New Thunderbolt Display With Integrated GPU Still in the Works

[MacRumors]

Apple yesterday announced plans to discontinue the 5-year-old Thunderbolt Display, leaving it unclear if Apple's display business is coming to an end or if another model is in the works for a future release. According to BuzzFeed's John Paczkowski, Apple isn't done with Thunderbolt displays.

In a tweet shared this morning, Paczkowski said he's heard from unspecified sources that a next-generation display will feature an integrated GPU, a possibility that was first bandied about in early June, ahead of WWDC.

Thunderbolt Display takes dirt nap as expected. Sources telling me next-gen display will indeed have integrated GPU https://t.co/kx6n0vQGMf - John Paczkowski (@JohnPaczkowski) June 24, 2016

A Thunderbolt Display with a built-in graphics card would be able to work with almost any Mac because it would be driven by an internal graphics card rather than the machine it's connected to.

It's believed Apple has not introduced a 5K display to match the 5K iMac because there are no machines that could run it over a single stream cable, a fact that will remain true even in upcoming machines like a rumored Skylake Retina MacBook Pro.

Paczkowski doesn't include other details about the display Apple has in the works, but rumors have suggested it will feature a resolution of 5120 x 2880 and it's also likely to include USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 3.

Stock shortages ahead of the Worldwide Developers Conference led to speculation that Apple could refresh the Thunderbolt Display at the event, but that did not end up happening. There is no word on when Apple might release a new display, but with an integrated GPU, it would not have any specific requirements and could theoretically debut at any time.

If a new Thunderbolt Display is planned for 2016, a logical guess at a release date might be in the fall alongside rumored redesigned Retina MacBook Pros.

Article Link: New Thunderbolt Display With Integrated GPU Still in the Works

 

[gugy]

I hope so. I need to get two for my MacPro. I am sure there is a large market for it. TB3 is a must alongside either 4k or 5k. Come on Apple, do it!
Wishful thinking but, matte screen would be awesome!

 

[Glassed Silver]

Mobile GPUs for you, and you, and you! Mobile GPUs for everyone!

Yes, you too Mac Pro users!

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[nunes013]

They forgot thinner...

I wonder why they chose a lapse period in between announcing the new one?

 

[aaronhead14]

Apple, maybe we judged too quickly, because this sounds kind of cool. Just release it already and stop leaving us hanging! And the Mac Pro too! (And preferably a larger, user-upgradeable Mac Pro!)

 

[caliguy]

Hope they include a decent webcam as well. Stick the iPhone iSight cameras in your displays and MacBooks, Apple!

 

[praetorian909]

5K monitor + GPU sounds neat, though I just don't like the idea of my display quickly becoming obsolete (especially given the rate GPU technology advances).

 

[smacrumon]

I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love! (Add this to the MacRumors story announcing the release.)

 

[2010mini]

Integrated GPU would be great

 

[eatrains]

It feels like Apple was stuck in an awkward waiting period while Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C were fully developed. Now that they are, they can transition their entire lineup.

 

[Dilster3k]

I still find it odd that they recommended 3rd-party alternatives instead in their official statement... If they're really working on this, wouldn't that drive away a lot of sales? People don't upgrade their monitors annually.

"There are a number of great third-party options available for Mac users"

 

[Salty Pirate]

If this is true, Apple really fumbled here. Why say there are many good options on the market? How about be patient until fall and a new display may be available???

 

[kwikdeth]

It will be an underpowered previous generation GPU and won't get updated for years and years, just like the Mac pro and it's HD777, er D300.

 

[Zoboomafoo]

Is an integrated GPU a good idea? One problem with the iMac is if I need a new CPU, i need to get a new monitor. Is this going to introduce like planned obsolescence into stand alone monitors now?

 

[shiseiryu1]

It would be nice if Apple would make Macs more gaming and/or VR-friendly. Don't know if they'd need screen with GPU or just desktop-class graphic cards (instead of weak mobile cards). Especially for the iMac...we don't care if it's a few millimeters thicker Jony Ive...put a Nvidia 1080 in that thing!

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Tying GPU to the display would make a lot of sense... They could handle VR headsets like this, too.

Except I can't imagine Apple making a VR headset themselves...

 

[convergent]

I still find it odd that they recommended 3rd-party alternatives instead in their official statement... If they're really working on this, wouldn't that drive away a lot of sales?

There is no 3rd party alternative to the TBD, because it is a co-joined thunderbolt dock and display. That is why I bought it, and its the only game for that.

 

[ike1707]

The sky is falling! WAIT. False alarm.

 

[kwikdeth]

It feels like Apple was stuck in an awkward waiting period while Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C were fully developed. Now that they are, they can transition their entire lineup.

Sadly No. Baked in support for those is not yet available in CPUs in all segments. The problem is it's the products most desperately in need of a refresh for which those CPUs are not yet released.

Is this going to introduce like planned obsolescence into stand alone monitors now?

I would count on it.

 

[techwhiz]

Outdated and expensive. Could it be that it wasn't selling?

 

[Dilster3k]

There is no 3rd party alternative to the TBD, because it is a co-joined thunderbolt dock and display. That is why I bought it, and its the only game for that.

Um... One quick Google search and you'll find monitors available from firms like LG have superior ones with Thunderbolt 2 and a bunch of ports on the back as well.

Edit - Yeah seems like an Aperture-esk scenario, with a cold statement killing off that sector.

 

[smacrumon]

Interesting how the styling of the Displays web pages appear out of style with the rest of the website, almost as if they've been placed in ice. http://www.apple.com/displays/

​

 

[MacGizmo]

A 5k display, with a built-in webcam and built-in GPU. From Apple. Because EVERYBODY wants to pay more for their display than they did for their pro computer.

This all sounds great, but I can only imagine this thing will cost nearly $2,000. I hope I'm wrong, but at best I'm guessing it'll be $1,500. That's just way too much for a display.

 

[shareef777]

It'll be outdated before it's even released.

 

[Ferazel]

I think this is an awful idea. GPU tech far outpaces display tech. If the GPU was an External PCI 3.0 slot that can be replaced and upgraded that would be better! At the very least Apple needs to commit to maintaining the GPU tech updated yearly so new buyers aren't spending top dollar for 3 year old tech... Oh hello there MBP!