Apple Studio Display - Owners Thread

[chikorita157]

I decided to get the Ultrafine 5K for my Mac Studio setup since I don't feel like spending an extra $300 on a setup I only use a few days a week and want a 5K for a main monitor. This gives me a chance to compare the monitors. The image quality is similar as the Studio Display is using an improved panel of the Ultrafine 5K, which is the same panel from the 5K iMac. The coating on the Studio Display is better since it gives off less reflection. Reflection is a little bit more noticable with the Ultrafine 5K, which affects the image quality somewhat. Otherwise, the sharpness and colors are similar. Comparing to the 2K Dell Ultrasharp, the test is noticeably better on the Ultrafine 5K.

The stand is meh, I can always replace it with a standalone VESA mount, but at least it gives height adjustment, something that costs $400 on the Studio Display, which is egregious. This is the reason I went for the VESA mount option, although it doesn't look elegant. The top bezel is larger on the Ultrafine, but side from that, it's pretty simular although the Studio Display has slightly smaller.

In short, if you don't need to run two monitors off one dock, which the Studio Display does and the Ultrafine 5K can't or use a Mac Studio or get the upcoming Apple Silicon Mac Pro, so far, Ultrafine 5K a viable and a little bit more affordable option, especially if you buy it used (I only recommend the 2nd revision model as from what I read, the first gen model has many issues) and will be better than most of the 27" 4K monitors out there with the scaling issues at 2K. Also, it seems readily available new in most retailers now as there was a shortage of them not that long ago.

But still, the Studio Display is the better 5K option. No 4K monitor can match a 5K one at 27" for use on a Mac and I would never consider a 4K option given all the scaling issues and dealbreakers I read up on. The cost doesn't matter as monitors last for a long time and can be used with different computers.

 

[lbku]

Got my Studio Display today with the standard glass and stand. Of course when trying to update it got stuck in Recovery/Restore mode. Any tips to get it out of it? So annoying.

Edit: Oddly, the Apple Support people didn't suggest turning it off and back on. That did the trick.

 

[zorinlynx]

The image quality is similar as the Studio Display is using an improved panel of the Ultrafine 5K, which is the same panel from the 5K iMac. The coating on the Studio Display is better since it gives off less reflection. Reflection is a little bit more noticable with the Ultrafine 5K, which affects the image quality somewhat. Otherwise, the sharpness and colors are similar. Comparing to the 2K Dell Ultrasharp, the test is noticeably better on the Ultrafine 5K.

I still wonder if the LG Ultrafine 5K I borrowed from work has issues, because the image quality was just nowhere near that of an iMac 5K or Studio Display. The biggest problem it had was that a grey gradient wasn't pure grey; it had slight reddish or greenish sections. Maybe there was something wrong with the digital pathway for the color channels and some bits were missing, which would result in that happening.

 

[MrGunny94]

Regarding scaling on a 4k monitor: The scaling options are displayed in points, which means non-retina pixel coordinates, but macOS will actually display double that resolution in pixels, so 1920x1080 points are actually rendered as 3840x2160 pixels, for instance.

I run an additional 4k in 5k downscaled mode next to the ASDs (for identical window sizes) and the 4k is indeed noticeably grainier and fuzzier (softer) especially with text (both in scaled and in unscaled mode), so I really see the benefit of the real 5k resolution for main usage. But the 4k is okay for secondary use.

Thanks was looking for someone who had a 5K ASD and a 4K display as a secondary monitor

 

[constructor]

Thanks was looking for someone who had a 5K ASD and a 4K display as a secondary monitor

You're welcome!

 

[justmadeupname]

I run an additional 4k in 5k downscaled mode next to the ASDs (for identical window sizes)

@constructor What is meant by "4k in 5k downscaled mode"?

 

[constructor]

@constructor What is meant by "4k in 5k downscaled mode"?

It means I have a physical 4k 27" LG monitor connected to the Mac Studio via USB-C (using a VESA mount in vertical orientation). While the Apple Studio Displays next to it are connected via Thunderbolt, the LG is just using the Display Port alternate mode of USB-C. (They are all plugged into USB-C ports in the back and the Mac switches each of those ports to the protocol the respective monitor supports.)

