Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,283
30,344



In its European Apple Online Stores, Apple has begun offering a 32-inch Sharp "4K" Ultra HD LED monitor. Retailing for £3,499.00 or approximately $5,700, the monitor has been available in the U.K. and other European countries since on or before November 30.

The 32-inch IGZO display, which has a resolution of 3840 x 2160, is not available in the United States and it is not clear why Apple has decided to offer it solely in Europe for the time being.

sharpdisplay.jpg
With its 32-inch class (31.5-inch diagonal) screen size, 3840 x 2160 high definition resolution and energy efficient edge-lit LED backlight, the Sharp PN-K321 monitor is ideal for professional applications where it's essential to view detailed information displayed with precision. This super-high resolution display allows you to view the content of four full HD screens on a single seamless display. It also features IGZO* technology, which supports increased pixel transparency and reduced current leakage, thereby making the monitor more energy efficient.
Sharp's LED display offers a 1.07 billion color palette, an 800:1 contrast ratio, and 350cd/m2 brightness. While it does come with DisplayPort support, it does not come with a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter and will require users to purchase a third party adapter.

The appearance of the Sharp display in Apple's Online Store comes amid rumors that Apple is preparing its own 4K displays. Earlier this month, new display panels with DisplayPort appeared from AUO, sparking speculation that they could be used by Apple for a future 4K Thunderbolt display.

Dell debuted its own 4K Ultra HD displays earlier this week, offering a 32-inch model for $3,499, and a 24-inch model for $1,399. Dell also has a sub-$1000 28-inch model in the works for 2014, and as Apple and Dell have historically used the same panel supplier, Dell's offerings may provide an early look at what to expect when Apple does release its 4K displays.

Apple's recently refreshed Retina MacBook Pros are able to support a single 4K monitor and the upcoming Mac Pro is able to support up to three 4K displays. The Mac Pro may be on or near December 16, according to a German retailer that began taking pre-orders ahead of the product's launch, but it remains unclear when Apple might debut an updated Thunderbolt Display.

Update: Apple has removed the Sharp display from its online stores.

Article Link: Apple Offering 32-Inch 4K Sharp Displays in European Online Apple Stores [Updated]
 

troop231

macrumors 603
Jan 20, 2010
5,822
553
Got a bit too excited and first read: Apple Offering 32-Inch 4K Displays.

Ugh! Please release some new Thunderbolt Display(s) Apple! :D
 

clukas

macrumors 6502a
May 3, 2010
990
401
o_O expensive. Will probably buy one once prices fall a little more.
 

ryedarrow

macrumors member
Jun 30, 2012
51
0
Need Apple 4k...

Not buying my Mac Pro until Apple shows us what they have planned.

I'm hoping for 28"-30" 4k display from Apple @ $1000 - $1200. The current thunderbolt displays are extremely overpriced until they are updated with the new iMac design.
 

rmatthewware

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2009
493
125
Last I heard, Apple was having to prop up Sharp to keep them in business so they could keep providing iPad displays and not be so reliant on Samsung. I wonder if they're selling these displays that could go along with a Mac Pro or Mini to further help them financially.
 

Robert.Walter

macrumors 68040
Jul 10, 2012
3,067
4,295
IMHO, this likely is a way for Apple to:
- test the 4k market strength and price points;
- give Sharp a market outlet as they try to bring yield rates up ahead of supplying screens for an Apple-branded product;
- capture a bit of the revenue stream associated with 4k (thus denying it from competitors) until an Apple-branded product debuts;
- create a comparator to be used to show how feature-rich an Apple-TV will be for a similar (but likely higher) price point;
- give customers the option of one-stop shopping for their new MacPro, or MacMini;
- other?

@sachinwalia: I think it is an Airport Extreme, or Time Capsule.

Is it me, or is this monitor really old-fashioned looking? lots of buttons, vents, sharp-corners and angles... (I couldn't see myself replacing my Thunderbolt Display - despite my desire for a sharper image - with this thing.
 
Last edited:

lilo777

macrumors 603
Nov 25, 2009
5,144
0
"it is not clear why Apple has decided to offer it solely in Europe"

It's because in USA most Apple stores are so small that 32" monitor simply won't fit into them. The vaunted sales-per-square feet efficiency comes to bite Apple in the rear.
 

ElTorro

macrumors 6502
Jan 23, 2013
273
2
Not buying my Mac Pro until Apple shows us what they have planned.

I'm hoping for 28"-30" 4k display from Apple @ $1000 - $1200. The current thunderbolt displays are extremely overpriced until they are updated with the new iMac design.

You will be waiting for a long while. Since the current regular display is $999, I doubt that the 4K will ever be in that price range.
 

jclo

Managing Editor
Staff member
Dec 7, 2012
1,969
4,300
"it is not clear why Apple has decided to offer it solely in Europe"

It's because in USA most Apple stores are so small that 32" monitor simply won't fit into them. The vaunted sales-per-square feet efficiency comes to bite Apple in the rear.

Well, it isn't online in the U.S. either. I don't think it's being offered in brick and mortar stores in Europe either, just via the Internet.
 

SimonDK

macrumors member
Jun 8, 2011
92
52
£3500 for a 32" is seriously way to expensive, you can get a 65" Sony 4K for £5000.

Sharp sell a 55" 4K tv for £3299 in the UK, I know each display will do different things, but I fail to see the monitor doing things that cost a lot more than a smart TV.
 

lilo777

macrumors 603
Nov 25, 2009
5,144
0
I wonder why Apple decided to offer some third-tier third party displays. I'd rather they started with some established brands like NEC, EIZO, Dell or Samsung.
 

Peace

Cancelled
Apr 1, 2005
19,546
4,556
Space The Only Frontier
Last I heard, Apple was having to prop up Sharp to keep them in business so they could keep providing iPad displays and not be so reliant on Samsung. I wonder if they're selling these displays that could go along with a Mac Pro or Mini to further help them financially.


Apple should buy Sharp.


What is the airport extreme like tower next to the display? Mac Mini re-design perhaps?


It's either an Extreme or a Time Capsule. You can tell by the little light at the bottom right.

It's turned off btw.
 

Wahlstrm

macrumors 6502a
Dec 4, 2013
844
846
Rather buy the DELL 32"

Some stores in Sweden are taking pre-orders for the DELL 32" for about $2435+tax and Apple is charging $4565+tax for the Sharp.
Insane price. :)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.