Apple Studio Display - Owners Thread

[ascender]

I have an Ergotron LX single tall pole but you have to also purchase the LX arm extension so that way you can have dual ASDs in landscape orientation.

View attachment 2028009

Ergotron – LX Monitor Arm Extension – Add-on for LX Desk and LX Wall Monitor Arms, LX Keyboard Arm – Polished Aluminum

Ergotron LX Extension - Mounting component (extension brackets) - aluminum - Manufactured by Ergotron

www.amazon.com

That makes sense now!

I have the dual-screen LX and its going to need a large amount of space behind the desk to get the two monitors anywhere near next to each other, so I guess its going back.

I'll see about picking up a non-height-adjustable (on the fly) one instead as that simpler mechanism needs far less space behind the mounting point.

 

[ascender]

Are you using the BenQ Halo Lamps? Are you satisfied with them? Is the cam still usable of you place them on top?

@enricoclaudio and I should both be on commission with BenQ...

I was skeptical at first, but I now have one on both my ASDs, just to the side of the camera and they're genuinely one of the best accessories I've bought.

 

[Diskutant]

Yes you can. I have a 14" MBP M1 Pro and I can drive my pair of ASDs at full 5K/60Hz with it or even using my Satechi TB4 Dock with one TB4 cable from the 14" MBP M1 Pro to the dock and both ASDs plugged into the TB4 dock.

I was going to ask how that works and did the math:
TB4 has 40gbps
5k = 5120x2880 * 24 bit (color) * 60Hz = 21,233,664,000 bits per second * 2 displays = 42,467,328,000

now one might think that's over 40gbps but 40gbps isn't 40,000,000,000 but instead
40 * 1024 * 1024 * 1024 = 42,949,672,960

so only 482,344,960 bytes = 460MB left.

 

[Arctic Moose]

I have the dual-screen LX and its going to need a large amount of space behind the desk to get the two monitors anywhere near next to each other, so I guess its going back.

It sounds like what you want is the HX.

The monitors will be on the same Y-axis, but can still tilt and rotate independently, and can be angled relative to each other.

I have mine wall-mounted so the monitors don’t shake with the desk or floor, and the monitors can be pushed back practically flush with the wall.

 

[ascender]

It sounds like what you want is the HX.

The monitors will be on the same Y-axis, but can still tilt and rotate independently, and can be angled relative to each other.

I have mine wall-mounted so the monitors don’t shake with the desk or floor, and the monitors can be pushed back practically flush with the wall.

We have one of those in another room and its great. I guess two of those would work, albeit using a bit more desk space than I’d planned.

I’ve ordered a Vivo dual mount which has got good reviews on Amazon, but is less flexible… The more I think about it the more I think you’re right, a couple of the HX might be a much better bet.

 

[enricoclaudio]

We have one of those in another room and its great. I guess two of those would work, albeit using a bit more desk space than I’d planned.

I’ve ordered a Vivo dual mount which has got good reviews on Amazon, but is less flexible… The more I think about it the more I think you’re right, a couple of the HX might be a much better bet.

What about the LX Dual Side by Side? That should work!! That one in fact is the one showed during the ASDs keynote.

Dual Monitor Arm | Side-by-Side Monitor Mount | Ergotron LX Series

Find your best view, save desk space and discover your most productive self, thanks to this LX Arm. This dual monitor mount is perfect for side-by-side or low angle views. Project wrapped up? Reclaim a space full of opportunities by folding the arms and pushing them aside during a much-needed...

www.ergotron.com

 

[Arctic Moose]

We have one of those in another room and its great. I guess two of those would work, albeit using a bit more desk space than I’d planned.

Sorry, I meant the dual version:

Heavy Duty Dual Monitor Arm | Ergotron HX Desk Monitor Mount

Choose a monitor arm that’s as adaptable as you. With the HX Desk Dual Monitor Arm, you can easily reposition two 32" monitors while still enhancing your workspace with a sleek design.

www.ergotron.com

The wall version would take zero desk space:

Heavy Duty Wall Mounted Dual Monitor Arm | Ergotron HX Wall Mount

Choose a monitor arm that’s as adaptable as you. With the HX Wall Dual Monitor Arm, you can easily reposition two 32" monitors while still enhancing your workspace with a sleek design.

www.ergotron.com

 

[Analog Kid]

You can use control center on each display to adjust brightness. Or you can use Control + Brightness Key to change the brightness. Also you can have auto-brightness set for both of them.

Thanks! It's been making me nuts that I can't control the second display brightness from the keyboard.

Since there are two identical displays, is it possible to control both monitors with one set of keypresses? It seems natural to want them linked together and bring them up and down together rather than one at a time.... Autobrightness is a bit of a help, but I usually want to tweak it a bit beyond the standard curve.

