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coolerkid

macrumors 6502
Feb 26, 2015
281
311
Upgrading from 2014 iMac 27" to Studio + LG 32UN650-W. Took this opportunity to also increase the screen size from the current 27" to 32" - my desk will not take anything bigger as I currently also have my work laptap + 24" monitor side-by-side. Will channel the money saved from the display to increasing the SSD storage.
How is the quality of that display vs the iMac? Looking for alternatives to the Apple display and was looking at that one.
 

schlotz

macrumors member
Dec 11, 2012
71
37
Here's another option for those who already have a MBP M1 Max & a iMac 27". Use the iMac strictly as a monitor with the MBP in clamshell mode by using a Luna Display USB-C. I'm currently doing this with my late 2015 iMac with a keyboard and trackpad paired to the MBP and get full screen on the iMac running at 2560 x 1440 with the MBP which IMO is the sweet spot for editing. LR Classing runs like a champ! The Luna is $150. A similar configured Studio (non-Ultra) with Monitor would have tipped the scales at just over $5,000 and just was too much for me. This setup basically has yielded for me an iMac 27" M1 Max for the cost of $150. 😁
 

jiminoz

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 21, 2008
44
24
I'm using a ProArt 27 4K by ASUS with a MB Pro 14. Got it new on Amazon.
I use it on the 144p scaling
On the 1440p scaling is the text extremely sharp and what looks like the right size for easy reading? Can you compare this monitor with an iMac screen?
 

coolerkid

macrumors 6502
Feb 26, 2015
281
311
Here's another option for those who already have a MBP M1 Max & a iMac 27". Use the iMac strictly as a monitor with the MBP in clamshell mode by using a Luna Display USB-C. I'm currently doing this with my late 2015 iMac with a keyboard and trackpad paired to the MBP and get full screen on the iMac running at 2560 x 1440 with the MBP which IMO is the sweet spot for editing. LR Classing runs like a champ! The Luna is $150. A similar configured Studio (non-Ultra) with Monitor would have tipped the scales at just over $5,000 and just was too much for me. This setup basically has yielded for me an iMac 27" M1 Max for the cost of $150. 😁
I was thinking about trying that. Doesn't seem like the new display is any better than my iMac, and my iMac would probably only sell for $300-500 so if I could use that as a display I'd do that. Is the performance of Luna as good as if it were connected with a wire? Does it work in 5k?
 
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coolerkid

macrumors 6502
Feb 26, 2015
281
311
Text is sharp, maybe a little bit less than the 5K Retina display but most definitely not noticeable from seating distance. But what impress me the most about the LG is color accuracy. Colors are natural and balanced. Color uniformity is GREAT. My 5K Retina display has red tinting on one side of the screen and blue on the other side since day one. The 32UN880-B does not.

View attachment 1973826

View attachment 1973827

View attachment 1973828
Do you run this at the same scale as the 27", or is everything magnified? How do you like having a 32 vs the 27? I looked at them at the store and can't decide if I preferred the larger size or not. Overall are you more happy with the LG that the iMac display? The one thing I really prefer about the iMac is the glass screen, vs the antiglare, plastic one on the LG.
 

enricoclaudio

macrumors 6502a
Jun 5, 2017
869
1,344
Do you run this at the same scale as the 27", or is everything magnified? How do you like having a 32 vs the 27? I looked at them at the store and can't decide if I preferred the larger size or not. Overall are you more happy with the LG that the iMac display? The one thing I really prefer about the iMac is the glass screen, vs the antiglare, plastic one on the LG.

Yes, I run the LG at the same scale of the iMac so if I drag screens between them, I don’t need to resize. The LG 32UN880-B is so good that I got a second one delivered today. I’ll be running one horizontally and the other vertically with the Mac Studio. Personally, I do prefer anti glare screens as they are easier to my eyes. I mostly work from home, about 10 hours a day in front my screens.
 

Spanky Deluxe

macrumors demi-god
Mar 17, 2005
5,285
1,789
London, UK
I just got this. Has anyone else had it? And what do you think? I'm leaning toward keeping but I'm not sure...

