How to make a DIY Studio Display for just $600! (USB-C & Built-in camera!)

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Apple's new Studio Display is quite an interesting product, but at $1,599 it's an arguably bad value. But since there are so few other displays out there that offer 5K resolution at 27 inches, for some it's the only option. Until today. If you don't fancy spending $1600 on the Apple Studio Display, you can make your own! Today we're going to convert an old 5K iMac into a Studio Display with a few simple parts and some elbow grease!
Other parts used:
Conversion board: www.ebay.com/itm/334158930295...
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USB A to C extension: amzn.to/3vNIhke
Tiny Webcam: amzn.to/3rU4JqS
Time stamps
0:00 Intro
2:54 The iMac to pillage
3:54 Build Process
9:31 Features and using the display
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[@lukemiani]

What do you think of this project? Too much work or is it worth the savings? Also, if you enjoyed the content consider checking out my new merchandise store: crowdmade.com/collections/lukemiani. EDIT: For everyone asking: you can’t convert the speakers to USB because they don’t have a DAC, that’s handled on the board. It would require a lot more wiring and electrical work to get them over USB or 3.5mm

[@bradenboyce2520]

I’ve been digging these DIY videos you’ve been doing lately really interesting how u can jigsaw other Apple devices & parts to make improvements on newer ones save some money thank u & keep them coming 😎🤙🏻🍎🖥💻

[@trash_miner]

Do you still have speaker functionality? Is the Imac power switch functional?

[@OnHisMission4Ever]

I loved it! I have basically the same iMac. However, in my situation the guts are good, but the screen's toast. I'd love to see a video of you making an external Mac in a DIY case with the guts you just took out of the iMac housing in this video. :-)

[@MichaelSidneyTimpson]

why didn't you try to hook up the stock speakers, that's not even hard? Do they suck?

[@bradnelson3595]

Someone could make a business out of selling these.

[@Alexbeast]

This is actually incredibly awesome! This is a huge plus to keep these things out of landfills in the future

[@kesslerdupont6023]

Yeah this is a great way to reuse old hardware.

[@mojave5661]

so you keep stuff working by gutting the internals, and throwing them away?

[@shawndasilva]

@@mojave5661 he sold the internals to keep other computers working and out of landfills

[@mojave5661]

@@shawndasilva I must've missed the part where he said that. my apologies

[@shawndasilva]

@@mojave5661 all good! He went over the resale value of the internals, I am guessing Luke has a “motherboard drawer”.

[@TOMVERMEULEN1977]

Cool project. Combining this 5k panel with an old Cinema Display housing and cramming in an m1 macmini would be a next level.

[@dregic2348]

Well thats looks like next project for Luke

[@theabyssaldemon]

for sure

[@chidorirasenganz]

Or cramming a mac mini into a studio display 🤯

[@lukemiani]

I considered that! it would look very cool, but the problem is the glass is fused to the panel so it wouldn't be able to fit behind the Thunderbolt Display's glass

[@hilli.e]

@@lukemiani even with the “Mini Mac Mini” that Snazzy Labs built?

[@kevinmckinney2798]

Luke, I hope you see this: I've literally just finished doing this project myself. I have some feedback, some advice to anyone reading this who is also considering doing it and some comments in general. First of all this video had me triggered from day one, I had to do it. I was dying for a Studio display though it's way out of my budget (so was this but I made it happen). Some advice to those considering this: Commit and be patient. Bought the donor 2015 iMac, replaced HDD with SSD, liked the now pretty capable iMac though it was never an option to use daily so committed to project. Ordered conversion board, long delivery time and I already had the iMac for about a month debating wether or not to do the project. Conversion board arrived with a nasty import tax bill of about 33%. From iMac purchase to completed project about 10 weeks. Do not think that Luna Display will suffice. I tried, it didn't. If taking it on, commit to it and don't let it live in your head rent free as it did for me. When the time comes to do the work. Clear your calendar and your workspace. The build process looks simple in this video but it's not. Be patient though. Parts used: The camera module doesn't include a mic so order one at the same time as camera module should you be planning to use the display with MacBook in clamshell mode. The DP to USB C connection will not work via a dongle/dock. I had a vision of one cable to/from Mac and all I/O being handled by the dock. It doesn't work so accept that before you start. I was half way through the job when I ran into some problems with my repair hardware not fit for the job - the extension for embedded screw in logic board to be precise. BUY THE IFIXIT TOOL KIT! Cost: Donor iMac - £400 Conversion board: £217 Mic, Camera, USB extension for camera and 12v power supply: £55 Total: 672 Saving of £828 compared to Studio Display - with obvious sacrifices but IMO a great display for the money. Hopefully I'll recoup some of that selling keyboard, mouse and any internals I can. Feedback: I loved the content and love my new display. Push the fact that these jobs aren't as easy as they sometimes seem and I know you do mention so already in the video but emphasise the benefit of the fixit toolkit. It's too late for me now but in future, I will be buying one.

