Background
The last TV I bought was a "box" TV I bought over a decade ago. I have always wanted a wide screen TV and, now that I watch Netflix, movies, and TV shows on my computer and flat screen TVs are becoming cheaper and more computer-compatible, it seems like a good time to buy one.
Also, I love the minimalist design of Apple, so replacing my iMac with a Mini (which I can hide under the desk) will further reduce clutter and add to the minimalist aspect of the place. I know I could buy the parts and put together a similar PC for cheaper, but I want the convenience and ease of use of OS X.
I currently use my iMac for writing, web surfing, and watching movies/Netflix/TV shows (via streaming - I don't have a physical TV cable connection).
So, I am considering trading in my iMac (but keeping the keyboard and trackpad) for a Mac mini and getting a separate TV/monitor at least 42.5 inches in size. The table I have is 29.5 inches deep and 53 inches wide (and I just bought it, so I don't want to get a new one!).
As I'm not up on the TV-as-monitor facts/jargon and have never used a Mac mini before, I am posting here in the hopes of getting feedback and suggestions from TV-as-monitor experts, anyone who has used a Mini, and...pretty much everyone else, I guess.
Cost
Like many other folks who are paid bi-weekly, we will get three paychecks this month. I will use one for rent, the other for bills, and the third for this (combined with credit cards, and the rebate below.
I will buy the Mac Mini 3.2GHz 6‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz) and Belkin Ultra High Speed 4K HDMI Cable (2m) for a total of $1,673.95 CAD.
I will trade in iMac (Apple iMac 27" 2013 Core i5 3.4GHz 1TB Fusion). According to Apple's Trade-In page, I can get $585.00 CAD for it. Now I'm only out of pocket 1088.95, but I still need a monitor. I am considering the below (again, I am looking for a screen bigger than my current 27, so the new iMacs are not an option). I am looking for a stylish, Mac-like design if possible, though.
TV/Monitors I am Considering
TV/Monitor - 43-Inch| Price
LG 43UK6500AUA 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart LED TV (Renewed) $449.00
Samsung UN43NU7100FXZC 43" 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Television (2018), Charcoal Black $498.00
Samsung UN43NU7100 Flat 43-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Smart LED TV (2018 Model) $499.99
LG 43UJ6500 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart LED Television with webOS 3.5 (2017) $563.88
ViewSonic CDE4302 43" 1080p Commercial LED Display with USB Media Player, HDMI $643.42
LG 43UD79-B 42.5" Screen LED-lit Monitor $669.99
ViewSonic VX4380-4K 43 Inch Frameless Widescreen IPS 4K Monitor with HDMI USB and DisplayPort $831.31
Samsung Electronics HG43NJ670UFXZA HJ690U 43" Screen LED-Lit Monitor $834.99
Samsung 43-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor Black (PM43H/US) $1,017.08
TV/Monitor - 48-Inch | Price
AVera by CEC 48AER20 48" Full HD 1080p LED TV $356.64
TV/Monitor - 50-Inch | Price
TCL 50S425-CA 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Television (2019), 50" $399.99
LG 50UK6500 50-Inch 4K UHD HDR LED webOS Smart TV (Renewed) $599.00
TV/Monitor - 55-Inch | Price
Samsung 55NU8000 Flat 55" 4K UHD 8 Series Smart LED TV (2018) $999.99
Samsung QN55Q8F Flat 55” QLED 4K UHD 8 Series Smart TV 2018$1,599.99
Questions
As these are big purchases and a big switch, your expert opinions / feedback would be very welcome.
* Are these all Mac mini-compatible?
* Which one of the above would you recommend and why? (If not found on the list above, please feel free to add your own suggestion!)
* Do I need to buy the Belkin Ultra High Speed 4K HDMI Cable (2m) from Apple or do modern TVs come with the equivalent cable?
* Oddly, the 48 and 50-inch models in the list are cheaper than the cheapest 43-inch I've found - is there something I'm missing/any reason I shouldn't consider those?
* Will input lag be an issue? Again, I don't play any games (well, *very rarely* I dig out an old first-person shooter like Unreal Tournament or Quake 3), but I do a lot of writing, so even a few milliseconds would probably be annoying.
* Will burn-in be an issue on any of these?
* I understand I need chroma 4:4:4 at 60hz refresh rate - do all of these monitors have that?
* For reference, here is my current setup (apologies for the darkness - I am not exactly a skilled photographer, as you can see). I am thinking of angling the monitor towards the couch when guests come over. Do you have any suggestions about this?
* Any other suggestions/comments/feedback? Apologies for the lengthy post & number of questions but, again, this is a large expense and I want to get as much info & feedback before making this kind of purchase.
Thank you in advance!