We have three of these in our office and, for the money, I don't think you can get any better right now. Once you start wanting something better, you're looking at spending at least 2-3 times as much. They're a steal imo.
 

dizmonk

macrumors 65816
Nov 26, 2010
1,080
678
We have three of these in our office and, for the money, I don't think you can get any better right now. Once you start wanting something better, you're looking at spending at least 2-3 times as much. They're a steal imo.
Do you see any flickering problems? Too much glare??? Thanks
 

page3

macrumors 6502a
Feb 10, 2003
850
845
Outside the EU
Yes, I run the LG at the same scale of the iMac so if I drag screens between them, I don’t need to resize. The LG 32UN880-B is so good that I got a second one delivered today. I’ll be running one horizontally and the other vertically with the Mac Studio. Personally, I do prefer anti glare screens as they are easier to my eyes. I mostly work from home, about 10 hours a day in front my screens.
Also loving the 32UN880-B although waiting for the Studio to make the most of it (current iMac will only drive it at 1080p, although pinched my son’s MacBook Air to test 4K). Thinking of getting a second and running both in portrait to make one giant screen.
 

Spanky Deluxe

macrumors demi-god
Mar 17, 2005
5,285
1,789
London, UK
Do you see any flickering problems? Too much glare??? Thanks
No, they look fine. I’ve never noticed flickering (not sure why you would) and I’ve not noticed glare although that’d depend on ambient light sources. They lack HDR and 120+Hz but then so does the Studio Display, which costs five times as much. If you’ve not had either of three features before then you won’t know what you’re missing anyway!
 
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chikorita157

macrumors 6502
Mar 8, 2019
284
442
Germantown, MD
I'm planning to use two Dell Ultrasharp U2415, which is my home office setup, which the Mac Studio will replace my existing M1 Mac mini. My bedroom setup, which has 27 inch 2K monitors connected to a Thunderbolt dock for my M1 Pro Macbook Pro 16".

I hope that the Mac Studio won't have the signal dropping out with the HDMI port like with the M1 Mac mini since I can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter instead with one going through the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock. I had issues with the M1 Mac mini dropping signal in the HDMI port, which makes it seem that the M1 Macs being picky with the HDMI port. I will eventually upgrade my monitors.
 

wolf_rine

macrumors newbie
Mar 9, 2022
21
13
How is the quality of that display vs the iMac? Looking for alternatives to the Apple display and was looking at that one.
I’m happy with it for my simple home usage. Sharing a pic comparing 27” iMac vs LG on the right.

B193B0B6-3A3C-4E63-9D4D-49C0727549B1.jpeg
 

BotchQue

macrumors 6502a
Dec 22, 2019
572
777
Petapixel just did an article on alternatives to the Studio Display, here:
https://petapixel.com/best-alternatives-apple-studio-display/
I got kind've excited about the last one, until I saw it was twice the cost of the Studio Display.

I have the Studio Display on order with a mid-May delivery, so I do have time to cancel my order for something else. I don't mind the Apple-tax so much, but the realization that it's essentially the same screen as in my 8-yr-old 27" iMac, is kind've disappointing.
 
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sockdoggy

macrumors regular
Jan 21, 2002
240
165
Brooklyn
First, you shouldn't feel like anyone is trying to convince you to spend $1,500 on a monitor just because Apple released one in concert with the Studio. While that display is super cool, it's way overkill for your needs.

I highly recommend the Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Monitor - U2720Q (there's also a newer U2723QE that offers even better connectivity, but that may be wasted depending on your setup).

