How to run 3 Displays without breaking the bank WITHOUT a 27" iMac?

[Eugen Mezei]

I got my 2010 for $100 and that was with an i7. So I agree, 2010 iMacs are pretty cheap compared to monitors. I think that the reason is the HDDs can go bad and there's not much you can do about it without taking them apart. A lot of them that I see have base RAM as well and they run like absolute dogs with minimum RAM. I generally won't touch a used iMac unless it has an i7 unless it's after 2013.

I would not mind a second 2014 - it's a very nice model with 5k and it doesn't have the known tinge problem that the 2015s have. The Late 2015s also have the issue where they use oddball RAM so it's very expensive to max it out. The 2017s and later are all fine and they are starting to get very attractive.

I have late 2009 i5, 2010 i7, 2011 i5 (and 2020 i5). From these the 2010 runs hottest. I am wondering if it is for the processor. But in fact it is the PSU that gets hot in all of them, so I dont know why in the 2010 it gets even hotter than in the other two.

I am fine with thick iMacs, being either i5 or i7 as long as they have at least 16 GB RAM. But they are easy to max out to 32, although that means you double the purchasing price. (Putting in an SSD and a better videocard sure gets you in the region where tapered iMacs can be bought.)

As told before my 2020 iMac has the nano glass, so I can not really compare retina with the previous screens. But I have the feeling retina gives me not much in crispness. I would like to see a retina with glossy glass, I have the feeling that nano glass brings me more harm than usefullness. (Yes, it cuts some of the reflexions but not completly so they still are there and my brain filters them out without problems on the glossy screens anyway.)
Also I like the colors of the thick iMacs better. Silly, right?
What undobtably is of use for me in a retina screen is the real estate space. I need it for charts. But when in classci resolution I tend to think it brings me nothing (but again, I have to see a glossy retina).

What I like more about the thick iMacs is the sound. Again only based in comparing the 3 above mentioned with the 2020. They have fuller sound, whereas the 2020 sounds metallic. I guess it is caused by the more volume of the thick iMacs, but I could be completly wrong.

 

[pshufd]

I have late 2009 i5, 2010 i7, 2011 i5. From these the 2010 runs hottest. I am wondering if it is for the processor. But in fact it is the PSU that gets hot in all of them, so I dont know why in the 2010 it gets even hotter than in the other two.

I am fine with thick iMacs, being either i5 or i7 as long as they have at least 16 GB RAM. But they are easy to max out to 32, although that means you double the purchasing price. (Putting in an SSD and a better videocard sure gets you in the region where tapered iMacs can be bought.)

As told before my 2010 iMac has the nano glass, so I can not really compare retina with the previous screens. But I have the feeling retina gives me not much in crispness. I would like to see a retina with glossy glass, I have the feeling that nano glass brings me more harm than usefullness. (Yes, it cuts some of the reflexions but not completly so they still are there and my brain filters them out without problems on the glossy screens anyway.)
Also I like the colors of the thick iMacs better. Silly, right?
What undobtably is of use for me in a retina screen is the real estate space. I need it for charts. But when in classci resolution I tend to think it brings me nothing (but again, I have to see a glossy retina).

What I like more about the thick iMacs is the sound. Again only based in comparing the 3 above mentioned with the 2010. They have fuller sound, whereas the 2010 sounds metallic. I guess it is caused by the more volume of the thick iMacs, but I could be completly wrong.

I have the 2009 Core 2 Duo and I find that that runs the hottest. I find the 2010 i7 to be fine on thermals along with the 2014. The 2014 case is the coolest of all three but the actual sensor temperatures are higher than the 2010.

The display panels on the 2009 and 2010 are great. They are seriously bright and easy to read. The 5k screens, though, are even nicer. I don't know what it is about the 5k but it's my favorite monitor. My other two displays are Dell Ultrasharp 4k. I prefer the panels in my iMacs but I need the high resolution for two programs.

 

[Eugen Mezei]

My other two displays are Dell Ultrasharp 4k. I prefer the panels in my iMacs but I need the high resolution for two programs.

So your iMacs are 21,5"?
I also bought 21,5" (2011, offered as defective for 40 €; it works without a problem, but the seller irascitated me as he had to remove the HDD, instead of just powering it up now I have to install a HDD or SDD, work that was not really necessary) but I consider it of not much value for me. Years ago I thought that is a big screen, but not today after I have the 27" iMacs.

I will hunt down 1-2 of the 27" 2011 models with i7 and than I have enough. Until retina ones get cheaper those will do just fine for me if I max the RAM out. (VRAM of 4 GB or more would be nice for playing Cities Skylines, but that is not a priority.)

