Can someone explain the pricing of this display to me?
As others have already replied with good technical comparisons, I won't repeat that but will just share my story. I've had 27-inch iMacs at home & work for nearly a decade as my primary computers in each location — 2012 and 2013 models, respectively, both of which are pre-Retina models. I also have third-party 27-inch external monitors. This size screen works exceptionally well for me. I have been determined that when it came time to replace both iMacs, I wanted the same size screens but in Retina quality. 4K monitors (the Retina equivalent of old 1920 x 1080 HD displays) just don't have enough pixels for my needs; I really need 5K.
For my office, I recently replaced the old iMac with a MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021 — with the top-of-line M1 Max) plus an LG UltraFine 5K Display (the 27-inch model, which of course is Retina quality) and an OWC Thunderbolt Dock (the newest Thunderbolt 4 model). I already have older external speakers & a subwoofer, plus additional external monitors, all of which I've connected via the dock to the new MacBook Pro. The LG 5K display is my "main" monitor.
To have roughly the equivalent at home — a 27-inch 5K Retina monitor and a Thunderbolt (3 or 4) dock equivalent, I could have bought another LG UltraFine 5K Display and another OWC Thunderbolt Dock … but those items together cost nearly as much as the new Apple Studio Display, which has higher quality speakers & a higher quality webcam and eliminates my need for a separate dock (your mileage may vary). I also like having the ability to buy AppleCare+ warranty coverage for $50/year that will likely protect my investment for many years into the future at reasonable cost (and well beyond LG's warranty).
Yes, the new Apple display is pricey … but in my case, it actually feels like an acceptable (and perhaps even good) value. I just ordered one (with the default stand and the standard glass). For the short term, I will bring home my new MacBook Pro from the office to connect to it when working at home. Perhaps in another six months or a year, I anticipate ordering a new Mac Studio (or perhaps a Mac mini with an M1 Pro processor, if Apple releases such a version in the future) to permanently connect to it at home.
Does anyone know whether the SD will work with windows laptops?. I have to use a HP Elitebook for work at home but really want to replace my current monitor which I currently use with both my Mac mini and work computer.
I saw a YouTube clip a few days ago testing out the XDR with different windows laptops and some were compatible while others weren’t. I wouldn’t want to buy the SD and then it doesn’t work with my work laptop.
Boy I would like this monitor but I'm torn, I need VESA mount right now but I think that should be an option to purchase/addon like on the old iMacs, in the future I may need a normal stand but as usual new Apple makes you make a choice that has no future option for you, get a stand no VESA, get VESA, never get a stand.
I too have dual needs for this monitor, one of which requires VESA. The solution is get the VESA one (and never get a stand) and there are a bazillion VESA monitor stand options for just sitting it on a desk, while of course having all the other VESA options also.
I bought an expensive extended reach heavy duty arm from them in 2017 and it's still going strong. It's currently supporting my LG 5K which I'll be replacing with my ASD when it arrives end of March (which I ordered as soon as the store came back online).
Detnator said: For most people 4K, 350nits, clunky build quality, and woeful customer support is enough. That's what you get for $500-$1000. Some of us want more than that. When the onIy 5K monitor around that's remotely Mac compatible was the LG I tried that, had multiple hardware issues with it, and dealing with LG's support probably took years off my life. I tried 4K as an alternative, but for me at least, it just doesn't cut it. Some people say they can't tell the difference between 150 and 220dpi, or 350 and 500 nits. I don't get it. It's night and day for me. The extra pixels (it's almost twice as many) and increased brightness of the LG 5K make a significant difference to my productivity (when it's not going through LG's warranty repair processes).
Yeah, I can tell the difference between my display (currently a 1080p BenQ) and my iPhone or wife's new MBP. I'll certainly want a better display someday, if for no other reason than to get more screen real-estate. But, I just meant I don't care if it is some exact ppi. When I've heard people talking about *needing* the LG even if it sucks, and wishing Apple had a monitor, they seem to be almost saying it has to be 27" at that exact resolution or something, and that every other monitor isn't - almost as you worded it - remotely Mac compatible.
