Buyer Beware: Nano-Texture Softness 🍦

[Zack]

I just received my 2020 iMac with the Nano-texture display and set it up side-by-side with my current 2017 iMac.

The decreased sharpness of the nano-texture panel is –insane– and I am shocked at how little you hear about this… I have heard some people say, “oh it’s a little bit softer when you are looking at white text on a black background but you get used to it”, etc. But the difference is so stark that it doesn’t feel like it’s a 5K or even a 4K display.

The glare reduction is amazing, and the screen does have a ‘magical’ look to it because of it, but the softness is potentially intolerable.

I work primarily with graphics that go to print and my display faces two big windows which honestly did present glare issues while I was working – but now the softness is its own issue…

It’s very difficult to take pictures of the difference with an iPhone camera so I will be taking some w/ a DSLR and adding them to this post.

Very disappointing, I might even return the iMac and get the same config without the nano-texture… Going to sleep on it…

Maybe I should have known better and went to see the displays at the store first, but, you know: the virus, different lighting, different settings, etc. so I thought it would be too hard to see side by side.

For anyone thinking of getting the nano-texture, sadly: buyer beware. Definitely go see it in person first.

Here are two links to high-res photos (1/20s exposure time, f/8, ISO 100, on a tripod) I took of the full screens. Semi-empty desktops with the same wallpaper, both displays on same stock iMac color profile:

Nano-1

Gloss-1

(Will continue to edit my post and add more images as I take them, just wanted to put this up there quickly – these were taken with a DSLR manually-focused to be as tack-sharp as I could get in each picture)

[Topre]

I’m not sure I understand what softness means. Do you mean anti-alias?

[cornchip]

This is very interesting and thank you for the photos. I’d like to see this in person at a store at some point.

Is it possible to get the look you want by changing reference modes? I’m deeply ignorant here but I assume they would have some effect on that subpixel rendering as well as the color.

[ThatNerd]

At first when I read this I thought that you meant that since the anti-glare treatment is done by etching the glass, touching the screen was sharp.

[Zack]

@Topre

I’m not sure I understand what softness means. Do you mean anti-alias?

Oh I meant the lack of sharpness in the display. It’s a result of the physical screen itself, not any kind of processing going on behind the scenes… I sit in softness agony as I type this.

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@cornchip

This is very interesting and thank you for the photos. I’d like to see this in person at a store at some point.

Is it possible to get the look you want by changing reference modes? I’m deeply ignorant here but I assume they would have some effect on that subpixel rendering as well as the color.

I calibrated the screen when I got it, with the “real” calibration (hold Option when you click to calibrate to access more adjustments) but there is nothing I could do there to add any ‘sharpening’ effects.

And I think you can only change reference modes on the ProDisplay XDR, not on the iMac…

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@ThatNerd

At first when I read this I thought that you meant that since the anti-glare treatment is done by etching the glass, touching the screen was sharp.

Haha! If this were the case I wouldn’t even be mad about the other kind of sharpness, I would think it’s so cool that the screen was sharp to the touch that I’d just keep it and invite everyone over to show them…

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[Topre]

@Zack

The difference in sharpness between the two is – insane – and I am shocked at how little you hear about this.

@Zack

Oh I meant the lack of sharpness in the display.

The first quote sounded like nano-texture is insanely sharp, thus the confusion this has caused.

[bowline]

Instead of telling the world to beware you should first determine if you got a bad display.

Because if you check out the video reviews it looks like your problems are not normal.

The Last Intel Mac VS The Osborne Effect!

New 27in iMac is HERE!

Apple iMac review: A 27-inch work-from-home beast with a killer webcam

[Zack]

Yeah it’s certainly something I’m going to look into tomorrow with Apple, but the chances of something being wrong with the display are extremely low…

I purchased the nano-texture without seeing it in person based on both of those videos you posted, and many more – plus a bunch of articles…

Maybe you’re right, because I cannot understand how the softness I’m seeing wouldn’t be mentioned in a big way by the early reviewers.

I will report back tomorrow when I hear from Apple on whether there are ways I can test it at home. If I can’t, I will see if I can get to an Apple store sometime in the next couple of days with it.

If it is a defect, I’ll heavily edit or delete my post, if not: I’m doubling down on this damn thing!

[bowline]

@Zack

Maybe you’re right, because I cannot understand how the softness I’m seeing wouldn’t be mentioned in a big way by the early reviewers.

Marques especially is a straight shooter, and he doesn’t hesitate to ding Apple for mistakes.

And he knows monitors - he does 4K video editing regularly and owns a new Mac Pro with the new matching monitor.

[bowline]

FYI AppleInsider posted a review and states it’s “notably less sharp” than glossy iMac screens

New 27-Inch iMac: Is the $500 Nano-Texture Matte Finish Worth it?

[Justin_Vega]

The Computer Clan made a video yesterday regarding the 2020 iMac and pointed out the softness.

iMac $500 Nano-Texture Display vs. Standard Display - Krazy Ken's Tech Misadventures

I decided to share this topic with them.
https://twitter.com/JustinV53301959/status/1302216966640369665?s=20
They also said a bunch of stuff on Twitter, so you might want to go and check that out too.
https://twitter.com/thecomputerclan?s=20