 

[Eugen Mezei]

deleted, double post

 

[pshufd]

So your iMacs are 21,5"?
I also bought 21,5" (2011, offered as defective for 40 €; it works without a problem, but the seller irascitated me as he had to remove the HDD, instead of just powering it up now I have to install a HDD or SDD, work that was not really necessary) but I consider it of not much value for me. Years ago I thought that is a big screen, but not today after I have the 27" iMacs.

I will hunt down 1-2 of the 27" 2011 models with i7 and than I have enough. Until retina ones get cheaper those will do just fine for me if I max the RAM out.

I have 2009, 2010, 2014 iMac 27s. The 2009 isn't in use. I also have an M1 mini hooked up to the 2 Dell 27 inch 4k monitors. The mini also drives the 2010 iMac during the business day. Outside of that, it runs standalone.

I really like having all of the screens the same size and there is generally less flexibility with the 21.5 inch models.

What are we all going to do when they launch the 27 (or 32) inch Apple Silicon iMac? I don't know if they're even going to do this as they are laughing all the way to the bank with the Studio Display.

 

[Eugen Mezei]

I really like having all of the screens the same size and there is generally less flexibility with the 21.5 inch models.

What are we all going to do when they launch the 27 (or 32) inch Apple Silicon iMac? I don't know if they're even going to do this as they are laughing all the way to the bank with the Studio Display.

Well, i just wanted to see the difference. As it was cheap I bought it. Maybe I put it on the VESA mount and use it vertically for charts.

I know what I am doing: Waiting 10 years so I can afford such a thing. (To be honest I am also thinking about selling the 2020 as it is simply oversized for what I need it.)

 

[pshufd]

Well, i just wanted to see the difference. As it was cheap I bought it. Maybe I put it on the VESA mount and use it vertically for charts.

I know what I am doing: Waiting 10 years so I can afford such a thing. (To be honest I am also thinking about selling the 2020 as it is simply oversized for what I need it.)

I had a look around for 2020s in my area and there's an i7 for $950. Unfortunately it's 80 miles away.

What do you use for charting?

 

[Eugen Mezei]

I

I had a look around for 2020s in my area and there's an i7 for $950. Unfortunately it's 80 miles away.

What do you use for charting?

I had the idea that in 5 years I could put an i9 in it and max the RAM out to 128 GB. We will see if I succeed in accomodating to that matte screen.

I am a beginner in treading, so I use Yahoo Finance. We also have a poor choice of trading platforms here, not comparable with the US. I need to master IBKR, that is the best I could find. Until then I am struggling with eToro (an evolution from Revolut, but still not a platform offering real tools.)

 

[pshufd]

I

I had the idea that in 5 years I could put an i9 in it and max the RAM out to 128 GB. We will see if I succeed in accomodating to that matte screen.

I am a beginner in treading, so I use Yahoo Finance. We also have a poor choice of trading platforms here, not comparable with the US. I need to master IBKR, that is the best I could find. Until then I am struggling with eToro (an evolution from Revolut, but still not a platform offering real tools.)

I have 128 GB of RAM in my Windows desktop and could take half of that and put it in the 2020 iMac which makes it attractive.

I use Think or Swim from Ameritrade and Active Trader Pro from Fidelity and they both run with real-time charts. I'm not familiar with eToro but I think that everyone has heard the name IBKR. They've been around for a long time.

 

[chikorita157]

As LG stop manufacturing its 5k ultrafine displays, it will be a little more pricey to get a hold to them.
But you can always DIY a 5k Apple Cinema, just losing the warranty.

LG still sell these displays and they are now readily in stock in most retailers. I bought one recently new for my Mac Studio setup since I didn’t want to spend an extra $300 for another Studio Display since I don’t need DSC support, which the Studio Display has, but not the LG Ultrafine 5K. Besides the camera, speakers, 100 extra nits of brightness, and charging support, the Studio Display is the only option if you want to run two 5K monitors off one Thunderbolt 4 dock or a 2/4K and a 5K monitor off a Thunderbolt 3 dock since the Ultrafine 5K does not have DSC support. Also want the full warranty as well.

Of course, you can find used and refurbished ones as people sell the Ultrafine 5K for the Studio Display around $600-900 used. Besides the 100 nits of brightness, the Studio Display and LG Ultrafine 5K are close to each other in image quality, although the Studio Display is slightly better, which I have in my main setup I use most of the time.

 

[Grubster]

Got a new idea.... Friend let me borrow this.. Might be all I need.. 4k 43" Dell.

