Apple Readying iMac Retina with 5K Display

[arbiter]

i would guess since its an Apple product, 2000$ just for monitor itself? I mean come on they charge 1000$ for their 27 2560x1440 monitor.

 

[semantics]

This is why we need newer versions of Windows btw. Scaling works much better on 8 than 7. If only the makers of the software can make it work too...

Not all on windows, Microsofted updated how DPI scaling works old programs weren't updated to use it.

 

[Frick]

Not all on windows, Microsofted updated how DPI scaling works old programs weren't updated to use it.

Metro in Windows 8 scales nice, but last time I checked (six months ago iirc), old programs like Firefox scaled like crap.

 

[Octavean]

The other is that the basis of this rumor seems to be based on the fact that there is 5K resolution options in OSX Yosemite. What if those resolution options are for a external monitor connected to a compatible Mac via DP or TB and have nothing to do with the iMac. Also it could be the resolution of a new Apple Cinema Display. That would make more sense IMO.

That's a good point. Apple probably doesn't want to get stuck in the position that they were in early on with 4K support which was a bit sketchy initially. In fact it still is a bit sketchy with some existing models or rather most existing models with respect to their hardware. Software is an easier fix so why not account for 5K support now in an upcoming software release (theoretically speaking).

It makes sense that the upcoming Dell Ultrasharp 27" 5K 5120x2880 monitor would be supported in developing software given that its already mature enough to be demoed and is probably fairly close to final hardware itself. Apple supported with specificity a subset of 4K monitors initially:

• Sharp PN-K321
• ASUS PQ321Q
• Dell UP2414Q
• Dell UP3214Q

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6008?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

The Sharp and the Asus are essentially the exact same model.

Still the Dell 5K will supposedly require dual DisplayPort 1.2 inputs which means any Mac that would support it would need to use dual Thunderbolt ports. This assumes any such Mac has the GPU prowess to power it.

So yeah, I agree, this could just be Apple trying to support the upcoming Dell 5K monitor or their own Apple 5K display. I expect a ~$2500+ to ~$3000+ price for any stand alone 5K monitor at ~27".

It should be no problem for the new LGA2011 based Mac Pro to push such a 5K monitor as well as an updated Mac Pro based on Haswell-E / EP LGA2011-3. However, the rest of the lineup is probably going to need to be totally updated.

That's not to say I don't think we could see a 5K iMac but that would be a tough bit of engineering (maybe using a combo of Intel iGPU and mobile nVidia or mobile AMD GPU or new yet unreleased GPU).

 

[techy1]

I would love to see some more 4K content, before we all move up.... and by word "content" I do NOT mean my desktop icons and few games!... and I would love to see some GPU's that could run demanding games above 40frames at 4K - and that wish would become true in next few years.... but now here is "brand new 5k" and all apple PR behind it machine - this is not good at all

 

[Disparia]

This is a good sign.

All of us on the computer side waited patiently while televisions caught up to 1920x1080. Now that we've gotten that established as the new minimum, manufacturers can get to work on offering panels at that and beyond, for those who desire such resolutions.

 

[rooivalk]

It's funny how this is an Apple product and most of commenters are actually imagine it as if it's a standalone PC monitor doomed to be fail running Windows with unsupported high ppi and fail running 4K PC games.

Come on people, it never intended for Windows OS or high end gaming.

 

[Froggy]

Not to mention if it were to release with a 5K screen one could use 5K for desktop stuff & then run games @1440P and it would look fine.

Not amazing but fine.

 

[Octavean]

It's funny how this is an Apple product and most of commenters are actually imagine it as if it's a standalone PC monitor doomed to be fail running Windows with unsupported high ppi and fail running 4K PC games.

Come on people, it never intended for Windows OS or high end gaming.

Yeah, people tend to just go with what they know and if they primarily use a computer for games then that is basically how they see computers as devices used to play games. Others look at higher resolution screens like 4K as a means to consume higher resolution media if and when that becomes available and so on,...

I realize the value of 4K displays to get some very real work done. The extra real-estate of a bigger higher resolution screen can be utilized without the need of specially optimized software depending on the task:

http://tiamat.tsotech.com/4k-is-for-programmers

However, a lot of people simply don't care about such things because its not within their use case. So, to them, its as if such a use doesn't even exist.

Still, higher resolution monitors like this can benefit from a larger physical size to help mitigate the need for scaling.

 

[D007]

5k at 20"? Is this for like multi monitors or something?
One 20" monitor at 5k is overkill.

 

[Froggy]

Where are you getting 20" from?

The rumor is for the 27" iMac not the 21.5" iMac. Of course it could be a 34" 21:9 iMac!