DIY Apple Studio Display uses 2014 iMac to save $730

Enlarge (credit: Luke Miani/YouTube)

Apple's Studio Display is much less expensive than its $5,000 Pro Display XDR. But with a starting price of $1,600, it's not cheap. For those who need 14,745,600 pixels, though, like video editors and graphic designers, there are few options besides Apple's costly monitor, especially since Apple discontinued its 27-inch 5K iMac desktop upon announcing the Studio Display in March.

That didn't stop YouTuber Luke Miani from finding an old iMac and turning it into a makeshift Studio Display for about $870, webcam and 5K included.

In a video describing the process, Miani noted that the panel performance of the Studio Display is similar to what Apple has been offering for years, so he opted to use a 2014 iMac rather than the most recent 2020 27-inch iMac for his project. The iMac cost Miani $620, he said.