I Used the Apple Studio Display for 30 Days

Today lets talk about how the brand new Apple Studio Display is holding up after one solid month of use.

Is it amazing or is it a frustratingly overpriced monitor?

Lets find out!

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Why Pay Twice as Much?! Mac Studio VS M1 Mac Mini!

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———————What Gear I Recommend!——————————

First Mac ( M1 Mac Mini)

Best Macbook (MacBook Pro 16)

Best Travel Professional Windows Laptop (XPS 17)

Best Thunderbolt 3 Dock (cal digit TS3 Plus)

Best Beginner YouTube Camera (Sony A6100)

Best Overall YouTube Camera (Sony A7IV)

—————What Gear I Use!————————————————

Main Camera (Sony A7IV)

Main Lens (Tamron 28-75)

Secondary Lens (Tamron 17-28)

Main Computer (MacBook Pro 16)

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the Amazon product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[identicallove]

If it wasn't shared already, I am having my Standard Tilt Apple Studio Display converted (Apple calls it "upgraded") to a VESA mount which is what I needed. Unfortunately VESA mount studio displays are on backorder until september but I needed it urgently for my work.

The cost is:

$119 - VESA Mount Upgrade Kit
$79 - Hardware Repair - Level 1
$79 - Upgrade Fee

$277 Total (tax not included)

My local apple store in San Diego said I am the first customer to inquire and start the process. The apple genius tech who helped me didn't even know how to start the work order process. Took a phone call to the store which gave me the wrong information and then physically driving to the store and another 30 mins with manager to figure how to find it in their system. It was placed as a work authorizatiom upgrade and to arrive in 3-5 days and I bring it in to install.

[Piketom]

I’ve had mine since March 18th and it’s a fantastic display for working at home. It’s too expensive for the features but if you have the money and want a first party display that is less expensive than the Pro Display XDR, the studio display is fantastic.

[techinrl]

I think you’re absolutely right that the Studio Display was something else in another life. I think it was a failed attempt to make a 27” iMac/iMac Pro. I suspect it had something to do with thermals regarding the M1 Ultra, so Apple had to go back to the drawing board, splitting up the 27” into the Mac Studio and a separate display. I think if Apple had only released the Mac Studio to replace the iMac, people would have been terribly upset, so rather than starting from scratch, Apple just reused their 27” iMac by replacing the logic board with one hosting an off-the-shelf part they were already using. They needed an A-series with Neural Engine to run Center Stage and Apple was still making the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE 2, so the A13 with 64GB was the natural choice.

In an iMac, this would have been considered impressive engineering. In just a monitor, it’s overkill and overengineering.

[slapfan]

Zero issues with my studio display, it really is everything I wanted, well almost, I really want a Pro Display XDR, but it's outside my reach.

[bneyens]

I have dual Studio Displays with the Nano-texture glass. I love them! I agree the most of your points but the screen looks great, the case looks great, it works great overall.

[christianhotter]

I’d love this option and a display only option. If we use three monitors we don’t need a camera and speakers in each

[grjlynch]

Thanks for this. I have to replace my aging 27in iMac and am considering a mini/studio and a Mac Studio display - it is the total cost that is putting me off and the Studio is a massive part of this!

[Joeu]

Apple ditched display controls with the 2nd generation of the Cinema Displays starting in 2008 and with the Thunderbolt Display that followed. Nothing really new here as Apple's DNA is minimalist design.

As far as the power cord is concerned, how many times do people have to remove the cord from the display? I prefer having the power supply in the display vs having another power brick on the floor especially if your using a thunderbolt or usb-c hub which have external power bricks cluttering the floor.

If you're buying Apple stuff, you're always paying more unless you're buying refurbished items. Dell and HP displays are always less expensive but 4K and not 5K.

In closing, Apple users wanted a display similar to what was provided in the 27 inch iMac. Apple listened and delivered on this. If you don't like the price there are other options without the Apple design form factor.

[davidrpriest]

I currently own a Imac 27. I am a desktop person. But I am thinking of pairing this with a Macbook Pro 14 for ultimate flexibility for my next system.

