Ten years is a long, full life for a well-used, refurbed-from-Apple, mid-2010, 27" i7 iMac. With the recent announcement of the new 13" MBP, yesterday I started shopping for an external monitor to potentially go with a new laptop.

Today, the screen on the iMac goes black. Letting the computer cool down (by shutting down) temporarily brings the screen back to life, but I suspect the problem is related to heat. (More about that in another thread.)

About a week ago, I attached a ten-year-old +, brought out from storage, Dell 19" monitor to my mid-2011 11" MBA. The monitor still works, so I'm happy to shop for a new Dell.

The Dell UltraSharp 34 Curved USB-C Monitor: U3419W was recommended. The appeal is the larger screen and it can be used as a hub for a wired keyboard and mouse.

I have no experience with curved screens. Are they just for gaming? Since school resumed after spring break, most of the computer time involves taking a paper-based school online. I need to have multiple windows open to identify, label, categorize, and distribute hundreds of files. Is there any disadvantage to a large, curved screen? Any other questions I should be asking?

thanks, Todd's slightly-cramped keyboard

I've posted this before, I think the Dell curved 34" monitor I purchased (and now used by my wife for her main work-at-home monitor) is one of the best tech purchases I've made in a long time.

The curved aspect takes about 30 seconds to get used to.

I adjusted to a curved screen in no time.

Sadly the extra width was just wasted on me and my workflow. No application or window uses the entire width (unless you are video person?) and I couldnt keep 2 apps open side by side.

There may be apps that help do it... I just never got that far, and returned mine.

Personally, Id rather have a 27" or 32" 4K vs widesceen. The clarity vs traditional monitors, like your iMac, is significant.

I still think a refurb 16" MBP, for a few bucks more, is a better buy than the new 13" MBP. Unless you really need/want the 13" size.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Thanks for the feedback.

27" started to feel cramped because I need to have so many windows open these days.

Am using an 11" mid-2011 MacBook Air right now. The idea of going from 11 to 16" is daunting. However, the new laptop is going to spend much more time tethered to the larger monitor. I will take another look at the 16"er.

thanks again, Todd's waited-just-a-bit-too-long board

I always tried to get larger monitors with the hope of having more windows open visibly, but it just never worked out that way. The extra size was never enough to go from one prominent window to two. Multi monitors is the only solution imo.

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Todd's keyboard
Thanks for the feedback.
27" started to feel cramped because I need to have so many windows open these days.

Yeah, ive had 2 monitors for 20+ years, and 3 for 5+ -- I need/use the extra real estate. Was hoping the wide screen would eliminate the need for a 3rd.

But the hard divisions I have between workspaces and not being 5K just didnt justify its use. I have a post here... maybe 4 years ago.

As for the 16" MBP vs 13"... 9th gen 8 core CPUs and powerful GPUs make them killers... vs the new budget 13" MBPs. But we are talking at the $2000 price point...

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

FWIW, I’m looking at 2 27” 2K QHD monitors. I like the conceptual split.

I’ve been using a 43” 4K, and it just too much mocking moving left and right. (fixed typo).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2020 12:07PM by anonymouse1.

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anonymouse1
FWIW, I’m looking at 2 27” 2K QHD monitors. I like the conceptual split.

Im not sure how/why normal 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors are now called 2K.

Myself, Ive always ran one main monitor, and a smaller secondary one. Or now, 5K + 27" (2560 x 1440) + 24" (1920 x 1080).

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Due to the expansive widths of curved displays (and unlike the ill-advised curved TVs that were a recent fad), the screen curvature is actually necessary to enable the user to have a relatively perpendicular view of the screen over its entire width. Without the curvature, viewing angle for either end of the display for a user centered on the screen would be far below optimal.

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It is what it is.

I've used both dual 27" 2k monitors and the single 34 inch curved.

I think the 34" is far more elegant and gets 3 pages / projects where the single 27 inch is only 2. You have to move your head to read the second 27" monitor.

PS I use the term '2k' for 2560x1440 since it seems to make sense... Easier for me to remember than 'QHD' etc.

Wouldnt that be 2.5K? ;) Ive never heard QHD either.

Is always been:
20" screen was 1600 x 1200
24" screen was 1920 x 1080
and a 27" screen was 2560 x 1440

I had a 24" SONY FW900 CRT from mid 90s -- 1920 x 1200.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

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jdc
Wouldnt that be 2.5K? ;) Ive never heard QHD either.

