Monitors

I am starting to look into monitors and would appreciate some input.

I have a “late 2013” iMac 27in which is just fine for my needs (annual taxes, managing investments, Zoom, etc). No gaming. This is my machine of record, it has everything important on it, with good backups. However my tax software won’t run after this season, and I suspect other software (Office) will become obsolete as well, forcing me to replace the computer.

I’m considering a Mac Mini, probably with 1 or 2 TB on board, reuse my mouse and keyboard, and external backup drives. But I’ll need a monitor and webcam.

Obviously I think in terms of long useful life, and I don’t really need blazing performance since no gaming is involved. I only fire this machine up once a week or so and I’m trying to keep the footprint small as it is in a smallish office.

One thought is to connect the iMac via HDMI to one of the TVs (all 4K) in the house, not a comfortable way to work but it is just occasional. Not sure what to do about a webcam for that setup. Perhaps just use the iPad for Zoom.

And the other is to just get a monitor - but which one would be a good choice?

I would use the one that you already have...the 27" iMac!

The iMac allegedly has a way to turn it from a computer into an external display, via a few keystrokes on boot. I have never tried it though, although the thought has crossed my mind because we have a pile of that vintage 27" iMacs removed from use at work and I would love to have a larger second monitor on my smaller iMac.

It will obviously be chewing up some extra power running the internal computer guts and may require hitting those keys every time you turn it on, but the display is 100% paid for and not too shabby.....

vreihen16 wrote

I would use the one that you already have...the 27" iMac!

The iMac allegedly has a way to turn it from a computer into an external display, via a few keystrokes on boot. I have never tried it though, although the thought has crossed my mind because we have a pile of that vintage 27" iMacs removed from use at work and I would love to have a larger second monitor on my smaller iMac.

It will obviously be chewing up some extra power running the internal computer guts and may require hitting those keys every time you turn it on, but the display is 100% paid for and not too shabby.....

Great thought! I’ll fiddle with it when I get the mini and see if I can figure out how to make that work. I’m not worried about the extra power since I use it infrequently.

That's a long update cycle but you got your fair use out of it. If I was buying a new Mac mini and wanted another setup that would go another 7-8yrs, I'd just make it a package deal and pick up one of the new $1500 Apple displays that were announced last week (with availability in a week or so). It has a webcam, speakers, etc. You'll be all set.

Or, if budget is a concern, skip a Mac mini and just grab a 24" M1 iMac. Little smaller screen but continues the one stop solution.

I just read this page, and there may be version or year restrictions with target display mode on an iMac:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592


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vreihen16 wrote

I just read this page, and there may be version or year restrictions with target display mode on an iMac:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592


.

Looks like they are dead set on obsoleting my iMac.

RonronEG wrote

That's a long update cycle but you got your fair use out of it. If I was buying a new Mac mini and wanted another setup that would go another 7-8yrs, I'd just make it a package deal and pick up one of the new $1500 Apple displays that were announced last week (with availability in a week or so). It has a webcam, speakers, etc. You'll be all set.

Or, if budget is a concern, skip a Mac mini and just grab a 24" M1 iMac. Little smaller screen but continues the one stop solution.

It’s not so much that budget is a concern as that I don’t get value from the expensive displays. A mini and $300ish display would likely be fine for many years.

One advantage of the mini is that if we have a hurricane evacuation I can just pop it into my suitcase. It likely won’t need to operate, but all of my data would be with me. (If I needed it to operate I could bring the keyboard etc or just get a laptop).

2000cs wrote

It’s not so much that budget is a concern as that I don’t get value from the expensive displays. A mini and $300ish display would likely be fine for many years.

One advantage of the mini is that if we have a hurricane evacuation I can just pop it into my suitcase. It likely won’t need to operate, but all of my data would be with me. (If I needed it to operate I could bring the keyboard etc or just get a laptop).

In that case get the mini and pair it with a Dell Ultrasharp of your choice of size. You'll be good to go.

Acer Predator XB3. While a gaming monitor, it is a killer daily monitor. Easy on the eyes for long periods.