[BookClubDisaster]

Your point about overbuilt is valid but I think there’s a larger strategy here. They want to entice people away from iMacs and towards this display paired with the Mac Studio or Mac Mini. I actually think they might want to slowly phase out the iMac altogether. With desktop computers so compact and sleek compared with the bulky towers of yore, the all in one’s space saving advantage becomes minimal. And an all in one is a compromise offering laptop components in a desktop. But if you replace your iMac with this setup, you need to feel like you didn’t lose anything in the exchange. Hence the need for a built in camera and speakers just like iMacs have always had. So a no frills (and cheaper as a result) monitor just wasn’t going to happen.

[jessechuff]

gotta say I do agree it is a bit over-built, however I really like not having a big power brick for a display. Partially because I have a cable organizing rack under my standing desk and having a big brick in that rack will take up so much space (it was when I used my previous monitor) and if I have it hanging out, it poses a problem of it weighing down the cable when I have the desk raised. Sure they could make a longer cable, but I have the cable rack there to minimize cables dangling under the desk and I feel like the studio display designers were conscious of that.

I would definitely have liked a power button, but I really don't mind there being no other controls. And yes, not being able to change the stand is a bummer, but at the same time I feel like most people know what they want from the display and likely won't feel the need to change it if their workflow and process is relatively concrete. And in general it just feels like a minor problem (and not a problem for me) after having it for months.

All that said definitely appreciate this overview! Ultimately agree with the problems you have, but for me I think the positives just massively outweigh any negatives. Especially the fluidity and integration with apple products.

[olavivalli]

I’m sorry but what part of north of 2k is ‘mid range’? Also, asking Apple to design a ‘less expensive’ version is akin to asking Mercedes if they could make a cheaper car that was the price and materials of a Vauxhall but still a Mercedes. In my view this monitor is great, but equally this is a luxury item. If you don’t need it, you can buy the cheaper alternatives. If you have the cash, enjoy it. Same as any luxury item really.

[xnajx]

Nice video! I initially watched this a while back but have left my comment till I bought my own Studio Display. I had previously been using a pretty nice ViewSonic ultrawide. It was targeted at video game designers so is part of the ColorPro line, it has nice colour, 100hz FreeSync and 34".
I work as a graphic designer and also have adhd, so I'm always on the look out for something I can buy that will stimulate the dopamine but also improve the work I do. I agree with a lot of what you have said. Whilst it's a lovely panel, love the colour profiles, the panel sharpness and over all increased colour over my previous, I don't think it's worth the price, although I did pay it as there just aren't many decent alternatives for professionals.
The 27" is something to adjust to, but have a secondary monitor in portrait to fill that need. I use the Studio Display with the vesa mount which in my opinion is the best option as you can always buy a vesa mount desktop stand and save a lot of cash but still have the flexibility to move it to a different desk or what not.

[simonmajura]

I'd love to see if you could review a Samsung M8. Especially since it's obviously taking a lot of inspiration from Apple's Mac line up.

[BSDjunkie]

Getting a new Studio Display months after the Studio Mac. Very excited! Thank you for the great review! Looking forward to the quick wake up speed! I live for the Please keep that!!!!

[VenoStuff]

How the image quality is compared to 24” M1 iMac?

[Myoshin.]

Totally agree. If they had just concentrated on the monitor and forgot the fancy speakers and Webcam which 'studio' users already have, and left out the A13 chip which is just more to go wrong they would have had a killer monitor ; thinner, thinner bezels, and an adjustable stand so that users don't get stung with an extra $400 just to save their neck pain. Missed opportunity .

[bioglassmusic]

you should try converting an old 5K iMac (2015 or later) into a standalone display like Luke Miani did.

[shak]

Clearly you haven’t used the previous apple cinema and thunderbolt Displays. They’re exactly the same design choices, aka, no buttons, no vesa option, solid aluminum construction, and outrageously priced. I’ve been using the Cinema Display for 11 years now and I absolutely love it. I never needed a VESA or buttons etc. It’s awesome. And looks like so is this new one. I will definitely be finally upgrading my monitor with this one and hopefully it’ll last me another 11 yrs like my previous one!

[Shalomrutere]

This monitor is good and will work well with a Mac but the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 is what I would go for. It still works fine with Macs and even iPhones and has acceptable features for it's price