Andrew Orr
ViewSonic's new 27-inch high-resolution monitor offers pro-level color accuracy for creatives without the premium Apple Studio Display price.
The VP2788-5K marks an important step in ViewSonic's expansion into the premium creative display space. While the company has long been a player in the professional monitor segment, this is its first 5K-resolution display.
ViewSonic is positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple Studio Display and LG's UltraFine 5K.
Connectivity is a major advantage here. Unlike Apple's Studio Display, which relies solely on Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C, the VP2788-5K offers a wider range of ports for greater flexibility across devices.
The downstream Thunderbolt 4 port on the VP2788-5K improves multi-display setups and high-speed peripheral connectivity.
- Thunderbolt 4 (2) - One upstream (100W power delivery) for connecting to a Mac or PC, and one downstream (15W power delivery) for daisy-chaining a second 5K monitor or connecting high-speed peripherals.
- USB-C (2) - One upstream (15W power delivery) and one downstream (15W power delivery) for additional device connections.
- USB-A - Part of an integrated USB hub for connecting accessories like keyboards, mice, and external drives.
- HDMI 2.1 (1) - Expands compatibility with non-Thunderbolt devices, including gaming consoles and PCs.
- DisplayPort (1) - Allows a direct connection to GPUs and older systems.
Unlike Apple's Studio Display, which lacks a downstream Thunderbolt port, the VP2788-5K allows users to daisy-chain another 5K monitor or connect high-bandwidth accessories like RAID storage, eGPUs, or docks.
ViewSonic ColorPro VP2788-5K balances affordability & professional-grade features
The VP2788-5K undercuts Apple's Studio Display, which starts at $1,599. It lacks some of Apple's premium design elements — such as an all-aluminum enclosure, built-in speakers, and an integrated webcam.
However, it makes up for that with broader device compatibility and a strong focus on color accuracy.
The VP2788-5K offers Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and an integrated USB hub. Image credit: ViewSonicWith 99% DCI-P3 and HDR400, the VP2788-5K offers pro-level color accuracy for creatives at a lower cost than Apple's Studio Display, which boasts near-perfect sRGB, DCI-P3, and True Tone. However, the VP2788-5K's 75Hz refresh rate and 14ms response time make it less suited for gaming or low-latency tasks.
While the Studio Display remains a top-tier option for Mac users with deep macOS integration, spatial audio, and native scaling optimizations, the VP2788-5K offers a more affordable and versatile alternative. Its Thunderbolt 4 support ensures fast 40Gbps data transfer, 100W power delivery, and daisy chaining of two 5K monitors.
Apple's Studio Display still benefits from long-term macOS software updates, which may fine-tune its performance over time. ViewSonic's monitor is designed to work well with Apple's scaling features, but it may not match Apple's macOS experience in every aspect.
ViewSonic ColorPro VP2788-5K - Pricing & availability
The ViewSonic ColorPro VP2788-5K, now available for $849.99, offers professional color accuracy and Thunderbolt 4 support at an affordable price. It's an option to consider for creatives seeking high-resolution clarity, Mac-optimized color performance, and broad connectivity.
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15 Comments
Will the Thunderbolt downstream connection to a second monitor be supported on Mac so it is seen as 2 distinct displays? This has been on the the big complaints on the Dell displays where the linking works like this on Windows, but Mac only sees one unique display target.
How does the brightness compare?
If you can’t control display settings from the Mac (volume, brightness, etc) then it’s a non-starter in my book.