Advice on a Secondary 27" Display to compliment my iMac 27 5k?

[shenan1982]

Looking for someone who has a 27" iMac 5k and a secondary monitor. Looking for something that looks fairly decent, and compliments the 5k display well as a secondary monitor. I wish Apple had updated the thunderbolt display to be 5k (or even 4k), but doesn't look like that's happened or going to happen. Looking for a secondary display... advice?

Pics of your setup would be appreciated too, if possible!

 

[JTToft]

Given that you haven't specified a budget, I'm going to say Dell UltraSharp UP2715K. It's the same resolution and size as your iMac and I believe it even uses the same panel, so picture wise it'll be identical to it.

 

[shenan1982]

Given that you haven't specified a budget, I'm going to say Dell UltraSharp UP2715K. It's the same resolution and size as your iMac and I believe it even uses the same panel, so picture wise it'll be identical to it.

Yowsas! I guess I should have specified. Not looking to re-spend the cost of the computer, hehe.

 

[JTToft]

Yowsas! I guess I should have specified. Not looking to re-spend the cost of the computer, hehe.

- Then you're probably going to want to go "down" to a 4K. Like P2715Q.
Take a look at the dedicated thread a bit further down in this forum. Reports are that it looks quite good in 2560x1440 HiDPI.

As far as aesthetics, Dells are probably the ones that match the iMac the best and their monitors are very high quality.

If you'd prefer a more "traditional" resolution, have a look at U2715H and U2515H.

 

[shenan1982]

- Then you're probably going to want to go "down" to a 4K. Like P2715Q.
Take a look at the dedicated thread a bit further down in this forum. Reports are that it looks quite good in 2560x1440 HiDPI.

As far as aesthetics, Dells are probably the ones that match the iMac the best and their monitors are very high quality.

If you'd prefer a more "traditional" resolution, have a look at U2715H and U2515H.

OMG, you read my mind, I was literally just about to say "I don't think 5k as a secondary is mandatory, so I was looking at the Dell Ultra HD 4k Monitor P2715Q 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor, what do you think?" and then it popped up that you replied to me, hahah, that's so funny.

Couple questions. If I use a 4k display as the secondary, is it going to be super noticeable that they're different resolutions, or will it just not be as tight, or what are your thoughts? I guess I'd just have to set them to the same resolution to maintain the symmetry ehh?

 

[JTToft]

Couple questions. If I use a 4k display as the secondary, is it going to be super noticeable that they're different resolutions, or will it just not be as tight, or what are your thoughts? I guess I'd just have to set them to the same resolution to maintain the symmetry ehh?

- It won't be quite as crisp as the iMac, but as mentioned reports have it that 4K monitors are still quite good at 1440p. The difference won't be super noticeable.

 

[shenan1982]

- It won't be quite as crisp as the iMac, but as mentioned reports have it that 4K monitors are still quite good at 1440p. The difference won't be super noticeable.

Cool, and if I get the P2715Q, how does it connect into the iMac? I was looking at the photos online, and seems the size and way it sits is near a perfect match for the iMac.

----------

After seeing the pics and reviews of the P2715Q I pulled the trigger. found it on Adorama for $551 no tax, free 1-3 day shipping, can't go wrong there.

 

[JTToft]

Cool, and if I get the P2715Q, how does it connect into the iMac?

- It comes with a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable that plugs directly into the Thunderbolt port on your iMac.

After seeing the pics and reviews of the P2715Q I pulled the trigger. found it on Adorama for $551 no tax, free 1-3 day shipping, can't go wrong there.

- Cool. Hope you'll like it.

 

[shenan1982]

- It comes with a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable that plugs directly into the Thunderbolt port on your iMac.


- Cool. Hope you'll like it.

I'm excited. Thanks for the advice.

