and cranks up the brightness to deliver a more immersive experience. The monitor’s HDR capabilities are most often seen when watching compatible content on streaming services like Netflix, or when gaming with a compatible console. Another thing I really like about this monitor is that it runs cool. It doesn’t get hot and it doesn’t radiate heat. In summer, in LA, I appreciate that.