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Apple Studio Displays & M4 Mini
- Thread starter Pagemakers
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I know and it’s not overly clear. A simple yes or no would suffice.
Yes, M4 can support three 5K displays over Thunderbolt.
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HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
OP, before you spend all that for 3 ASDs, I suggest you at least LOOK at maybe just 2 5K ultra-wides. IMO: uninterrupted screen > interrupted screens... and that's a lot of functional redundancy in 3 ASDs (cams, speakers, etc) you probably won't be using. When I faced the separates decision, I chose the Dell 40" 5K2K ultra-wide... which offers about the same HEIGHT of screen but much more width. I could never go back to more squarish-shaped screen, even if that was 2 or 3 of them.
Not only would you get the great amount of screen R.E. you seek while saving a lot of money... but each of these come with a substantial hub too, with a good mix of "the future" and "the present" ports.
Not only would you get the great amount of screen R.E. you seek while saving a lot of money... but each of these come with a substantial hub too, with a good mix of "the future" and "the present" ports.
Thanks. Will certainly take a look. Idea was for 2 with a 3rd maybe later. Currently got an ultra-wide Samsung but the quality is terrible.
Might be silly question but does Mac OS have perfect scaling (supreme text clarity with a feels like 1440p viewport) on these 5k ultra wides? I assume it does.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
"Perfect" is a very high standard. I had a 5K iMac 27" before and my eyes are "perfect" 20:20. To me, the screen- and text on it- looks the same as that iMac EXCEPT that there is much more width R.E. Apparently, ASD is the same iMac screen minus the Mac guts... but sold for the "same great price."
Technically, ASD has a little more vertical pixels than 2160 but that's pixels jammed into a screen height over only about 15"-16", so good luck noticing in real world use.I generally "HiDPI" the Dell at 3840X1620 for most use though sometimes go full 5120X2160 in one click when I want widest timelines in stuff like FCPX. The latter means the menu bar looks small but it is completely normal at 3840X1620... and when I need to use Windows apps, a dedicated PC, which can also plug into 1 of 4 input ports on it, scales resolution just fine to any size. That's the ultimate Windows compatibility option AKA "old fashioned boot camp."
Again, I could have gone either way but for the same money, I opted for much more screen R.E. and a rich hub with "the present" and "the future" ports...
...and the flexibility to plug other devices into it without having to switch cables. OP is thinking about 3 monitors which will be screens broken by 3 bezels and lots of redundancy of cams, speakers, etc. He might be just as happy with maybe 2 of these and save the cost of one ASD to cover the new Mac or something else.
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Thanks for that. Don't want to derail this for the OP."Perfect" is a very high standard. I had a 5K iMac 27" before and my eyes are "perfect" 20:20. To me the screen- and text on it- looks the same as that iMac EXCEPT that there is much more width R.E. Apparently, ASD is the same iMac screen minus the Mac guts... but sold for the "same great price."
I generally "HiDPI" it at 3840X1620 though sometimes go full 5120X2160 when I want widest timelines in stuff like FCPX. The latter means the menu bar looks small but it is completely normal at 3840X1620... and when I need to use Windows apps, a dedicated PC which can also plug into 1 of 4 input ports on it scales resolution just fine to any size.
Was curious about your monitor. I use retina screens and going backwards especially with 4k scaling issues doesn't seem like a good move.
I'd buy an ASD if it wasn't for the fact it's likely being replaced quite soon. This dell does look good.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
It certainly doesn't feel like "going backwards" as I don't notice a visual difference between the former iMac 27" 5K and this much wider 5K. Yes, there is technically a modest difference but seeing it is not obvious. Screen is sharp. Text is sharp. It mostly looks like I somehow merged the old iMac 27" with about another 3/4ths of the width of the same screen for an expanded width screen. Height looks about identical.
Believe me, I went in with this biased view of Apple 5K-or-bust because I had read that around here too many times. But like so much "sales support" messaging around here, that's not absolute truth. Reality is that there are a number of good choices for Mac monitors. When I went with this one, I wondered if I would want to send it back... but now I wouldn't swap it out to return to the iMac 27" (and thus ASD) screen even if I could get ASD for $1. The uninterrupted screen width is fannnnnnnntastic to me.