 

[lostPod]

Got a new idea.... Friend let me borrow this.. Might be all I need.. 4k 43" Dell.

Got a new idea.... Friend let me borrow this.. Might be all I need.. 4k 43" Dell.

What dell monitor is that ? Is it really 43”?

 

[Grubster]

What dell monitor is that ? Is it really 43”?

Yes, it's a Dell U4320Q 4k. I wrote an entire edit to my post but must not have hit Save!

It's bonkers so far. You can literally run easy 6 apps at the same time and be comfortable with them. Running 4 they almost look too wide! It's literally like having 4 additional monitors in 1.

It doesn't compare to the 5k display on the iMac. The 2015 iMac doesn't support Dell Display Manager. My laptop plugs in with USB C and with Universal control I can just run my laptop on the dell and the iMac using the same keyboard and mouse, it's BONKERS. At first I couldn't figure out what was happening as I had 2 inputs set for the display, but then realized universal control just kicked in. Having USB-C is nice as it charges the laptop and everything in one shot, never had that before.

Not sure about the sound, it does have speakers, iMac sound better, but i'll have to play with what makes sense. Also, the monitor has not volume control allowed through the macOs, so you have to use the buttons on the bottom of the display. I mostly use the speakers for MS Teams calls for work, can always use AirPods as well, but prefer the speakers most of the time. If this thing was only 5k, I could drop the iMac and just use my laptop or a macMini, but the display is just too nice. Will see, if I find a 2019 or 2020 27" with a 512 or 1TB SSD for the right price, I'll probably do it.

 

[pshufd]

Yes, it's a Dell U4320Q 4k. I wrote an entire edit to my post but must not have hit Save!

It's bonkers so far. You can literally run easy 6 apps at the same time and be comfortable with them. Running 4 they almost look too wide! It's literally like having 4 additional monitors in 1.

It doesn't compare to the 5k display on the iMac. The 2015 iMac doesn't support Dell Display Manager. My laptop plugs in with USB C and with Universal control I can just run my laptop on the dell and the iMac using the same keyboard and mouse, it's BONKERS. At first I couldn't figure out what was happening as I had 2 inputs set for the display, but then realized universal control just kicked in. Having USB-C is nice as it charges the laptop and everything in one shot, never had that before.

Not sure about the sound, it does have speakers, iMac sound better, but i'll have to play with what makes sense. Also, the monitor has not volume control allowed through the macOs, so you have to use the buttons on the bottom of the display. I mostly use the speakers for MS Teams calls for work, can always use AirPods as well, but prefer the speakers most of the time. If this thing was only 5k, I could drop the iMac and just use my laptop or a macMini, but the display is just too nice. Will see, if I find a 2019 or 2020 27" with a 512 or 1TB SSD for the right price, I'll probably do it.

You could try Airplay to the iMac. This would allow you to use the iMac as an external monitor for your laptop.

 

[lostPod]

Yes, it's a Dell U4320Q 4k. I wrote an entire edit to my post but must not have hit Save!

It's bonkers so far. You can literally run easy 6 apps at the same time and be comfortable with them. Running 4 they almost look too wide! It's literally like having 4 additional monitors in 1.

It doesn't compare to the 5k display on the iMac. The 2015 iMac doesn't support Dell Display Manager. My laptop plugs in with USB C and with Universal control I can just run my laptop on the dell and the iMac using the same keyboard and mouse, it's BONKERS. At first I couldn't figure out what was happening as I had 2 inputs set for the display, but then realized universal control just kicked in. Having USB-C is nice as it charges the laptop and everything in one shot, never had that before.

Not sure about the sound, it does have speakers, iMac sound better, but i'll have to play with what makes sense. Also, the monitor has not volume control allowed through the macOs, so you have to use the buttons on the bottom of the display. I mostly use the speakers for MS Teams calls for work, can always use AirPods as well, but prefer the speakers most of the time. If this thing was only 5k, I could drop the iMac and just use my laptop or a macMini, but the display is just too nice. Will see, if I find a 2019 or 2020 27" with a 512 or 1TB SSD for the right price, I'll probably do it.

Do you move your head a lot to see the different sides of the screen ? Seems like someone would have a really stiff neck when done at the office hah

 

[pshufd]

Do you move your head a lot to see the different sides of the screen ? Seems like someone would have a really stiff neck when done at the office hah

You rotate the office chair.

 

[lostPod]

You rotate the office chair.

I mean like vertical, because it’s 43”

 

[pshufd]

I mean like vertical, because it’s 43”

You lean back.