[@slob5041]

Hey we both did it!! Honestly it feels very worth it and might be a good way to flip 4k on a budget... although the imac form factor in itself feels limiting. I did the 21 inch and regret it a little/ Did you wire the back with the extra buttons out or take the button board out

[@vizcode-vd1es]

Hi. Can you tell me precisely what camera and microphone you used? I've got everything else up and running. Thank you!

[@JimmyGfit]

What about the speakers? Would we need to purchase external ones?

[@greenbristol]

Kevin, thanks for your detailed reply. Good for me as I'm in UK too. Seeing the cost I wouldn't try it myself. The Luna Display device seemed great but at £140 or so expensive too. I've seen them much cheaper used though. I wondered what your problems with this were?

[@Errcyco]

Like Miani is the best Apple channel on KZbin hands down. Today I decided I wanted to watch all the videos I hadn’t.. every one of them had the red bar on bottom lol. You may be the only channel with hundreds of videos where I’ve watched them all. Any that center around upgrading older machines, repairs, or entry level new systems are my favorite. Obviously I’d love to have a MacBook Pro but way out of my budget.

[@JoeCastellon]

One of the most valuable DYI projects yet. Well done Luke!

[@cjgonzales1900]

Would be nice if a company made a conversion board that had connections for the original speakers, webcam, and microphones.

[@trustmub1]

You are stretching it😉

[@scotth4224]

I would buy one !

[@felixVanDiemen]

They'd probably get sued by Apple :-/

[@benimfavorilerim]

And an Android LogicBoard.. Ahahah.. 😀

[@karanvirdhaliwal6038]

it wouldnt be nice.. it would be 499.99 from apple

[@taylor1038]

My old job had one of these early super slow 5K iMacs. It was an amazing display held back by lackluster hardware and this would be a great way of gving it life for years to come.

[@letiziasparks2902]

I love, love, love Luke's tinkering videos, it keeps me engaged and inspires me to safely experiment with my mac. Just like all things, it's helpful watching someone repair, upgrade and take apart electronics so I then truly believe I can do it as well. Thank you.

[@Brickoliciousness]

I did this a few years back as well. I had a lot of fun adding an AppleTv to the mix.

[@alanmay7929]

Can you please show me a link for the video?! I’ll like to similar project including even a raspberry or nvidia shield tv inside while also so serving the food speakers too.

[@Miguel-Del]

I literally have been trying to do this. I would LOVE to see how you’ve done it.

[@Miguel-Del]

I literally have been trying to do this. I would LOVE to see how you’ve done it.

[@tomboss9940]

My problem was that I couldn't use the integrated speakers and all the stuff I got sounded meh.

[@CashmereSky]

I'm genuinely impressed. Really incredible what you're explored and achieved here. I don't need a monitor right now, but part of me wants to mimic this video just for the challenge and reward!

[@IageF]

The small tech channel M3tech did this a few months before Luke, and the solutions are so similar that I think there's no way he didn't see that video first. I think Luke does very valuable work, but he should credit small channels when he gets ideas from them. It's kind of sad seeing that the original video has less than 10k views while Luke has more than 20x that.

[@nickthaskater]

Love this. Crazy to dispose of an entire iMac when you can do something like this. The webcam is chef's kiss. Would love to see speakers accounted for, too.

[@solipssm]

Thank you providing the guide and the links. I really appreciate you providing an upcycling path for these iMacs. Before your video I had thought they were a regrettable waste of a good 5k display, and now I'm looking forward to building my own!

[@pureretro5979]

What a great project Luke. Well worth the time and effort. All you need now is a 3D printed snap in cover for that RAM access panel with cut outs for the monitor switches.

