5k Resolution with original iMac Panel and Nvidia Card

[macnexus]

I'm really interested to see what "issues" (hopefully none) the next panel has that you purchase.

I have to think it will be better than the Planar iMac panels, as I've never heard anything from the other iMac DIY monitor makers about stuck pixels and other issues the IX2790's had.

Aren't there third party Apple repair shops out there too?
It must be possible to buy a "new" (perhaps meant for repair if someone needs it for their iMac 5k) QQ1 panel somewhere, right?

I really hope you can get one!
This driver board sure sounds like a winner!

It's nice to know that is a legit option. For me I would need to figure out what enclosure I would use though, as the chin on the iMacs makes the screen too high for my setup, even if the chin is literally touching the desk surface to get as low as possible.

Well I hope that there will be no issue! *touch wood*

I guess those third party unauthorised Apple repair shops would purchase the panels from China too?

The driver board works as expected. So far so good. The remote control is handy if I need to change the settings on the display. I placed a fan above the heatsink so it runs cool (probably not needed but just as precaution).

I would prefer to have the monitor/enclosure on VESA mount if I have the choice. I could not find any A1419 casing with VESA mount so ended up purchasing one with leg stand. Have you considered to DIY a case or is that too much effort? Currently, I have the panel sitting on my desk slightly slanted, supported by cardboard (as you can see in my post yesterday, although it was the front view). I got the idea from Microsoft Surface Pro (kickstand) and Sony TV. I would describe the experience as immersive and in fact I quite like it.

I will continue to search for an iMac 5K panel. I wish I was more careful when I was cleaning the glue yesterday. I actually do not mind the damaged pixels at the bottom right of the screen (as my eyes barely look at that corner) but the blue streaks on black background is too visible for me to ignore.

 

[TurbineSeaplane]

I think for my usages, I'll probably keep my eyes open for a used Planar as I have an arm and would really like to VESA mount it also.

Plus - ideally - I could just the driver board in there as well -- basically just do a panel swap

 

[TurbineSeaplane]

Well it looks like it’s keep the z27q for $400 or send it back for a full refund

Anyone have any thoughts?
I can’t really decide what to do.

I’m a little turned off by the fact that I will have a really hard time selling it with dust in the panel if I ever want to change my mind.

I would greatly appreciate anyone’s thoughts whatever they may be.
How would you guys think about what to do here?

 

[macnexus]

Well it looks like it’s keep the z27q for $400 or send it back for a full refund

Anyone have any thoughts?
I can’t really decide what to do.

I’m a little turned off by the fact that I will have a really hard time selling it with dust in the panel if I ever want to change my mind.

I would greatly appreciate anyone’s thoughts whatever they may be.
How would you guys think about what to do here?

Can you see yourself keeping the monitor for a long period of time? Does the presence of dust on the screen bothers you when you use it daily? I supposed if it bothers you then it is highly unlikely that you will keep it for long and will end up replacing it with something better. However at $400, it is very good value for money. Are you willing to spend more money (potentially 1.5x to 1.75x) on another 5K monitor?

You should also consider if you end up sending the Z27q back for a full refund then what is your next course of action? Do you think the DIY solution is something that you will be happy to explore?

I am still trying to find a good deal for a brand new iMac 5K panel. However, part of me wants to explore buying another cracked glass panel (only if I can find one at a relatively low price) and attempt to separate the glass from the LCD panel again. I could potentially save a lot of money if I can "refurbish" one of those cracked units. The next question is how do I "package" everything up to look like a monitor if I manage to recover the LCD panel. I guess I will cross the bridge if I come to it.

 

[TurbineSeaplane]

if you end up sending the Z27q back for a full refund then what is your next course of action?

I'm debating the 27" 4k AOC U2790vq that is very well regarded and only around $230-240.

re: DIY

Can I ask you - do you dual boot? Have you had any "input signal out of range" errors?

On this z27q, every time I reboot into macOS I have to power the monitor off/on or unplug/replug one of the DP cables to get the signal to work. Once it's going, it's fine and solid, but I reboot every day into Windows and back at least once and it's fairly annoying.

I'm wondering if that's a z27q quirk only or if perhaps you have this issue with your dual-DP on that 5k driver board?

These small things all start to add up to annoyances I don't love.

 

[macnexus]

I'm debating the 27" 4k AOC U2790vq that is very well regarded and only around $230-240.

re: DIY

Can I ask you - do you dual boot? Have you had any "input signal out of range" errors?

On this z27q, every time I reboot into macOS I have to power the monitor off/on or unplug/replug one of the DP cables to get the signal to work. Once it's going, it's fine and solid, but I reboot every day into Windows and back at least once and it's fairly annoying.

I'm wondering if that's a z27q quirk only or if perhaps you have this issue with your dual-DP on that 5k driver board?

These small things all start to add up to annoyances I don't love.

I use it with a MBP running macOS only. I do not encounter any "input signal out of range" issues with the 5K driver board. It works every time I plug both mDP to DP cables into the Thunderbolt 2 ports. If I reboot the MBP, I can also see the loading screen (although it takes few seconds before the Apple logo will show up). I also use it at QHD 60Hz with a Windows laptop via single mDP to DP since few days ago (for testing purpose) and it just works. I have not tested the HDMI inputs though.

 

[TurbineSeaplane]

Hmm. Interesting.

I guess I am leaning towards returning it simply because I’ve got these small issues bothering me now and I’m just not sure I want to live with them forever.

 

[macnexus]

Hmm. Interesting.

I guess I am leaning towards returning it simply because I’ve got these small issues bothering me now and I’m just not sure I want to live with them forever.

I think the "input signal out of range" issue you are facing might potentially be due to the driver or boot flag or settings for the GPU?

If you can live with the pixel density of 4K @ 24"/27" then you have plenty of options to choose from.

 

[TurbineSeaplane]

I think the "input signal out of range" issue you are facing might potentially be due to the driver or boot flag or settings for the GPU?

Interesting point - I should probably research that....

Man - I'm so conflicted on this situation honestly.

 

[TurbineSeaplane]

Well - I've packed it up..
I just didn't feel right about keeping it with the issues.

Value is important to me, no question, but I'd honestly rather pay more but have one I will feel good about over the long term.

If they'd knocked anything off the price it might have made the calculus hard to ignore. I'm honestly surprised they didn't even offer to knock off the price of the return shipping label they sent me (that has to be $20-40 for shipping to FedEx I'd think).

When working with these "interesting" companies that sell refurbs and the like, I really recommend using PayPal like I did. That extra bit of leverage to get them to respond (or you get money back) was very good to have here.