XDR for Software Dev

[Stephen.R]

go back and re-read the OP's post. He's clearly aware of the other options and wants a 32" high ppi display.

Really?

I am currently using an LG 5k and really miss the screen real estate of a 32 inch.

Screen real estate can be achieved a lot of ways. Multiple displays - Apple's UI scaling, etc.

there's *nothing* stopping him from getting it

Nobody said there is. I replied further when you characterised a number of people responding to the OP's very specific question as "negative" and then went further and started going off into "other functions".

I’m among those that doesn’t consider adding another monitor an upgrade.

I can only see this being an issue if you work in literally one, single-window application (i.e. everything is one window in one application). I don't think I've ever, in my entire career, seen any developer work like that.

 

[syndr0me]

I can only see this being an issue if you work in literally one, single-window application (i.e. everything is one window in one application). I don't think I've ever, in my entire career, seen any developer work like that.

The vim+tmux crowd makes it a point to try and do as much as possible in a terminal window, but I'd say that's a relatively small group overall.

I find the single monitor workflow degrades and scales nicely based on screen size. This comes into play frequently since I have to be as productive on a laptop as I do at my desk. For me, the split-brain feeling that comes from having two separate spaces is distracting. I don't even sidecar my iPad when I use my laptop because of it. I don't expect everybody to understand or relate, and that's fine. The fact that we're here discussing a luxury purchase such as this means we've managed to achieve some level of success in spite of our limitations. 🙂

 

[xk991]

I find the single monitor workflow degrades and scales nicely based on screen size. This comes into play frequently since I have to be as productive on a laptop as I do at my desk. For me, the split-brain feeling that comes from having two separate spaces is distracting. I don't even sidecar my iPad when I use my laptop because of it.

Yup, I prefer all of my most used windows being front and center. A second monitor to the left or right would be too far from my line of sight. Nevermind the annoyance of moving and keeping track of the mouse cursor. One big screen, and multiple virtual desktops if needed, is a superior solution IMHO.

 

[syndr0me]

Yup, I prefer all of my most used windows being front and center. A second monitor to the left or right would be too far from my line of sight. Nevermind the annoyance of moving and keeping track of the mouse cursor. One big screen, and multiple virtual desktops if needed, is a superior solution IMHO.

Agree. I use spaces frequently on the laptop with full screen apps. Being able to slide between them with the trackpad makes it nice.

 

[copperfish]

Wanted to post an update. I got the XDR display and have a 5k LG on the side next to it. A+++ would buy again.

 

[wolfie]

Buy the XDR again or Ultrafine?
I also have absolutely zero need for XDR. I just do PDF study and word documents. However, I can claim nearly all on tax bringing it down by a a couple thousand, and the quality of the monitor and screen size is tempting. I give zero hoots about the accuracy of colour.

Semi tempted.

 

[-narcan-]

Buy the XDR again or Ultrafine?

Just comes down to screen size I guess (putting aside price ha).

If the upgrade to 32" really makes the difference for you, then it's a good excuse to go the XDR 🙂

Personally I tend to prefer two monitors, so would much rather 2x Ultrafines than 1 XDR. Of course 2 XDRs would be good, but tough one to justify !

 

[oppastopa]

Buy the XDR again or Ultrafine?
I also have absolutely zero need for XDR. I just do PDF study and word documents. However, I can claim nearly all on tax bringing it down by a a couple thousand, and the quality of the monitor and screen size is tempting. I give zero hoots about the accuracy of colour.

Semi tempted.

if you can just write off the bulk of payment I would do it in a heart beat. This monitor for 2-3k would be very nice.

 

[copperfish]

Buy the XDR again or Ultrafine?
I also have absolutely zero need for XDR. I just do PDF study and word documents. However, I can claim nearly all on tax bringing it down by a a couple thousand, and the quality of the monitor and screen size is tempting. I give zero hoots about the accuracy of colour.

Semi tempted.

The XDR. I work at a FAANG so markets up and i had some spare cash.

 

[jukkhop]

In the same boat as OP.

The XDR is on display at a local store, and holy f is this thing impressive in person. I am tempted, despite the ridiculous price tag.

Currently working with the 5K iMac, but I also have the 16 inch MBP, which gives me the option to go for the XDR.

Should probably wait until after WWDC before buying anything though. In case the new iMac comes out.

 

[syndr0me]

New iMac with target display mode (to use as a monitor for my work laptop during the day) would be an immediate buy for me. Work machine monitor by day, personal machine by night.

