Apple Thunderbolt Display - Buy or don't buy?

If you can wait, I'd wait. It is a given that the display will be updated to match the new magsafe (currently an adapter is supplied) as well as USB 3.0, less glare and the thin design of the new iMac.

The question isn't "if" but "when" that'll happen. I guess it'll go together with the announced Mac Pro update somewhere in 2013.

Then again, if you need the display NOW, go ahead and buy it, it is still a lovely display and you could always sell it and buy the new one whenever it is released.

If you have lots of money, and don't particularly care about price/performance ratio, buy it.

If you want more bang-for-the-buck, check out a 3rd party solution such as the Dell Ultrasharp...

The ATD also has FireWire and Ethernet, which the Dell display does not.

The Dell display does have multiple video inputs, but if you're only using it with a Mac, then they're not of any benefit, where FW and Ethernet could be.

We got ATDs for Christmas. If you have a thunderbolt capable Mac, I highly recommend getting one. No other monitor has the same set of features/functions.

Weaselboy said:

I'm not saying the TBD is cheap, but I don't follow your recommendation at all. The equivalent Dell 27" display is $849 vs. $999 for the TBD which includes Thunderbolt for a one wire connection to Mac portables. Just having a clean setup with only one wire to unplug is worth the $150 to me. Plus you can get a refurb TBD for $829. So its not like the TBD is $500 extra or something.

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I'd say there are advantages and disadvantages to each. For the general user, it comes down to if they wish to take advantage of the docking station functionality, if the fixed display height is comfortable, and if they have a preference between the glossy and matte finishes. Apple isn't completely predictable with updates on these things. I expect them to follow the changes in the imac, but the imacs may be somewhat supply constrained by the new process. As long as that remains the case, I can't see them changing another product to the same process. If I had to guess, I'd say not before March or April and as late as August.

I imagine an incredibly sleek display, probably within the next 6 months maybe at WWDC? Hopefully sooner.

Other options

Veriac said:

I'm looking to buy a monitor to connect to my MacBook Pro Retina on my desk.My first choice goes to the ATD, as it will fit nicely in my setup.

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I considered this long and hard and bought a HP 24 inch ZR2440W IPS Display instead. In trying the different screens this was non-shiny and has HDMI input for when the Thunderbolt ports are being used for Firewire and Ethernet.

If the Apple 27" was not like a mirror and had USB3 then it would have been much better option for me. The cost is very high and if I had been feeling richer I would have considered the EIZO 27 inch ColorEdge CG275W over the Apple.

There is a 2011 27" iMac in the house and I loathe the glare from that screen. It is interesting that the rMBPs are much better in this respect compared to previous models and Apple finally seem to be responding to this criticism.

Bottom line: If you want an Apple display - I would wait

jeutie said:

If you can wait, I'd wait. It is a given that the display will be updated to match the new magsafe (currently an adapter is supplied) as well as USB 3.0, less glare and the thin design of the new iMac.

The question isn't "if" but "when" that'll happen. I guess it'll go together with the announced Mac Pro update somewhere in 2013.

Then again, if you need the display NOW, go ahead and buy it, it is still a lovely display and you could always sell it and buy the new one whenever it is released.

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And then what....they are going to supply yet another magsafe adaptor variant to make it compatible with earlier macbook models? Makes more sense that they will continue using the older magsafe, and bundle the adaptor in.

My guess is that they will announce it with a 2013 mac pro (or so I hope).

Since the new ATD would likely use the same IPS Screen as the current model, the main differences between current and new ATD would be:

• USB 3 instead of USB 2
• FW likely disappears
• thinner edges…with thicker area where duck foot mounts

MCAsan said:

Since the new ATD would likely use the same IPS Screen as the current model, the main differences between current and new ATD would be:

• USB 3 instead of USB 2
• FW likely disappears
• thinner edges…with thicker area where duck foot mounts

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You forgot most important thing: less reflection and no dust between display and glass

...and perhaps retina.

potatis said:

...and perhaps retina.

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no chance potential TBD in 2013 will be retina

potatis said:

...and perhaps retina.

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Good luck powering that from a macbook with integrated graphics.

Veriac,

I have the MBPr and TBD. This combo works well and the TBD is a docking station for the MBPr. The MBPr requires only the TB connector from the display, since this has the pigtail power adapter for the MBP built-in. The TBD has multiple USB2, Firewire (400/800) and a Thunderbolt and Ethernet port. The USB is good for keyboard, mouse, USB memory, and hard drive. USB3 would be nice, but you have that on the MBPr if you really need the speed. I use the LaCie TB 2Big external hard drives (2) via the Thunderbolt connection, one is for my image files the other is for Time Machine.

The only downside to the TBD I see is the USB2 ports instead of the USB3 ports, the background glare doesn't bother me but as others mentioned it might be a distraction.

To me the the most important thing is availability. Our ATDs are being used now....not at some point in the future. :wink:

potatis said:

...and perhaps retina.

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As far as I understand, the thunderbolt standard doesn't even support the kind of screen resolution that would be needed on a retina 27'' display. Please correct me if I'm wrong though.

Depends on what pixel count apple says constitutes a 27" retina screen. They have not said that....yet.

I'd buy third party for the input option there is no real point in locking yourself in to an Apple only display.

I am in the same boat as I think I will be getting a new Mac desktop. I want the 27" ATD, but not sure I want to buy now as I would rather wait for the update and get some added life out of it. Hopefully the update will be sooner than later. Might just pick up a used ~$100 monitor on CL until the update.

MCAsan said:

Depends on what pixel count apple says constitutes a 27" retina screen. They have not said that....yet.

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Or it will be a 20-22" display rather than 27". If I remember correct Panasonic has a new panel that size with 3840x2160 resolution.

Too small a monitor to be a desktop screen. Folks are used to 24"+. Now that I have ATD, I don't want smaller than 27".

ASUS WQHD monitor

The ASUS PB278Q 27-Inch WQHD monitor has good user reviews at Amazon and NewEgg. I just ordered one. $699.

Matt Wood

Check these out, should be available in the next week or so. These are essentially Apple Cinema Display monitors. The use the exact same panel made by LG. You get a good warranty and reputable 3rd party provider.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?p_id=9579&seq=1&format=2&ref=cj