Apple Begins Shipping LG UltraFine 4K Displays

[MarsViolet]

What we don't know is how many displays Apple actually sells - but one gets the impression that the old Thunderbolt display wasn't exactly shifting like hotcakes.

Apple displays are from a time when Apple was more focused on selling headless Macs, but nowadays Apple's all about built-in displays. Most of the people who would have bought a Mac Pro in the past now opt for an iMac instead. Apple hardly sells any Mac Pros or Mac Minis, and few people buy external displays to connect to their laptops. So there you go.
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Not quite that simple... the 5k iMac uses a custom interface between computer and screen, an external 5k display has to use TB3 so the electronics would be quite different. Also, the iMac enclosure is unnecessarily large for a display (including the "chin") so it would still look like a bit of a kludge.

I think the real reason is that the tooling-up for making those lovely machined-aluminium enclosures is expensive and Apple don't think they're going to sell enough of these to cover the costs. As I said in the previous post - the LG UltraFine does resemble Apple-designed innards in a cheap LG box.

I do wonder about what this says for the iMac, but bear in mind that Apple effectively got out of the stand-alone display business years ago when they didn't update the TBD, and since then have probably just been selling existing stock. The iMac has seen several updates in that period.

The iMac will stick around for a while, but the Mac Pro and the Mini probably won't. Maybe one more minor update to give them Thunderbolt 3.
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If they really don't care about the aesthetics for a monitor then why bother with the rest of their kit ? Why not go the whole hog and get a boring box shifter dell to make all the desktop stuff that's obviously not trendy enough for the snowflakes and bearded hipsters ??

I've suggested as much myself, but I don't expect them to do that. I expect them to drop headless Macs from the lineup completely. In a relative sense, nobody buys them.
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Next thing you know they'll stop making Apple keyboards, and then the iMac as Tim uses his iPad Pro for everything he does, so why would anyone need an iMac, they can have the Macbooks if they don't want iPads!
BTW what is Jony Ive's function these days, narrating commercials? He seems either not to care anymore or doesn't have the influence he had as Apple's iconic design seems to be MIA, last seen circa 2013...

I don't expect Apple to stop selling keyboards so long as the iMac is still selling.

 

[domsodidavid]

I think we will see an updatet Apple display in 2018. Now the technical situation for a standalone display is complicated and it involves a lot of compromise.

Problems:
- the retina iMac's 5k display is a 10bit panel, to achieve this quality at 5k, you need displayport 1.4 cable, which I think would be supported in thunderbolt 4 compatible Macs in 2018-19
- The Multri Stream Transport (like these LGs do) is not an Apple-like solution
- Only the high-end 15 inch MacBook Pros have enough GPU power to run smoothly a 5k resolution
- If Apple put an eGPU to the display, they have to update this GPU from time to time, and later it would be unnecessary for more and more macs, as the gpus evolve.

 

[Abazigal]

What we don't know is how many displays Apple actually sells - but one gets the impression that the old Thunderbolt display wasn't exactly shifting like hotcakes.

If memory serves me right, the 27" thunderbolt display sold out within hours of being released on the Apple website back in 2011. There clearly was a lot of demand for an all-in-one docking solution, especially one which complemented the new MBAs so perfectly.

Odd that Apple then went on to neglect them. I mean, they at least bundled a magsafe adaptor with the 2012 version to keep it compatible with the newer MacBooks, but didn't even bother giving it USB3 or price cuts. $1k for a 2k monitor was a very reasonable deal in 2011, but the funny thing was that the price remained constant even as 2k screens became cheaper year after year.

Another "hobby" which Apple felt simply wasn't worth the effort?

 

[jezbd1997]

Doesn't this monitor have only one input? That would rule out two cables?

No the other guy was saying if a 2015 MBP could drive two of these (SEPERATE) displays from two of the ports (obviously then requiring two thunderbolt 3 to 2 adaptors)
I reckon it's possible on the 2015 15" with dedicated gpu

 

[MarsViolet]

If memory serves me right, the 27" thunderbolt display sold out within hours of being released on the Apple website back in 2011. There clearly was a lot of demand for an all-in-one docking solution, especially one which complemented the new MBAs so perfectly. Odd that Apple then went on to neglect them.

Here's my hunch: It's not that Apple couldn't sell a premium-priced, Apple branded 4k or 5k Thunderbolt Display if they wanted to. They just don't want to. Apple is skating to where they want the puck to be a few years from now. They don't want to be selling headless Macs, so they're slowly exiting the business, starting with the Thunderbolt Display, and will eventually retire the Mini and then the Mac Pro.

 

[theluggage]

If memory serves me right, the 27" thunderbolt display sold out within hours of being released on the Apple website back in 2011.

I don't think "first day" sell-outs are a very useful measure - the people watching the keynote with credit cards grasped in their sweaty palms aren't particularly representative, and early supplies are often constrained.

If a product gets left to wither on the vine like the TBD was, the only rational explanation is that its not making enough money to warrant the commercial risk of producing a new version. I suppose that the other thing was that a USB-3 version would have allowed people to add USB-3 to their 2011 MacBooks (although you could do that with any TB dock) and/or a cheaper version coupled with a MacMini might have undercut an iMac.

