Regretting my Mac Studio

[dizmonk]

Okay I sold my 2020 Imac to get the Studio because I really wanted Apple Silicon in a desktop... I'm not digging this new setup.. I really miss the screen and all-in-one design of the Imac and I don't want to downsize to the 24"...

Is it just me or is anyone else experiencing this?

 

[usagora]

There are some 27" iMacs in the Apple refurbished store currently if you want to sell (or return if not too late) your Studio and buy another 27" iMac at a good price:

Refurbished Mac - iMac

Save up to 15% on a refurbished iMac. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

Obviously there's no other way to get the all in one part back other than doing that, but of course you can have the same excellent display by buying Apple's Studio Display, but of course that's more $$$$

 

[Feek]

Okay I sold my 2020 Imac to get the Studio because I really wanted Apple Silicon in a desktop... I'm not digging this new setup.. I really miss the screen and all-in-one design of the Imac and I don't want to downsize to the 24"...

Is it just me or is anyone else experiencing this?

Not me, I've got two fantastic 27" displays with a powerhouse driving them which is mounted under the desk so I can't even see it. My desk looks pretty much exactly as it did before when I had a 27" iMac with one external monitor.

 

[sn1p3r845]

It sounds to me like you didn't invest in a proper display.

 

[dizmonk]

It sounds to me like you didn't invest in a proper display.

Yea that's part of it... I grabbed a Dell 4k 32" curved... It's profoundly mediocre... I didn't realize the dearth of 5k monitor options... and I didn't envision how much of a downgrade it was.

 

[dizmonk]

There are some 27" iMacs in the Apple refurbished store currently if you want to sell (or return if not too late) your Studio and buy another 27" iMac at a good price:

Refurbished Mac - iMac

Save up to 15% on a refurbished iMac. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

Obviously there's no other way to get the all in one part back other than doing that, but of course you can have the same excellent display by buying Apple's Studio Display, but of course that's more $$$$

If the dam Studio Display was under $1000 I might have bought it... and if it was 32" even at the $1500 I would get it but for a 27" monitor it is way overpriced even in the Refurb store... Sucks...

 

[usagora]

If the dam Studio Display was under $1000 I might have bought it... and if it was 32" even at the $1500 I would get it but for a 27" monitor it is way overpriced even in the Refurb store... Sucks...

They price it that way because that's what enough people are willing to pay, apparently. If I were you, I'd simply buy a refurbished Intel 27" iMac if the all-in-one is the primary concern. If the primary concern is the display and/or having Apple silicon is non-negotiable, then just save up for the Studio Display or look for a used one. I'm not sure what other choices you have until/if Apple releases a new larger iMac.

 

[haralds]

Quality design and materials cost money.

 

[dizmonk]

Quality design and materials cost money.

Yea... I had iMacs for over a decade... I kinda forgot how nice (and functional) the aluminum all-in-one was until I had to buy a new monitor for the Studio. Even though I did do some research before... when I finally got the plasticky Dell... I was reminded of what I missed...

I'm really hoping that 2023 brings some kind of all-in-one design that's bigger than 24" and doesn't have this childish color scheme again... If that happens (and it's not a $5000 Mac Pro), I might sell the Studio and go back.

 

[Mcdevidr]

Um one can just pay the low low price for the studio display to get 27 inches back. Duh.

 

[tstafford]

OP: My wife is in a similar situ. She has a 2015 27" iMac and loves it. She would keep it forever but I'm not good with her using it once it is no longer getting security updates (~2 years from now).

IMO - The ASD is a fantastic monitor. Folks on MR often crap on it because of cost. But IMHO you get what you pay for. I've tried 4K w/ Mac and it sucks to my eye. ASD is gorgeous and there is never, ever a time a fire up my machine and think I wish I hadn't bought them (three in my case). The Studio is the best Mac I've ever owned and I bought it for the support of multiple external displays. YOLO and much of it in front of my machine.

 

[Mcdevidr]

Yea. It is a great display but so is the 24inch iMac and it’s cheaper for some models. Problem as I see it with studio display is same as Microsoft studio 2+ no 120hz. Or hell even 90 would be good. Once that drops I’ll pay for one. And yea most 4k monitors suck to be honest. The Lg ultrafine though is quite nice and what I use with my macs and windows.

 

[hoo-man-b-ing]

It seems like you may have underestimated how important having a quality display matters (and how few of them actually exist). That’s understandable — you’d think there’d be better options in the marketplace by now.

Offhand, I see the following optionsL
1. If you’re still in your return window, return the Studio and get an iMac or iMac Pro that suits your needs. It won’t be Apple Silicon, but that may matter less since it’s constantly plugged in and the performance of higher end iMacs is still quite good. Plus, I imagine they’re heavily discounted.
2. Get a Studio Display and don’t look back. Yes, it’s pricey, and yes it’s glorious. I’ve had monitors for 10+ years and even if I only have this for 5 years, it still works out to about 1 US dollar a day (and that’s with the fancy stand). Skip a cup of coffee/tea out every few days and you’ve covered the cost of it.
3. Use what you have and sell/trade in if they ever release a larger iMac that‘s within your price range. Personally, I’m doubtful this is happening anytime soon due to supply chain constrains and economic outlook, both of which make introducing a new premium desktop a risky and costly proposition (especially when they haven’t done the Mac Pro yet).

However, I think they will eventually (2+ years out) release a large iMac and I‘d bet good money it support Target Display Mode. In fact, the Studio Display already does — it ships with an OS (iOS) powered by an Apple Silicon chip (A13 Bionic) and supports another device using it as a display via Thunderbolt. That’s pretty much the definition of Target Display Mode and I’m somewhat surprised (and grateful) that there haven’t been a deluge of clickbaity headlines touting its return.

Should they ever release a large iMac with those capabilities, you might choose to buy the cheapest one possible and just hook your existing Studio up to it. Personally, I opted for scenario 2. I know there are folks who point out that it doesn’t have X or Y, but it’s a surprisingly nice and high quality display and easily the best I’ve ever used. It’s connected to my 16” 2021 MacBook Pro and while that ticks off a lot of the pixel peeper boxes, I prefer my Studio Display for everything from coding to watching movies and playing games.