Shawn

shawnhayes wrote

Acer Predator XB3. While a gaming monitor, it is a killer daily monitor. Easy on the eyes for long periods.

Shawn

I second that, be sure that you are getting the 4K version, XB3 holds more than one fix definded model.

https://www.amazon.de/Acer-Xb273kgpbmiipprzx-Uhd-IPS-120h/dp/B07V1ZSTZ6/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=predator+xb273kgp&qid=1647252860&sprefix=predator+xb273%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-2

Dang3r wrote

shawnhayes wrote

Acer Predator XB3. While a gaming monitor, it is a killer daily monitor. Easy on the eyes for long periods.

Shawn

I second that, be sure that you are getting the 4K version, XB3 holds more than one fix definded model.

https://www.amazon.de/Acer-Xb273kgpbmiipprzx-Uhd-IPS-120h/dp/B07V1ZSTZ6/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=predator+xb273kgp&qid=1647252860&sprefix=predator+xb273%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-2

A very good point. I had to also make sure the xb3 I got supported nvidia gsync.

Shawn

2000cs wrote

It’s not so much that budget is a concern as that I don’t get value from the expensive displays. A mini and $300ish display would likely be fine for many years.

One advantage of the mini is that if we have a hurricane evacuation I can just pop it into my suitcase. It likely won’t need to operate, but all of my data would be with me. (If I needed it to operate I could bring the keyboard etc or just get a laptop).

I think that is likely the best value. Mini with M1, 1 or 2 TB SSD, and a different display (or use your old 27" iMac).

We have some faculty here with 24" M1 iMacs and they are nice, but not sure if it is worth the money.

kaimike023 wrote

I want to buy 4k monitor for my pc. Let me know your suggestions..

work, game , both?

Lot of people are going ultra-wide, but 2160p choice are limited and uber expensive.

If it's for work , here what I would check :
- blue filter
- no flicker backlight for dimming
- speaker might be useful for teams meeting
- 16:10

The popular samsung 4k 32'' is shit, I had it for 3 days return it.
Now I have the BenQ 4k 32'', paid 490$ cad.

It's a VA panel, no multi-zone back-light, but got all bells and whistle for a working monitor. eye-care, no flicker, usb-c
Also freesync for time to time gaming, and simulated HDR toggle switch. Not a real HDR, but it do make a difference in gaming, I love it.

https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/benq/ew3270u

Dell 32'' curved is also a great choice , shop with rthings, you'll be happy.


BUT, if I had the choice, of course I would go with the next G9 Odyssey 49'' generation, if they were 2160.
Now the neo is 1440p, got some firmware issue, and here its 2000$ cad if lucky.

I know not much PC will be able to run a UW 4k monitor, yet, but in the future , like in 2 years, yes.

Anyway, Im doing a lot of revit autocad, and not having to zoom as much is pretty fun.

Collin Cox wrote

The 27 "iMac is a great option, bro.

The only iMac now is 24”. The apple 27” monitor is over $1500 so not a realistic option.

2000cs wrote

The only iMac now is 24”. The apple 27” monitor is over $1500 so not a realistic option.

Please don't feed the spambots.....

I have two LG 27" 4k monitors at home and two at work. Apart from not looking that fancy, this beats the 30-40"+ curved displays resolution and price-wise.

SAMSUNG Odyssey G7 Series 32-Inch WQHD (2560x1440) Gaming Monitor, 240Hz, Curved, 1ms, HDMI, G-Sync, FreeSync Premium Pro (LC32G75TQSNXZA)

takes a day to get used to but absolutely recommend for gaming

Managed to snag an AOC this as part of WFH stipend; serves as a great gaming/general monitor:

https://www.amazon.com/AOC-CQ27G3S-Frameless-2560x1440-FreeSync/dp/B09WNLSTVQ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=QHUETIG1C0KM&keywords=aoc+monitor&qid=1667074389&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0LjQ1IiwicXNhIjoiNC4zNCIsInFzcCI6IjQuMDEifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=aoc+monitto%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1