Love the new iMac but is 24" too small?

[WarmWinterHat]

If you want a fantastic desktop monitor, get a 42-inch OLED TV, like the LG C3 or C4. Pair it with a Mac Mini Pro or a Mac Studio, Macbook Pro, anything in the Mac lineup that supports 120Hz HDMI 2.1 output. Push the TV/monitor about arms-length away from you, plus six to ten inches. You'll never go back to a sub-30-inch display, never go back to 60hz, and never go back to IPS panels.

And the real benefit for OSX users is Macs render text, the OS, and video beautifully on these OLED screens. So, yes, 24-inch IPS panel utterly sucks compared to a 30+ inch OLED. And, having just done a comparison between the LG 42-inch OLED and an IPS panel, the IPS looks horrendous compared to OLED.

So, there is your answer.

I've tried almost that exact same setup at a buddies place and hated it (40" OLED). I just don't like that much screen it front of my face, and generally don't like much screen above eye level where I have to look up. At work, I have dual 24", and at home I have a single 27". I don't like the 27" because there is screen above eye level..

Thinking about buying one of these to replace my 4k 27" monitor. I haven't owned an iMac since the G3 400mhz Bondi Blue DV; loved that machine.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

OP, opt for "separates" and get whatever you want in terms of screen size. Every size is available.

I moved from (long-term) 27" iMac to 40" ultra-wide when I went separates. Now 24" and 27" seem "too small" to me and 16" in MB is "puny." If you need bigger screen space, get a bigger screen. If 24" is plenty for your needs, iMac may be great. But if you embrace separates, you get the benefit of the Goldilocks size for YOU AND you won't have your new screen locked to hardware that will be vintaged/obsoleted long before the screen portion needs to be replaced. iMac is a great value going in but terrible at the end when the whole thing has to get tossed when any one part conks or is faux conked by corp decisions deciding it's time to make you buy another.

 

[brilliantthings]

This would all be a lot easier if there were a competitive market for 27" 5k displays. Apple's is the only good quality one and it costs too much.

 

[brofkand]

If you want a fantastic desktop monitor, get a 42-inch OLED TV, like the LG C3 or C4. Pair it with a Mac Mini Pro or a Mac Studio, Macbook Pro, anything in the Mac lineup that supports 120Hz HDMI 2.1 output. Push the TV/monitor about arms-length away from you, plus six to ten inches. You'll never go back to a sub-30-inch display, never go back to 60hz, and never go back to IPS panels.

And the real benefit for OSX users is Macs render text, the OS, and video beautifully on these OLED screens. So, yes, 24-inch IPS panel utterly sucks compared to a 30+ inch OLED. And, having just done a comparison between the LG 42-inch OLED and an IPS panel, the IPS looks horrendous compared to OLED.

So, there is your answer.

Fully agree. Once you realize a TV is basically just an HDMI monitor, the rest of your life begins.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

There’s a pretty big difference between them. 27” has quite a bit more screen space.

 

[madebybela]

I refuse to get anything larger than 24" personally, currently using the 24" LG UltraFine 4K that Apple sold and I find it to be the perfect middle ground spot of "large" but not a massive heavy blinding monolith on your desk.

if your concern is more screen real estate, I would be thinking about resolution mostly as theres plenty of 27-32"+ monitors being sold at 1080p which is a pretty abysmal experience.

 

[Mcrumors David]

As someone who uses a 27" monitor at work, how noticeable is the reduction to 24"?

If you use a 27" now than the next screen should NOT BE SMALLER.

I have an iMac 27" 5K, the next screen I will look into will be at least 30" and 6k

 

[Fishrrman]

OP asks:
"As someone who uses a 27" monitor at work, how noticeable is the reduction to 24"?"

In all my years here at MacRumors, I've seen very VERY few posts from folks who moved from a larger to a smaller display and liked doing so.

If you like 27", the 24" iMac probably isn't for you.

Get the new Mini that will be announced today or tomorrow.
If you can afford it, get the m4PRO version.

Then look for a 27" display -- or perhaps a 32" -- that interests you.

I predict this will work out better in the long run...

 

[iMarkypad]

As someone who uses a 27" monitor at work, how noticeable is the reduction to 24"?

Unlike iPads or iPhones which to me can be too big (for example I prefer regular Pro sized phones or the 11" iPad), I don't feel the same way about desktop monitors. I think 27" is the bare minimum and anything smaller would be like holding an iPhone 4 today.

