Anybody got $14K for the new Mac Studio M3 Ultra?

[mhschmieder]

Weird: Best Buy has the Asus 5K 27" monitor after all, as a web search shows, but surfing or searching the Best Buy site directly, doesn't turn up the product. I've noticed this with other items as well. Someone needs to fix their website!

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-proar ... d_source=7

B&H also carries it, but it does seem overall to have light distribution so far compared to other models.

Nevertheless, I ordered it just now from Amazon using their new(?) five-pay plan with 0% interest, as that leaves my zero-balance Best Buy card free for my final upgrade decisions on the Mac Studio tonight.

[James Steele]

My big concern when I would see 27" 4K monitors was that at native resolution, it would be too small for me to read anything. I have a 4K Samsung 43" TV I'm using for my main monitors. It works okay... some drawbacks is that it seems like it's not quite as bright or crisp as my LG 32" monitors that are running 1440p and the color accuracy is bad. I've seen a 4K 43" computer monitor advertised, but was loathe to buy it just to test it out... although given Amazon's very liberal return policy, maybe I'll try it.

The other option like HC Markus has done is to get a very large TV and place it on the wall in front of me about 6 feet away. I tried this experiment with my 65" TV and found it wasn't quite large enough. Costco had some 85" 4K TVs on sale recently at $799 which made me consider that option again at some point.

Then there's the fact that I probably need to invest in some computer glasses as I get older. My eyes just aren't than young anymore.

[mhschmieder]

James, I can send you my blue filter glasses if you like. I ended up not being able to use them due to my astigmatism.

These are non-prescription. Years ago, I paid to have filtering on my regular eyeglasses, but then I had to go to continuous tri-focals, and I no longer use eyeglasses on the computer as my far vision has improved and I set the monitor at the magic point where I need neither near-sightedness correction nor "reading glasses".

[mhschmieder]

Hmm, it looks like it isn't possible to order upgraded models from Best Buy; just the stock models (and not even including the upgraded CPU). Bummer. Guess I'll have to order from MacSales/OWC or directly from Apple, hopefully with a monthly payment plan vs. credit card with sky-high interest.

Oh, Amazon and OWC only offer older models! I could haved sworn that I bought my 2010 MacPro through OWC at the time it came out, with some upgrades. The 2017 iMac was bought stock at Best Buy, highest-specced core model (with RAM upgrades later) as it was an emergency buy when the 2010 MacPro died during 4 July extended holiday weekend.

On the other hand, based on information at the B&H website, the upgraded CPU may not be available yet, and of course it is necessary for going beyond 36 GB of RAM. But maybe that's enough on this architecture, as I rarely even use half of the 64 GB on my 2017 iMac. Adorama has custom options showing as shipping on 15 May 2025.

Somebody is already scalping the baseline model for a $1000 markup (no upgrades!) on eBay.

[mikehalloran]

Thanks; that is an extremely helpful video explanation. Amazingly, nothing that guy said shows up in any articles I found, but most web talk on computer monitors is Windows-centric and/or game-oriented.

Here's another discussion that clears up any confusion over which resolution to choose in System Preferences and why it doesn't affect actual sharpness on macOS as everything renders at retina resolution and simply dithers as-needed.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/do ... c.2078133/

It's strange that the Asus 27" 5K Retina model is not available at Best Buy, where I could put it on 0% installments, but I think even Amazon has a multi-pay option these days.

None of the other 27" 5K models seem as good in color accuracy as the Asus, except top-of-line Apple models which are too rich for my blood at this time.

I can always upgrade to an Apple monitor later, and the Asus shouldn't be a downgrade from the 2017 27" iMac display.

The monitor needs of gamers over Windows have little to do with me. Likewise, not doing critical color work, 6K & 8K monitors, though nice to look at... likewise. With only one working arm, futzing with a separate webcam is a PIA that I learned to dislike early during the pandemic, so I went back to the inferior cameras in my 2012 MBPro and 2017 iMac Pro. I may have given my 4K webcams to my kids.

That ASUS looks pretty sweet including quick conversion to a VESA mount. The only thing I don't like is that it has no built-in web cam, not an issue if I was using a pair for
side monitors. If I had a spare $1,700 lying around (including the additional TB4 hub I would need), I'd order a pair right now from B&H (has them both new and used) or Amazon and throw my LGs onto Craigslist.
Asus 27" 5K Retina

The LG UltraFine 27MD5KLB-B has the same screen as the Studio Display and the 2017 iMac. Like the Apple, it has three USB 3.2 gen2 ports in the back, a 4K camera and speakers (that you will never use) — only real difference is that the camera is not the Apple Center Stage (a feature I normally turn off). Some Amazon sellers had it for around a grand not long ago but now I'm seeing it for more than the Studio Display except directly from LG where it's listed at $1,299 — you can get 10% off by giving them your email address for marketing so $1,176 isn't bad.
https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27md5 ... ed-monitor

B&H, however, has it for $1,149.00.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _16_9.html

[mhschmieder]

I stopped by Best Buy tonight and as I suspected, they can only sell stock models with no upgrades.

I'm leaning towards the base model vs. the CPU upgrade, as I think 36 GB of unified memory will be enough given that I use less than half of my 64 GB of RAM even when running multiple apps.

But a 2 TB drive is a must, so I can start working from the internal drive for active projects. I never did that before, even though I am under 1 TB of usage, as I don't really trust the Fusion Drive in the 2017 iMac given how many problems I've had with it.

It looks like my two main choices are Apple direct, or Adorama, with a six week delay for the latter. B&H as well, but they don't take orders at religiously significant times, which is a pretty big chunk of the calendar in terms of times that I can take care of personal stuff. I used them all the time when I still had pro photo gear. And they are very trustworthy.

I would have to pay interest if I did this via Sweetwater, unless using Gear Credits or cash that are already allocated for other priorities. But I plan to act by this weekend, as there's a rush right now to beat the tariffs, and stuff is going to sell out quick.