# Choosing the right display resolution for a pen display

## Overview

You want to be thoughtful about picking the right resolution. Higher resolution is not automatically better, it depends on the size of the size.

## Summary

* In general, as a tablet gets bigger it's useful to have a higher resolution
* At small sizes having a very high resolution does not help
* Some resolutions require some extra work to use well with MacOS

## My experience

Based on my experience here's what I think works. Overall the pattern is a PPI between 140ppi and 180ppi is what I think works the best.

<table><thead><tr><th width="126.20001220703125">Diagonal Size</th><th>Full HD (1920x1080)</th><th width="207">2.5K (2560x1440)</th><th>4K (3840x2160)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>13"</td><td><p>~169ppi</p><p>GREAT</p></td><td><p>~226ppi</p><p>EXCELLENT</p></td><td><p>~339ppi</p><p>NOT NEEDED</p></td></tr><tr><td>16"</td><td><p>~138ppi</p><p>GOOD</p></td><td><p>~184ppi</p><p>GREAT</p></td><td><p>~275ppi</p><p>NOT NEEDED</p></td></tr><tr><td>19"</td><td><p>~115ppi</p><p>OK</p></td><td><p>~155ppi</p><p>GREAT</p></td><td><p>~231ppi</p><p>EXCELLENT</p></td></tr><tr><td>22"</td><td><p>~100ppi</p><p>NOT ENOUGH</p></td><td><p>~133ppi</p><p>GREAT</p></td><td><p>~220ppi</p><p>EXCELLENT</p></td></tr><tr><td>24"</td><td><p>~92ppi</p><p>NOT ENOUGH</p></td><td><p>~122ppi</p><p>GOOD</p></td><td><p>~184ppi</p><p>EXCELLENT</p></td></tr><tr><td>27"</td><td><p>~82ppi</p><p>NOT ENOUGH</p></td><td><p>~109ppi</p><p>OK</p></td><td><p>~163ppi</p><p>EXCELLENT</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

## MacOS

MacOS works with resolution differently than windows. In particular it renders text different and this can make text a little fuzzy at certain resolutions. Fortunately there are ways to mitigate the problem. See: [Fuzzy text on displays with MacOS](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/guides/platforms/macos/display-resolution)

## **Picking between 2.5K vs 4K resolution**

People often ask about picking between these two resolutions. Overall I think 2.5K is the best value for your money.

Especially at the 13" and 16" sizes, a 2.5K delivers a massive increase over 2K. At these size, higher resolutions only provide very incremental benefits.


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