I know it is only 3 inches but in terms of overall surface area, that is probably more like a 25% reduction in space. For any iMac owners who had 27" for the past decade, how difficult was the adjustment to 24"?

I think your right. I'm not sure why they didn't make the screen edge to edge

 

[Return Zero]

Not enough people are talking about pixel density and viewing distance in this thread, IMO.

OP, what is the resolution of your 27" and how far away do you sit? I have a couple 27" monitors hooked up to my 16" M3 MBP at work, but they are just some old standard issue dell monitors, only 1080p. So, my MBP sits on a stand between them, but they are placed about a foot behind the MBP screen. This way I actually don't have a massive resolution cliff moving from one screen to another. If these two displays were 5K/218ppi, I would have them much closer, and honestly I would be completely fine with 24" instead of 27".

 

[turbineseaplane]

If you want a fantastic desktop monitor, get a 42-inch OLED TV, like the LG C3 or C4. Pair it with a Mac Mini Pro or a Mac Studio, Macbook Pro, anything in the Mac lineup that supports 120Hz HDMI 2.1 output. Push the TV/monitor about arms-length away from you, plus six to ten inches. You'll never go back to a sub-30-inch display, never go back to 60hz, and never go back to IPS panels.

And the real benefit for OSX users is Macs render text, the OS, and video beautifully on these OLED screens. So, yes, 24-inch IPS panel utterly sucks compared to a 30+ inch OLED. And, having just done a comparison between the LG 42-inch OLED and an IPS panel, the IPS looks horrendous compared to OLED.

So, there is your answer.

Agree!

I've gone all the way to using a 65" OLED 6' away and LOVE IT

My eyes love it too ... I find it far more enjoyable overall to be at a much further focal distance

 

[jmckenzie]

The iMac’s 24” 4.5k has considerably more info in front of you on the screen than a 27” 4k, if one is coming from that vs a 5k iMac (which has 640 more pixels wide). 218 PPI I think, maybe a tad less than the 27” iMac.

Very true. I have a 24" 4K monitor and it feels a little skimpy. But the iMac screen feels much nicer.

 

[msackey]

As someone who uses a 27" monitor at work, how noticeable is the reduction to 24"?

Unlike iPads or iPhones which to me can be too big (for example I prefer regular Pro sized phones or the 11" iPad), I don't feel the same way about desktop monitors. I think 27" is the bare minimum and anything smaller would be like holding an iPhone 4 today.

I know it is only 3 inches but in terms of overall surface area, that is probably more like a 25% reduction in space. For any iMac owners who had 27" for the past decade, how difficult was the adjustment to 24"?

You could add a second monitor if needed. Monitors don't have to be expensive at all for good resolution and large size.

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

As someone mentioned in one of the replies…it’s actually even a bit smaller…at 23.5 inch.

I had a 27 inch 2015 5K iMac and replaced it with the 24 inch M1 iMac when they first came out. I‘m like you in that I love the design of the M series iMacs…but was unsure about the display size. I did adjust to the 24 inch, but really always found it a bit small for the main work I do on the iMac (Photos and videos).

One thing I found was that IQ of the 24 inch 4.5 display was inferior to the 5K iMac display. I noticed it especially in terms of contrast and viewing angle. I found the 24 inch iMac display to be less contrasty…especially when viewed from any angle other than directly head on. The 27 inch 5K display was far superior in my opinion in terms of IQ.

What I ended up doing was selling the M1 iMac. I got a great deal on an M1 Studio Ultra and repurposed my 27 inch 2015 iMac into a display for the M1 Studio. Much happier to have my 27 inch 5k display back.

how do they get the iMac 2015 to work as a screen would like to use mine with the new M4 Mac mini? thanks

 

[torana355]

Just get the new Mac Mini and buy a 27" Monitor of your choice and a Magic Keyboard. Will cost about the same.

 

[Kendo]

Just get the new Mac Mini and buy a 27" Monitor of your choice and a Magic Keyboard. Will cost about the same.

$600 for base model plus $150 for Magic Keyboard plus $80 for Magic Mouse plus $1600 for 27" Studio Display = $2,430.

I realize you don't need to get a Studio Display but we need to compare apples to apples (no pun intended) - high quality 4.5K Retina display cannot be replaced by a cheap $300 4K monitor.

 

[brofkand]

$600 for base model plus $150 for Magic Keyboard plus $80 for Magic Mouse plus $1600 for 27" Studio Display = $2,430.