 

[dagamer34]

I've tried the following monitors to pair with my iMac with Retina 5K Display:

1) Dell UP2414Q - good monitor, but being an early 4K monitor with MST, it has sleep/wake issues where only half the screen would turn on appropriately. Avoid.
2) Dell P2715Q - fine monitor, but I had flickering issues every couple of seconds. You can run 2nd display at 5120x2880 effective to match screen res of built-in display but things look a bit soft. Sadly avoid.
3) Dell P2415Q - excellent monitor, but not 100% Adobe RGB compared to UP2414Q. DPI is different compared to Retina iMac, so things appear larger when moved from one display to the next. Good value at $430 on Amazon.
4) Dell UP2715K - amazing monitor, will match pixel for pixel with what the iMac with Retina 5K displays, can do 100% AdobeRGB for color-accurate work if needed. Downside? It's $2000 which is a tough pill to swallow when a base Retina iMac with $2500.

My recommendation? If you care about matching screen sizes and are lucky enough not to have the flickering issue, Dell P2715Q will do. For those who want to have just another retina screen and aren't ready to spend $2000, P2415Q. If money is no object, or having matching pixel perfect screen res matters that much (keep in mind there is *no* other way to run dual 5K displays on a Mac, not even a Mac Pro), then the Dell UP2715K is for you! And while $2000 is a lot to swallow, it won't always be $2000, and it'll be a worthwhile investment.

HP also has a 5K monitor using a similar panel as the Dell for $1299, but as far as I can tell, thats only in very limited supply.

 

[shenan1982]

I've tried the following monitors to pair with my iMac with Retina 5K Display:

1) Dell UP2414Q - good monitor, but being an early 4K monitor with MST, it has sleep/wake issues where only half the screen would turn on appropriately. Avoid.
2) Dell P2715Q - fine monitor, but I had flickering issues every couple of seconds. You can run 2nd display at 5120x2880 effective to match screen res of built-in display but things look a bit soft. Sadly avoid.
3) Dell P2415Q - excellent monitor, but not 100% Adobe RGB compared to UP2414Q. DPI is different compared to Retina iMac, so things appear larger when moved from one display to the next. Good value at $430 on Amazon.
4) Dell UP2715K - amazing monitor, will match pixel for pixel with what the iMac with Retina 5K displays, can do 100% AdobeRGB for color-accurate work if needed. Downside? It's $2000 which is a tough pill to swallow when a base Retina iMac with $2500.

My recommendation? If you care about matching screen sizes and are lucky enough not to have the flickering issue, Dell P2715Q will do. For those who want to have just another retina screen and aren't ready to spend $2000, P2415Q. If money is no object, or having matching pixel perfect screen res matters that much (keep in mind there is *no* other way to run dual 5K displays on a Mac, not even a Mac Pro), then the Dell UP2715K is for you! And while $2000 is a lot to swallow, it won't always be $2000, and it'll be a worthwhile investment.

HP also has a 5K monitor using a similar panel as the Dell for $1299, but as far as I can tell, thats only in very limited supply.

Wow great recap of the different options out there. I went with the P2715Q, and hopefully the flickering isn't too bad. Like you pointed out, it seemed like the most cost effective option without having to trade in my car in order to afford it. LOL

Will report back when I get it! Should be delivered Thursday!

 

[shenan1982]

- Then you're probably going to want to go "down" to a 4K. Like P2715Q.
Take a look at the dedicated thread a bit further down in this forum. Reports are that it looks quite good in 2560x1440 HiDPI.

So the P2715Q is being delivered Thursday.

The sweet spot I've found on my iMac 5k seems to be the setting between Default and More Space (Looks like 2880 x 1620) ... can I set or manually override the Dell monitor when it comes so my window sizes and everything matches the iMac?

I know on my Macbook someone posted how to edit the video display file so you can custom set any retina resolution desired, and it works well on the Macbook.

Thanks!

 

[JTToft]

The sweet spot I've found on my iMac 5k seems to be the setting between Default and More Space (Looks like 2880 x 1620) ... can I set or manually override the Dell monitor when it comes so my window sizes and everything matches the iMac?

- If it isn't available in System Preferences, I believe SwitchResX should do it.

 

[shenan1982]

- If it isn't available in System Preferences, I believe SwitchResX should do it.

While I fully support hard work of developers, $15 for an app that changes resolution is ABSURD. Sorry don't mean to sound like a jerk, but seriously.

Look at an Application like Microsoft Office, and the man hours gone into its development. $15 for a basic res-switching utility is madness.

