As both a long-time Apple user and display technology enthusiast, I‘ve been eager to compare the new Studio Display against Apple‘s highly-rated iMac desktop computer. Specifically, how do their screens stack up?
If you‘re shopping for a new Mac external monitor or all-in-one desktop, you likely have the same question. Read on as I dig into the technical details and feature breakdown between the 27-inch Studio Display and 24/27-inch iMac models to help you decide.
An Overview of Apple‘s Premium Displays
First, let‘s quickly recap what we‘re dealing with here:
The Apple Studio Display is a 27-inch 5K standalone monitor released in March 2022. Starting at $1599, it‘s aimed at creative professionals, MacBook users wanting more screen real estate, and those focused on display quality.
The Apple iMac is Apple‘s elegant all-in-one desktop computer with integrated display. The latest 2021 models come in 24-inch 4.5K and 27-inch 5K sizes, starting at $1299 and $1799 respectively. Designed for general users and creators seeking an integrated one-stop solution.
So in essence, the Studio Display is just a monitor while the iMac couples a high-performance computer with a stellar display. But the screens themselves boast comparable specs on paper—so how do they compare in real-world use? Let‘s dive in.
Display Resolution
When it comes to crucial specs like resolution, both monitors are very closely matched:
- The 27-inch Studio Display and 27-inch iMac share an identical 5120 x 2880 resolution, resulting in a super sharp 218 pixels per inch (PPI).
- The 24-inch iMac display steps down slightly to 4480 x 2520 resolution but still achieves a high 194 PPI density.
For perspective, most 27-inch 4K monitors offer just ~163 PPI while 24-inch 1080p monitors offer ~92 PPI. So both Apple displays are extraordinarily crisp for their class. This pixel density makes them exceptional for photo and video editing work where detail is critical.
Refresh Rates and Motion Smoothness
While the displays share 5K resolutions, their maximum refresh rates differ notably:
- The Studio Display offers a standard 60 Hz refresh rate only. This means the screen redraws 60 times per second.
- The iMac displays can dynamically adjust their refresh rate up to 120 Hz. At higher refresh rates, motion and transitions appear markedly smoother.
For less intensive tasks like web browsing or video streaming, 60 Hz is adequate on both displays. But for gaming or graphical work, the iMac‘s variable refresh rate delivers a competitive edge for smooth animation and quick reactions.
Color Accuracy and Gamut
If color accuracy is important to you, both monitors deliver professional-grade performance:
- Each display covers 100% of the P3 wide color gamut. This means they can produce more vibrant, richer colors than average displays targeting just the sRGB gamut.
- The displays also offer 10-bit color depth support for reproducing over one billion possible colors. This enhances gradients and fine color transitions.
- Brightness ratings are 600 nits for the Studio Display and 500 nits for the iMac. Both exceed the 300-400 nit standard for exceptional HDR-ready peak brightness.
So whether you‘re editing photos, graphics, video or need accurate colors for design work, you can trust both displays to produce vivid, true-to-life images.
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
While their color performance is comparable, the displays differ when it comes to HDR support:
- The iMac display supports HDR content including HDR10 and Dolby Vision standards. This allows brighter highlights and increased contrast for images that pop.
- The Studio Display lacks any HDR support at this time. For viewing high-dynamic range content, the iMac display achieves superior contrast and expanded brightness.
I expect Apple could add HDR support to a future Studio Display via firmware update. But for now, the iMac certainly wins for HDR viewing and creative work.
Design Aesthetics
You can always count on Apple for elegant industrial design, and both monitors deliver:
- The iMac uses an ultra-slim profile with just a 0.45-inch thick panel tapering to an edge of just 11.5 mm. This houses all computer components behind the screen.
- The Studio Display is purely a monitor, so the cabinet is deeper at 3.5 inches but still fairly slim for the class.
Both displays use minimal bezels for a modern, optimized viewing experience:
- The iMac has slim uniform borders of just 0.2 inches around all sides.
- The Studio Display also uses thin 0.2-inch side bezels, but has a slightly thicker 0.4-inch chin along the bottom.
Overall, the all-in-one iMac naturally achieves a more space-saving integrated design. But the Studio Display is no slouch and looks fantastic in any workspace.