I realize you don't need to get a Studio Display but we need to compare apples to apples (no pun intended) - high quality 4.5K Retina display cannot be replaced by a cheap $300 4K monitor.

There is nothing exceptional about the display in the iMac, you can get a monitor just as good from Dell for around $300.

 

[torana355]

$600 for base model plus $150 for Magic Keyboard plus $80 for Magic Mouse plus $1600 for 27" Studio Display = $2,430.

I realize you don't need to get a Studio Display but we need to compare apples to apples (no pun intended) - high quality 4.5K Retina display cannot be replaced by a cheap $300 4K monitor.

A studio Display is a good monitor but you can get a very nice 4k monitor for 500-600 dollars. To give an example we just upgraded from 27inch iMacs to Mac Studios with Duel Dell 4k Displays in my company and the Dell Monitors compare quite well. You are paying largely for the Apple name with the Studio Displays.

 

[DSTOFEL]

how do they get the iMac 2015 to work as a screen would like to use mine with the new M4 Mac mini? thanks

Here you go! They’ve got a long thread about how to do it! A lot of very knowledgeable people willing to share their experience and expertise! It was a total success for me! I’m at the point where I’m ready to “seal” it back up. Here’s a link to the thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...s.2253100/page-57?post=33131924#post-33131924

 

[justmadeupname]

I've tried almost that exact same setup at a buddies place and hated it (40" OLED). I just don't like that much screen it front of my face, and generally don't like much screen above eye level where I have to look up. At work, I have dual 24", and at home I have a single 27". I don't like the 27" because there is screen above eye level..

Thinking about buying one of these to replace my 4k 27" monitor. I haven't owned an iMac since the G3 400mhz Bondi Blue DV; loved that machine.

The top of 27" monitors tend to be around 48-49cm in height from the desk. An iMac 24" is around 46cm in comparison, perfect for me if I bought one.

So @WarmWinterHat first check, if you haven't already, the height of your current 27" monitor from the desk to the top of the monitor.

Also, maybe consider a VESA arm for current 27"?

Then you can adjust the screen height to be exactly as needed. I also don't like the screen above my eye level.

Overall, I prefer all in iMac 24" as I don't tend to have more than one large window side by side. However, it's not a flexible solution if your needs change eg suddenly need a monitor for WFH corporate Windows laptop.

 

[imdog]

27" vs 24" (actually 23.5") may not sound like that big of a difference, 27 is 12.5% higher than 24. It's marketing. But the 27" is actually 30% more screen real estate, nearly 1/3 larger!

 

[videojanitor]

I refuse to get anything larger than 24" personally, currently using the 24" LG UltraFine 4K that Apple sold and I find it to be the perfect middle ground spot of "large" but not a massive heavy blinding monolith on your desk.

You and I seem to be in the minority on this point. I've tried 27" monitors and felt overwhelmed, like I'm sitting in the front row at a theater. 24" is about my limit, and even that feels a little bit too big. I'm still using a 21.5" iMac and feel quite comfortable with this size.

I'd love to step up to the new Mac mini along with a 24" 4K monitor, but I have yet to find one that can match the quality of the iMac display. I tested an LG 24UD58 earlier this year and although the resolution was fine, it had terrible backlighting bleed issues that are common with cheap panels.

 

[wilberforce]

Depends what you do. If you do video/photo/graphics editing (e.g., Photoshop) even 5K 27" is constraining, as much of the screen is consumed by palettes and panels, and one is constantly zooming in and out.
If you just work on text documents or browse the web, much of the screen is unused.

 

[Lift Bar]

There is nothing exceptional about the display in the iMac, you can get a monitor just as good from Dell for around $300.

I know it doesn’t matter that someone is wrong on the internet and I have to learn to stop caring, but this is false and you’re wrong. Unfortunately you can’t understand that it’s false and never will. But I figured what the heck might as well say something for some reason I can’t quite articulate.

 

[JoeG4]

I have one of those 57" samsung monitors on my main computer, but my brothers have 24" iMacs and honestly when you sit with one of those for a while, I think you get used to it.

Up until 2015 I was using a 23" monitor, and it worked fine for me. Most people use laptops as their main computer anyway, so I think a 24" is still a standard/roomy size by most people's standards.

Edit: Also my computer hooked up to the 57" is off right now and I'm typing this on my mac pro connected to a 24" monitor lol.