Is always been:
20" screen was 1600 x 1200
24" screen was 1920 x 1080
and a 27" screen was 2560 x 1440

I had a 24" SONY FW900 CRT from mid 90s -- 1920 x 1200.

Yep - ‘2.5k’ is more accurate!

Plenty of ‘1080p’ 27” monitors out there too.

I’m still waiting for 5k in 27” form factor to be really available, or 6k for a 34”.

I purchased the Dell UltraSharp 27 InifinityEdge Monitor - U2717D back in November and it has been excellent.

Unrelated, but based on my recent experience:
Consider at least for a minute, what could be done with a monitor standing vertically.
I recently connected an old lg 21” on an iPad stand, the A-frame kind.
It’s a huge advantage being able to see legal docs, and writing documents over there.
A very nice complement to the 2019 13” mbp.
ymmv though...

Ps: I passed the tip to my bro... I really think all lawyers should have this available.
Excuse my interruption



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2020 10:43AM by rich in distress.

At home and work, I have a dedicated email monitor, turned to portrait mode, usually a 22".....

Quote
rich in distress
Unrelated, but based on my recent experience:
Consider at least for a minute, what could be done with a monitor standing vertically.
I recently connected an old lg 21” on an iPad stand, the A-frame kind.
It’s a huge advantage being able to see legal docs, and writing documents over there.
A very nice complement to the 2019 13” mbp.
ymmv though...

Ps: I passed the tip to my bro... I really think all lawyers should have this available.
Excuse my interruption

Consider at least for a minute, what could be done with a monitor standing vertically


I have, often, and may do that with a 27" Dell that doesn't get much use.

I also have 20" and 24" older Dells that aren't widescreen and might give one a try.

These would be devoted to Safari and wish more sites would wrap text as the browser is resized.

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Wow, rotating the display of the 19" Dell would be really useful. Unfortunately, this old iMac does not show a Rotation option. Perhaps the new computer will, although I don't plan on using two monitors.

Went to order the 34" Dell that the Customer Service Rep recommended yesterday. It will not ship until next month. Found the Dell UltraSharp 34 Curved Ultrawide Monitor: U3415W on the web site that will ship tomorrow.

At a quick glance, this new consideration is a bit less expensive, offers built-in speakers, and has an Energy Class B rating as opposed to Energy Class A for yesterday's recommendation.

After looking at options (and price) I think I will opt for the new Mac Mini for the desktop computer.

The problem with the iMac seems to be with the video card, not the monitor. Both monitors go out at once. After waking from sleep, both monitors showed the same jagged lines. Twice today the computer quite on me. Letting it rest (I assume, cool off) brings it back. Borrowed time.

thanks again, Todd's moving-slowly-and-expensively keyboard

Option for rotation appears when a second display is detected, at least on macs with integrated displays.
I’m sure it has been part of the OS for a long time, as Radius displays were a big deal int the olden, sys7 days.
Mac minis rule, I think. I had a 2012 with an ssd and maximmus rammus.
I recently parted with it because, as good as it performed, I didn’t use it much due to setup time.
My iOS skills thrived, but physical keyboards make me think different haha.
At any rate...

Did you look at refurbs?

Whats your goal? whats your mac budget?

assumign you looked at 34" non curved? they are half the $.

The screen on the 19" needs to rotate physically, older dells had a small button on the stand to allow it... if yours doesnt have it, kinda moot.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Thanks for the continued interest and feedback.

To be honest, my budget is not the largest concern. Right now, time is a big factor.

Normally, I would order things in the states, have them delivered to a Washington state address, and drive down from Vancouver, BC, to pick them up. Unfortunately, the border is closed.

Am on an 11" MacBook Air right now. The iMac has been the desktop mainstay for years.

I was thinking about upgrading the MBA to a MacBook Pro, but now think a Mac Mini, connected to a large monitor, will do fine.

The 27" screen on the iMac was starting to feel too cramped. My wife does not like the idea of two screens. That's where the 34" idea comes from. To be honest, 30" or 32" would be an improvement. Open to suggestions. (Would have gone ahead with curved 34" Dell today, until I saw that they are out of stock in British Columbia.)

thanks again, Todd's solitary-for-now, portable keyboard