I’m definitely curious about WWDC. I know the general thinking is that Apple wouldn’t bother entering the monitor market at a lower price point, but things have changed. A _lot_ more people are stuck at home with their company issued laptops connecting them to monitors. The LG5K is hot garbage. All the other options seem to be varying degrees of low ppi gaming monitors.

 

[Adult80HD]

They're dangerously addictive: I just bought my third one. Once you get one the LG 5K looks like crap in comparison, and while they are not cheap, find another 32" high ppi high color fidelity monitor that *is* cheap and then we can talk.

 

[straightMacin]

They're dangerously addictive: I just bought my third one. Once you get one the LG 5K looks like crap in comparison, and while they are not cheap, find another 32" high ppi high color fidelity monitor that *is* cheap and then we can talk.

Tell me about it man! Three is the magic number though 🙂

 

[syndr0me]

3x 32" monitors! I'm over here still wondering if I want to give up more desk space to move from a 27"! 😀

This seems like a very expensive addiction.

 

[Adult80HD]

3x 32" monitors! I'm over here still wondering if I want to give up more desk space to move from a 27"! 😀

This seems like a very expensive addiction.

Well I only have two on one desk; the other is with a second MP 7,1. I have one set up for photo editing and light video work and the other for video editing. I just couldn't go from the XDR's to the LG on the second machine. In comparison the colors are all wonky, even when I calibrate the LG. It's close...but not the same.

 

[syndr0me]

I get it. The fact that you like them enough to buy them for other computers in your house says a lot I think. I'm currently working from a laptop in the recliner more often than my office now that my young kids are home all the time, so I don't feel quite as passionate about getting one. Still might go for it after WWDC if they don't announce anything more compelling.

 

[Adult80HD]

I get it. The fact that you like them enough to buy them for other computers in your house says a lot I think. I'm currently working from a laptop in the recliner more often than my office now that my young kids are home all the time, so I don't feel quite as passionate about getting one. Still might go for it after WWDC if they don't announce anything more compelling.

In my case I use the laptop at home, and here at work where I spend 8-10 hours a day in front of a computer is where I use those XDRs. It would be nice if they made a 5K non-HDR version of this display, but I'm skeptical that Apple will do so.

 

[syndr0me]

In my case I use the laptop at home, and here at work where I spend 8-10 hours a day in front of a computer is where I use those XDRs. It would be nice if they made a 5K non-HDR version of this display, but I'm skeptical that Apple will do so.

That seems to be the big ask in the other threads, but I'm skeptical as well. Even with Apple's build quality, I'm not sure it would differentiate itself enough from the LG5K to compel me to buy it. While the LG irritates me, especially my version with its image retention issues, it's still a superior picture to almost everything else on the market.

I do think Apple will use WWDC to at least somehow address challenges of remote working. Whether they do so through words, software or hardware, we'll see.

 

[Adult80HD]

That seems to be the big ask in the other threads, but I'm skeptical as well. Even with Apple's build quality, I'm not sure it would differentiate itself enough from the LG5K to compel me to buy it. While the LG irritates me, especially my version with its image retention issues, it's still a superior picture to almost everything else on the market.

I do think Apple will use WWDC to at least somehow address challenges of remote working. Whether they do so through words, software or hardware, we'll see.

If they had a 27" 5K that looked like this and was say $2500, I think I would have been able to just *barely* justify it. Easier at $1995, but not likely given the costs. I think you're right about the remote stuff, they could leverage FaceTime way better than they have. We'll see!

 

[kaans]

I wonder what you guys think about glossy vs. nano

As a programmer, I've been using anti-glare Dell monitors for some time, and they certainly solved a problem for me, before I wasn't able to use the computer in daylight - but with the current brightness levels of monitors, it seems doable - I just tested the default Macbook Pro monitor, only on black terminal background there's glare, but on white, totally unnoticeable

 

[Adult80HD]

I wonder what you guys think about glossy vs. nano

As a programmer, I've been using anti-glare Dell monitors for some time, and they certainly solved a problem for me, before I wasn't able to use the computer in daylight - but with the current brightness levels of monitors, it seems doable - I just tested the default Macbook Pro monitor, only on black terminal background there's glare, but on white, totally unnoticeable

I have two of the nano versions I got for photo editing. I've always hated glare and was bummed out when Apple went all glossy on their laptops and with the 27" TB display. I love my nano versions; there is a slight "dirty screen" effect on an all-white or all-gray background, but most of the time that's not the screen background I have up. In addition, you rapidly stop noticing it in normal use.

