Apple Thunderbolt Display Quality VS 2011 iMac?

[Turnpike]

Theres something about my 2011 27" iMac, that even though it's not a smooth buttery 4K or 5K display, it's easy for me to look at and use on regular basis. Even more delightful (not sure if it's brighter or what) than the 4K monitor I got from Samsung (in my opinion- I write and research on them for most of the day on a regular basis).

I've never used the 27" Apple Displays, but now that they are popping up for sale more and more, if I would grab one, does anyone have first-hand experience with them compared to the pre-5K 27" iMac displays...? Are they exactly the same, or is one a little different?

If I could make the non-retina 13" Macbooks and/or the 12" Retina Macbooks I have here display on a 27" screen that was the exact quality of my 2011 iMac, I'd grab one. Just curious if anyone knows for sure if they're identical, or if one is a little better or different than the other.

(To be clear, I'm trying to compare the 2011 27" iMac pre-retina display and 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display)

Thank you!

EDIT: I just learned that the Cinema Display and Thunderbolt display have the exact same resolution. I didn't even realize there were 2 different displays from Apple. So if you're familiar with either the Cinema Display or Thunderbolt display, both are exactly the same, to compare to the older iMac displays.

 

[ElCani]

As far as I’m aware, the TB display uses the same panel as the 2011 iMac 27.

 

[mcpix]

I have both the 2011 27" iMac and a 27" Thunderbolt Display and they both look identical to me. The 27" Thunderbolt display works great with my 2014 15" MBP. Even thought I also have a 2015 5K iMac, I still enjoy editing photos on the Thunderbolt display.