I had first tried the LG in its native 4k resolution where the UI and window content is looking correspondingly larger, but I then tried scaled mode where this display appears like another 5k display to the system and only in the last step it is scaled down to 4k pixel-wise by selecting Rotation: 270° for portrait mode, then Scaled mode, selecting 1440 x 2560 because in Retina mode that is the number of coordinate points macOS uses for 5k displays with the actual Retina rendering pixels double that at 2880 x 5120 which are then scaled down pixel-wise to the physical 2160 x 3840 the monitor can display.

(It works the same way as the CTRL+scrolling zoom mode, just in the opposite direction to map the higher-resolution pixels the system actually renders to the lower-resolution physical pixels of the actual 4k display; When I use that interactive zoom mode, however, I do see the rendered 5k pixels being zoomed, not the scaled-down 4k pixels!)

It is of course not as sharp and smooth as the actual 5k displays and at least to me the difference is quite noticeable, especially with text which is fuzzier and less sharp and I still see the 4k pixel grid while the 5k displays next to it look completely smooth and perfectly sharp, but that is mostly the same in its native 4k mode and in 5k downscaled to 4k mode, so I'm using it in scaled mode because at least the UI and window sizes will be consistent between the 5k and 4k displays this way.

It had felt a bit excessive to me to get another ASD for this extra screen which mostly just displays status information, chats and less critical content, so spending only just about a quarter of the price of an ASD for this one was okay for me, even with the somewhat lesser quality I got.

I wouldn't want to actually work on the 4k display all the time if I can use a 5k instead, but for supplemental use it's good enough to me.

 

[switz]

I ordered a fully loaded Mac Studio on opening day. After the initial issues reports came out, I decided to wait and let the bugs get worked out. Decided to let the Studio Displays mature some as well. Reading this 80 page thread has provided many useful insights.

My 2013 Mac Pro 128GB/2TB SSD (ordered in late 2013) is getting long in the tooth and has had its last MacOS update to Monterey. I have two of the Thunderbolt 2 27" displays attached hanging from the wall on VESA mounts plus lots of USB accessories. One of the displays has recently died. I plan to give this computer and now the one monitor to one set of my grand kids along with an older Mac mini vintage 2014 with an Apple 24" LED Display. I will replace the LED Display with a 24" LG 24MD4KL-B display to be attached to my 2018 Intel Mac mini 64GB/2TB SSD file server with an external 24GB OWC drive.

I had to order the Mac Studio (6 July) so that it would arrive after I get back from a long trip so it should hit the local Apple Store on 11 October. I ordered two Studio Displays with VESA mounts on 26 July and they will be here 15 to 22 August.

My 14" MBPro Max 64GB/4TB SSD will drive the new displays while awaiting the Studio. I could also use my Intel 16" MBPro 64GB/8TB to drive the displays as well. I will keep the Intel MBPro for my many legacy applications.

My M1 MBAir 16GB/1TB quits the external display if the lid is closed. So it is not as useful. It now serves as my MacOS Beta test computer.

I hope that the fully loaded Mac M1 Ultra Studio 128GB/8TB SSD will last as long as my 2013 MacPro or I depart being age 77.

 

[constructor]

My M1 MBAir 16GB/1TB quits the external display if the lid is closed. So it is not as useful. It now serves as my MacOS Beta test computer.

If there is an external monitor and an external keyboard connected to it, the MBA should still work in "clamshell mode", so only using the external display and keyboard but still being active even while closed.

The MBA can still serve one external display up to 6k according to its specs.

 

[xraydoc]

My M1 MBAir 16GB/1TB quits the external display if the lid is closed. So it is not as useful. It now serves as my MacOS Beta test computer.

The M1 MBA should 100% most definitely run a single monitor when the lid is closed. I did it all the time. Connect an external keyboard and mouse/trackpad, connect the monitor, tap a key to wake it up.

 

[jdm905]

Moving soon so the place is in a bit of disarray but here's my new desk set up: View attachment 2034913

Where you get the wallpaper from? Looking for dual screen wallpapers.

