Hell, not even the pros.

My work laptop is a 2019 i7 MBP, it struggles with my 4k monitor regardless of scaling. I bought the cheapest mac mini last year to see what the M1 fuss was about, and it has no problem with the 4k screen, even with scaling.

Other OS's? Windows is passable until you start transitioning in and out of full screen. Linux...

My Windows games run at higher frame rates at 4k under Linux (Proton) than on Windows natively. I only had to set up the scaling once - just like I had to with Mac OS for the same monitor. Linux display issues are greatly exaggerated, IMO.

I was gonna say "Linux... what?" I have the least issues with any hardware on Linux compared to other systems. Monitors are no exception. And if something doesn't work out of the box, you have options, rather than just being SOL with other systems.

I think the parent means the new Apple Silicon-based MBPs, not the 2019 models. I may be misreading the way you phrased your comment though.

I think they are saying that even the non-pro M1 machines are significantly better than the previous pro models.

That's what I meant, too. :)

I've a 2019 16" MBP that I use for work, and it handles it fine as well; probably due to the discrete GPU kicking in once an external monitor is connected. Likewise, my M1 air sees no issues.