04-12-2012, 03:34 PM

This is more of an "opinion" question than a technical one...
I'm really close to being a switcher, with plans to migrate to a 27" iMac. I realize that there is lots of real estate on the 27" display, but I love having more than one display for various reasons. Example... you can have something full screen on one display and still be working on the other. When I'm taking online video courses, I can have the video running full screen on one display and have the other whole display for working with the tutorial files and editors. If I were to go with the 27" iMac and also pick up the 27" thunderbolt display to go with it, is that just overkill? It seems like it would be pretty cool, although expensive. However, perhaps that's way more real estate than anyone could need. I prefer that approach rather than going with a different size monitor or monitors, as then I wouldn't have to worry about the mixed resolutions. Anyways, this is a dumb question, but just wondering if anyone has this configuration and loves it, or if you think it would be nuts.

04-12-2012, 03:39 PM

My opinion is that you start with the 27" iMac and see how you fare and then add the additional display if you indeed believe that the single 27" isn't enough real estate for you..

I have a 27" iMac and am do design/development on it and have two windows open side-by-side at a fairly large size on the screen and it works perfectly fine. I would actually think that an additional 27" screen would just be too much, unless you've got another $1000 just burning a hole in your pocket with nothing else to do with it..

04-12-2012, 03:58 PM

Agree with Razoredge.

To me nothing is overkill if it will help your productivity and is not just there for show or a toy.

04-12-2012, 04:20 PM

Thanks, guys. It definitely wouldn't be for "show" (although they do look pretty cool). I'm a developer and I just like to be able to have a bunch of stuff open at the same time. I have two 24" monitors at 1920x1200 now and it's pretty much perfect. However, with the higher resolution on the iMac, I figured I might be able to see all I need without the second display. Here's the only drawback with waiting, and you can correct me if I'm wrong. The "Apple Guy" told me that if I get the second display at the same time as the iMac, and I get the Apple Care plan for the iMac, Apple will cover the additional display under the Apple Care plan at no additional cost. Maybe that's just a sales approach to rush me into getting it. Not sure

04-12-2012, 04:21 PM

If you can afford it, dual 27in displays would be awesome and I'd be very jealous.

04-12-2012, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Lastmboy

Here's the only drawback with waiting, and you can correct me if I'm wrong. The "Apple Guy" told me that if I get the second display at the same time as the iMac, and I get the Apple Care plan for the iMac, Apple will cover the additional display under the Apple Care plan at no additional cost. Maybe that's just a sales approach to rush me into getting it. Not sure

You can certainly given Apple a ring to see if this is indeed true or not..now the AppleCare for just the display is $99, so if you do end up buying it later on and want to extend beyond the first year, it's not a HUGE amount to pay..

04-12-2012, 04:32 PM

First of all, "Overkill" does not exist, there is only "Just Enough Kill"

Beyond that, if you want to spread things out across multiple screens, go for it. I use 2 21" screens at work and love it, I could not imagine not having them at work. at home, different story, different functions. My MacMini is hooked up to a 65" HDTV - dont really think I need to go dual screens, however it is strictly a media server. My MBP is my main machine, and it is generally out in the living room where I have the big TV and i am doing most of my computing. When it comes to getting into FCP and doing some work, I prefer to be elsewhere, so I pack up the MBP and go - no dual screens. If I want to move something on my MBP to a different screen, I use AirDisplay and my iPad.

04-12-2012, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by Deckyon

First of all, "Overkill" does not exist, there is only "Just Enough Kill"

Beyond that, if you want to spread things out across multiple screens, go for it. I use 2 21" screens at work and love it, I could not imagine not having them at work. at home, different story, different functions. My MacMini is hooked up to a 65" HDTV - dont really think I need to go dual screens, however it is strictly a media server. My MBP is my main machine, and it is generally out in the living room where I have the big TV and i am doing most of my computing. When it comes to getting into FCP and doing some work, I prefer to be elsewhere, so I pack up the MBP and go - no dual screens. If I want to move something on my MBP to a different screen, I use AirDisplay and my iPad.

Lol. Yes, I guess that's my philosophy too.

04-12-2012, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Stretch

If you can afford it, dual 27in displays would be awesome and I'd be very jealous.

My thoughts as well...couldn't agree more!

I'd be DOUBLE jealous!

- Nick

04-12-2012, 04:43 PM

It would be a "business write-off", which makes it a bit easier to afford

04-12-2012, 04:47 PM

Here's another question...
I assume that I would want the "Apple Thunderbolt Display" as opposed to the "Apple LED Cinema Display", right? They're the same, with the exception of the one having thunderbolt ports, right?

... and yet another point. With two of them, I'd always be seeing things at an angle instead of straight on. However, with them being IPS panels, I'm assuming that shouldn't be an issue. Maybe I make too many assumptions.

04-12-2012, 04:52 PM

Have you actually gone into a store and seen them? You will be turning your head on the 27" single screen anyway, adding a 2nd one will really have you turning your head. Even with my 2 21" screens at work, I am giving my neck a workout jumping between them.

I would head into a store and get some hands/eyes on. If you ask nicely, they may even put 2 of them together for you to see what 2 27" screens will look like side-by-side.

04-12-2012, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Deckyon

If you ask nicely, they may even put 2 of them together for you to see what 2 27" screens will look like side-by-side.

Great idea!

Two 27" Apple displays side by side!!! Like I mentioned earlier..."Double Jealous"!

- Nick

p.s. For two 27" displays side-by-side...better have BIG desktop!

04-12-2012, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by Deckyon

Have you actually gone into a store and seen them? You will be turning your head on the 27" single screen anyway, adding a 2nd one will really have you turning your head. Even with my 2 21" screens at work, I am giving my neck a workout jumping between them.

I would head into a store and get some hands/eyes on. If you ask nicely, they may even put 2 of them together for you to see what 2 27" screens will look like side-by-side.

Ya, I might have to do that (put 2 together in store). It will be quite a span from edge to edge. Mind you, I saw a video on Youtube with 3 of them... kind of like "surround video".

04-12-2012, 05:29 PM

I use dual 21" monitors and I'm looking at adding a 3rd monitor. I do some development and love the real-estate afforded by multiple monitors.

Drooling over 27" monitors....

Bill