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Good or Bad Time to Purchase an Apple Studio Display and Why?

J

JoelBC

macrumors 65816
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Jun 16, 2012
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I am considering purchasing an Apple Studio and was wondering what the think is as to:

a) Is this a good or bad time to purchase an Apple Study Display and why?

b) Would the gloss version or the nano-texture matte version?

Thanks in advance.
 
Well it really depends on your use case and why you are considering this Display. There is an entire thread with people sharing their opinions about this. What do you like about it? Color reproduction? Glossy screen? Design? MacOS scaling?

In my experience, it is absolutely worth if you do some kind of creative work releated to image processing. I am a photographer and videomaker and the image quality, color reproduction, brightness and sharpness is very important for me and therefore the Studio Display makes a lot of sense, especially when paired with a Mac Mini or Mac Studio.

I think we will not see a Studio Display v.2 for the next 4 - 5 years. It is not a Mac so it won't be updated every 1-2 years. Also, the display technology is the one we see in it today. I bought mine with the hope of using it for 10 years at least.

In my opinion, GLOSSY version is the one to go. Have you seen the nano-texture in person in an Apple Store? It is VERY blurry, text and icons especially. If you are considering the nano-texture then any matte screen might be good for you. Again it depends why you are considering the Studio Display.

Did you consider other brands? Huawei Mateview? Samsung Viewfinity S9?
 
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@magphotos , as a start, much thanks for teh response.

I will definitely go back to the Apple Store and compare the matt finish versus the gloss finish. I thought I was sold on the matte finish but will look again.

Interesting that you do not think that we will see a Studio Display v.2 for another 4 to 5 years despite the many rumours, perhaps you can expand on why you believe this. This is one of my biggest concerns as the rumours have me thinking a new display is around the corner and I am apprehensive about spending such a large amount on something that may soon be replaced. With that said, please don't jump on there is always something new around the corner as a) laptops (what I use) change annual (or near annually) and b) displays do not change frequently so...

While I have considered and looked at the Samsung Viewfinity S9 it is not yet released (at least that I could find as of my search yesterday). With that said, the aesthetics are very important to me given where the motor will sit in my home / office.

Will most certainly check out the thread that you linked to.

thank you.
 
JoelBC said:
I am considering purchasing an Apple Studio and was wondering what the think is as to:

a) Is this a good or bad time to purchase an Apple Study Display and why?

b) Would the gloss version or the nano-texture matte version?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
A) For me personally the timing is partially a function of price. I’ve watched the Studio Display receive a reduced price a couple times in the last few months at Costco and Amazon ($1300-$1350 for the base, glossy / standard tilt stand).

So this brings up a a couple questions at least. To what degree is price a factor? Which version were you considering? Tilt only? Tilt and height adjust? VESA Mount? What store would you be being from? (If Apple, then you won’t see those reduced prices on new devices, but would have the refurb option).

I agree we’re not likely to see a replacement in the same price range anytime soon, though the Samsung Viewfinity S9 might be an interesting wrinkle if it’s more aggressively priced (not that I expect it to be, but we don’t know yet either).

B) What’s your working environment like? (How dramatic of a difference will that matte version make with regards to glare?) I was at the Apple Store the other day and realized 2 of their 3 display units were nano texture. You do lose some contrast and sharpness, but I also just do not want that delicate finish and plan on standard glass myself.
 
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JoelBC said:
Is this a good or bad time to purchase an Apple Study Display and why?
Click to expand...
The Apple Studio Display is basically the screen technology of an old iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2015) re-packaged without the Intel-based computer at the same price (if you include a height-adjustable stand). To me it's just a stopgap solution to offer something that large until the new large iMac with Apple Silicon is ready for release. Nobody should have bought it even last year, because an entire iMac is so much more value.
 
rumz said:
A) For me personally the timing is partially a function of price. I’ve watched the Studio Display receive a reduced price a couple times in the last few months at Costco and Amazon ($1300-$1350 for the base, glossy / standard tilt stand).

So this brings up a a couple questions at least. To what degree is price a factor? Which version were you considering? Tilt only? Tilt and height adjust? VESA Mount? What store would you be being from? (If Apple, then you won’t see those reduced prices on new devices, but would have the refurb option).

I agree we’re not likely to see a replacement in the same price range anytime soon, though the Samsung Viewfinity S9 might be an interesting wrinkle if it’s more aggressively priced (not that I expect it to be, but we don’t know yet either).

B) What’s your working environment like? (How dramatic of a difference will that matte version make with regards to glare?) I was at the Apple Store the other day and realized 2 of their 3 display units were nano texture. You do lose some contrast and sharpness, but I also just do not want that delicate finish and plan on standard glass myself.
Click to expand...

I wish I could avail myself of reduced pries but I live in Canada and have yet to seen it on sale here! :(

Let me clarify, I can live with the price so long as I do not wake up in the near term to learn that it has been replaced by something newer and better at a "close" price point. For example, were a new monitor to be released at $3,500, I would be fine because that is twice teh price but were it $1,800, I would have buyers remorse for not waiting.

Working environment is at a desk that overlooks a bay window with lots of light. To be clear the back of the monitor faces the widow! Will be heading back to the Apple Store to compare.
 
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JoelBC said:
Looks like the sam price as the Apple Store (unless you have the nano-texture glass which I do not see in the description)!
Click to expand...
Interesting. In the USA it was $100 cheaper and getting Applecare was cheaper also.
 
