LG refreshes the UltraFine 5K monitor for 2019

The LG UltraFine 5K monitor is often sold through Apple.com, as it is a product often described as optimized for use with PCs or notebooks from this company. However, it has not been available for purchase through this store for nearly 3 months now. This absence has just been explained by the release of a new version for 2019.

This LG UltraFine 5K (or 5120 x 2880) monitor has the model number 27MD5KL, as opposed to 27MD5KA in the preceding generation. As before, it is recommended as a secondary Mac or MacBook screen due to its USB type-C inputs, 1 of which supports Thunderbolt 3. The UltraFine 5K 2019 also has a 27-inch IPS panel, as did the previous version. 

The new UltraFine monitor continues to more or less conform to its predecessor in terms of its DCI-P3 99% rating; its response time (14 m (in terms of gray-to-gray)); its refresh rate (60Hz)its brightness (500 nits), and its viewing angles (178 degrees). In fact, its only significant upgrade appears to be the 94-watt power delivery (PD) with which its Thunderbolt port is now equipped. Therefore, it can also charge a connected MacBook at this rate.

Nevertheless, this may seem like a rather lacklustre mid-year refresh for the LG UltraFine 5K. It is sold at the distinctly Apple-esque price of US$1299.95 on this OEM's website. All in all, it begs speculation that Apple would prefer you consider its new, 6K monitor for a planned Mac Pro purchase instead. Then again, this device will be about $3699 more in its cheapest variant. At least the LG comes with a stand thrown in for free.