[@TheChaz96]

One of my favourite projects of yours luke! Huge respect for the creativity on this one.

[@joaobfontoura]

Dude, this is awesome, for real. Congrats for such a high quality content, and keep this nice energy 👏👏👏

[@EnaBBQ]

Nice one, add some speakers to it in a future video! you might be able to hook some small amplifier boards to the original speakers. Also try using MONITOR CONTROL to control the brightness via CEC that would also be a nice creature comfort

[@fabianbinder3681]

I don’t know about this exact Converter Board, but in most cases there isn’t a need for a amplifier board, you can solder/connect the speakers direct to the board.

[@dragos2010full1]

@@fabianbinder3681 yep that conversion board does have a speaker amp onboard with a 4 pins connector to use

[@Format-3d]

Yeah, I would have like to see the speakers reused.

[@Evie0133]

I was thinking of EXACTLY this when the Studio Display was released haha

[@MrGemkov]

I have to say I’ve been watching almost every video you put on KZbin and every time I ask myself, why such an awesome channel hasn’t reached 1M subscribers yet. Then I realised I still haven’t subscribed to your channel… I hope other people would read this comment and subscribe! Your content is definitely worth it 💪🏽

[@nacswapzz]

Luke i gotta say, your recent projects are groundbreaking! Keep it up!!

[@emmanueldonbraye4617]

This project is ingenious Luke. You’re really showing us that previous Apple products are not dead and forgotten; they can still be used in these days.

[@DanielGasienica]

Awesome! I have that very same iMac in working condition. I’ve seen similar tutorials but this is the first one that gives me confidence I could pull it off 😅

[@LarryGanz]

This is great! I have a late 2015 iMac that came with i5 and 8GB/1TB fusion drive, but was upgraded to 32GB/2TB SSD last year. It still works great, but when it's too old and slow in a few years, I will most certainly try this conversion to use it as a monitor and webcam with a newer Mac (Mini or Studio). I'm pretty sure the Apple Certified repair center that added the SSD cleaned up the dust while they were in there.

[@pcar928fan]

Same for me and my 27” iMac! This was a super cool project that many will take advantage of!

[@corbinq27]

I just finished building one of these this second. Thank you so much for this video and for motivating me to gather all of the parts. it works great! All in all I was able to get this down to a cost of ~$350 by snagging an incredible deal on an iMac.

[@akdsjhijwbvowkp]

Thanks for the idea! At work we use 5 2015 iMacs and trying to upgrade to Mac studios for the team. The hardest choice is finding a good dci-p3 monitor for a fair price and… I think it might actually be a great solution!

[@kazoodac]

Nice work! This is exactly like what I did with my 2013" iMac a few weeks back. In fact, I think I replied to one of your tweets with my progress on the project! I decided to skip the webcam, though I may go back and add it now that I've seen what you did with it. I also was dead set on getting the speakers to work, I've got a little amp in there as well as some passive crossovers, but I'm still trying to figure out how to eliminate a bit of noise. This is going inspire me to open it back up again (still held together with tape). If you want to see what I used for audio, I'll let you know if it works!

[@redyellow4014]

I Would love to see what you did with the speakers!

[@dfayne]

I am in the middle of the conversion now and am curious to know how you got the speakers set up.

[@kazoodac]

​@@redyellow4014 Sorry for the delay! It's not done yet, still trying to troubleshoot a few things, but I posted my WIP on my twitter. Just search my username!

[@kazoodac]

@@dfayne Sorry for the delay! It's not done yet, still trying to troubleshoot a few things, but I posted my WIP on my twitter. Just search my username!

[@UTJK.]

@@kazoodac any news from your experiment with audio?

[@davidm.d.hyskell8983]

Wow, super creative. This is the coolest repair/upgrade video yet.

[@TimurTripp2]

I'm looking at this as the likely afterlife for my high-end 2015 5K iMac, after years of service the computer is showing its age but the 5K display is still stunning. Absolutely fantastic!!!

[@lazerbeam3928]

I have a fully functional 27", 2017 iMac and I'm very tempted to try this!

[@SteveBoyer10]

Fantastic project I'm considering taking on myself, to save a G. Couple questions: can you adjust brightness with the keyboard brightness up/down buttons? Do you think it needs an internal fan to keep it cool?

