Should you buy the Apple Studio Display in 2024?? 2-year ownership review

Here's my 2 year review of the Apple Studio Display. I've used it for work, KZbin, side gigs, and gaming. Let me know what you think of it in the comments below. I hope you enjoy!
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[@MacTX]

4:40 My Dell ultrasharp 2405FPW was very uniform, and no backlight bleed. When it finally died after 15 yrs of use, it was extremely difficult to find a modern (LED backlit) IPS that was as uniform as well as not have backlight bleed. I ended up buying a used 2011 27" Dell ultrasharp as my replacement. I suspect the switch from ccfl to LED backlighting as the problem. Matching color and intensity for a half dozen CFL tubes is probably far cheaper than to do the same for the hundreds to thousands of LEDs for modern IPS. Most manufacturers just cheap out I guess.

[@TaylorBrauer]

The ultrasharps are pretty impressive. It's been a while since I've seen a modern one in person and they always seem to be very high up there in terms of panel quality. You're probably right about cost and most people probably don't even notice.

[@PeterGreter]

Taylor! I still love my ASD. I like the esthetic of it. I check out others and can’t find any at all that compare, build wise. Dude! So happy to see you not living next to a freeway anymore. You seem much happier in the new place. Cheers!

[@TaylorBrauer]

It's so well built. I wish more monitors were built like the ASD but there's probably not a huge market for aluminium monitors since most just sit on a desk. Thanks, I'm loving the new place. I feel much more creative in this space and looking forward to many more videos.

[@jacobthomson9369]

Excellent review.Thank you.

[@TaylorBrauer]

Yw! Glad you liked it.

[@ReginaldoKono]

honest review,, and I agree about the point price at 2024. Thank you!

[@TaylorBrauer]

Yw! Glad you liked it.

[@bobsykes]

I bought mine when it came out pretty much for photo editing, and it really stands out for that. Color calibration is exceptional from the factory, and I found that professional printing houses recommend using it with Apple’s out of the box calibration settings, because manufacturing tolerance is so tight they can print to match the display as well or better than when people attempt to calibrate a monitor themselves with the third party tools. “Real” professional photo editing monitors are also IPS, generally only 4K, snd cost even more than this does. It’s similarly good for video editing and grading. Any other use cases? I’m not going to argue with you! Get something else. As good as it is for its purpose, professional media production, please Apple, bring us an updated display! (An updated Pro Display XDR while they’re at it too, please!)

[@TaylorBrauer]

You make a really good point about the manufacturing tolerances as there's probably near zero difference between one studio display and the next. That makes me think differently about the value of these for industry photo and video editors. That's a huge deal. Thanks for sharing that insight. I'm really interested in an updated XDR. With how fast the tech has moved in the last 5 years since the XDR was released, that could be one amazing display.

[@rain1676]

Many blessings to you brother 😊

[@TaylorBrauer]

Thank you!

[@MiKe_eKiM]

good review. don't see many tech channels talk about it anymore

[@TaylorBrauer]

Thank you! Yeah, it's really fallen off the radar for folks since it wasn't that popular to begin with. I've been sticking with it and wanted to let people know my thoughts that might still have theirs or are thinking of getting one.

[@MiKe_eKiM]

@@TaylorBrauer i notice if you want clear pixels that scale correctly with apple products, you need to get monitors with a 109 pixels per inch. most newer monitors have 120-150 pixels per inch, thats why the scaling is weird when you connect your macbook pro that has 220 i believe for retina. idealing for me i get a used good price on the studio display for work and then another monitor side for gaming.

[@TaylorBrauer]

@@MiKe_eKiM That Alienware I compare against is 4k which MacOS scales down to 2560x1440. It's at 140 ppi and seems to scale pretty well. The text is still very sharp and I actually prefer it to the ASD for the colors. Going any lower than 4k looks pretty bad.

[@MiKe_eKiM]

@@TaylorBrauer i see. i guess the 109 ppi just fixes the scaling proportions

[@TheReidNantes]

The M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro does have Thunderbolt 4 Ports, but The M1 MacBook Air only has Thunderbolt 3. Windows laptops with the Studio Display is really hit or miss. You can get a usb-c (DisplayPort) to HDMI cable for it and use your PS5 with it though and that is a pretty good experience (no sound tho)

[@TaylorBrauer]

You're right, it does have thunderbolt. That's gotta be the reason for the AMD chips not supporting it. I've used a DP to usb-c cable for connecting to a desktop with no sound or webcam but I've never been able to connect to ps5. Is there a specific cable you got to work?

[@developerfriendly]

Is there a way to lower bass coming from studio display? The bass coming from studio display is too much.

[@brunogaspar3977]

There are equalizer apps for macOS

[@TaylorBrauer]

@@brunogaspar3977 Probably your best bet.

[@konstantinkozhukhov9064]

Thanks man.

[@TaylorBrauer]

Yw!

[@nukers1234]

I have paired my Apple Studio with an MSI 34" qd-oled, and I don't regret it :P

[@TaylorBrauer]

That's the setup right there. You're getting the best of both worlds.

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

I'll wait for the next version, expecting MiniLED or something better.

[@TaylorBrauer]

A miniLED display would be awesome. I really hope they give it a higher refresh rate too.

