If that ever got to $1200-1500 on some mega sale or with coupons, I might consider it at some point.
The XDR, on the other hand, is just multiples of what I'd ever pay.
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Samsung Discounts New ViewFinity S9 5K Display to $1,299.99 ($300 Off) and Smart Monitor M8 to $499.99 ($200 Off)
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If that ever got to $1200-1500 on some mega sale or with coupons, I might consider it at some point.
The XDR, on the other hand, is just multiples of what I'd ever pay.
For those comparing price, the Samsung has a matte display and is height adjustable and tiltable, which for the ASD would cost an extra $700. And you can change the Samsung between VESA mount and stand, whereas with the ASD you’re stuck with one of the two. Plus the other differences already mentioned in this thread. So it really depends on what features you want.
Personally, I think the fact that Apple wants $400 for adjustability of the stand is absolutely indefensible. Not only due to the amount, but also because it is a basic ergonomics feature that every monitor should have.
Personally, I think the fact that Apple wants $400 for adjustability of the stand is absolutely indefensible. Not only due to the amount, but also because it is a basic ergonomics feature that every monitor should have.
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I own two studio displays, and I also owned the Viewfinity S9 dispkay, both used with my Mac Studio.
What’s your question?
Here's why you might opt for the Viewfinity over the Studio Display, setting aside any price reductions:
• Included matte display vs. $300 extra for nano-texture
• Adjustable tilt, height, and rotation vs. $400 for tilt and height
• Offers both Display Port and TB4 inputs vs. TB4 exclusive
• Built-in entertainment center vs. no additional features
•Better Quality 4K webcam vs. 1080p webcam
On the flip side, here are some compelling reasons to spend the extra $300 on the Studio Display:
• Lack of Mac integration on the Viewfinity
• Studio Display offers exceptional audio quality
• Superior build quality with an aluminum construction
• Included matte display vs. $300 extra for nano-texture
• Adjustable tilt, height, and rotation vs. $400 for tilt and height
• Offers both Display Port and TB4 inputs vs. TB4 exclusive
• Built-in entertainment center vs. no additional features
•Better Quality 4K webcam vs. 1080p webcam
On the flip side, here are some compelling reasons to spend the extra $300 on the Studio Display:
• Lack of Mac integration on the Viewfinity
• Studio Display offers exceptional audio quality
• Superior build quality with an aluminum construction
I just got a Dell U4021, 40in 5k2k widescreen monitor. Essentially dual 27 side by side with no bezels and offers more real estate for productivity and works well for me with my personal Mac and work PC laptop. I do coding so image quality isn't my main concern.
My big question about this: what video conferencing application do people use that actually sends out 4K video? I have a very fast Fios connection at home and never see Zoom sending out more than a tiny outgoing video size. It's never ever approached 1080p. So what's the advantage? Are people using 4K webcams to record video directly for vlogging and whatnot?
Wow, that didn't take very long.
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One thing I'm not seeing discussed here is image quality. How are the ViewFinity versus Studio Display in display image quality? The Samsung is 8-bit FRC, is the Studio Display true 10-bit? Sharpness of matte v. glossy? How is the backlight? Ghosting/blooming? Etc.?
The other element in this is color/HDR; to me it sounds like neither the ViewFinity nor the Studio Display have HDR. That's the thing about comparison with the pricey XDR display—the XDR is literally 1,000 nits brighter with FALD (well, low/moderate-resolution FALD) mini-LED. The 6K Dell monitor might have the same resolution but it's nothing like the color. INNOCN is making some cheap mini-LED monitors that give all these a run for their money, just if INNOCN can get their build quality and QA issues sorted.
I've been running 3x 27" 4K Dell monitors for eight years now, and I really want a higher-resolution better-color replacement. But I paid less for all three of those Dells combined, in 2005, than one Studio Display now. Granted, Dell firmware quality is like repeatedly stubbing your toe on the chair, but their image quality has been really good for their era (2005).
I have outstanding OLED TVs, and I want that tech in a (smaller) monitor that won't burn in. It feels like proper mini-LED or OLED has been just around the corner for years and years.
The other element in this is color/HDR; to me it sounds like neither the ViewFinity nor the Studio Display have HDR. That's the thing about comparison with the pricey XDR display—the XDR is literally 1,000 nits brighter with FALD (well, low/moderate-resolution FALD) mini-LED. The 6K Dell monitor might have the same resolution but it's nothing like the color. INNOCN is making some cheap mini-LED monitors that give all these a run for their money, just if INNOCN can get their build quality and QA issues sorted.
I've been running 3x 27" 4K Dell monitors for eight years now, and I really want a higher-resolution better-color replacement. But I paid less for all three of those Dells combined, in 2005, than one Studio Display now. Granted, Dell firmware quality is like repeatedly stubbing your toe on the chair, but their image quality has been really good for their era (2005).
I have outstanding OLED TVs, and I want that tech in a (smaller) monitor that won't burn in. It feels like proper mini-LED or OLED has been just around the corner for years and years.
