Paul Haddad 
Debating picking up a 2019 27" iMac with a high end config at a cheap price. I kind of want to experience working with a true 2x desktop display and figure that its got at least 2 years left of OS updates. But then I look at the benchmarks vs a simple M1 mini…
Jun 29, 2023 at 9:36pmWeb
Show threadPaul Haddad Jun 30, 2023
“I'm thinking of getting a cheap iMac...”
You should buy a $1600 Studio Display and $700+ Mini!
Show threadPaul Haddad Jul 12, 2023

I ended up buying @mark’s old 2019 iMac. Display is definitely nice, shame Apple never put display in on these. Now I just have to stop my overwhelming urge to get 128GB of cheap RAM put in. *

* Before anyone "but OMG Intel", I knew what I was getting myself into. I've never had an iMac before and wanted to try it and its 5k display. I can always flip it in 3-6 months for what I paid for it.

Show threadZorin =^o.o^=Jul 12, 2023
@paul @mark Those 5K displays are addictive. Once you've used them you don't to go back to anything less, even 4K. It's insidious!
Show threadAdam WilliamsJul 12, 2023
@paul One day apple is gonna reach out and be like "yo paul, half the macs connected to icloud are yours, you have enough”
Show threadpettybooshwahJul 12, 2023
@paul @mark I’d love to eventually pick up a used one, gut it, and print an internal housing to hold an LCD controller board and M1 Mac mini’s internals. Can you recommend which generation had the best LCD specification?
Show threadModJul 12, 2023
@paul And now you’re able to run x86 VMs smoother than utm.
Show threadGary ParkerJul 12, 2023
@paul @mark I have one of those as my main work machine still. The display is gorgeous, which is why I’ve held onto it for so long.
Show threadGary ParkerJul 13, 2023

@paul @mark oh, I tell a lie: mine's a 2017 3.4GHz Quad Core i5. Still relatively nippy after I moved the boot volume to a TB3 NVMe and ditched the crappy internal fusion drive (which is now my Time Machine volume)

Of course my little M2 MacBook Air leaves it for dust, performance wise....but that *display* 🥰

Show threadamroJul 12, 2023
@paul @mark paul how many computers do you have
Show threadPaul Haddad Jul 12, 2023
@amro friends don't ask those types of questions!
Show threadDavide Di StefanoJul 14, 2023
@amro @paul hahahahaha I wanted to ask the same thing
Show threadDon WhitesideJul 12, 2023
@paul The lack of target display in the retina generation always seemed dumb to me. A bandwidth issue, maybe? Seems like it woulda driven even more sales.
Show threadColin DevroeJul 12, 2023
@paul I don’t keep very close track but in my mind you own 100 Macintoshes of various sizes.
Show threadMaxi 12x 💉Jul 12, 2023
@paul @mark There are YouTube tutorials about how you can transform it into a standalone 5K monitor.
Show threadalexmakJul 12, 2023
@paul @mark I love how the older iMacs used to the the Display Mode, in which you could use one as simply a display
Show threadBryanJul 12, 2023

@paul @mark my dad still uses the 2011 27incher iMac and he loves it so much.

I’m amazed it’s still holds up (aside from high sierra being outdated) and I gotta admit, it’s great to have an all-in-one. Cleaner setup and has everything you need (webcam, speakers) .

If the rumors are true that Apple might release a 32incher this year, I’m definitely buying it for pops.