Just my experience here on the forums, but it's easy to get the impression from well meaning folks that you need to spend thousands of dollars on a display for typical photo & video work. That's simply not the case, and actually not very typical even amongst professionals. Typically the users that need those kind of displays do not bat an eyelash at spending that kind of money because the hardware pays for itself many times over.
I’ve had these for about 2 years and very pleased - they can also be rotated:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-at-select-apple-stores.2338490/post-30948744
 

haruhiko

macrumors 604
Sep 29, 2009
6,684
6,230
The more I look at the computer display market, the more I realise that the 27“ 5K iMac is an incredible value. OLED TV is getting cheaper but computer display? Anything better than a basic IPS panel without local dimming zone is super expensive. For the price of a Mini LED or OLED display at 27” or 32” size, we can get two full 48 inch LG C1 OLED TV (4K 120Hz, HDMI 2.1 etc), and come back with hundreds of USD of changes 😂
 
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Pressure

macrumors 603
May 30, 2006
5,166
1,531
Denmark
The more I look at the computer display market, the more I realise that the 27“ 5K iMac is an incredible value. OLED TV is getting cheaper but computer display? Anything better than a basic IPS panel without local dimming zone is super expensive. For the price of an Mini LED or OLED display at 27” or 32” size, we can get two full 48 inch LG C1 OLED TV (4K 120Hz, HDMI 2.1 etc), and come back with hundreds of USD of changes 😂
You can get a 34" 3440x1400@175Hz QD-OLED from Dell for $1299. It supports HDR1000 and GSYNC Ultimate.
 

haruhiko

macrumors 604
Sep 29, 2009
6,684
6,230
You can get a 34" 3440x1400@175Hz QD-OLED from Dell for $1299. It supports HDR1000 and GSYNC Ultimate.
That’s cool. But that’s not even at 4K and the pixel per inch is 110 only. 4K 27-inch @ 163PPI is still acceptable for a computer monitor.
 

Gadger Snr

macrumors regular
Jun 22, 2011
148
69
Currently using two LG 27 inch UltraFine 5K IPS displays, but have ordered two Studio 27-inch displays. Have had no problems with the LG 27 inch displays, being really happy with them. So my new studio set up I might use the two Apple 27 inch displays on the bottom and then have the two LG 27 inch displays both side by side on top of the Apple displays using the VESA stands needed for the extra height.

If not happy with that set-up, the two LG 27 inch displays can go to my office.

Then I might consider a 32 Pro Display XDR in the middle of the two Apple 27inch displays, but going to wait first to see if the 32 Apple XDR is improved later in the year. I use to have three 27inch displays, two thunderbolt displays with a 2011 iMac in the middle and it was great. Lasted me from 2011 to 2020.

So costly for the monitors at the time but if kept, then the price looks reasonable

Just seen the comment on haruhiko post above and he's correct with the comment below. As long as you are not getting into debt

Life is short. Always enjoy what you want.

 
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haruhiko

macrumors 604
Sep 29, 2009
6,684
6,230
Currently using two LG 27 inch UltraFine 5K IPS displays, but have ordered two Studio 27-inch displays. Have had no problems with the LG 27 inch displays, being really happy with them. So my new studio set up I might use the two Apple 27 inch displays on the bottom and then have the two LG 27 inch displays both side by side on top of the Apple displays using the VESA stands needed for the extra height.

If not happy with that set-up, the two LG 27 inch displays can go to my office.

Then I might consider a 32 Pro Display XDR in the middle of the two Apple 27inch displays, but going to wait first to see if the 32 Apple XDR is improved later in the year. I use to have three 27inch displays, two thunderbolt displays with a 2011 iMac in the middle and it was great. Lasted me from 2011 to 2020.

So costly for the monitors at the time but if kept, then the price looks reasonable

Just seen the comment on haruhiko post above and he's correct with the comment below. As long as you are not getting into debt

Life is short. Always enjoy what you want.

Yes, enjoy what you want! 👍
 
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QuickstartBridg

macrumors member
Jan 8, 2014
58
2
Tucson, AZ
For those that want to extend the life of their Apple Thunderbolt Display, Apple Support describes an Apple dongle to interface the ATD with the Mac Studio - see below:

"In addition, it can be used to connect Thunderbolt-enabled displays — such as the Apple Thunderbolt Display and LG Thunderbolt 2 displays — to any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) / USB 4 ports on your Mac. However, using this adapter with an Apple Thunderbolt Display requires a power source, because the display does not provide power through the adapter.

Note: This adapter does not support DisplayPort displays like the Apple LED Cinema Display or third-party DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort displays. For more information, visit the Apple Support page for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter.

What’s in the Box​

Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter"
 
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