imac + mbp13 OR mbp13 + 5k monitor

[537635]

Just some brainstorming if somebody has a different view. I have a work MBP 13 2020 16GB/1TB. I would like to have a desktop setup at home. I was thinking LG 5k 27 + keyboard and trackpad. But on the other hand this is just about 800 EUR (USD) shy of getting an iMac. So in the end I'd have two computers. I could pass iMac forward later, on the other hand these are two devices that'll need to be replaced eventually... 5k monitor might be almost forever.

Aesthetics is also important, LG looks like my first LCD from 20 years ago... but there are almost no HIDPI monitors besides this one LG.

Sync is seamless with Dropbox, most data is on NAS.

 

[sco]

LG 5K monitor quality control is questionable (see threads in accessories forum including my posts) and it is in short supply. I just bought one and I am returning it because of totally unacceptable colour uniformity issues (which I wouldn't even accept on a monitor a third of the price) and going down the iMac path.

In my case the iMac will be more powerful than my MBP so will use that when in the office and switch to the MBP when I need portability. May also split workloads between the iMac and the MBP (I run multiple VMs at times). Also I see one machine as a backup for the other - e.g. if an OS update introduces issues (in my case have had issues with 10.15.4 and 10.15.6).

You can put the MBP into target disk mode and access the disk if needed from the iMac via thunderbolt also as another option.

 

[537635]

OK, reading these posts LG is out of the question. So basically with 5k retina monitors... this is it. Didn't know about the target disk mode. Thanks!

 

[mj_]

There is virtually no difference between a 5K and 4K resolution on a 27" display, at least in my experience. Might as well go with one of the many 27" 4K displays and save yourself a lot of money along the way.

 

[537635]

I read that 4k on 27'' doesn't scale well. 5k is ideal, because it's 2x.

 

[InformationLandmine]

I read that 4k on 27'' doesn't scale well. 5k is ideal, because it's 2x.

I completely agree. On a 27” monitor you want to run at 1440p hi-dpi which is 5k, but a 4K screen does not look so great scaled to that resolotion.

 

[sco]

I read that 4k on 27'' doesn't scale well. 5k is ideal, because it's 2x.

On a 27" 4K I find "Default for display" scaling results in text that is too big. I scale using the second option (looks like 2560x1440). It's not unbearable but I find it a lot less sharp than "Default for Display" on a 5K which is perfect size text for me.

 

[mj_]

4K scaled to 2560x1440 on a 27” display may not look as crisp as 5k scaled to 2560x1440 on a 27” display but it will still look significantly better than a native resolution of 2560x1440 on that same size display.