Show threadJonathan FischerJun 30, 2023
@paul This isn't helpful at all, but: Apple often has refurbished Studio Displays for $1,349. I just bought one and it's fine.
Show thread💐 🏖 🌺 𝕂𝕚𝕂𝕚Jun 30, 2023
@jlfischer @paul Their refurbished stuff is absolutely like new. Impossible to tell if it’s ever been touch by any other humanoid life form. The packaging is a bit more low key sometimes, but that’s about it.
Show threadAndrewJun 30, 2023
@paul it’s worth it!
Show thread💐 🏖 🌺 𝕂𝕚𝕂𝕚Jun 30, 2023
@paul If not a Studio Display, what would the next best monitor options be for a Mac Mini? I think I need some more affordable options than the Studio Display, refurbished or otherwise. 🤨
Show threadJonathan ZhanJun 30, 2023
@ZeKik What are your requirements for a monitor? I did a bit of research recently so I might be able to throw some options your way.
Show thread💐 🏖 🌺 𝕂𝕚𝕂𝕚Jun 30, 2023

@jonzhan why thank you, kind sir! ☺️

I,m working with dual 24” Dell monitors now, probably 1080P. M1 Mac mini.

They are totally inadequate. Harder to work on than my 13” iPad.

No gaming requirement currently. Just personal office work. Better clarity is really what I’m after, which I assume requires a higher resolution than what I’ve got.

Show threadJonathan ZhanJun 30, 2023

@ZeKik Glad to (hopefully) help!

I was going to toss a whole essay at you before remembering that conversations are possible. 😆

How much are you willing to spend, and are you looking to end up with dual displays or just one?

Show thread💐 🏖 🌺 𝕂𝕚𝕂𝕚Jun 30, 2023

@jonzhan I’ve used dual displays until now because I like to multi-task and use the screens to keep related documents side by side while I work on them. I find this sounds more convenient that using just one very wide screen, but maybe I’m wrong (if there are good shortcuts for window placement, for example).

Since the Studio display is over $1K, let’s start with less than that, and then go from there to say whatever it takes for the best setup.

Show threadJonathan ZhanJul 2, 2023

@ZeKik Ahh I had dual screens for a while but I'm trying out going down to a single screen.

I tidied up the doc I was doing monitor research in, maybe you'll find it useful: https://coda.io/@jonzhan/monitor-research-mid-2023

Prices may not be accurate for your region, but I think they should be approximately correct!

If you're satisfied with your setup in terms of screen real estate and number of screens, but want more clarity, dual 4K screens might be the way to go! Same amount of effective screen space but clearer.

Monitor Research Mid 2023

Coda
Show thread💐 🏖 🌺 𝕂𝕚𝕂𝕚Jul 2, 2023

@jonzhan wow! 😮

That’s a lot of research! Thanks! 🙏

Show threadJonathan ZhanJul 2, 2023
@ZeKik You’re welcome! It was deeply unenjoyable to gather and I hope it saves you some time. 😆
Show threadScottJun 30, 2023
@paul I feel like I'm missing something obvious here—what's wrong with the Mac mini?
Show threadPaul Haddad Jun 30, 2023
@sbnicholas nothing wrong with the Minis, I have half a dozen of them, what's wrong is I'm saying that I want a cheap iMac and folks suggest spending 4x as much on something totally different.
Show threadScottJun 30, 2023

@paul 4x??

*checks ebay*

Hot damn those are some cheap iMacs

Show threadTim FredeJun 30, 2023
@paul But MacRumors commenters said that indie developers are millionaires.
Show threadSloanLAJun 30, 2023
@paul I just can’t buy older than an M1 without thinking it's lifespan will be short.
Show threadJeff ClatworthyJun 30, 2023

@paul Maybe see if you can make @film_girl an offer for her maxed out 2020 27” iMac (the last, greatest Intel one)?

Or maybe check out that Samsung Viewfinity 5K Thunderbolt Display? https://youtu.be/bMrtZw8RuVU

Review & Unboxing: Samsung Viewfinity S9 5K 27" Monitor.. Is this an Apple Studio Display killer?

YouTube
Show threadjfpooleJun 30, 2023
@paul So no Pro Display XDR?
Show threadMint ShowsJun 29, 2023
@paul While I have an M1 laptop for when on-the-go, this 2020 is my daily driver and I have no regrets (yet)
Show threadTravisJun 29, 2023

@paul That’s exactly what I did a few months back. Maxed out 2020, last gen 27”. It all came down to the lack of good comparable displays. I love this machine and Apple still doesn’t make a comparable.