[@GushMotoring]

Wow I am absolutely fascinated by this project.. I think I am going to try doing this. So glad I found your channel, great content man!

[@KeeeeenW]

This is so cool! All of your latest Mac related projects are very unique so I decided to follow your channel!

[@ethanmenzel]

Apple needs to bring back target mode. As a college student, I feel very weird plugging in a cable to my school’s mac to use my MacBook Pro as an external p. wis apple made a way to connect a MacBook Pro to an iMac

[@BretFX]

that 2014 actually supports target mode. Not sure if the Studio does. I think destination target mode went away in 2015 on the iMac and the M1 probably nixed it on the source side.

[@myrealusername2193]

@@BretFX ever since the iMac 5k, it’s no longer been an option.

[@BretFX]

@@myrealusername2193 yea, the PHYSICAL device doesn’t support tdm. But that’s only 1/2 the equation. The OS still supported it for quite awhile. Looks like the other machine needs to be 2019/Catalina or older.

[@barrybillionaire]

Hi Luke! Thanks a million for the tutorial. By coincidence my late 2015 5K iMac died a couple of weeks after first seeing this video. I order the board and I've just converted it over and now back up and running. Really delighted with the results! Great to be able to save and get more life out of the 5K Panel.

[@viktorbass]

did you have to tweak the colors or just worked? Can you adjust the brightness from the keyboard? thx!!

[@barrybillionaire]

@@viktorbass Hiya. Soooo I started using the display with a 2017 MBP and found it kept dropping the DP connection along with giving me different settings, not knowing what the monitor was and so on. I switched to using HDMI and ran at 4K without any connection issues and colors/sharpness were good but no Display P3 setting. I've just started using it with a new M2 Mini Pro using the DP connection and it's amazing. Full 5K res 60 hertz, recognises it as an 'iMac 5K' along with P3 choice in settings. It didn't like my MBP, but using with the Mini has really made it worth saving and converting the iMac display. It doesn't support brightness control from the keyboard, but I can do that from the back on the monitor and rarely touch it anyhow. It does however fully support Nightshift as it knows its still a Mac Display.

[@viktorbass]

@@barrybillionaire That sounds great! Did you experience any brightness loss after the conversion? I read some reviews telling about it. (maybe the board's power supply is not beefy enough)

[@viktorbass]

I am at a crossroads: upgrading the iMac or saving for a new m2 mac mini + using the iMac as a display (so I don't have to buy an LG 5K ex.)

[@barrybillionaire]

@@viktorbass No loss of brightness to date. I did use a 12V 6Amp power brick (one I got separately on Amazon), so I think the extra amps could be the trick. The board supplier does recommend up to 7amps.

[@skesinis]

This was an amazing project Luke! I was really impressed!

[@CorsairMaverick]

Loved this project. Actually doable, actually useful, real savings.

[@johngerdes3312]

Yes, I would definitely do that! I think the frame and base from the iMac are timeless and look much much better than the Studio Display.

[@adamr4198]

Luke thanks for making this great video. I would love to try this myself. Hopefully the prices of iMacs don’t spike after this video goes viral! 😅

[@RowdyGeronimo]

I love these videos from Luke. This is what made me follow him years ago. Great content! Thanks, Luke.

[@Errcyco]

An intelligent dude who loves apple and stays current and knows and respects their old school stuff too. He also is genuinely excited.. perfect channel. Most of the others are just terrible ad filled and redundant and just try suckering you into watching another video. If your videos are good, you won’t have to convince me

[@jabbo3124]

About to do this, thanks for the guide. Can't wait!

[@derpyazerty]

Ahhhh this is the type of content I subscribed for

[@SirTools]

I love the Mac Studio sitting with the iMac together. I think that looks FAR better than the $$$ Apple display. I have just junked out my older iMac 27 2015 and this is tempting to do the same project. Also you could plug in the Mac Mini M1 and have a very low dollar, but NICE setup on the desk too. I'll have to kick this idea around a bit. SUPER thanks for posting this Luke, it is a possible answer.