[@FictionsAndIllusions]

Looking at all the metrics you've mentioned, it's not the best in any one aspect. However, taking a step back, it's easily the most balanced 5K monitor you can buy. It does everything pretty good. For example, as you've mentioned, the alienware monitor is 2x more color accurate, but it isn't nearly as bright. No other monitor I know uses glass as part of the display rather than plastic. No other monitor on the market offers nano-textured etching to create the matte coating which provides the maximum optical clarity while providing industry leading anti-glare. No monitor offers a 6 speaker array capable of Dolby Atoms sound. No monitor on the market provides the deep macOS integration and is ready to go when you wake your mac in 1 second. No 5K monitor is cheaper than Studio display while providing the exact same construction material, design, functionality. Anyone buying this monitor should not consider one metric, but looking at all the benefits combined. This monitor is more accurate than most monitors out there, offers 5k resolution, 6 speaker array, a camera that while isn't great provides center stage functionality, 3 mic arrays with noise cancellation for super clear voice and video calls, nano-texture option, industry leading optical clarity for sharper and brighter looking display, and deep integration with macOS all baked into a single package. The better comparison would be LG ultrafine. However, that display has the cheapest plastic enclosure with an unaesthetically pleasing design. Another competing product would be Samsung ViewFinity S9. It gets close, but it uses the standard plastic matte material for the display, doesn't include dolby atmos capable speakers, doesn't have an included webcam that provides substantially better image quality than the studio display, and cuts cost by using a plastic back. The bottom line is, for the price that you pay for, there is no competitor out there that can match Apple Studio display for the overall performance, functionality, and design (including use of materials).

[@TaylorBrauer]

That's a really great perspective of this display. Its got a lot of premium features rolled into one while not being particularly revolutionary in a single space. One caveat being those speakers. They are unreal for a monitor. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@Zebrajellyfishphoto]

Is it useful for photo editing?

[@TaylorBrauer]

It is. It's a very color accurate monitor still.

[@Zebrajellyfishphoto]

@@TaylorBrauer Thanks, that's helpful and if it fits in well with my 2023 M2 MacBook that's the bonus. I know there are other options and even better tech in some 5k monitors but Apple builds stuff really well. The extra for height adjustment is stupid and the nano glass just as stupid but they get away with the fluff. I don't need nano and only ever need the monitor raised to one height so I use a proper stand on my desk and I save lots of money. I appreciate you!

[@TaylorBrauer]

@@Zebrajellyfishphoto no problem!

[@MM-wh3rc]

Well, what do you recommend?

[@TaylorBrauer]

The new 4k OLEDs are really great.

[@Wolf0103]

@@TaylorBrauercan you name examples please?

[@TaylorBrauer]

@@Wolf0103 Check out my video on the Alienware AW3225QF. It's a great display.

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

I was just going to subscribe and then realized I already have. LOL!

[@TaylorBrauer]

omg, haha. Thank you!

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

Do you get any burn in on your OLED?

[@TaylorBrauer]

No but I’ve only had it for a little more than a month. I’m going to see how long it last before showing signs.

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

@@TaylorBrauer That is my only hold off on them.

[@suhovejeva]

Probably that is the reason why Apple is so resistant to OLED

[@ArseniTecH-vm1fg]

@@suhovejevacuz it’s led tech

[@dawnrazor]

I wish Apple would focus on the things that really matter. On a desktop monitor the build quality is irrelevant. I’ve got an old dell 24 inch monitor that is plasticky but it doesn’t matter a jot. What does matter with studio display is the use of legacy IPS tech. That’s what really matters and also doing stupid things like making the power cable non removable and also not having enough ports and ability to be used with non Apple tech, which is ridiculous for a monitor that is at the top of the price range. Apple, focus on the things that matter and stop giving us hardware riddled with ‘malware’

[@TaylorBrauer]

The good thing is there's finally some great alternatives out there. Especially when it comes to screen quality with the new 4K OLEDs.

[@playerone2772]

I prefer to leave a like and drop a subscribe

[@TaylorBrauer]

That works! haha thank you!

[@shazzshank6393]

Would this monitor be good for colour accuracy / print design ? cheers

[@TaylorBrauer]

Yep, it is ready for professional color work with that low deltaE.

[@shazzshank6393]

@@TaylorBrauer thanks dude !

[@developerfriendly]

I just bought it 1 month ago and now I am sad :/

[@TaylorBrauer]

Oh no! I didn't mean to trigger buyer's remorse. If it works well for what you're doing then use it for a long time. There's always some bigger and better tech around the corner. At the end of the day it's just a tool that's meant to enable your success and talent.

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

I ended up going with an LG made from Mac 24 inch that has all the internal controls like this display including brightness and volume controls. It's a 4K on a 24 inch so pretty darn sharp. In fact for $699 it's really sharp. LOL!

[@TaylorBrauer]

24in 4k! Gd, that’s sharp. That model of LG is that?

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

@@TaylorBrauer LG made 2 sizes of displays for Apple which were'sold by Apple. The 27" and the sleeper I got the 24". I think they actually still sell it. It's a real sleeper. Looks super simple, but it's Apple calibrated and I honestly do not miss the 3 inches of the 27".

[@edimarrodrigrove3377]

I've just bought a Studio Display Refurbished for $1049!

[@TaylorBrauer]

That's a great deal! Congrats and enjoy.

[@wooferjr169]

Where?

[@iidawgg]

Where?

[@kinocchio]

Nice

[@silversflow4469]

Not OLED, not mini-LED backlit, no HDR, not even Liquid Retina.. So MacBook and iPad literally have better displays than this I suppose??

[@TaylorBrauer]

The MBPs and iPads with Mini LEDS look very good. The ASD has a large 5k screen that's very color accurate but lacks some of those modern technologies. idk about the iPad but I do perfer the MBP 16s screen to the ASD. If only it was 27" or 32" it would be perfect.

[@edimarrodrigrove3377]

It's liquid retina...

[@silversflow4469]

@@edimarrodrigrove3377 Not what they wrote on their website

[@crupe4352]

E we eeeeeee ee