The last TV I bought was a "box" TV I bought over a decade ago. I have always wanted a wide screen TV and, now that I watch Netflix, movies, and TV shows on my computer and flat screen TVs are becoming cheaper and more computer-compatible, it seems like a good time to buy one.
Also, I love the minimalist design of Apple, so replacing my iMac with a Mini (which I can hide under the desk) will further reduce clutter and add to the minimalist aspect of the place. I know I could buy the parts and put together a similar PC for cheaper, but I want the convenience and ease of use of OS X.
I currently use my iMac for writing, web surfing, and watching movies/Netflix/TV shows (via streaming - I don't have a physical TV cable connection).
So, I am considering trading in my iMac (but keeping the keyboard and trackpad) for a Mac mini and getting a separate TV/monitor at least 42.5 inches in size. The table I have is 29.5 inches deep and 53 inches wide (and I just bought it, so I don't want to get a new one!).
As I'm not up on the TV-as-monitor facts/jargon and have never used a Mac mini before, I am posting here in the hopes of getting feedback and suggestions from TV-as-monitor experts, anyone who has used a Mini, and...pretty much everyone else, I guess.
Cost
Like many other folks who are paid bi-weekly, we will get three paychecks this month. I will use one for rent, the other for bills, and the third for this (combined with credit cards, and the rebate below.
I will buy the Mac Mini 3.2GHz 6‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz) and Belkin Ultra High Speed 4K HDMI Cable (2m) for a total of $1,673.95 CAD.
I will trade in iMac (Apple iMac 27" 2013 Core i5 3.4GHz 1TB Fusion). According to Apple's Trade-In page, I can get $585.00 CAD for it. Now I'm only out of pocket 1088.95, but I still need a monitor. I am considering the below (again, I am looking for a screen bigger than my current 27, so the new iMacs are not an option). I am looking for a stylish, Mac-like design if possible, though.
TV/Monitors I am Considering
TV/Monitor - 43-Inch| Price
LG 43UK6500AUA 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart LED TV (Renewed) $449.00
Samsung UN43NU7100FXZC 43" 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Television (2018), Charcoal Black $498.00
Samsung UN43NU7100 Flat 43-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Smart LED TV (2018 Model) $499.99
LG 43UJ6500 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart LED Television with webOS 3.5 (2017) $563.88
ViewSonic CDE4302 43" 1080p Commercial LED Display with USB Media Player, HDMI $643.42
LG 43UD79-B 42.5" Screen LED-lit Monitor $669.99
ViewSonic VX4380-4K 43 Inch Frameless Widescreen IPS 4K Monitor with HDMI USB and DisplayPort $831.31
Samsung Electronics HG43NJ670UFXZA HJ690U 43" Screen LED-Lit Monitor $834.99
Samsung 43-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor Black (PM43H/US) $1,017.08
TV/Monitor - 48-Inch | Price
AVera by CEC 48AER20 48" Full HD 1080p LED TV $356.64
TV/Monitor - 50-Inch | Price
TCL 50S425-CA 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Television (2019), 50" $399.99
LG 50UK6500 50-Inch 4K UHD HDR LED webOS Smart TV (Renewed) $599.00
TV/Monitor - 55-Inch | Price
Samsung 55NU8000 Flat 55" 4K UHD 8 Series Smart LED TV (2018) $999.99
Samsung QN55Q8F Flat 55” QLED 4K UHD 8 Series Smart TV 2018$1,599.99
Questions
As these are big purchases and a big switch, your expert opinions / feedback would be very welcome.
* Are these all Mac mini-compatible?
* Which one of the above would you recommend and why? (If not found on the list above, please feel free to add your own suggestion!)
* Do I need to buy the Belkin Ultra High Speed 4K HDMI Cable (2m) from Apple or do modern TVs come with the equivalent cable?
* Oddly, the 48 and 50-inch models in the list are cheaper than the cheapest 43-inch I've found - is there something I'm missing/any reason I shouldn't consider those?
* Will input lag be an issue? Again, I don't play any games (well, *very rarely* I dig out an old first-person shooter like Unreal Tournament or Quake 3), but I do a lot of writing, so even a few milliseconds would probably be annoying.
* Will burn-in be an issue on any of these?
* I understand I need chroma 4:4:4 at 60hz refresh rate - do all of these monitors have that?
* For reference, here is my current setup (apologies for the darkness - I am not exactly a skilled photographer, as you can see). I am thinking of angling the monitor towards the couch when guests come over. Do you have any suggestions about this?
* Any other suggestions/comments/feedback? Apologies for the lengthy post & number of questions but, again, this is a large expense and I want to get as much info & feedback before making this kind of purchase.
Thank you in advance!