So what is the difference between the overpriced Apple Studio display and my 27" 5K Retina display in my 2017 Intel i7 iMac. What is so different between the Mac studio sending audio/visual information to the studio display and the same information to the screen in my iMac
iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 12.7
It's all about color and image definition accuracy. The Studio Displays incorporate the same type of calibration technique as the high end EIZO line.
Normally, when you calibrate and profile your display, the calibration (LUT data) is stored on the video card/hardware. This is either 8 or 10 bit data. This is not very accurate. It looks okay, but tends to create visual banding in what should be smooth vignettes.
With these displays, the calibration is saved to the monitor itself as a 16 bit, or 3D LUT. You get absolutely smooth gradients/vignettes this way, and more accurate color overall.
As an example, when I check the monitor profile in ColorSync Utility for my EIZO CG279X, the video LUT for the onboard graphics of my M2 mini is a completely flat response in all three channels.
This because the LUT/calibration is held in the monitor's hardware. The only thing the profile is for is the color gamut and range response data of the display.
If I were using a more common monitor, these curves would not be flat, indicating the LUT is stored on the Mac's video hardware.
Not that much. Both have 5K resolution. However, the Studio display has improved audio, camera (debatable quality).
So the $64,000 dollar question IS. Can I connect my iMac to said Mac studio, or, indeed to a M2 Mac mini and enter the Apple silicon world on a 27" iMac (As an aside, I have a 24" screen JVC TV acting as a monitor for my Dell mini 1011V and the comparison of the available real estate compared to my iMac is utterly miserable. But hey, that's just me) Thanks for the replies
No. You cannot use an iMac as a monitor with the new Macs.
Studio Display