 

[enricoclaudio]

Thanks! It's been making me nuts that I can't control the second display brightness from the keyboard.

Since there are two identical displays, is it possible to control both monitors with one set of keypresses? It seems natural to want them linked together and bring them up and down together rather than one at a time.... Autobrightness is a bit of a help, but I usually want to tweak it a bit beyond the standard curve.

You can for sure control the second ASD brightness with the keyboard. Just make sure the second ASD is selected. Meaning position the mouse cursor into the second ASD and press click on the desktop. That would make that ASD the current active and the keyboard dedicated brightness keys will control that ASD. Same with will happen with volume keys.

 

[Analog Kid]

You can for sure control the second ASD brightness with the keyboard. Just make sure the second ASD is selected. Meaning position the mouse cursor into the second ASD and press click on the desktop. That would make that ASD the current active and the keyboard dedicated brightness keys will control that ASD. Same with will happen with volume keys.

Yeah, I was hoping there was a way to adjust them both simultaneously. The main control in the control center only controls the main display, the keyboard only controls the main display (or the secondary display by holding ctrl). But with two identical displays side by side, I can't be the only one that wants them both at the same brightness all the time...

 

[MisterMooth]

You can probably use tools like MonitorControl or Lunar to sync brightness changes.

 

[Arctic Moose]

I can't be the only one that wants them both at the same brightness all the time...

You are absolutely not the only one, I find it very annoying. I would expect controlling them simultaneously (and to the same level) would be the default. Is there anyone that actually prefers the current implementation? Of course I can see use cases for it, but I cannot imagine they are in the majority.

 

[enricoclaudio]

Yeah, I was hoping there was a way to adjust them both simultaneously. The main control in the control center only controls the main display, the keyboard only controls the main display (or the secondary display by holding ctrl). But with two identical displays side by side, I can't be the only one that wants them both at the same brightness all the time...

On the Main Control, press on the > and it will show both ASDs brightness control:

 

[Analog Kid]

You can probably use tools like MonitorControl or Lunar to sync brightness changes.

Thanks. I tend to shy away from 3rd party utilities like these for system control functions, but it’s good to know someone out there is trying to fill the gap.

On the Main Control, press on the > and it will show both ASDs brightness control:

View attachment 2028557


View attachment 2028558

Yeah, until someone pointed out that ctrl+brightness controls will control the second monitor, this was how I was doing it too. It’s a lot of mouse work just to change brightness though. If I were designing it, I’d make that first main slider control both together, and then if someone wants to control them independently they can click through to the individual sliders. Likewise, I’d use the main keyboard controls to control both and then ctrl+ if someone wants to change them relative to each other…

Looks like it’s time to find that feedback site again…

 

[The Clark]

My Apple Studio Display shipped a day ago, but the tracking number from Fedex still shows up as not found. Hmmm...

 

[The Clark]

It just arrived, and I love it. 🥰

 

[MrGunny94]

I've been using a 40" LG Ultrawide for the last day or so instead of Apple Studio Displays which has been interesting.

• The extra screen real estate in one monitor rather than two, is nice. I still like the physical separation of two screens, but maybe I'd get used to a single one. The panel quality looks really good, but at its native resolution, its not got a high enough ppi to give me "retina-like" quality. I've had to drop it down to a lower resolution, which means much less space which kind of defeats the purpose for me.
• It doesn't always wake from sleep and when it does, its very slow to do so. I've had to power cycle it on a couple of occasions in order to get the screen to wake (connected over Thunderbolt). I've had this issue with other LG screens ever since the Apple move to usb-c/thunderbolt back in 2015/2016.
• The speakers aren't as good quality as on the ASD and there's obviously no inbuilt webcam which is very convenient.
• It looks nice enough, but the build quality isn't as good as the ASD and its a much thicker unit.
• Its about a similar price as a single ASD - £1500, but offers more screen-space with a nice curve to it.

In summary, its kind of reinforced the view held by some, that the price of the ASD is worth it, because they are designed from the ground up to work with Macs. They "just work", which is a cliche, but its still something which holds true and in my view is worth something.

Also, one of the team has said they've just noticed a company with stock of the VESA-mounted ones - "Insight UK" - so have placed an order for two which are due on Monday. If that actually happens, I guess there's still some making it out to retailers here and there.

How's the resolution compared to the ASD? I was actually looking for some feedback on the 40" LG 5K... If you could share some photos and let us know how your workflow works with a ultra wide compared to a regular 16:9 display would be great!

 

[Lacos]

Are you satisfied with your Studio Display purchase? I have to admit, that my Studio Display is good but i hoped for far better picture quality compared to my 32" Dell U3219Q. I love the speakers of the Studio Display. Really thinking of returning it due to the price point and rumors a Mini LED version is coming next year..