I just got a 3rd XDR to use on a different computer where the user doesn't care as much about glare as I do so I decided to get them the regular version. It's nice, and the glare isn't as bad as some screens, but I can see reflections on it, and I'm glad I didn't get those for my personal use. If you hate reflections and glare and don't mind the extra $1000, then I'd go for the nano. I personally think the hoopla about cleaning/durability is just Apple being extra cautious. The cleaning cloth that came with the nano and the regular screens appears to be 100% identical, so that seems to confirm my thoughts.

 

[rkuo]

They're dangerously addictive: I just bought my third one. Once you get one the LG 5K looks like crap in comparison, and while they are not cheap, find another 32" high ppi high color fidelity monitor that *is* cheap and then we can talk.

Looks like crap? Are you talking about the panels or the industrial design?

 

[Adult80HD]

Looks like crap? Are you talking about the panels or the industrial design?

Both. I have an early version of the LG so I have mild burn-in issues, but it's also less uniform than my XDR displays, mainly as a function of the backlighting--it's very hard to make a perfectly uniform display of that size. The color is less accurate, even when I calibrate the LG, and the higher contrast ratio of the XDR is visually quite noticeable, especially in dark tones and blacks--there are no true blacks on the LG.

Don't get me wrong, the LG is a great display, and better than most of the crap out there, but if you get to have a good look at XDR and can see a variety of content on it, you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[- rob -]

Regarding expenditures like this, I primarily write software for a living, but no matter what I do to earn money these days I'm largely staring at a screen.

So it is not as hard for me to make an investment in a monitor. I think it has a lot to do with what you value. People spend a ton on cars that depreciate badly and are mostly needed to commute for work, people don't take issue with this---its almost encouraged. These things sit idle most of the time and often require financing! So a super-high end monitor you stare at constantly seems a lot less crazy to me.

I actually think this whole thread is driving at something I've noticed which is that Apple has no display products for developers. The best they have right now is the LG screen and with the gloss and build quality it is just not amazing.

I'm actually looking to get the LG 5k anyway, (I use the P2715Q currently), though really what I'm hoping for is that Apple will announce a new mid-market cinema display focused on developers at WWDC. I thought I'd link out to that since there's clearly a market void in display tech for people who prefer Apple product quality.

I had one other note for this thread which is for developers I think PPI is crucial. Color and contrast can't make up for low PPI when you're looking at fonts all day (and night). This site, Pixensity, is the best I've found for tracking the highest PPI monitors available. It isn't pretty but I think the data is still up to date.

Looking at the top 10, you can see that higher PPI monitor product release has been pretty stagnant for while. Also the XDR's PPI is surprisingly beat by the Ultrafine 5k, though not by much.

If anyone is aware of a better site for tracking PPI please post.

 

[rkuo]

Both. I have an early version of the LG so I have mild burn-in issues, but it's also less uniform than my XDR displays, mainly as a function of the backlighting--it's very hard to make a perfectly uniform display of that size. The color is less accurate, even when I calibrate the LG, and the higher contrast ratio of the XDR is visually quite noticeable, especially in dark tones and blacks--there are no true blacks on the LG.

Don't get me wrong, the LG is a great display, and better than most of the crap out there, but if you get to have a good look at XDR and can see a variety of content on it, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Are you aware LG also makes the panels for the XDR?

There may be some better QC going on under the hood for the Pro Display XDR (in fact I would dearly expect so), but these displays tend to be calibrated to an accuracy below any noticeable thresholds when they come out of the factory. So it's hard to believe this is really apples to apples. Perhaps you are:

A. seeing the difference between a display that is factory calibrated vs one that hasn't been for a couple of years. In which case you are going to face similar calibration issues with your Pro Display XDR eventually.
B. Observing the FALD black levels and contrast vs a regular display. The FALD certainly does have contrast advantages ... those are mostly going to be visible in darker environments tho. I love the FALD, but at a lower price point and really feel like I need the professional option to disable it for certain types of work.
C. Seeing the difference between a less well QC'd 1300 dollar monitor vs 5000-6000 dollar one. There's always going to be some element of this, especially in regards to dirty screen effect, etc. However 1300 is certainly not cheap for a monitor to begin with and one would hope there's less "panel lottery" going on there to begin with.