[@fergusyoung6782]

I love this project, personally think the 2012- iMacs are such sleek looking machines despite their age. People complain about chunky bezels but for a machine that is using effectively a 2009 design it's still a really sick looking machine. This is a nice way to keep this awesome design alive and I wanna try it at some point

[@DirkSchleef]

Astonishing, well done and a really great option at a interesting price point! THX for this idea!

[@Joe3545u]

Had that exact 27" iMac from late 2014 and traded it in for a M1 Max Mac Studio. The problem with my late 2014 iMac was the image retention problem that you mentioned. If you run a screen saver or a burn in protection video the image retention would be reduced but would eventually come back. You were lucky to get hold of a 2014 iMac that did not exhibit this issue. Also purchased the latest 2022 27" Studio Display and not regretting the purchase. Better video quality than my 2020 27" iMac.

[@claytonberg721]

I just found an a1 149 on ebay for $125. It's running el cap with the original fusion drive which I'm hoping means it has not very much run time. my late 2012 has had run in for awhile now.

[@protonprotonfix5749]

This is so awesome. And add to the pro side that this is a great way to do something good for the environment, too. Great. Apple should offer this officially for every iMac 5k customer.

[@gd515051]

So glad you made this video. I bought a 2017 27” 5k a year ago with hopes that I could use it as a dedicated display down the road with a Mac mini. Maybe 5 years out.

[@davidlarson9013]

Excellent project and great value-add. When the new Mac Studio Display came out I thought it was over-priced, and still do. But this is a beautiful solution. I’m skilled enough, and crazy enough to make a clear acrylic case for a 27” screen akin to Apple’s acrylic 14” monitor from 20 years ago.

[@GregsGadgets]

Luke, feel free to come do this to my iMac. I will pay you in a sandwich.

[@yannisgk]

you cheapo!!! lol. great we see you here!!!

[@CarbonPanther]

This is an unbelivably cool conversion! Question: Is there anything you can do with the standalone Logic board? Like turning it into it's own standalone PC using maybe similar adapters that the Display needed?

[@MultiRanman]

Luke, you are doing amazing work. Thanks

[@rmcbeef]

I have two Late 2014 27" iMacs and I am going to take the plunge here. Thank you for this amazing video and the hope to breathe new life into these amazing old machines.

[@Samuel-re4qm]

Hi Luke You should check out the video from Tips Tricks and More (German KZbinr) He did the same thing but used the power button and the power connection from the original iMac

[@patrickcecil1229]

Great project Luke. Good use for an old iMac that otherwise would be recycled. One question - what do you use for the 12v power supply that the conversion board needs? Look like you had something external but I could not really see it. Thanks for the excellent videos!

[@twforbes]

Any response on the power supply?

[@vjtech17]

This is so super cool, awesome! Great job Luke 👏👏👍

[@RICKYSERTV]

Luke only you can come out with something like this! This is genius!

[@Anmol.Srivastava]

What a out of the box thing.... That's genius dude! Would Love to see more projects like this one.... And Yes! It's gonna make a talk in mainstream media...

[@borderlessniko]

I love this project! My concern would be experiencing screen burn. My boss has this iMac and anything that stays on the screen too long gets burned on. It does kinda go away but comes back if you're on the same window or desktop background for too long

[@luciascarlet]

Yeah I have a Dell UP2715K and it does the same thing... I don't mind it that much since it *does* go away and it's not permanent burn-in (when temporary, it's called image retention) but it's still kind of annoying. I was kinda bummed the other day as I found a wallpaper I loved but couldn't use as it'd trigger my screen's image retention really badly.

[@jeffcyho]

This is possibly the best builds on your channel and has given me so much inspiration. Any tips to get the speaker to work?

[@scottgriz]

This is amazing. I have been looking for this. Thank you!!

[@ReikiHealingMusic_com]

awesome. more projects like this, please. ive often wondered if this was possible1 to reuse an 2015 iMac as an external display .it is a huge shame apple does not allow new imacimacs to be switched to an external display for a MacBook and then switch back to internal use. could you build that ?

[@jorgerufman]

Following the purchase of my MacBook Pro M1, I failed to sell my old iMac(27" Late 2015) , when I came across this video it seemed like a great idea, I purchased the controller from aliexpress, waited for it to arrive, and... Yesterday I opened the iMac, dissected it from all the internals, replace them with the controller and voila!, I am writing this comment on a MacBook Pro using a home made Studio Display. The controller I ordered, has a USB-C input that has PD, so I do not to to use the power bric supplied with my MacBook. Now I have to sale the guts of the old iMac. Great video, keep on the great work!!!

