Ultimate monitor for your RV - LG 45GX950A-B 45-inch 5K2K curved monitor

[Neal]

I use the 40 inch LG 5K2K monitors in my home office. Absolutely love them. As in my prior posts you all know I've been trying to find the right monitor setup for my RV for software development, day trading, video editing, and the usual computer stuff. I've been experimenting with multi-monitor setups, laptops, etc. I think I'm dialing in on the right solution and now own the LG 45GX950A-B that I plan to use in the RV going forward.

I looked at the 49" curved monitors and they are monstrosities, but more so, the monitor stand is the problem in how much desk space it takes up and how intrusive it is. So they were a no go for me. LG announced this new monitor at CES this year and I've been eagerly awaiting it's release. A week ago they allowed pre-orders so I jumped on it, yeah, expensive, but it solves a problem for me. They nailed it on the monitor stand too, it's a flat metal setup so you can put something on it if needed, it is not intrusive.

It arrived Thursday and it's heavy at around 30 lbs and the curve is significant, it's like working in an omnimax, but I love it. The text is not as sharp as my 40 inch monitors as this one is more for gaming but it's still good. The black's of this OLED monitor are amazing, the color, responsiveness, the video, all amazing. So yeah, it's a keeper. As the curve is significant, that is a good thing, it takes up less space such as on my dinette in realized width. I've been using it for software development, and it's been great, a little different as often you're not working on centered content if you use full screen, but some setup of your layouts need tweaking.

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https://www.amazon.com/LG-45GX950A-B-Ultragear-Dual-Mode-FreeSync/dp/B0DYG9DKX8/?tag=rvf01-20

I also bought two of these portable monitors at $50 each which I use with my day trading. I can't believe how cheap they are but they are lightweight 15.6 portal monitors and work great. This will compliment the RV setup as needed, or they can be stowed away with minimal space as they are simply flat panels/tablets with a kick stand. Keep in mind I work while enjoying different views out my office window so my needs are different.

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9Y9ZXR4?tag=rvf01-20

 

[DennisT]

We have a couple of these we use for second monitors.

Amazon.com

They have an upgraded one now that is 2k and bigger (ours are 17 inch 1080).

Had them since 21 with no issues and they will run directly off the usb c connection on my Mac without additional power.

May have to look hard at the new 2k 24.5 inch one for my photo and video editing.

 

[Neal]

Nice! I have limited space as I prefer this goes below my main monitor so that constrains the size. I first got two of these:

Amazon.com

They are 4K and looked great. But one went bad around a week into use so I returned both, wasn't going to trust the other to last. Dell has a nice one but it's only 1080p and around $250, that was the first one I tried but the cost was just wrong for what it was.

I prefer 4K so it was hard to go to the 1080p option but for $50 they do the job. And after getting used to the change from the brilliant 4K portable, these actually look great too for what I use them for. I saw the 2K options but wasn't really sure how that was going to work, should have tried one, but didn't. The $50 option works just fine.

My PC has the Intel 14900KF processor so it does not support video via USB so I need the HDMI connections. But I learned of an adapter I needed when trying the dell to go from HDMI to USB C as the Dell did not have mini HDMI ports. First world problems!

My windows and mac laptops would also work via USB C video, so that's an option, but I will probably drive these portable monitors off of the PC tower.

Side note. I was waiting for the new Apple Mac Studio to come out in M4. Which it did a few weeks ago, sorta. They offer the M4 Max and M3 Ultra as options. That was a thumbs down for me, and a good thing, I prefer to stick with the PC as day trading software typically doesn't support Mac. VMWare Fusion was going to be the option.

Now that I hope to have the monitor space sorted out, I really would like to not have to deal with a tower taking up one side of the dinette seating area but so be it. I can't stand fan noise on Windows laptops and my Mac would do the job I'm sure, but I hate leaving the monster power of the PC home not being used. Yeah, more first world problems.

 

[Neal]

Okay, that portable monitor you pointed out sure looks nice - noooo, not doing it, hopefully not, yeah, no. Can't, okay, no.

 

[DennisT]

Check out Parallels for running Windows on the new Mac. Have been running it for years with no issues for compatibility.

Microsoft has a version of windows specifically for the new MAC hardware and it has worked well on my M2 laptop I purchased before retirement.

 

[Neal]

Yeah, I used VMWare Fusion for a long time too, and it's now free. That was going to be the plan if I went to Mac Studio, even the Mac M4 Mini would be fine. We'll see, I really want the "cpu" to be out of sight and mind. It may happen someday...

 

[DennisT]

Okay, that portable monitor you pointed out sure looks nice - noooo, not doing it, hopefully not, yeah, no. Can't, okay, no.

Yeah it is your fault for starting this thread. I looked at our previous orders to get the ones we have been using and saw the new one.