Having a bit more brightness and color accuracy would be nice as well, but displays have come so far, the difference doesn't seem to me like the wide gap that it used to be. The quality on my cheap BenQ has been quite nice... AND it even has multiple inputs! I've heard horror stories about the LG. I've had a few BenQs over the years along with a couple others, and I kind of stick with that brand now if I don't know otherwise. So, I'd probably do one of their 4K monitors, or the Apple if I decide to part with that much money.
Detnator said: ... If I only wanted it on my desk I'd just get the height adjustable mount, but I need it to move around in a few directions etc. in my home office, so I have a really long industrial arm attached to a pole mount, handling my LG 5K. This will be a simple swap out.
Yeah, I also have an arm. I drilled a hole in the desk and installed it. It's crazy solid/stable. I don't think I'll ever go to a stand again. I love this setup. I can put the display exactly where I want it, or move it out of the way. The whole desk under it is free, though to be fair, you can't go too high or things would get into the swing-path.
It’s a shame about the price jump from £999 on the old displays to £1499, but it is what it is. The bit that stopped me preordering last night was the £400 extra for the tilt/height mechanism. As with the Mac Pro wheels they’re just taking the piss out of everyone right there!
Hehe, I guess it is perspective. I would have thought that was too expensive too. I'm looking at it from the other direction. 5k iMac minus the Mac part, should equal less than $1600. Apple is looking at it as a money-making main accessory to their computers, or pricing the long-term value into it, etc.
john-useless said: As others have already replied with good technical comparisons, I won't repeat that but will just share my story. I've had 27-inch iMacs at home & work for nearly a decade as my primary computers in each location — 2012 and 2013 models, respectively, both of which are pre-Retina models. I also have third-party 27-inch external monitors. This size screen works exceptionally well for me. I have been determined that when it came time to replace both iMacs, I wanted the same size screens but in Retina quality. 4K monitors (the Retina equivalent of old 1920 x 1080 HD displays) just don't have enough pixels for my needs; I really need 5K.
For my office, I recently replaced the old iMac with a MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021 — with the top-of-line M1 Max) plus an LG UltraFine 5K Display (the 27-inch model, which of course is Retina quality) and an OWC Thunderbolt Dock (the newest Thunderbolt 4 model). I already have older external speakers & a subwoofer, plus additional external monitors, all of which I've connected via the dock to the new MacBook Pro. The LG 5K display is my "main" monitor.
To have roughly the equivalent at home — a 27-inch 5K Retina monitor and a Thunderbolt (3 or 4) dock equivalent, I could have bought another LG UltraFine 5K Display and another OWC Thunderbolt Dock … but those items together cost nearly as much as the new Apple Studio Display, which has higher quality speakers & a higher quality webcam and eliminates my need for a separate dock (your mileage may vary). I also like having the ability to buy AppleCare+ warranty coverage for $50/year that will likely protect my investment for many years into the future at reasonable cost (and well beyond LG's warranty).
Yes, the new Apple display is pricey … but in my case, it actually feels like an acceptable (and perhaps even good) value. I just ordered one (with the default stand and the standard glass). For the short term, I will bring home my new MacBook Pro from the office to connect to it when working at home. Perhaps in another six months or a year, I anticipate ordering a new Mac Studio (or perhaps a Mac mini with an M1 Pro processor, if Apple releases such a version in the future) to permanently connect to it at home.
Thanks. True, for all the things you're getting, it seems well worth the extra money over the LG. As noted previously, I'm looking more at 5k iMac minus... but it does have those additional features. For me, I just don't need those features, I guess. I'd be fine with a Retina version of my 1080p display, I think. Though, as I get back more into 3D/CAD work, I'll probably want more and more space. I'd think I'll eventually want 2 displays, though that would be near impossible to do with my current space limitations. Maybe I could fit the 5k, but does that seem like that much extra space?
I guess I also have to keep in mind the dock aspect. Good point. I don't need that now because I have several ports on the 2018 mini + a bunch of ports on my eGPU. But, if I go with a Mac Studio, I'd probably need a couple of extra ports. So, that *might* save the expense of a dock or hub or whatever.
Can someone explain the pricing of this display to me? Is it that much better than the screen that came in the $1800 iMac? I was hoping it would be closer to $1k. While I realize the options for that exact kind of display (resolution, size, specs) limits you to one 3rd party (ie. LG UltraFine), do most of us really need those specs? I think I'd be just fine with something like a BenQ 4k, etc. (or almost a half-dozen of them!) What am I missing?