[@smartandee1]

same here. I did use a 2017 27"iMac. Did the first test run also with an aliexpress USB-C board. Model u49. test run worked fine. I will do do the final glueing next weekend. I have already sold the old logicboard and the RAM.

[@CaseyAcaster]

I'm also converting a 2017 27" Imac. Could you link me to the board you purchased from Ali? I'm seeing a ton of options and would love to get a proven unit that you've had success with. Thanks!@@smartandee1

[@lalolead]

do you get 5K resolution with the usb-C?

[@danlivas]

Ambitious project as usual! Great job!

[@ThmsThrsgr]

I really liked this project. Great video, Luke!

[@witekbb]

Awesome project! I have just replaced this exact iMac (late 2014) with a Mac Studio and Studio Display. I would like to clarify one thing I believe you are wrong about, which is the difference between the two displays since p3 color is not the only difference. The 2014 iMac panel is a 400nit (500 in later versions) and the studio display is 600 nits.

[@georgesenda1952]

I would have kept the memory cover & cut it somewhat to keep dust from coming in or to protect the outputs.

[@FerroMagnetar]

Really cool. I would attempt to reincorporate the RAM door back. Perhaps drill a cutout and stick a rubber grommet in it, tying and running cables through it prior (did something like that in a vehicle, looked stock). Drill the bottom of the door to install rubber button extensions that would press the clickers on the PCB. But that's only if I'd want it perfect. Terrific project, Luke!

[@thelucasstorm]

Been waiting for this, thanks Luke!

[@seanzappulla71]

This is a fantastic idea. I would love to see it done with a 21” 4K iMac converted.

[@digitalfxuk]

Ditto, this was my first thought too!

[@johnnyquarantane2934]

Great! Now let's do this with an iMac 27 5k and including the speakers as well! That would be awesome :)

[@Hatimatchi]

Always wanted to know how to frankenstein an iMac as an external display. Very helpful information!

[@Kuth70]

I'm watching this video again for fun on a converted 5k iMac/Monitor. Thanks for you video Luke!

[@kenlamb4430]

Awesome. Maybe I missed in video, do the speakers still work? Definitely considering this, currently have a 2017 27" iMac which is running great but starting to show its age especially as start getting into video work. This method makes jumping to Studio box much more appealing and overall affordable. If can sell off the iMac's internals would be about a wash in overall expense. Any way to re-purpose the iMac's SSD? Thanks Luke!

[@tsuyunobradley4439]

I'd guess an external disk enclosure of some type - I have no experience with Apple computers made post-2009, but you should be able to get some kind of an external SSD enclosure for it.

[@KS-wr8ub]

OWC sells external USB enclosures for NVMe drives with Apples proprietary pin layout.

[@fredhall3453]

No - the speakers were removed.

[@tsuyunobradley4439]

@@fredhall3453 This comment has nothing to do with speakers. We are talking about the iMac's internal storage device and how it can be used as an external mass storage device.

[@fredhall3453]

@@tsuyunobradley4439 Did you miss his first sentence? That's what I was answering.

[@ethanmenzel]

I was thinking about doing something similar with an iMac using it as a display for my MacBook Pro for home use but not sure yet. I may buy the studio Display for my MacBook Pro or even the new mac pro display. Not sure yet have to see after all the new mac hardware releases.

[@matejaem]

Definitely wait a few more months if you can, since it’s highly likely Apple will update Pro Display XDR for 2022

[@jimi272]

@@matejaem excactly, and then you will be able to get a pro Display 1.0 for probably much less then now…

[@Syntaxa]

Luke! Just today, I was going to just get rid of my broken iMac. However, I happened across this brilliant video, thank you so much!!! Outstanding work Sir!

[@FutureNow]

This is...a very tempting project to try.

[@hortonproductions]

Thanks Luke! Question: Do you think it's possible to do this install, but keep all of the iMac 5K internals and functionality intact? Would be great if the required hardware could sit outside of the iMac, and allow for a graphics cable switch to switch between the internal iMac and using as an external 5K display when needed.

