I bought an iMac 27"...my goodness.

[stratman]

You would not even need a monitor like that to better the Imac this will make it look like a blurry mess... http://www.samsung.com/uk/business/business-products/business-monitor/professional/LU28D590DS/EN ...

UHD does not guarantee better image with less than UHD resolution source. Upscaling a 1080p image to 4k may look worse than a native 1080p monitor. This is especially true for video. The contrast ratio on the monitor is "meh". The viewing angles are abysmal. There is little 4k content at this time. The response time is amazing superb for gaming but I would want independent analysis with a Leo Bodnar Lag Tester. The display port option is good but the HDMI is weak. No 4k at 120 Hz and unknown if chroma 4:4:4 at 60Hz, important points for gamers who also must have appropriate video cards (eg 900 series Nvidia) to take advantage of screaming 4k gaming.

 

[The Hat]

That 7-8 year old runs rings around me on the computer.

Agree the prices are exorbitant in Ireland! On the flip side, we pay more for Guinness and I hear it isn't the same (as good) as in the homeland.

@stratman I was referring specifically to their Tax movements..

 

[stratman]

@stratman I was referring specifically to their Tax movements..

Do you mean pre- or post- VAT? Is the Pro-100 more expensive pre-VAT in Europe compared to the non-rebate price in the US?

I've decided to upgrade my computer and get the full Etch A Sketch and hire a twelve year old to run it.

 

[3dogs]

You would not even need a monitor like that to better the Imac this will make it look like a blurry mess... http://www.samsung.com/uk/business/business-products/business-monitor/professional/LU28D590DS/EN can be had for around £450 here in the UK, (around $800 Aussie dollars without me getting the calculator out to be spot on) looks similar to the Imacs general appearance also, that leaves you with over $1500 aussie dollars to build a machine which likewise will make that imac look like a speak and spell.

My computer guy was discussing this, he was cool to cold on it for photography due to cost and availability, so it is something I have not had a lot to do with yet. My budget got screwed at $2500 for the 23w Eizo, that now sells for $1700!!!!!
I am waiting on the release of a new something or other so we can build a new computer. Fella is talking about "work station" grade components?
BTW the 4K screen is mooted $4500..........so based on your numbers "they" really get us for that stuff too.

I am thinking that the only real cost benchmark is a personal one. I am still working, and a 5" iPhone 6 would consume 100.3% of a weeks wage for most of the fellas where I work, similar workers in the USA earn less than half that in US $, so the price premium applied to the Aus. market is real, not apparent. INK is where I feel the real pain. Consumable items are the blotting paper of commerce, sucking up all excess. Without refill I just COULD NOT run a 3880, end of story, it would be out of my reach.


PS

I was not thinking that we were discussing iMac at all, I thought we were helping @Pharmasist get ready for the pending arrival of his new Boys Toy in the right frame of mind......Lurking doubt, apprehension, guilt and all THOSE sorts of things

 

[CakeHole]

UHD does not guarantee better image with less than UHD resolution source. Upscaling a 1080p image to 4k may look worse than a native 1080p monitor. This is especially true for video. The contrast ratio on the monitor is "meh". The viewing angles are abysmal. There is little 4k content at this time. The response time is amazing superb for gaming but I would want independent analysis with a Leo Bodnar Lag Tester. The display port option is good but the HDMI is weak. No 4k at 120 Hz and unknown if chroma 4:4:4 at 60Hz, important points for gamers who also must have appropriate video cards (eg 900 series Nvidia) to take advantage of screaming 4k gaming.

I never said higher res = better image quality. The quality of an desktop image on that screen compared to a MAC though is better. I can not comment on games, but general brightness, sharpness etc just looked better to me.

I used that monitor as an example more than anything because 1) Ive seen it and an imac side by side in action in a store 2) its a similar size screen and physical appearance/design to an imac and 3)it is an example of a high res screen if thats what people want (better or not). The imacs screen is not that amazing, it was maybe a year or so ago but now there is plenty of sub £500 stuff out there which is vastly superior, you dont have to buy £1000+ screens to beat it.