Found myself reading all the reviews etc for the latest and wondering how much nicer video and photo editing would be on it

 

[DennisT]

Yeah, I used VMWare Fusion for a long time too, and it's now free. That was going to be the plan if I went to Mac Studio, even the Mac M4 Mini would be fine. We'll see, I really want the "cpu" to be out of sight and mind. It may happen someday...

Not to get the thread off track but the mini design was changed a while back so you could not (easily) open them to upgrade memory etc.

I think the studio is still able to be opened and, for the price, should be. Looked at them hard before I settled on the laptop for retirement.

Still have my old “trash can” style Mac that with the Xeon processor that works quite well performance wise.

 

[Neal]

We have a couple of these we use for second monitors.

Amazon.com

They have an upgraded one now that is 2k and bigger (ours are 17 inch 1080).

Had them since 21 with no issues and they will run directly off the usb c connection on my Mac without additional power.

May have to look hard at the new 2k 24.5 inch one for my photo and video editing.

I decided to give the 18" 2K 144hz portable monitor a try. Been using it about two weeks now, have to say, it's great. Higher resolution is nice so I can get more of my content on the screen. Good picture quality and colors. Kick stand works well, small bezels are nice, didn't want to keep it, but it's a keeper. Also got the case for it so I can store it or transport it safely. Thanks for the recommendation, great compliment for the RV minimal space. Sits right in front of my 45" LG that's raised to max on the stand, butts up against keyboard, setup is ideal for me.

I also use this USB power brick as monitors like this need more power than a computer can provide, the manufacturer recommends plugging it in vs. a computer but this brick supplies good power to USB devices and has worked well.

 

[Neal]

Also of note, I was going to use this desk stand which would be great for anyone wanting to put it on the side of your monitor but I'm putting it in between monitor and keyboard (for now at least). Cool little stand if needed.

 

[DennisT]

Quite welcome for the recommendation!

I just picked up one of the 22 inch 2k ones and got rid of one of the 17 inch and a smaller 4K ones.

UPERFECT 22" 2K Portable Monitor... Amazon.com

Did get the sleeve as well to keep it protected while traveling.

Needed some extra real estate for photo and video editing.

Wife is still using one of the 17 inch ones - been running for a number of years with no issues.

The 22 inch will run off my Mac laptop but it is only 60 hz.

 

[Neal]

Interesting that the two are effectively the same price after coupons. Interesting but for my use it's probably too big to go between the keyboard and main monitor. Side monitor would be a nice addition. Portable monitors with kickstands solve a nice problem (space) in RV office setups. I have far too many 27" monitors in the closet now, hard to sell them. I think if going to 22 I would just save the money and take along a 27 4K LG.

My favorite LG 27 inch is nearly the same price as the portables now. No wonder I can't sell them used for anything decent.

 

[Neal]

Seems like a new kid on the block. 4K 17.3" with good reviews. May have to check one of these out to help with my multi-monitor needs.

Amazon.com

 

[DennisT]

Seems like a new kid on the block. 4K 17.3" with good reviews. May have to check one of these out to help with my multi-monitor needs.

Amazon.com

Well, from our perspective, can’t go wrong with that brand. Have been running 17 inch 1080 ones for more than a few years with no issues.

 

[Neal]

I have the 18 inch 2k 144Hz thanks to you. Works great. Curious how the 4K will present the info so I'll try one out.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

How well do these work for all day use when they don’t have height adjustments? Or would you put some books or other boost under them?

Imagining the neck pain or wrist pain from having both keyboard and monitor sitting on the same horizontal plane.

Still dragging along a 27” but changed from a Dell Ultrasharp to the Apple studio monitor and absolutely love it. When at home use both the studio monitor and a 10+ year old Apple Cinema that still works great and is easy on my eyes.

The technical specs look good on this new portable unit.

Always look forward to vicariously trying out new tech toys through you - saves me tons of $ since I no longer need to do it myself. I sooo appreciate you all taking the hit for all the rest of us.

 

[Neal]

I put it below center of my 45in monitor, works well for my need. The secondary use for me and probably going with a second one would be a laptop and having one left and right for a 3 monitor setup.

 

[DennisT]

Actually quite well. Wife has been using the 17 inch 1080 for over a year working on a project for the company she retired from.

Same height as her laptop and the two monitor setup works well.

 

[GypsyR]

Everyone has their tastes. If it were me doing things that absolutrly required multiple desktops or one really large one in the confined space of an RV I'd be using my Oculus Quest 3. But that would be just with Windows. No idea what Linux capability an Oculus has, I quite frankly haven't looked into it yet. The last Oculus update really got the multiple Windows remote desktops setup sorted out quite well though. I haven't used the option much actually, I'm more of a single screen-multiple tabs guy.

I've discovered my sweet spot with my main/home PC to be a 23" 4K monitor. I like all of what I am looking at to be in my field of vision without turning my head. With this one I can not only do that but to do so it also sits at a focal distance where I don't need glasses to read it.

Newest update is a passthrough sort of feature where you can see your physical keyboard while you are doing all that stuff. Mine hasn't gotten that yet but I am looking forward to it.