Not sure what I’ll do in a few years when I need to upgrade but for now, it’s an amazing combo.

Show threadキャリーJun 29, 2023
@paul Intel Macs are still very useful for an important demographic called “suckers”.
Show threadMœllusJun 29, 2023
@paul 🤷‍♂️
Show threadRachel GreenhamJun 29, 2023

@paul i have a 2019 27" iMac, although of not the highest spec. It basically isn't used any more, and the perfectly fine 5K screen that's bound to it is a complete waste now. Get a Studio Display and that M1 Mini. And when you're feeling a bit richer, get a Studio and use the same monitor. 😅

Also 2019 iMac is the oldest that will run Sonoma. So I reckon it's probably being dropped *next* year, but for security updates only for a bit.

Show threadblake  Jun 29, 2023
@paul I was in a similar situation with between the M1 MacBook Air and the M2. Everything that I’ve read/watched has said that the M1 actually beats out the M2. At least with the Air’s. I was able to find a deal on an M1 with 16GB of RAM. Which is a big reason why I went with the M1. I can only find the M2 with 8GB of RAM and that’s just not nearly enough.
Show threadMark LevisonJun 29, 2023
@paul wait 18+ months and overpay Apple for the rumoured 30” M3.
Show threadMark LevisonJun 29, 2023
@paul I’m trying to save you money :-)
Show threadNEO//LIX 🔊Jun 29, 2023
@paul What you actually want is a Studio Display. It's quite nice. :)
Show threadBlake Watson Jun 29, 2023
@paul Redditor math says you can afford the cinema display and a mac pro idk what the problem is.
Show threadBill LambJun 29, 2023

@paul

Made the jump last year from a 2017 (IIRC) 27-inch iMac (not high config) that could no longer be updated to a Studio Display driven by an M2 13-inch MacBook Air. No regrets.

Show threadJay PJun 29, 2023
@paul I have an i9, and the fan noise is just grating at me. Just about ready to move to Apple Silicon for that alone.
Show threadPaul Haddad Jun 29, 2023
@nocturne1 the 2019?
Show threadJay PJun 29, 2023
@paul Yep. Any video playback or sustained writes to USB drives sends the fans to 2k+ rpm, which is noisy. I couldn't even imagine doing real work on it.
Show threadLSJun 29, 2023
@paul I really wish I could use my 2017 iMac as an external monitor
Show threadfedward Jun 29, 2023
@bailorg @paul You can, with a few hours and a couple hundred bucks worth of parts. https://mschmitt.org/blog/convert-5k-27-imac-external-display-usb-c/

This is my EOL plan for my 2017 model, but I’m not there yet.
Convert a 5K iMac into an External Display

How to convert your 5K 27" iMac into an external display for other Apple laptops or desktops.

Michael Schmitt's Blog
Show threadJosh MillerJul 5, 2023
@fedward @bailorg @paul remember when you could just *plug it into another computer*? 😞
Show threadPatrick HillsJun 29, 2023
@paul I have an i9 with vega 48 graphics and 64gb memory that's been sitting around... buy mine!
Show threadPaul Haddad Jun 29, 2023
@patrickhills hah its actually that exact model/config.
Show threadDave DiamondJun 29, 2023
@paul Intel? Just say no.
Show threadPhilip Mallegol-HansenJun 29, 2023
@paul Meanwhile the 24” M1 iMac is cool and all, but come on we need a bigger one.
Show threadDennis de WitJun 29, 2023
@paul Mac Mini and a Studio Display an option? Probably you can find an ASD in B-Stock with a high discount.
Show threadPaul Haddad Jun 29, 2023
@Dennisdewit studio displays are like 3x the price.
Show threadDennis de WitJun 29, 2023
@paul That’s a very cheap iMac, then!
Show threadDeacon ScottJun 29, 2023
@paul Studio display with Mini…smart move. Refurb mini.
Show thread毛呂呂Jun 30, 2023
@paul as a backup heater? 🤔