Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

beerglass007

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 13, 2008
564
106
So I might get a new M4 device next week if released

Currently have a M1 iMac but fancy a 27” screen and the possible redesign looks nice for the Mac mini

What monitor options are like the iMac on screen res ?

4k IPs or oled ? 60hz or more ? Display port 2.1 or HDMI 2.1 ? USB C ?

Needs to be a uk purchase , shop please

Is there any major issues as the iMac does just work to be fair
 

HobeSoundDarryl

macrumors G5
iMac 27" was a 5K monitor- an oddball resolution vs. a commodity resolution like 4K (or what will eventually be a commodity res at 8K). So choices are slim:
I believe there are a few others that are also 5K, including some that "stretch" screen sizes a bit taller or into the ultra-wide space. The "oddball" res yields less competition... which generally means relatively higher prices. 4K monitors can be had for much less but Mac at about 27" really "wants" 5K (and/or Apple really wants that price premium by not making macOS scale to any size and nice as Windows does it). macOS does work at any resolution but there are underlying reasons for 5K (or higher) over 4K at 27" or larger.

Apple fans will passionately argue for only the Apple one and thoroughly put down the rest... even though the LG used to be perfectly fine pre-ASD, when Apple pushed it in their own stores. Once Apple steps in with one, all others became "wobbly" and "plastic-y", etc... basically inferior in every possible way. :rolleyes:

However, the others are popular and generally pretty well rated if you seek objective opinions. Many Apple people have the LG because they bought it from an Apple Store when that was THE monitor, seemingly endorsed by Apple.

As a long-term iMac 27" user myself, when I went separates I chose the Dell 40" 5K2K ultra-wide. To my perfectly-fine eyes, it looks just as good as the old iMac 27" but provides much more screen R.E. AND includes a loaded hub with both "the future" and "the present" (use) ports along with multiple inputs instead of just one so that it can also accommodate other things connected to it without swapping cables. For example, Silicon kills Boot Camp and ARM Windows is not full Windows. So I went "old fashioned" bootcamp by also buying a Mac Mini-like PC and it is connected to it too. This monitor costs about the same as ASD so it's basically a lot more work space + loaded hub for the same money.

If you have the WIDTH of space available, I very much enjoy the ultra-wide option and could never go back to any of the above 3 nearly square-shaped monitors, even if I found one for $1. On a height basis, even though the number is much greater than 27," the height is adjustable and can sit LOWER then the old iMac 27... or even your 24". Much of the surplus of 40" vs. 27" is actually in screen WIDTH.

Again, fans will argue for the one and only but if you also check ratings/reviews on non-fan sites, you'll likely get much more objectivity. Whatever you choose, be sure to seek out such reviews and- if possible- take a Mac into a shop where it is sold and connect them so you can see how Mac will look on that screen.

And if you are happy with the iMac, I suggest "love the one you're with" vs. replacing before you need something new. That iMac should have a few good years left in it. Consider the M6 or M7 replacements in about 2027-28.
 
Last edited:

M4pro

macrumors member
May 15, 2024
54
90
What monitor options are like the iMac on screen res ?

Funny you should ask…

 
Last edited:

Phish311

macrumors regular
Oct 29, 2007
147
7
Can the Mac mini power the apple studio display or does the display need to be plugged into a power source separately?
 

ufgatorvet

macrumors 6502
Oct 1, 2010
302
374
Savannah, GA
iMac 27" was a 5K monitor- an oddball resolution vs. a commodity resolution like 4K (or what will eventually be a commodity res at 8K). So choices are slim:
I believe there are a few others that are also 5K, including some that "stretch" screen sizes a bit taller or into the ultra-wide space. The "oddball" res yields less competition... which generally means relatively higher prices. 4K monitors can be had for much less but Mac at about 27" really "wants" 5K (and/or Apple really wants that price premium by not making macOS scale to any size and nice as Windows does it). macOS does work at any resolution but there are underlying reasons for 5K (or higher) over 4K at 27" or larger.

Apple fans will passionately argue for only the Apple one and thoroughly put down the rest... even though the LG used to be perfectly fine pre-ASD, when Apple pushed it in their own stores. Once Apple steps in with one, all others became "wobbly" and "plastic-y", etc... basically inferior in every possible way. :rolleyes:

However, the others are popular and generally pretty well rated if you seek objective opinions. Many Apple people have the LG because they bought it from an Apple Store when that was THE monitor, seemingly endorsed by Apple.

As a long-term iMac 27" user myself, when I went separates I chose the Dell 40" 5K2K ultra-wide. To my perfectly-fine eyes, it looks just as good as the old iMac 27" but provides much more screen R.E. AND includes a loaded hub with both "the future" and "the present" (use) ports along with multiple inputs instead of just one so that it can also accommodate other things connected to it without swapping cables. For example, Silicon kills Boot Camp and ARM Windows is not full Windows. So I went "old fashioned" bootcamp by also buying a Mac Mini-like PC and it is connected to it too. This monitor costs about the same as ASD so it's basically a lot more work space + loaded hub for the same money.

If you have the WIDTH of space available, I very much enjoy the ultra-wide option and could never go back to any of the above 3 nearly square-shaped monitors, even if I found one for $1. On a height basis, even though the number is much greater than 27," the height is adjustable and can sit LOWER then the old iMac 27... or even your 24". Much of the surplus of 40" vs. 27" is actually in screen WIDTH.

Again, fans will argue for the one and only but if you also check ratings/reviews on non-fan sites, you'll likely get much more objectivity. Whatever you choose, be sure to seek out such reviews and- if possible- take a Mac into a shop where it is sold and connect them so you can see how Mac will look on that screen.

And if you are happy with the iMac, I suggest "love the one you're with" vs. replacing before you need something new. That iMac should have a few good years left in it. Consider the M6 or M7 replacements in about 2027-28.
Thank you for the thoughtful and helpful reply.

I am leaning towards the ASD with the M4 Pro, but am hoping that an update to the monitor isn't around the corner ...

Thanks again
 

EugW

macrumors G5
Jun 18, 2017
14,649
12,571
Asus has a 27" ProArt 5K monitor out now, for US$799.



There's also supposedly a 32" ProArt 6K monitor coming.

All I can say is the Asus ProArt 4K monitor I got had bad backlight bleed, so I returned it. However, it was an open box.
 

HobeSoundDarryl

macrumors G5
Thank you for the thoughtful and helpful reply.

I am leaning towards the ASD with the M4 Pro, but am hoping that an update to the monitor isn't around the corner ...

Thanks again

Since that thing is built upon iDevice tech guts, I'd be concerned that a refresh is impending. I'd see what else is using the same core A-series chip and if the answer is not much, I suspect Apple will move on from it vs. keep making it for only ASD... and/or ASD and a few other things that barely sell.
 
Last edited:

wmy5

macrumors 6502
Oct 27, 2012
367
96
upstate NY
If you are somewhat serious about color, I would recommend EIZO CS2740. It is 4K, but I find it works perfectly fine using the setting of "looks like 2560x1440".
 

JmanInSF

macrumors member
May 11, 2010
36
1
I just ordered 3 of these from Amazon based on suggestions from folks in a Mac Studio FB group.

Dell S2722QC Monitor​

 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.