[@Thedimka]

Is it possible to use an SSD to replace the HDD, then use that free space to install the conversion board and thus have it as dual purpose: as an old iMac and as stand alone Monitor? Even if it means that come cables and splitters would have to be outside the case. I understand it would be a much harder goal to accomplish, yet with a bit more functionality

[@mr.e.b.4697]

I bet you could double side tape a couple of 2.5" ssd's to the inside, get a couple of sata to USB cables, then get usb extensions and run them to your mini or whatever and have your spare SSDs inside the display, which would be cool, but odd.

[@Allurestudios]

Your channel is soo cool! Super impressed!!! I like how you gave an alternative to the studio display and as someone has already pointed out this is a great way to recycle tech instead of garbaging the whole unit. I’m currently debating on what to get for my next apple computer and was only offered $50 for trading in my iMac, but this gives me an idea to repurpose it perhaps instead.

[@zaneparkinson]

I was considering figuring out how to do something like this myself and now I can just watch a video instead. Thanks, Luke!

[@macguyvin]

That’s awesome! Now I’m thinking if the 5K display can be mounted inside a Thunderbolt Display chassis 🤔🤔

[@MMCLProductions]

If you can find the display without the front glass already mounted it should work. Been looking for a 5K display for that exact reason

[@lilypadsy]

@@MMCLProductions the imac displays always have the glass, they are glued on and sold as a single unit. the lg ultrafine 5k uses the same panel without the glass and stuck inside a housing. model number is LG LM270QQ2

[@jimi272]

@@lilypadsy legend, do you think it’s doable to put it into a Thunderbolt Display?

[@fmarinosfromafar9512]

This is a really cool project - before the Studio Display was released I had done some research into something like it and the tinkerer in me still wouldn't mind giving it a go. The only thing that worries me is that for $800 (before you sell any left over components) you're getting an 8 year-old panel, it's hard to say how long it's got left. The panel in my Thunderbolt Display suddenly gave out on the 10 year mark, thankfully I could get a brand new LG panel for it for c.US$250 incl. shipping. A new 5K LG panel is around US$400 or more, if ever needed, then you're getting close to Studio Display money.

[@topkek7003]

there are 2004 apple displays that still work so

[@fmarinosfromafar9512]

@@topkek7003 We have 4 still-working (and still looking good) 20" and 23" displays here 👍

[@ArcticCoder]

Super cool project. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Luke, one of your best projects ever. I have a reason to save an old iMac now. If I stop using it then it'll make a great 27" monitor. (:

[@dawiiid]

Great video. A few suggestions: 3d Print a bracket to hold the converter board and a panel to cover the cable out and buttons where the RAM door was. Also you can rewire the existing original camera to usb very easy without the need of any converter.

[@Emily-it3bd]

how can you rewire the original camera?

[@m.f.8752]

Interested to know how you’d rewire the original camera. Please do tell.

[@chinarut]

yes i would be interested in hearing about this too! I assume this would allow one to use use the built-in mic as well (a mic appears to be missing from the build in the current video)

[@garyroxene]

my thought is just to carefully machine some access slots into the door.. but - Im thinking to use an mac mini housing applied to the outside of the iMac.

[@Reaper0Bot0]

I must have missed something. What’s powering the display if you took out the power supply?

[@lukemiani]

It has it's own 12v 4A adapter

[@ozzyoscar22]

Awesome!!! I'm doing this! Thank you for this idea

[@davidgwynn6341]

I just completed this process and it works! Thanks Luke - super helpful - would highly recommend

[@gubski1]

How do the colors look? Do you have any controls to manage hue, color temperature, brightness or contrast? Can you switch between color spaces (sRGB, Adobe, etc..)? Thanks!

[@cappuccino-1721]

Wow, I'm an Apple Authorized technician so for me, a project like this is easy! The shop I work for also has plenty of dead 2014 iMac's laying around with working displays. This looks like a fun and easy way to put them to use!

[@diceydaze]

Any chance you'd be able to ship some of these already converted to monitors to interested buyers...? I did see somewhere that certain imacs from 2009 to 2014 can be used as monitors through something called target display mode...

