It seems that Apple is preparing a new screen much less expensive than the Pro Display XDR. But if you can’t wait, if UltraFine isn’t on the shelves at the Apple Store anymore, or if you expect a price too high for this future monitor, DIY is still possible but it will take get your hands dirty! This Reddit thread gives all instructions to transform an iMac 5K carcass into a shiny 5K display. With an overall convincing result:
Cameron bought an iMac chassis, a slab (the most expensive item), a controller board, a soldering iron, tape, messy cables, patience and above all a little experience because we do not not launch out in this hack of high flight the flower with the gun. The hacker’s almost brand-new 5K monitor has everything you need to connect to a computer via USB-C or HDMI. We can do a little less complicated, like Phillip Caudell: his iMac screen requires two DisplayPorts to display at full resolution.
I wanted a second display for my iMac but seeing that 1) Apple doesn’t make a reasonably priced display and 2) all 5K options look hideous (not to mention are $$$) I did what any normal person would do…and built my own. So here it is: a 5K iMac Display! pic.twitter.com/noYDBfRaot
— Phillip Caudell (@phillipcaudell) January 22, 2021
I got a driver board off Aliexpress for £150. It looks like it’s the same one Dell used in their Ultrasharp (at least that’s what it says). Fitting it all in the housing was a bit of a bit of a squeeze (and probably should have used something better than command strips ????)… pic.twitter.com/XmCeGAx8lY
— Phillip Caudell (@phillipcaudell) January 22, 2021
Still left to do: tidy up the back, and wire in the power button. If you’re keen on making your own, this Reddit thread was a huge help (though ended up using slightly different parts) https://t.co/AtnfpxEWyy pic.twitter.com/sLjFX3JqR9
— Phillip Caudell (@phillipcaudell) January 22, 2021
We must also expect small aesthetic disappointments … and practical: the brightness of Cameron’s screen cannot be controlled from the Mac keyboard. But given the final invoice (around 600 €) which covers the prices of the different components, it is not that expensive to pay.
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