Ergonomics and Adjustments
Due to its fixed all-in-one design, the iMac offers limited ergonomic adjustability:
- The iMac‘s stand supports only tilt adjustment up to 30 degrees back and 5 degrees forward.
- There is no height adjustment, swivel or pivot available. You‘ll need an aftermarket VESA mount for flexibility.
- The 27-inch iMac stand does allow 90 degrees of rotation from landscape to portrait mode.
By comparison, the Studio Display as a standalone monitor provides excellent ergonomic options:
- Its stand supports tilt up to 30 degrees as well as 110 mm of height adjustment.
- You also get rotation up to 90 degrees for portrait orientation.
- An advanced bracing system provides great stability for touch interactions.
The Studio Display also supports standard VESA mounting for even more flexibility. So if UI, Accessibility By Natasha Baber adjustability is important for your setup, the Studio Display is the clear winner.
Webcam, Microphone and Speakers
Both displays are packed with high-end audiovisual features for video calling, voice chat, conference calls, content creation and more:
Webcam
- The iMac features a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, similar to its laptops. This provides sharp, color-accurate video.
- The Studio Display includes a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with a 122-degree field of view and Center Stage auto-framing. But max resolution is limited to 4K/30 fps.
For most users, the iMac‘s webcam offers superior overall video quality and color rendition even at a lower megapixel spec.
Microphones
- Both monitors integrate an identical three-microphone array with directional beamforming. This captures audio clearly from up to 15 feet away.
- Additionally, their noise reduction effectively dampens ambient sounds like typing. Voice capture is excellent on both.
Speakers
- You‘ll find the same high-fidelity six-speaker sound system on each monitor, producing rich, room-filling sound with deep bass and clear mids/highs.
- The speakers support Spatial Audio for a surround sound experience. Overall audio performance is fantastic on both.
So essentially it‘s a wash when it comes to their best-in-class microphone and speaker systems.
Connectivity and Ports
Connectivity can make a big difference in your ability to be productive. In this area, the designs diverge significantly:
24-inch iMac ports:
- Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
27-inch iMac ports:
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Four USB 3 ports
- SDXC card slot
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
Studio Display ports
- One Thunderbolt 3 port (96W host charging)
- Three USB-C ports (10 Gbps speed)
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
The 24-inch iMac is clearly the most restrictive with just two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports. The Studio Display offers the most flexible connectivity by far, with dedicated ports for multiple accessories and peripherals.
The 27-inch iMac sits in the middle—usable, but you may still need a hub for full productivity. All three monitors include handy headphone jacks as well.
Performance and Value Breakdown
Lastly, let‘s compare the performance you receive and overall value proposition of each premium monitor:
- The iMac packs Apple‘s blazing fast M1 or M2 chip starting with an 8-core CPU, up to 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. This all-in-one can handle demanding tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, gaming, app development etc.
- The Studio Display is just a monitor with no internal processing power. It must be connected to a Mac computer to function at all.
Starting prices stack up like this:
- 24-inch iMac: $1299
- 27-inch iMac: $1799
- Studio Display: $1599
Given that the 27-inch Studio Display matches the 5K iMac‘s screen quality but costs less, it may seem like the better value if you just need a monitor.
However, the iMac coupes that excellent display with a powerful integrated desktop computer. It eliminates the need for a separate Mac mini or MacBook purchase, combining everything into one beautiful package.
So for shoppers seeking an capable all-in-one, the iMac undoubtedly delivers far more bang for your buck, despite similar pricing as the standalone Studio Display.
The Bottom Line – Who Should Buy Each Display?
So where does that leave us? Here are my recommendations based on use case and budget:
The Studio Display is the right choice if you:
- Already own a powerful Mac computer and just need more screen real estate
- Prioritize display quality, resolution, ergonomics and flexible mounting options
- Plan to use it with laptops like MacBooks frequently
- Need lots of direct ports like USB-C and Thunderbolt
The iMac remains a better buy if you:
- Want an all-in-one solution without buying a separate desktop computer
- Will use built-in power for editing high-res photos, videos, 3D modeling etc.
- Prefer the slimmer integrated iMac design over connectivity options
- Appreciate the higher refresh rates and HDR support for media creation
There’s no universally superior option—it depends on your individual needs and preferences. Ideally try to compare the displays live in person if possible. But either delivers incredible quality for creatives, professionals and everyday users alike. Let me know if you have any other questions!