I’ve owned one for a week or so, having got one here in Australia for the equivalent of $900 or about 40% cheaper than the base Studio Display.
My endgame is a 32” 8K mini-LED display, which are coming real soon now, and the S9 is to tide me over. That’s what good image quality is, not an edge lit IPS display, whether it’s an S9 or the Studio Display - both use outdated display tech.
My endgame is a 32” 8K mini-LED display, which are coming real soon now, and the S9 is to tide me over. That’s what good image quality is, not an edge lit IPS display, whether it’s an S9 or the Studio Display - both use outdated display tech.
Not needing superb image quality? I don’t get this, because the S9 is just as good as the Studio Display in my experience.
That’s me, have had the S9 with a Studio for a couple of days. So far no issues.
I disagree. Once calibrated, I’ve come to prefer the S9 because the matte coating actually makes a difference in my environment (I have south facing windows behind me).
Uncalibratred, I thought I had made a terrible mistake and was wondering how to return the S9. But once I calibrated it, I was shocked at how good the image quality is.
How long have you owned and used your ASD?
I've been using mine for about 15 months now.
I'm still searching for a good monitor for the Mac mini. So thanks for the useful infos in this thread!
Could you explain how you calibrated the Samsung display? Is this something you would recommend for someone who is not a professional (or even amateur) artist?
Could you explain how you calibrated the Samsung display? Is this something you would recommend for someone who is not a professional (or even amateur) artist?
How long have you used your S9?
I'm actually one of the few who have had both panels side by side on my desk, because the S9 was replacing a 2019 iMac 5K (which uses the same panel as the Studio Display for those who don't know). My comparison is a real-life one, not from watching videos or looking at specs.
So I had a fair bit of time to compare them in my environment and can only say that, when calibrated, the S9 is the equal of the Studio Display. When uncalibrated the S9 is awful.
The matte coating is really good, and doesn't diminish sharpness. That said, I'm 41 years old, so YMMV (note: I don't use glasses and have 20/20 vision, but I know how may people on forums have the vision of an eagle).
The S9 is a little warmer even after calibration - I prefer that, but others may not.
Of course, the S9 has downsides. I really miss the brightness control, as software controls don't work well and changing it on the monitor itself is bafflingly bad.
In my case I use this for work, so it makes sense for me. Although I'm now in the managerial space, I still make photos and video for work when I can get away from meetings and calibration is essential for good-quality product, no matter what monitor you're using. I just used my Spyder X to calibrate it; any calibration tool compatible with MacOS should work just fine.
I was pretty disappointed with the S9 out of the box, but I am a bit picky. YMMV depending on what you think of Samsung's default choices, which are targeted at the consumer space rather than prosumer, so it's more of Samsung's over saturation and it was way too warm for my tastes.
it's a decent monitor, not as good as ASD quality. I wouldn't recommend to buy one at original price as you better off with ASD, but with $300 discount, if you really want to save some bucks... I still don't recommend it for Mac Studio. If you had Mac Mini, I could see you would consider it.
I've never had one. I was just wondering how you made the comparison, coming to the conclusion the S9 was just as good as the Studio Display ("...because the S9 is just as good as the Studio Display in my experience").
Sorry, I thought you were being sarcastic. My bad.
Like anyone, I bring my own specific biases and I consider edge lit IPS displays, including S9 and ASD, to be no more than adequate in terms of image quality, because I compare them to OLED and Mini-LED displays, which are the standard here. I would very much like to move away from the ancient tech that is edge lit IPS, but that isn’t possible quite yet. Hopefully I have this S9 for no more than a year before it’s upgraded to something better.
Mac users deserve lots of 6K and 8K displays at varying price points so that we can all have the monitors that suit our needs.
Edge lit just means the backlight is along one or two edges of the display. The alternatives are full array, which have backlights on all four sides and direct lit, which has the backlight behind (which I’m not sure monitors even use).
How hard or disruptive would it be to do a calibration using an iPhone and the Samsung app? I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on how close that calibration gets to a more professional tool like your Spyder. The S9 seems to be the best option for me, who want's to be able to use it with my work laptop, which is a Windows laptop, in addition to my Mac Mini, but I would only be able to use the Samsung app to calibrate.
So, don‘t think about the ASD. Just check out both monitors „side-by-side“ at Bestbuy, then make your decision.
So pricey... One day I hope to buy a used ASD from someone. Maybe when my 2011 Thunderbolt Display dies - but she is still going strong!
I was looking at this today, because of the issues scaling 4k monitors in MacOs.
I can’t find another 5k monitor with multiple inputs at all.
My eventual plan is to share the screen with a Mac and possibly an pc for Microsoft Flight Sim, and maybe an Xbox as a third source, but that doesn’t appear possible due to the lack of hdmi inputs.
Maybe because of the 5k it would have to scale any hdmi source, so they don’t include it? I think they missed the opportunity to one up the apple studio by simply including 2 or 3 more input ports/options.
I love the screen on my intel Mac (2017 model) and really hate that I now have to think about monitors again nowadays after having iMacs for 10 years.