BTW: Anyone managed to run dual displays on a M1 ?

 

[ascender]

How's the resolution compared to the ASD? I was actually looking for some feedback on the 40" LG 5K... If you could share some photos and let us know how your workflow works with a ultra wide compared to a regular 16:9 display would be great!

The 40" doesn't get as bright as the ASD, even on max brightness. I generally run my monitors and laptops at 50% brightness, but for me, the 40" LG wasn't bright enough unless I put it to 100%. Even then, it took some getting used-to.

Running the LG at its native resolution leads to blurry/non-crisp fonts. Not sure if that's an issue with the panel or the M1 because I'll be honest, I've lost track of what is what when it comes to these things. Drop it down in resolution and it looks brilliant, probably 90% as good as an ASD (which is also 5K).

The LG takes longer to wake from sleep over Thunderbolt than the ASD and occasionally, I'd have to unplug it to get it to come back on. That's been an issue for me with LG displays and Macs for years.

A single 40" ultra wide display was great for my workflow, but, being unable to run it at its native resolution (I just couldn't get used to the loss of clarity), meant I ended up having more Spaces active than I'd like. I wanted to have a number of large windows on each Space, but I was limited by the lower resolution as to how many I could have had. Which kind of defeated the purpose of buying the monitor for me, so its gone back.

The speakers were ok for system sounds, but for everything else, they're very poor compared to those on the ASD. That may or may not be important to you.

TLDR; Depends what resolution you want to run the screen at. If you're not bothered about a retina-like experience at native res, go for it. At that lower resolution, everything looks amazing, but you lose screen real estate.


A few reviews of the ASD mentioned this - they're expensive compared to other options, but the things they offer that other displays don't, may be worth the extra expense. They work reliably - wake from sleep; all scaled resolutions look as good as each other; speakers are great; built-in webcam; 5k v 4k. And they do look & feel very high quality.

 

[OasisNYK]

It just arrived, and I love it. 🥰

Nice clean setup. I am looking to revamp mine. Currently using a late 2009 iMac but likely switching to MBP / ASD setup. I was curious how a different color laptop would go with the ASD and your looks great.

 

[Bertrand28]

Crooked adjustable stand here too. I could see the slope as soon as I put it on my desk. 8-10 weeks shipping time for replacement is beyond frustrating

Hi,

I have a similar experience with two crooked Studio displays and I created a new entry.

Feel free to share your experience. Thank you.

 

[Slevin]

Anyone with dual ASD can post their set up?

I’m trying to figure out an optimal set up for my desk

 

[MrGunny94]

The 40" doesn't get as bright as the ASD, even on max brightness. I generally run my monitors and laptops at 50% brightness, but for me, the 40" LG wasn't bright enough unless I put it to 100%. Even then, it took some getting used-to.

Running the LG at its native resolution leads to blurry/non-crisp fonts. Not sure if that's an issue with the panel or the M1 because I'll be honest, I've lost track of what is what when it comes to these things. Drop it down in resolution and it looks brilliant, probably 90% as good as an ASD (which is also 5K).

The LG takes longer to wake from sleep over Thunderbolt than the ASD and occasionally, I'd have to unplug it to get it to come back on. That's been an issue for me with LG displays and Macs for years.

A single 40" ultra wide display was great for my workflow, but, being unable to run it at its native resolution (I just couldn't get used to the loss of clarity), meant I ended up having more Spaces active than I'd like. I wanted to have a number of large windows on each Space, but I was limited by the lower resolution as to how many I could have had. Which kind of defeated the purpose of buying the monitor for me, so its gone back.

The speakers were ok for system sounds, but for everything else, they're very poor compared to those on the ASD. That may or may not be important to you.

TLDR; Depends what resolution you want to run the screen at. If you're not bothered about a retina-like experience at native res, go for it. At that lower resolution, everything looks amazing, but you lose screen real estate.


A few reviews of the ASD mentioned this - they're expensive compared to other options, but the things they offer that other displays don't, may be worth the extra expense. They work reliably - wake from sleep; all scaled resolutions look as good as each other; speakers are great; built-in webcam; 5k v 4k. And they do look & feel very high quality.

Yeah thanks for the feedback. I'll go with the ASD for sure, I have lost hope for a good 5K ultra wide at this point, I'm just using my LG 4K monitor as a secondary monitor next to my ASD with VESA Mount in the future.

 

[Arctic Moose]

Anyone with dual ASD can post their set up?

Sure. It’s temporary, but what I have for now.

 

[rocketbuc]

Sure. It’s temporary, but what I have for now.

View attachment 2032339

I see that you are using an Apple Extended Keyboard II. Do you have issues with the width while using a mouse on the left or right?