Apple make great systems, but you do not get a good performance to your dollar/pound compared to what you could with an NON Apple system. If i felt like locking myself down to itunes and an untweaked desktop again id consider another play with Apple OSX but i wouldnt do it on an Apple system no matter how pretty they are, when it comes to a computer for me performance and function comes first and looks comes right at the bottom of my priority list. No OSX or Windows 8 in my house. Ill leave pretty icons to the shallow and get my work done twice as quick


Incidentally Apple also know the screen on the IMAC is getting long in the tooth, ironically today i saw this........
http://www.cbronline.com/news/tech/...ch-5k-retina-27-inch-imac-soon-300914-4390631

Funny that should pop up when we are all dicussing the display of an imac.

I wonder how much they will want to extract from your bank account for one of these

 

[stratman]

I never said higher res = better image quality. The quality of an desktop image on that screen compared to a MAC though is better. I can not comment on games, but general brightness, sharpness etc just looked better to me.

I was making general comments about the monitor's specs and a little myth busting for those thinking 4k, in and of itself, will improve their lot. Since I do not know Mac/Apple from Adam, I was commenting on the technical specs of the monitor in relation to all monitors in general. The specs on the 4k monitor do not thrill me and I have no compunction to swoon over 4k for the sake of 4k when most people's needs will be better met with a native 1080p monitor (and TV) at this point. In other words, I would not buy that monitor, even with your money.

Concerning your experience looking at the two monitors... a number of variables can confound observations. Were the feeds to the monitors the same? What were the technical specs of the images displayed. Was either monitor calibrated? What type of panel is used for each monitor? (The 4k is a TN panel) Were you at an angle looking at the monitors which caused image degradation? Is it possible given a proper calibration and fed specific data, the Mac could look better than the 4k monitor... and vice versa.?

Since most people do not calibrate, or even investigate the nuts and bolts of the monitors beyond price and appearance in the store, buzzwords like "4k", "UHD" and "Future Proofing" can sucker people in. Unless you calibrate a monitor you won't know the value of that monitor and may spend more (or less) than you need. Reading reviews of a calibrated monitor is most beneficial for those looking for color fidelity since even great specs do not guarantee a good monitor.

 

[CakeHole]

As stated i just saw them side by side and that screen looked better than the imac. I do not know what specs the content were or even the full true specs of the samsung or Apple monitor, manufacturer guff like "quoted" contrast ratio is meaningless nowadays anyway. As also stated it was used as a general quick compare of what you can get for a reasonably small price compared to what you are paying Apple.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/ is a good place to read if you are really anal on specs of monitors. Again plenty of choice which no doubt both to the eye and spec wise will pound the snot out of an Apple display for considerable less cash then what you are paying for the "display" bit in an Imac.

 

[stratman]

I do not know what specs the content were or even the full true specs of the samsung or Apple monitor, manufacturer guff like "quoted" contrast ratio is meaningless nowadays anyway.

We agree then. Hence the reason I talked about calibration versus side by side in a store.

A selected lesser priced monitor side by side with the 4k and the Mac would look even better. So, what's the moral of that story then?

 

[CakeHole]

There is no moral apart from Apple being over priced and over hyped.

 

[The Hat]

There is no moral apart from Apple being over priced and over hyped.

I am as measly with my €’s as the next guy but I have never found any Mac to be over priced, the price stated is the price you pay and no more, and no one had to twist my arm to buy one.

Every one of the Mac computers I have used over the years has never failed me so I consider that well worth the price I’ve paid for them, they just worked straight out of the box.

I am not a Mac follower, fan or fanatic but I just like using these lovely creations, they are just so special to me and I hope @pharmacist enjoys using his new beautiful baby too, that’s all I can say about them..