 

[xraydoc]

Where you get the wallpaper from? Looking for dual screen wallpapers.

The one he has came from the Twelve South collection. There's a bunch of nice ones in there. I'm currently using one of theirs as well (Isle of Skye in Scotland, since I'm a big Scotch drinker).

BookArc Collection: Sleek MacBook stands | Twelve South

Download Twelve South’s free desktop wallpapers today. Access stylish, high-resolution backgrounds inspired by Apple design to personalize your Mac or PC.

www.twelvesouth.com

 

[zorinlynx]

The M1 MBA should 100% most definitely run a single monitor when the lid is closed. I did it all the time. Connect an external keyboard and mouse/trackpad, connect the monitor, tap a key to wake it up.

Yup doing this right now as I speak. I have my Macbook Pro on a stand next to the Studio Display. I usually don't need both screens so I close the Macbook to reduce dust on the keyboard. It drives the SD just fine and just acts like a desktop Mac.

 

[trevor-b]

Very important question

What to do with the box the ASD came with? Seems like a shame to toss it out as it so well designed.

 

[switz]

Build a storage shed? Rent a storage units? Put it in the attic? Put it at the in-laws house?

If you have a local Apple Store (we have at least three in the Phoenix urban sprawl), why bother with the box? Just carry it in. What is the Apple store going to do with your box while the monitor is repaired?

We kept the box for the 27" iMac as it was taken from storage at our home to the shed on our lot for our Airstream for the summer as our primary computer.

Once both Studio Displays are in place, they will stay put on their VESA mounts that are fastened to the wall.

 

[Lioness~]

Very important question

What to do with the box the ASD came with? Seems like a shame to toss it out as it so well designed.

I throw such well made boxes up on attic or down in cellar. Excellent when and if you need to return or send the device that it came with on repair etc. Not bad to have in case you want to sell it either.
I always save ALL boxes that Apple’s ‘toys’ comes with, until they have been recycled or sold with their original boxes.

 

[switz]

Our "mature" Apple equipment usually goes to the grand kids. We take a car load every so often and the junior experts get to do what they will. I don't get heart burn if something old gets broken over there.

 

[constructor]

Keep the boxes! Especially monitors are awkward to pack up for shipping (for warranty / repair / resale) or for moving and are easily damaged, so it's always good to have the original box!

I just sent my old iMac to its new owner and I was glad to have the original shipping box!

 

[justmadeupname]

I ordered a fully loaded Mac Studio on opening day. After the initial issues reports came out, I decided to wait and let the bugs get worked out. Decided to let the Studio Displays mature some as well. Reading this 80 page thread has provided many useful insights.

My 2013 Mac Pro 128GB/2TB SSD (ordered in late 2013) is getting long in the tooth and has had its last MacOS update to Monterey. I have two of the Thunderbolt 2 27" displays attached hanging from the wall on VESA mounts plus lots of USB accessories. One of the displays has recently died. I plan to give this computer and now the one monitor to one set of my grand kids along with an older Mac mini vintage 2014 with an Apple 24" LED Display. I will replace the LED Display with a 24" LG 24MD4KL-B display to be attached to my 2018 Intel Mac mini 64GB/2TB SSD file server with an external 24GB OWC drive.

I had to order the Mac Studio (6 July) so that it would arrive after I get back from a long trip so it should hit the local Apple Store on 11 October. I ordered two Studio Displays with VESA mounts on 26 July and they will be here 15 to 22 August.

My 14" MBPro Max 64GB/4TB SSD will drive the new displays while awaiting the Studio. I could also use my Intel 16" MBPro 64GB/8TB to drive the displays as well. I will keep the Intel MBPro for my many legacy applications.

My M1 MBAir 16GB/1TB quits the external display if the lid is closed. So it is not as useful. It now serves as my MacOS Beta test computer.

I hope that the fully loaded Mac M1 Ultra Studio 128GB/8TB SSD will last as long as my 2013 MacPro or I depart being age 77.

@switz Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed reply, much appreciated 👍

 

[macpro2000]

Why don’t people do more 3 display setups? Main in the middle with one on each side? Much better.