[@cappuccino-1721]

@@diceydaze I haven’t done any conversions yet, but I do have plenty of loose iMac screens from 2009 to 2011. The iMac’s after 2012 used a different type of display. And are much more expensive, I only have one 2014 display in stock as of now

[@moviemikerod]

I went ahead and took the gamble on a eBay non-functional unit. I’m hoping that the display arrives intact. It’s supposed to be able to power on, but iCloud locked. Couldn’t get any information on the condition of the screen. Would be awesome worst-case scenario if you had a 2014 or newer display on hand.

[@this_is_NOT_a_test]

@@diceydaze 2009-2014 imacs can be used as monitors through target display mode, but the 27 inch 5K retina 2014 iMac CANNOT. I have confirmed this.

[@diceydaze]

@@this_is_NOT_a_test I guess that leaves no other choice than to dismantle it.

[@PolluxChung]

I think your next project should be trying to fit the M1 Mac Mini gut into the 27" iMac.

[@KaceyGreen]

I thought he already did this, or was it an Intel Mac Mini?

[@sasstewart1222]

100% agree with this ☝️ A M1 is perfect because its so small

[@slamcrank]

This is so amazing. I was JUST thinking about how I could go about using my late-2014 5k iMac as a monitor for a new M1 Mac Mini (or Studio) since my iMac is feeling its age. Looking online for a new Apple 27" display shows me that there's about an 8-10 week wait through the Apple Store, and people on eBay are listing them for $500 over the retail price. I really love the 5k panel, so I was thinking exactly the same way you were - and I'm so glad you took the plunge before I gave it a shot :)

[@dodgy1253]

I have a late 2015 iMac and have been looking to repurpose it into an external monitor for a Mac mini. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@esseferio]

I wonder if speakers from donor iMac could have been used? Great video, Luke!

[@lukemiani]

Most likely not since they don't have any onboard DAC. That happens on the logic board, so you can't just convert the wires to a USB connection AFAIK

[@Jushwa]

Display Port carries sound so I wonder if it would be possible to get an output out of the driver board

[@txerapng]

@@lukemiani you could just get a 5W amp and use a USB C hub to get the image and sound in one cable. All that's left is soldering the speaker cables to the new amp. That would be cool for a Part 2

[@chinarut]

@@lukemianisomeone else mentioned the converter board has a 4-pin connection and I just went to the eBay page you linked in the description and sure enough it’s there - would this be sufficient to drive the original iMac speakers? how are you handling sound in your current build?

[@jamesdriver0317]

LUKE WHY DIDNT YOU USE A 5K IMAC WHEN YOU MADE THAT M1 IMAC?!?!?!?

[@TheChoirDirector]

Finally! Someone made a good video on this! Thanks Luke!

[@johnbroussard6853]

This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing, I'd been considering paying a local computer repair shop to do this for me, wasn't sure how easy it would be or what I would need to bring them. You answered my question, thanks!

[@johnbroussard6853]

(Mine is 2017 iMac 27", so v excited to hear it is for all my practical purposes identical to the Studio Display, now going to be driven with my M1MacBook Air)

[@lilypadsy]

really hoping this video doesnt end up inflating the cost of panels or driver boards more than they already have been :(

[@gleeeb]

Great video! I noticed you're using dp1.4 cable though, and your board version R9A18 has 2 dp1.2 ports, which should provide only 4k max resolution via one dp1.2 port or 5k with 2 dp ports. Can you confirm that actual resolution you're getting on screen is 5k? There is another board R1811 with dp1.4 support which costs $275. Just wondering if that's worth it or whether your version works with no issues.

[@gleeeb]

Thanks for auto-reply, check out my question though :)

[@Yzyenthusiast]

@@gleeeb that’s a bot lol

[@fhturner3]

Gleb, did you determine anything about this? Did Luke answer elsewhere? I would think it would've been obvious to Luke if the display was only showing 4K instead of 5... DP1.2 is indeed limited to 4K, but if you look at 11:50, the mouse is hovering over the middle/default resolution, and to the left it says "iMac 5K". I'd really like to know if I need to spend the extra $95 with my projects as well.

[@gleeeb]

@@fhturner3 I'd rather stick with other sources on this subject which give tech details and say the solution provided in the video should give 4k max, otherwise you'll have to buy 2 cards instead of one

[@lonelymisanthrope2329]

That’s so badass! I’m totally making one when I need another display!

[@felixVanDiemen]

Bloody awesome Luke, now that's thinking outside the box!