What would be an external screen for MBP that turns it into an iMac

[levmc]

I already bought an iMac bought I sometimes wonder if I should have bought an external monitor instead. But I was under the impression that a monitor that is equivalent to 27 iMac would be so expensive that it would be better deal to just buy an iMac.

What do you think?

 

[slam5]

I already bought an iMac bought I sometimes wonder if I should have bought an external monitor instead. But I was under the impression that a monitor that is equivalent to 27 iMac would be so expensive that it would be better deal to just buy an iMac.

What do you think?

No MacBook Pro almost always is a better deal. It gives you portability if you need to have it. A 27” monitor varies from 150-500 usd depending on quality.

 

[robvas]

No MacBook Pro almost always is a better deal. It gives you portability if you need to have it. A 27” monitor varies from 150-500 usd depending on quality.

Not an iMac equivalant one....

Closer to 800-1000 dollars for a 5K

 

[mightyjabba]

The 27" LG Ultrafine display uses the same panel as the iMac from what I understand. It's quite pricey, and I've heard that it's a little mediocre as a monitor, but at around $1300 it isn't more expensive than a 27" iMac.

 

[levmc]

The 27" LG Ultrafine display uses the same panel as the iMac from what I understand. It's quite pricey, and I've heard that it's a little mediocre as a monitor, but at around $1300 it isn't more expensive than a 27" iMac.

But since it's not much cheaper than an iMac wouldn't it be still better to just buy an iMac?

 

[mightyjabba]

But since it's not much cheaper than an iMac wouldn't it be still better to just buy an iMac?

Depends how you want to use it. If you buy it as part of an iMac, you can't use it as a display for a MBP, which some people might prefer to having a separate machine. (Not me, mind you.)

 

[Fishrrman]

If you want an iMac, BUY an iMac.

No matter what you do, you're not going to turn a MacBook Pro INTO "an iMac".
They are two different things...

 

[jerryk]

If you don't need the portability get an iMac.

All laptops are compromise designs trading off performance and usability for portability.

 

[fs454]

For all intents and purposes if the specs meet your needs a 16" MBP with the LG 5K display will feel pretty much like an iMac, except you can unplug the monitor and take the computer with you. That's how I work, I hate being tied to one specific location for everything I need to do on a computer.

The iMac will have more powerful hardware at its top end if you choose, but 8 cores boosting up to 5ghz, a respectable GPU with the 5500M, 32GB of DDR4 RAM and 2TB of 2500MB/sec SSD storage is more than enough for me in exchange for not being locked to a desk.

 

[petterihiisila]

For all intents and purposes if the specs meet your needs a 16" MBP with the LG 5K display will feel pretty much like an iMac, except you can unplug the monitor and take the computer with you. That's how I work, I hate being tied to one specific location for everything I need to do on a computer.

I have that setup too, and actually came from a late 2014 iMac 5k. As far as I can tell, LG Ultrafine 5k is the same display. It behaves just like what I had. Including auto-brightness (and webcam, speakers, mic, but I don't use those). The 2014 panel started to have pretty bad ghosting, if any window was still, even for a minute, so it was time for something new.

Since I've got an occasional need for a powerful laptop with a large display, and a constant need for a powerful desktop with a color-accurate display, I thought this was the most economic way to get up to date with both of those needs.

Now I have the portability option without keeping two different Macs in sync. And the MBP is faster in many operations. It produces more fan noise, but that I keep in check with Turbo Boost Switcher.

The two side monitors are ThinkVision 24" (2560 x 1440). Together the three are mounted on a Mozi triple display stand. LG uses a direct Thunderbolt connection, and ThinkVisions are connected through Caldigit Mini TB3, dual HDMI. The MBP is in clamshell mode with two wires attached. It's been a reliable setup so far, including Windows gaming (Boot Camp). I might upgrade the side monitors to 24" 4k in the coming 2-3 years.

For external storage I went all SSD. Samsung T5 runs at 350 MB/s, and I've mounted two of those behind the LG, connected to its USB-C 3.1 gen 1 ports. It's invisible, fast and silent. With Turbo Boost off, there's still plenty of overall performance and almost zero sound. No More Nails was perfect for attaching those 50 gram drives as a stack.

 

[konqerror]

ThinkVision 24" (2560 x 1440)

The ThinkVision P24h/P24q is a great business-class monitor, and I've gotten some refurbed on eBay for less than $100 each! The P24h has direct USB-C support which is good for Macs.

 

[petterihiisila]

The ThinkVision P24h/P24q is a great business-class monitor, and I've gotten some refurbed on eBay for less than $100 each! The P24h has direct USB-C support which is good for Macs.

Indeed, I've got those two monitors, P24h and P24q. They are cheap, but the color performance is not too far off from what the Mac/LG has on its own. Can't say that about so many other monitors I've tried. They are great as side panels. Same product, but as 4k, that's indeed the next upgrade, some day.

Even though the P24h has USB-C, I still use HDMI with it. That way I can get away with only two wires on the Mac, since the P24h HDMI is permanently attached to the Caldigit dock. Which itself is hidden&glued under the table. All wires zip-tied away, except the two that connect to the Mac.

Just a word of warning, if someone buys a P24h as a primary monitor: it provides only 45 watts of power. That's enough to keep the MBP running, but not enough to charge. And the battery max charge will appear to degenerate, but it'll restore to normal once connected to the original power brick for an hour.

LG 5k gives enough power to keep the whole desk charged. The Mac will use whichever port provides the most power.

 

[Strangedream]

The 17" MBP was large enough to use as a desktop replacement, boy do I miss mine. Anyways, I'm sure there must be some software out there that lets you mirror your MBP screen onto the iMac's. If you want a 27" screen that's cheaper than an iMac check out the older Samsung monitors still available on Amazon.