If OP feels similarly though- that the ONLY choice must be "perfect" 5K at 27" near square-shaped screen, there are "pure" 5K screens beyond ASD too. LG & Samsung both have "pure" 5K 27" panels, often priced much lower than ASD. The main point for OP is that ASD is not the only game in town. And IMO- especially in OPs case, why pay for 3 cameras and 3 sets of speakers when he's likely only going to be using one of them? That's a lot of overkill tech that will probably go unused in such a setup.
And as you say, there ARE rumors that a replacement is on deck. If I wanted 3 but didn't need it immediately, I'd be a bit more patient and watch for further rumors. ASD is based on iPhone "brains" and Apple likes to bail on old A-series chips fairly quickly. How long until ASD is the only device using that particular A-series chip? If that's already close, expect a replacement ASAP.
Believe me, I went in with this biased view of Apple 5K-or-bust because I had read that around here too many times. But like so much "sales support" messaging around here, that's not absolute truth. Reality is that there are a number of good choices for Mac monitors. When I went with this one, I wondered if I would want to send it back... but now I wouldn't swap it out to return to the iMac 27" (and thus ASD) screen even if I could get ASD for $1. The uninterrupted screen width is fannnnnnnntastic to me.
If OP feels similarly though- that the ONLY choice must be "perfect" 5K at 27" near square-shaped screen, there are "pure" 5K screens beyond ASD too. LG & Samsung both have "pure" 5K 27" panels, often priced much lower than ASD. The main point for OP is that ASD is not the only game in town. And IMO- especially in OPs case, why pay for 3 cameras and 3 sets of speakers when he's likely only going to be using one of them? That's a lot of overkill tech that will probably go unused in such a setup.
And as you say, there ARE rumors that a replacement is on deck. If I wanted 3 but didn't need it immediately, I'd be a bit more patient and watch for further rumors. ASD is based on iPhone "brains" and Apple likes to bail on old A-series chips fairly quickly. How long until ASD is the only device using that particular A-series chip? If that's already close, expect a replacement ASAP.
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I use 1 ASD and 2 x Apple Thunderbolt displays. Didn't want to over capitalise on 3 x ASD with a potential new model on the horizon. I'm aware the quality of the thunderbolt displays is not like the ASD, but it doesn't bother me atm for my application.
I had considered 2 40" ultrawide monitors instead but i actually prefer 3 separate screens. For ergonomics i want a centred screen directly in front of me, with the 2 peripheral monitors either side. I like having the three distinct desktop/areas on each monitor. WIth 2 x 40" setup next to each other, the split between screen would be directly in the middle in front of you, not ideal IMO. You're always looking slightly to the left or right. Really comes down to your personal preference.
Apologies to OP if too OT.
I had considered 2 40" ultrawide monitors instead but i actually prefer 3 separate screens. For ergonomics i want a centred screen directly in front of me, with the 2 peripheral monitors either side. I like having the three distinct desktop/areas on each monitor. WIth 2 x 40" setup next to each other, the split between screen would be directly in the middle in front of you, not ideal IMO. You're always looking slightly to the left or right. Really comes down to your personal preference.
Apologies to OP if too OT.
The pixel density is only 140 ppi.
ASD is higher and better at 218.
I sold my 160 ppi ultrawide and bought a ASD. Much happier now.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
A number is a number- we’re talking 5K jammed onto a screen only about 15 inches tall. While mathematically different, visual experience is what counts, I came from an ASD (27” iMac) screen to this one and my 20:20s don’t notice a difference. Is there one? Yes says the number. Do my good eyes see it in daily use? No. Does it bug me in daily use? No.
But if OP is going to lock in on the spec, consider the Samsung, LG and similar options for much less cost than ASD. They will match up with this number if this is all important to OP.
What any eyes DO see in the ultra-wide is much more horizontal work space to spread out open apps. If OP wants more work space without bezel breaks in the screen(s), I suggest they take a look.
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