 

[switz]

Perhaps for starters not every one has 77” of desk space. Allowing for overhangs on the sides a 60” wide desk might just work but would need some depth. Not every laptop or computer could support three or more monitors. The 2021 14” & 16” Mac Book Pros with three Thunderbolt 4 ports could support three Studio displays but other external drives or whatever would be limited to the slower three USB-C ports at 10Gb/s on the back of each of the Studio Displays.

If one can afford three Studio Displays, then the nearly $8,000 Mac M1 Ultra Studio with six Thunderbolt 4 ports could do the job without breaking a sweat. The old AmEx would be smokin at $12,796 plus local sales taxes but it would be quite the system.

 

[Acorn]

I ordered a fully loaded Mac Studio on opening day. After the initial issues reports came out, I decided to wait and let the bugs get worked out. Decided to let the Studio Displays mature some as well. Reading this 80 page thread has provided many useful insights.

My 2013 Mac Pro 128GB/2TB SSD (ordered in late 2013) is getting long in the tooth and has had its last MacOS update to Monterey. I have two of the Thunderbolt 2 27" displays attached hanging from the wall on VESA mounts plus lots of USB accessories. One of the displays has recently died. I plan to give this computer and now the one monitor to one set of my grand kids along with an older Mac mini vintage 2014 with an Apple 24" LED Display. I will replace the LED Display with a 24" LG 24MD4KL-B display to be attached to my 2018 Intel Mac mini 64GB/2TB SSD file server with an external 24GB OWC drive.

I had to order the Mac Studio (6 July) so that it would arrive after I get back from a long trip so it should hit the local Apple Store on 11 October. I ordered two Studio Displays with VESA mounts on 26 July and they will be here 15 to 22 August.

My 14" MBPro Max 64GB/4TB SSD will drive the new displays while awaiting the Studio. I could also use my Intel 16" MBPro 64GB/8TB to drive the displays as well. I will keep the Intel MBPro for my many legacy applications.

My M1 MBAir 16GB/1TB quits the external display if the lid is closed. So it is not as useful. It now serves as my MacOS Beta test computer.

I hope that the fully loaded Mac M1 Ultra Studio 128GB/8TB SSD will last as long as my 2013 MacPro or I depart being age 77.

just wanted to say that for clamshell mode to work it has to be plugged into an outlet. why this is I dont know but its what apple decided. I use the app Amphetamine to keep the MacBook Air awake while in clamshell mode. because apples own software doesn't work to keep the machine awake..

 

[Acorn]

Very important question

What to do with the box the ASD came with? Seems like a shame to toss it out as it so well designed.

ive seen people ask as much as 100 dollars just for the box on eBay. wether or not it sold is another discussion.

 

[macpro2000]

Perhaps for starters not every one has 77” of desk space. Allowing for overhangs on the sides a 60” wide desk might just work but would need some depth. Not every laptop or computer could support three or more monitors. The 2021 14” & 16” Mac Book Pros with three Thunderbolt 4 ports could support three Studio displays but other external drives or whatever would be limited to the slower three USB-C ports at 10Gb/s on the back of each of the Studio Displays.

If one can afford three Studio Displays, then the nearly $8,000 Mac M1 Ultra Studio with six Thunderbolt 4 ports could do the job without breaking a sweat. The old AmEx would be smokin at $12,796 plus local sales taxes but it would be quite the system.

It’s true, my maxed Studio is virtually inaudible with an XDR and 3 Studio displays. Before my old Mac Pro 2013 was running 5 30” Apple Cinema Displays but it’s fan was running like a SOB. Will be interesting to see what more the new Mac Pro can do vs. the Studio.

 

[Arctic Moose]

Why don’t people do more 3 display setups? Main in the middle with one on each side? Much better.

Much better for what?

For most computer users a single larger display is better from a productivity perspective. For some well-defined tasks, such as video editing, app/web development or presenting in a conference call a second is beneficial.

For some extremely information-dense tasks perhaps a third could be useful, daytrading maybe? I just don’t see what most people would use a third for.

I have two, but keep the second one unplugged most of the time.