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What can you uniquely do with a 27" screen?

L

lsh

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 6, 2012
744
202
Cincinnati, OH
Why do you prefer the 27" screen? What can it do that I wouldn't appreciate because I haven't had that experience? What are the advantages over 21.5" screen size?
I'd appreciate your experience.

I need to replace an old PC desktop for the family and am debating getting an AIO PC touch screen (24") or a iMac that I'll set up to run both Windows (for a few Windows only apps we use) and Mac. We will use it for some games, but we're not serious gamers. I plan to keep it for some time (versus laptops we update more frequently).

I've read the pros/cons of the 21.5" vs. 27" which mostly have to do with specs, not usability of the screen size. At the store, the 27" looked HUGE.

But I'd like the desktop to have features we can't get from our laptops and the size could be one of them. Unfortunately, using it as a monitor for my Macbook Pro Retina doesn't seem to be a feature.

I'd appreciate your input!
 
a 27" iMac gives you more screen real estate, pure and simple. It really does not have any more features, if I'm understanding your question
 
As said, more real estate but that means the ability to have more windows open and in view at the same time, this is REALLY useful if you work on several documents or apps at once. For example, I have a work process involving receiving an email, opening a certain website as a result, creating a new email and opening and completing an accounts page all from one transaction.

With my old PC and ordinary screen this was a laborious task. With the 27" retina imac it's so easy. Less clicks and faster flow mean I complete the whole transaction in about half the time.

Comparing photos is again very easy being able to see more side by side or on screen, for example.

Playing games? Well I only play one, Tomb raider, and the large screen makes it much more involving than the ordinary smaller screen.

I didn't realize the benefits until I got it, I certainly wouldn't go back ( despite my mrs hating it! Lol )
 
There is nothing special about 27" screens except they are really big. if you really just wanted screen real estate, then you'd hook up two more 24" monitors for fall less of a price.

But sometimes having a bigger screen is what you need. Why buy a 50" tv screen when you can get 1080p off a 32"?? because it's that much bigger.
 
I had a workflow that just wasn't going to work with a smaller screen - I was taking information from 3 large spreadsheets, an analysis program, varied Word docs and it was going into a presentation.

*Could* I have done so with a smaller screen? Yes. However, it would be slower shifting windows all the time.

I actually clocked the time before and after using the 27" screen and realized a solid 35% time savings. Absolutely made the difference between a hellish crunch time with deadlines coming up and a (relatively) leisurely affair with more time to check my work.

The larger screen size worked out so well, I got another 27" display, still getting time savings over just a single display.

The drawback is that 54" of displays takes up quite a bit of space.

Only you will know if you truly need that sort of screen real-estate. Yes, the 27" iMac is large, but this is a business need somewhat unlike what you posed.

Having said that, I will never ever go back!
 
I just did this - I replaced an old 17" laptop for family use... it used to sit on a small metal shelf so that the keyboard could be tucked under it.

The imac is a much cleaner install, and the 27" is great for watching video. Our cable provider allows for TV viewing on a computer without an external monitor, so this is almost like having another TV downstairs.

I did not get the retina as for that price I might as well get a more powerful Mac Pro. :)

I use Google drive to store the kids school assignments so that they can access them from any device / PC / Mac in the house.

R
 
Its better for my usage. I can have multiple desktop screens with each dedicated to a specific task without windows overlapping and getting overly cluttered.

For example I have 3 desktops open now. One for internet related things I'm doing, Safari (this forum), message app, FaceTime. The second I'm ripping some of my blu rays to iTunes so MakeMKV, Handbrake, iTunes, etc. The third for watching movies.

With a smaller screen I was always using multiple desktop screens for similar task. Regardless of whether its retina, faster GPU/CPU, etc etc or not just having a bigger screen is a benefit to me.
 
I trade stocks & options so need the 27" iMac (and a 2nd 27" monitor with same resolution) for watching the stock charts, market data, option prices, etc.

Here is a screen shot of what I have on the 2nd monitor for keeping an eye on day-trade opportunities:

http://screencast.com/t/kArqe3AoyglU
 
lsh said:
Why do you prefer the 27" screen? What can it do that I wouldn't appreciate because I haven't had that experience? What are the advantages over 21.5" screen size?
I'd appreciate your experience.

I need to replace an old PC desktop for the family and am debating getting an AIO PC touch screen (24") or a iMac that I'll set up to run both Windows (for a few Windows only apps we use) and Mac. We will use it for some games, but we're not serious gamers. I plan to keep it for some time (versus laptops we update more frequently).

I've read the pros/cons of the 21.5" vs. 27" which mostly have to do with specs, not usability of the screen size. At the store, the 27" looked HUGE.

But I'd like the desktop to have features we can't get from our laptops and the size could be one of them. Unfortunately, using it as a monitor for my Macbook Pro Retina doesn't seem to be a feature.

I'd appreciate your input!
Click to expand...

The 27" screen is utterly massive. I've spoken to a few folk who bought it but threw it away and bought a 21.5" iMac instead. If you need the big screen then it's better as an external, otherwise you're lumbered with a big wobbly computer that just consumes space, permanently.
 
dogslobber said:
The 27" screen is utterly massive. I've spoken to a few folk who bought it but threw it away and bought a 21.5" iMac instead. If you need the big screen then it's better as an external, otherwise you're lumbered with a big wobbly computer that just consumes space, permanently.
Click to expand...


I'm assuming this is sarcasm?

My 27" is not wobbly at all. That's speaking through 1 wobbly desk and 2 relatively mirror earthquakes. It boggles my mind that something like that would even be mentioned.
 
cynics said:
I'm assuming this is sarcasm?

My 27" is not wobbly at all. That's speaking through 1 wobbly desk and 2 relatively mirror earthquakes. It boggles my mind that something like that would even be mentioned.
Click to expand...

If it sounded sarcastic then I didn't mean it that way. Just stating a personal preference for the normal sized screen, as opposed to the super sized one.
 
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