Yep been wondering the same Runout iMac 27 inch models are cheaper than pre-order of just the display. Work out a way to make any decent recent iMac27 have the same docking features as the display and you have what seems to be much a the same display cheaper.
mattinoz said: Yep been wondering the same Runout iMac 27 inch models are cheaper than pre-order of just the display. Work out a way to make any decent recent iMac27 have the same docking features as the display and you have what seems to be much a the same display cheaper.
Heh, it is such an odd debate depending on which camp you're in, or perspective. The long-time Apple display buyers think it is a great deal. People looking at the 27" iMac think it is overpriced. I guess the bottom line, is that it is the type of thing Apple is simply going to make a good healthy margin on. It is an accessory. We should just be thankful it isn't priced like the stand or Mac Pro wheels.
Comments
For my office, I recently replaced the old iMac with a MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021 — with the top-of-line M1 Max) plus an LG UltraFine 5K Display (the 27-inch model, which of course is Retina quality) and an OWC Thunderbolt Dock (the newest Thunderbolt 4 model). I already have older external speakers & a subwoofer, plus additional external monitors, all of which I've connected via the dock to the new MacBook Pro. The LG 5K display is my "main" monitor.
To have roughly the equivalent at home — a 27-inch 5K Retina monitor and a Thunderbolt (3 or 4) dock equivalent, I could have bought another LG UltraFine 5K Display and another OWC Thunderbolt Dock … but those items together cost nearly as much as the new Apple Studio Display, which has higher quality speakers & a higher quality webcam and eliminates my need for a separate dock (your mileage may vary). I also like having the ability to buy AppleCare+ warranty coverage for $50/year that will likely protect my investment for many years into the future at reasonable cost (and well beyond LG's warranty).
Yes, the new Apple display is pricey … but in my case, it actually feels like an acceptable (and perhaps even good) value. I just ordered one (with the default stand and the standard glass). For the short term, I will bring home my new MacBook Pro from the office to connect to it when working at home. Perhaps in another six months or a year, I anticipate ordering a new Mac Studio (or perhaps a Mac mini with an M1 Pro processor, if Apple releases such a version in the future) to permanently connect to it at home.
I too have dual needs for this monitor, one of which requires VESA. The solution is get the VESA one (and never get a stand) and there are a bazillion VESA monitor stand options for just sitting it on a desk, while of course having all the other VESA options also.
I have used this company before: https://www.ergomart.com and been pretty happy. They have a wide range of all kinds of options. Their stands (for just sitting on a desk) are here: https://www.ergomart.com/monitor-mounts/monitor-stands.
I bought an expensive extended reach heavy duty arm from them in 2017 and it's still going strong. It's currently supporting my LG 5K which I'll be replacing with my ASD when it arrives end of March (which I ordered as soon as the store came back online).
Having a bit more brightness and color accuracy would be nice as well, but displays have come so far, the difference doesn't seem to me like the wide gap that it used to be. The quality on my cheap BenQ has been quite nice... AND it even has multiple inputs! I've heard horror stories about the LG. I've had a few BenQs over the years along with a couple others, and I kind of stick with that brand now if I don't know otherwise. So, I'd probably do one of their 4K monitors, or the Apple if I decide to part with that much money.
Yeah, I also have an arm. I drilled a hole in the desk and installed it. It's crazy solid/stable. I don't think I'll ever go to a stand again. I love this setup. I can put the display exactly where I want it, or move it out of the way. The whole desk under it is free, though to be fair, you can't go too high or things would get into the swing-path.
Hehe, I guess it is perspective. I would have thought that was too expensive too. I'm looking at it from the other direction. 5k iMac minus the Mac part, should equal less than $1600. Apple is looking at it as a money-making main accessory to their computers, or pricing the long-term value into it, etc.
I guess I also have to keep in mind the dock aspect. Good point. I don't need that now because I have several ports on the 2018 mini + a bunch of ports on my eGPU. But, if I go with a Mac Studio, I'd probably need a couple of extra ports. So, that *might* save the expense of a dock or hub or whatever.