Why not get a Mac Mini and external 32” display? It should be refreshed this week with rumors of a redesign.
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You'd be surprised (maybe) how few monitors there are in particular categories. In terms of successors to the older 30" screens at 16:10, or 6k screens of any kind, or simply 5k screen with even some of an assortment of niche quality attributes, there's usually like 1 single offering. I'm still rocking my Dell U3011 from 10 years ago alongaside my 2019 13" MBP with an i5, and occasionally I look at upgrading, but never find something sufficiently compelling that ticks whichever boxes I'm looking for.
For example, I don't want an ultrawide, and I'd prefer IPS quality at around 30-32", and for it to be better than my current screen it'd need to be at least 120hz with <3ms response time and/or retina density, for a relatively modest budget, and for what's available I just end up deciding I'm fine with what I got until it's dead.
For what it's worth I bought the Dell U3224KB last year. I don't know why it's never on any of the "recommended" lists for mac-friendly monitors, but it's frankly amazing.
It's not super cheap, but it's significantly cheaper than the other 6K 32" display on the market, and has a lot more utility (additional ports including 2.5GbE and a bunch of usb ports front and rear).
Ya, I've had my eye on it for a little while. It's significantly out of my price range though and the webcam would be a tough one to accept. Maybe if they update it I'll then try and get one on severe clearance or used market. I am personally more interested in long-term utility and picture quality than industrial design, so the other 6k screen has never been appealing beyond playing with it in the store, but I think my current screen is the lower limit of what I'd pay quite a handsome sum for. I'm glad you like it though, Dell has always put out great monitors, particularly in 16:10 and IPS, so I'm even more hopeful for other options in the future
Edit: Just realized that the 6k Dell monitor is actually 16:9, and the successors to my screen don't seem to be sold anymore. In the 16:10 category, there's only 24" left :(
> the webcam would be a tough one to accept
To be honest I don't really notice it much. It just kind of blends in to the speaker bar along the top. What I do notice is the sound of the physical shutter opening if I open something which uses the camera (50/50 chance it's going to be FaceTime deliberately or PhotoBooth by accident) but visually I really don't notice it now.
> Dell has always put out great monitors
Yep, I remember years ago my first experience with a Dell monitor (around the time of the PPC/Intel transition) at work, and being quite impressed with the build quality and the stand in particular, a quality that remains to this day (at least on the HiDPI models like the P2415Q and this U3224KB; maybe the cheaper models are less sturdy? I don't know honestly)
> I'm even more hopeful for other options in the future
Like you I was skeptical about the webcam initially (I think I've used it about 3 or 4 times in the 15 months I've had it) and would have probably bought a model without it if they offered that.
It's nice to finally see more HiDPI options available (BenQ recently announced a new 27" 5K I believe), I just hope this isn't a recurring pattern with manufacturers, where they introduce it and then decide it's not worth it and drop it without a replacement, like the aforementioned P2415Q, the UP2715K, etc.
> I don't know why it's never on any of the "recommended" lists
> It's not super cheap
This argument doesn't make any sense - those lists don't shy away from including other higher priced options.
Said Dell display is $2,479.99 before any discount.
The XDR is included on every one of those lists, with the same resolution/size, but $4999 (more than double the price) without a stand of any kind.
The Apple Studio display is $1999 (just $500 cheaper) if you want the height adjustable stand.
The Mini is such a potent little machine.
It should be for that price.
Not if you want an M4
I believe it'll release tomorrow or Wednesday?
Leaks aren't always accurate but it would be pretty strange if the iMac got a refresh and not the mini.
It will come.
Hopefully by the end of this week.