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 miniโ€ฆ
โ€œI'm thinking of getting a cheap iMac...โ€
You should buy a $1600 Studio Display and $700+ Mini!
@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. ๐Ÿคจ
@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.

@jonzhan why thank you, kind sir! โ˜บ๏ธ

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

They are totally inadequate. Harder to work on than my 13โ€ iPad.

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

@ZeKik Glad to (hopefully) help!

I was going to toss a whole essay at you before remembering that conversations are possible. ๐Ÿ˜†

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

@jonzhan Iโ€™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 Iโ€™m wrong (if there are good shortcuts for window placement, for example).

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

@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

@jonzhan wow! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Thatโ€™s a lot of research! Thanks! ๐Ÿ™

@ZeKik Youโ€™re welcome! It was deeply unenjoyable to gather and I hope it saves you some time. ๐Ÿ˜†