Samsung brings 4K to the desktop for under $1000

Ultra HD TVs aren’t terribly cheap yet, but if you’re keen to see what all the fuss is with 4K and rely more on your computer than a big TV, Samsung has a possibility heading to stores for under a grand.

It’s not the first 4K screen out for computers in Australia, and it sure won’t be the last, but it does manage to be one of the first that offers the Ultra HD resolution of 3840×2160 for a price that entertainment fanatics curious about the new standard won’t balk too much at.

Called the UD590, it’s a monitor that measures 28 inches diagonally, a slight departure from the 27 inch widescreen displays you might be used to, but runs a higher resolution than the Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 and QHD resolution of 2560×1440 that 27 inch monitors have been known to come with.

In fact, this resolution isn’t a full 4K, but rather the Ultra HD standard being shipped on new UHD TVs, displaying 3840×2160.

“We are very excited to announce our first UHD LED monitor in Australia,” said Todd Lynton, Director of Business Solutions at Samsung Electronics Australia.

“The UD590’s superb picture quality and multitasking technology combined with a minimalist design should appeal to Australians that demand performance from their displays.”

Connecting this monitor should be easy for most people, with two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort on the screen, as well as a multitasking “picture by picture” mode to show two different devices on screen at the same time, similar to what LG uses in its monitors.

That could be good for business, and the 2ms response time could make the 4K screen a good choice for gamers keen on a high resolution, but one area that won’t likely be too happy will be photographers and videographers, with a Twisted Nematic (TN) panel being used over a VA (Vertical Alignment) or an IPS (In-Plane Switching), with the latter two being preferred for colours in graphic-reliant work due to better viewing angles.

Outside of the panel, you’ll find a minimalist design that can work in both offices and homes, and a price that won’t dent the budget too much, with Samsung making the UD590 available in stores now for a recommended retail price of $749.