 

[JTToft]

While I fully support hard work of developers, $15 for an app that changes resolution is ABSURD. Sorry don't mean to sound like a jerk, but seriously.

Look at an Application like Microsoft Office, and the man hours gone into its development. $15 for a basic res-switching utility is madness.

- I believe the basic functions should continue to work past the 10-day trial, though I might be wrong.

 

[shenan1982]

- I believe the basic functions should continue to work past the 10-day trial, though I might be wrong.

I know there are free alternatives out there, that's why I was shocked to see they're asking $15.

 

[JTToft]

I know there are free alternatives out there, that's why I was shocked to see they're asking $15.

- It does a whole lot more than just change resolutions. Though if that's your only use for it, I agree that $15 is quite steep.

 

[shenan1982]

- It does a whole lot more than just change resolutions. Though if that's your only use for it, I agree that $15 is quite steep.

Yeah and that's the issue, all I need is a resolution-changer.

 

[shenan1982]

Deeply disappointed.

Got the Dell 4k display delivered today. Having owned a Dell 30" dual link 10 years ago, I expected higher quality. Upon unpacking the monitor, it felt light and cheap (bear in mind I'm coming from a Thunderbolt display)

I set it up, and no matter how I positioned the stand, it just wouldn't allow the monitor to sit at a true horizontal angle (likely a specific defect in my monitor, but reading reviews several had said the same). The picture quality was good, but sitting next to my 5K iMac it felt like putting Kia seat covers onto a Porsche.

I contemplated exchanging it but plugged my Thunderbolt display back in to compare. The Thunderbolt isn't 4k, but as a secondary external display it'll do, without sacrificing the aesthetics of the Mac.

Sad to say I just returned the Dell, but until Apple comes out with a 4k or 5k Thunderbolt (or more likely USB-C), I'm stuck with the Thunderbolt SD display.

 

[zyr123]

the curved lg display my make you happy here. its 1200 $.

 

[shenan1982]

the curved lg display my make you happy here. its 1200 $.

Just going to keep the Thunderbolt Display.

 

[jkkool]

Just going to keep the Thunderbolt Display.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, Im on the same research phase and u helped me decide not to buy dell, Ill also wait for Apple to give us something which perfectly goes with the resolution and aesthetics of 5K iMac

 

[breapple]

Wow great recap of the different options out there. I went with the P2715Q, and hopefully the flickering isn't too bad. Like you pointed out, it seemed like the most cost effective option without having to trade in my car in order to afford it. LOL

Will report back when I get it! Should be delivered Thursday!

How did you end up liking the P2715Q?

 

[cmm]

Yeah and that's the issue, all I need is a resolution-changer.

Then write the app yourself or pay somebody $15 who did it for you. Not many people have HiDPi screens and Apple wants to limit the resolutions you can use so you aren't going to find many screen resolution changer apps out there that do nothing else. This is a very small group of the Apple population and it is an even smaller group that wants to change their retina resolution.

SwitchResX does a ton more than just switch screen resolutions on an ad hoc basis AND the developer is active in forums and answers emails about questions and feature requests. I fully support free (both free as in free beer and free speech) software but I also need to eat, as does other developers. No one is stopping you from making that simple little app that you crave and giving it away.

I had the Dell 5k panel next to the iMac and realized I should just buy another 5k iMac for the same price, so I returned the display and that is what I did. Now I delegate certain functions to a specific iMac. Also having two 5k iMacs makes the 32GB limitation less of an issue.

I also have dual P2715Qs for my 15 rMBP and I have a few P2415Q's at work. While the DPI between the P2415Q and P2715Q is different, I cannot notice a difference between the two. I suspect though that if I had a P2415Q and P2715Q sitting next to each other the difference in text quality would irk me, but my two HiDPi monitors sit 30 minutes away from each other so it is of no concern. Finally, I use my Thunderbolt display for my 13 rMBP.

I run each HiDPi display at 1440 HiDPi mode and only change it under specific circumstances.

 

[Ramonkey]

Just bought the iMac 27" retina 5k with the 27" Dell 5k today and since there is a huge price difference in Europe with the iMac priced at € 2896,- and the Dell at € 1091,99 I think I made the right decision.