Brief update: I bit the bullet and purchased an ASD.

I got a refurbished unit (good savings) and went with the standard glass on the basis that a) it is always good to save some money and b) in the event that the reflection is too much, I can always return it.

Plus, there is the possible issue that the nan textured screen is less clear. On this point, I went to the Apple store and sam both the nan--textured glass and the standard glass. While both teh difference in reflectivity was clear, it was hard to tell teh difference in sharpness likely because I could not setup a proper sitting position for an extended period of time.

Comments / thoughts?
 
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JoelBC said:
Brief update: I bit the bullet and purchased an ASD.

I got a refurbished unit (good savings) and went with the standard glass on the basis that a) it is always good to save some money and b) in the event that the reflection is too much, I can always return it.

Plus, there is the possible issue that the nan textured screen is less clear. On this point, I went to the Apple store and sam both the nan--textured glass and the standard glass. While both teh difference in reflectivity was clear, it was hard to tell teh difference in sharpness likely because I could not setup a proper sitting position for an extended period of time.

Comments / thoughts?
Click to expand...
Haven't seen the nano in person but the glass has been fine for me.
 
Gudi said:
The Apple Studio Display is basically the screen technology of an old iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2015) re-packaged without the Intel-based computer at the same price (if you include a height-adjustable stand). To me it's just a stopgap solution to offer something that large until the new large iMac with Apple Silicon is ready for release. Nobody should have bought it even last year, because an entire iMac is so much more value.
Click to expand...
Even worse, it packs enough computing power that it basically could have been the new iMac.
It's like at the last minute, they decided to make it into a display instead.
 
i486dx2-66 said:
Even worse, it packs enough computing power that it basically could have been the new iMac.
It's like at the last minute, they decided to make it into a display instead.
Click to expand...
Which is exactly what happened. When you try to be innovative, you run into all kinds of deadlocks. The 24" iMac is a better (thinner, cooler, quieter) computer, because they decided to keep the power adapter outside. This was never done before on an iMac, even though it seems so obvious with every thin and light laptop. When the development of the ASD/iMac started, they hadn't yet made that decision and changed plans halfway through.
 
I have had my ASD for 2 ½ days now and am very pleased with it. The audio is better than my 16" MBP, the camera is good enough for zoom calls, the page is crisp with very well defined letters / numbers in Word / Excel. The ASD provides much more real estate to work on than my 16" MBP.

The ASD is setup with its back towards a bay window. When their is no image on the screen the glare / reflection is obvious but when using the screen the glare / reflection is less than I notice on my 16" MBP and does not bother me or interfere with my work. Very happy that I decided to try the standard glass and saved the money on teh nan0textured glass upgrade.

Will continue to use it over the next week or so and provide a more detailed review but so far so good!

Worth also noting:

1. ASD is MUCH better than the lost 4K displays that I had at work! Much brighter, much more stable, much sharper and much more aesthetically pleasing (i.e., charges my 16" MBP through the thunderbolt cable, design is far better, no external camera needed, no external power block, etc.).

2. I did get the height and tilt stand and am very happy that I did based on the amount of height adjustment that I am using.

Hope this is helpful!
 
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JoelBC said:
I have had my ASD for 2 ½ days now and am very pleased with it. The audio is better than my 16" MBP, the camera is good enough for zoom calls, the page is crisp with very well defined letters / numbers in Word / Excel. The ASD provides much more real estate to work on than my 16" MBP.

The ASD is setup with its back towards a bay window. When their is no image on the screen the glare / reflection is obvious but when using the screen the glare / reflection is less than I notice on my 16" MBP and does not bother me or interfere with my work. Very happy that I decided to try the standard glass and saved the money on teh nan0textured glass upgrade.

Will continue to use it over the next week or so and provide a more detailed review but so far so good!

Worth also noting:

1. ASD is MUCH better than the lost 4K displays that I had at work! Much brighter, much more stable, much sharper and much more aesthetically pleasing (i.e., charges my 16" MBP through the thunderbolt cable, design is far better, no external camera needed, no external power block, etc.).

2. I did get the height and tilt stand and am very happy that I did based on the amount of height adjustment that I am using.

Hope this is helpful!
Click to expand...
I'm glad you like the ASD. I think they're the best monitors I've seen anywhere under $2000.
 
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Just got my Standard glass ASD and so far love it. Question; Do any of you with this monitor alter any settings or just leave as is out of the box?
 
AVBeatMan said:
Just got my Standard glass ASD and so far love it. Question; Do any of you with this monitor alter any settings or just leave as is out of the box?
Click to expand...
I have been using the default settings. It is my understanding that the ASD is calibrated before being shipped.
 
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I also got the standard stand. Thought about the tilt up/down but thought that the standard stand is fine and it's not something you're going to move often.
 
AVBeatMan said:
Just got my Standard glass ASD and so far love it. Question; Do any of you with this monitor alter any settings or just leave as is out of the box?
Click to expand...
Using as they were right out of the box. I've kept them at the Apple Display P3 - 600 nits setting and didn't alter the color calibration at all. I did turn off True Tone and auto-brightness.

I keep my monitors pretty bright as they're right by a good sized window. My main ASD (landscape) is typically at 85% brightness. The one off to the left in portrait orientation is slightly dimmer, typically at 82% brightness.

I use a little app called Monitor Control to keep the brightness synced (but slightly offset as I prefer the side monitor to be very slightly dimmer).
 
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