My setup is 4x27 inches so I just rotate the chair or move my eyes up and down.

 

[ADGrant]

Do you move your head a lot to see the different sides of the screen ? Seems like someone would have a really stiff neck when done at the office hah

I have a 43" Dell at the office. Its on a standing desk so I raise my chair as high as it will go and lower my desk as low as I can and still fit my legs under it.

 

[Grubster]

I mean like vertical, because it’s 43”

I am figuring it out! I do rotate the chair, but you literally do have to roll the chair left and right. I do think the ideal setup for a display this size would be a stand-up desk. Easier to move left to right and such while standing. I only used it for one day so far. It's fun. I did a video call with 6 people and each person was like the size of a iPad screen. Very neat! I then did a white board session using Teams built in White board and it was nice. Was able to draw three diagrams side by side and see them all at once. Still playing with the arrangements, but I keep the key stuff on the right portion of the screen which is more to the center of the desk. The stuff on the left side is far away and requires some movement. But to your point, the TOP Left is far. Where as with my old 3 monitor setup, my left monitor was 23" only. If you want to click the apple or the "File" menu, it's way up there!

 

[Grubster]

You could try Airplay to the iMac. This would allow you to use the iMac as an external monitor for your laptop.

Will airplay display at 5k resolution? I guess that would give me the ability to run the next OS on my laptop's which support Ventura, and keep the display... not a bad idea! I'll give it a go later..

I will say the universal control thing worked incredible. I think Mac OS 12.5 improved it. It was a bit wonky before.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

I am figuring it out! I do rotate the chair, but you literally do have to roll the chair left and right. I do think the ideal setup for a display this size would be a stand-up desk. Easier to move left to right and such while standing. I only used it for one day so far. It's fun. I did a video call with 6 people and each person was like the size of a iPad screen. Very neat! I then did a white board session using Teams built in White board and it was nice. Was able to draw three diagrams side by side and see them all at once. Still playing with the arrangements, but I keep the key stuff on the right portion of the screen which is more to the center of the desk. The stuff on the left side is far away and requires some movement. But to your point, the TOP Left is far. Where as with my old 3 monitor setup, my left monitor was 23" only. If you want to click the apple or the "File" menu, it's way up there!

I love this kind of set-up for gaming and video watching.
But the 43" monitor is quite pricey to me.

I bought the 48" OLED TV instead.
It lacks the DP & USB-C port, and the text are kind of blurring, but otherwise,
- cheaper (than a 43" monitor)
- OLED (nice color)
- Better sound (bigger speaker)
- Have a TV turner.
- Still retain 120Hz refreshing rate for gaming.

I just need to sit a little far away from it (1.2m)

For a standing deck, I would suggest a 55" TV, which equal 4 x 27" monitor.

 

[pshufd]

Will airplay display at 5k resolution? I guess that would give me the ability to run the next OS on my laptop's which support Ventura, and keep the display... not a bad idea! I'll give it a go later..

I will say the universal control thing worked incredible. I think Mac OS 12.5 improved it. It was a bit wonky before.

I do not know but there's no real cost to try it if you're on Monterey on both systems. I have only done some minor testing with other solutions at 5k as my iMac doesn't support Monterey though I am tempted to try out OCLP with it. It is likely that GB Ethernet isn't enough bandwidth but there is the solution of Mac to Mac network over Thunderbolt cable as a potential solution.

 

[Grubster]

I do not know but there's no real cost to try it if you're on Monterey on both systems. I have only done some minor testing with other solutions at 5k as my iMac doesn't support Monterey though I am tempted to try out OCLP with it. It is likely that GB Ethernet isn't enough bandwidth but there is the solution of Mac to Mac network over Thunderbolt cable as a potential solution.

Struck out!

Note that ‌AirPlay‌ to Mac only works with the 2018 or later MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, 2019 or later iMac or Mac Pro, the ‌iMac‌ Pro, and the 2020 or later Mac mini.

 

[pshufd]

Struck out!

Note that ‌AirPlay‌ to Mac only works with the 2018 or later MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, 2019 or later iMac or Mac Pro, the ‌iMac‌ Pro, and the 2020 or later Mac mini.

I got it to work with my 2015 MacBook Pro using OCLP and I could get my 2014 iMac to work as well. The 2015 MacBook Pro was hooked up to a 27 inch QHD display and performance was decent for office stuff or even watching videos. That's at 2K though. One of the issues with Monterey in general is scaled resolution support. I don't know why but the resolutions from Big Sur are different and I'm missing several. I can use EasyRes to fix that on my real monitors but not on Airplay.