Apple Thunderbolt Display Supplies Begin Running Short at Third-Party Resellers

[MacRumors]

AppleInsider notes that inventories of the Apple Thunderbolt Display have begun running short at third-party resellers such as Amazon and MacMall, perhaps providing the first hints of an upcoming redesign. The display remains in stock at the company's online stores, but shortages tend to show up at third-party retailers first as Apple prioritizes shrinking supplies for its own outlets.

One of the most significant changes likely to make an appearance in a redesigned Apple Thunderbolt Display is the adoption of the thinner profile and new display assembly process seen in the company's latest iMac. The current Apple Thunderbolt Display borrows heavily from the previous generations of the 27-inch iMac, and thus it seems reasonable to assume that some of the iMac design changes such as new lamination procedures to make the display thinner and more vibrant will make their way to the standalone display.

But with that lamination process leading to shortages of the 27-inch displays used in the iMacs, an issue expected to persist until next month, Apple may hold off on introducing a new standalone display for the time being in order to prioritize the iMac.

Other changes likely to appear in an updated display are a move to USB 3.0 ports, which have become standard on Mac products, and the inclusion of a MagSafe 2 port for charging Mac notebooks. The current Apple Thunderbolt Display still uses the original MagSafe design for power passthrough, with Apple bundling a MagSafe to MagSafe 2 Converter to provide compatibility for owners of newer Mac notebooks.

Article Link: Apple Thunderbolt Display Supplies Begin Running Short at Third-Party Resellers

[The Samurai]

Heres hoping they'll introduce sensible pricing points... (Over everything else).

[Danielo]

Third arm on the desk.

[Nunyabinez]

What I would really love is a retina display, but I don't think that's gonna happen at this size for quite a while.

[xionxiox]

I never knew why the display was so thick when all you really need is space for the connector ports. Display technology can get way thinner than this. I can't wait to see the redesign.

[jkmoses]

I have a problem believing they'll update the display until they get their display shortages worked out with the 27" iMac which is still shipping in 3-4 week timeframes.

[jontech]

Originally Posted by The Samurai

Heres hoping they'll introduce sensible pricing points... (Over everything else).

699 is fair for this monitor

[Nunyabinez]

Originally Posted by jkmoses

I have a problem believing they'll update the display until they get their display shortages worked out with the 27" iMac which is still shipping in 3-4 week timeframes.

That depends on if the shortage is because of the laminating or because of the welding. I have mostly heard about welding issues.

[Dwalls90]

Some features that would be nice: reliable, retina, hdmi, more competitive pricing, future compatibility with Apple TV

[Nunyabinez]

Originally Posted by jontech

699 is fair for this monitor

$699 would be a steal for this monitor.

[WhoDaKat]

Eh, I'm waiting for the retina version.

[All Taken]

At last!!! Now lets see if they take away VESA. Vote this post up if you think it's coming without VESA like the new iMac.

Side note: Author of this article really should mention the whole VESA situation with the new line up of iMacs, just to add more value to the article - It's kinda a big deal!

Also: The ageing Cinema Display, not thunderbolt display - Will it also be refreshed? It's still sold for use with the Mac Pro but it's a question I'd love to know the answer to...

[Pheo]

At the moment I'm having a hard time justifying the cost vs say a Dell 2713 - the addition of USB3 would help, as would a price drop (would be surprised though, this is Apple!).

Maybe ill see if I can pickup an old gen one cheaper as well

[Hexley]

Here's to hoping they keep FW800 and a lower price point.

[The Samurai]

Originally Posted by jontech

699 is fair for this monitor

£699 would be perfect and id get one at this price. One of the reasons why ive stayed away from them thus far is the extremely tight diff in the baseline imac

[MasterHowl]

I'd put money on the next ones being thinner.

[Nunyabinez]

Originally Posted by Pheo

At the moment I'm having a hard time justifying the cost vs say a Dell 2713 - the addition of USB3 would help, as would a price drop (would be surprised though, this is Apple!).

Maybe ill see if I can pickup an old gen one cheaper as well

I would have sprung for the old one if I could run it on non-Thurdebolt hardware. Even an adapter would have been nice, but not worth it until I have EOLed all my mini DP macs.

[troop231]

Originally Posted by Nunyabinez

What I would really love is a retina display

Originally Posted by WhoDaKat

Eh, I'm waiting for the retina version.

Why? Do you sit the same distance from your 27" monitor as you do a 15" MacBook Pro?

[PoorImpulseCtrl]

Originally Posted by The Samurai

Heres hoping they'll introduce sensible pricing points... (Over everything else).

$1000 isn't outlandish for an IPS display running at 2560x1400. Competitors are in the $7-800s, without ports and docking ability.

[DrumApple]

Bring back matte! Bring back matte!

Return of the matte! Come on. Enough of these headache inducing mirror displays.

[John.B]

As much as I'd like to see USB 3.0 show up in a refreshed Thunderbolt Display, I'm really hoping they don't lose the FW800 connector in the bargain...

[Pheo]

Originally Posted by Nunyabinez

I would have sprung for the old one if I could run it on non-Thurdebolt hardware. Even an adapter would have been nice, but not worth it until I have EOLed all my mini DP macs.

It can't do that?? So my GFs 2009 vintage MBP is out in the cold? Jeez!

[MeFromHere]

Originally Posted by Pheo

At the moment I'm having a hard time justifying the cost vs say a Dell 2713 - the addition of USB3 would help, as would a price drop (would be surprised though, this is Apple!).

Maybe ill see if I can pickup an old gen one cheaper as well

Does the Dell 2713 have fused glass and edge-to-edge AR coating? That combination makes the 2012 iMac display MUCH better than the 2011 one. A display lacking those features wouldn't be worth nearly as much to me.

[gugy]

Heck,
I would love a 30" or larger ACD version.
It's been so many years. These larger displays are great for designers. The space is so nice. If they can manage even higher resolutions, even better.

[bungiefan89]

Originally Posted by Nunyabinez

$699 would be a steal for this monitor.

No, I think $700 would be a very reasonable price. It's really nice to have a dock and a 27" screen bundled into one, but the fact that it is only compatible with Thunderbolt Macs severely limits its utility.