Personally, I have non-Mac equipment and older Macs that I use, and I'm not going to buy a display that won't work with them - that rules out the new 5k display too (and puts me off buying iMac).

 

[Defthand]

If that was their reasoning, they wouldn't have collaborated with LG at all.

On the contrary. It's merely an attempt to satisfy the niche Users who don't own a desktop system as well, or are inept at using the cloud to sync and access files. It's also for professionals who will need a compatible monitor at the office.

When Apple decides technology—or a method of working—is inefficient and antiquated, they temporarily allow the previous option as accessories (optical drive) or third party solutions (LG monitor) until the preference loses supporters.

 

[Cougarcat]

On the contrary. It's merely an attempt to satisfy the niche Users who don't own a desktop system as well, or are inept at using the cloud to sync and access files. It's also for professionals who will need a compatible monitor at the office.

When Apple decides technology—or a method of working—is inefficient and antiquated, they temporarily allow the previous option as accessories (optical drive) or third party solutions (LG monitor) until the preference loses supporters.

What does a monitor have to do with the cloud??

Temporary? They still sell that optical drive.

Apple didn't have to collaborate with LG at all, but they chose to.

 

[Defthand]

What does a monitor have to do with the cloud??

There are still Users who, despite the ability to sync and move files via the cloud, prefer the ingrained practice of using thumbdrives, network cables, and email attachments sent to themselves. Some think it’s the only option when moving files between personal devices and employer devices (it sometimes is).

I’ve even encountered Users who believe they have to use the device that created the file to make modifications, even when the application exists on either device/platform!

If such a User can’t tether his new laptop to his iMac—and refuses to embrace cloud sharing—he’ll need a compatible monitor to satisfy his work habit.

 

[Cougarcat]

My LG 4K arrived today. Feel free to ask me questions about it here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/lg-4k-first-impressions.2014943/

 

[Corrode]

There are still Users who, despite the ability to sync and move files via the cloud, prefer the ingrained practice of using thumbdrives, network cables, and email attachments sent to themselves. Some think it’s the only option when moving files between personal devices and employer devices (it sometimes is).

I’ve even encountered Users who believe they have to use the device that created the file to make modifications, even when the application exists on either device/platform!

If such a User can’t tether his new laptop to his iMac—and refuses to embrace cloud sharing—he’ll need a compatible monitor to satisfy his work habit.

So you're saying people who don't feel the need to own two computers for both mobile and desktop work are inept?? You're the perfect Apple customer; why buy one computer and an external monitor when you can just buy two computers?!

 

[Teon]

Is it the right business decision? Probably. Is it the right Apple decision? No. The Apple you know is over. They cannot keep thriving and producing double digit growth from where they stand if they try to grow an even larger base of people who pay $1700 for a display. That would be like Ferrari hoping to be Ford.

The current Apple leaders want the company to be Ford. Their focus is gone. They're in a game of me-too technocracy. So there you are.

I think they just got an unsuccessful attempt to broaden the focus. Instead of extending turned its displacement

 

[Defthand]

So you're saying people who don't feel the need to own two computers for both mobile and desktop work are inept?? You're the perfect Apple customer; why buy one computer and an external monitor when you can just buy two computers?!

No. (Typical reading comprehension and misquoting of people today). To answer your second point… Yes. When that monitor costs as much as an iMac, it’s foolish to cater to such a tiny segment of Users who want it.

 

[2b1ask1]

I'm gonna wait for reviews. Too bad Apple didn't bring any latest desktop hardwares to work with this.

I review, unbox and demonstrate gear for a living - every day.

(And I buy stuff with my own money - so no one influences my reviews).

Apple just gave us an early Christmas present - I am surprised more people are not happy about this...

Here is why:

Most people do not know that Apple has been private labelling LG's monitors for a long time.

Yep, they slap an apple logo on LG units (with slight modifications).

So we are basically getting "Apple-quality" monitors at half price.

And if I could pick just one computer monitor to recommend to my best friends, it would be the LG 4K UHD 27UD88-W 27″ monitor (with USB-C)...

This is the biggest bang for the buck these days. At under $700, it is a steal.

It is like getting a HUGE retina monitor on the cheap.

The colors POP.

The text is clear.

It includes just about every port type imaginable - yes, including USB-C...

In fact, one of the hidden benefits is the ports can be used as a hub. Yep. Connect a mouse, keyboard - even a printer to the back of this monitor and (in most cases) it works.

It was designed for the gaming crowd - so latency (lag) is virtually nonexistent.

Daisy-chaining monitors is a breeze.

There are however 2 minor catches:

1) There is no built-in Facetime camera...

2) There is no audio speaker...

I saw this is good news. The vast majority of monitor sound is awful.

The solution? Rush to Amazon and get the Logitech 3.5mm Jack Compact Laptop Speakers, Black (Z130) for less than $17. These speakers are surprisingly amazing - especially for their low price.

If you get this monitor, set input scaling to “wide” to get the lowest lag (weird, right?)...

And for an elegant way to hook your laptop into this monitor, get the Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand - it is less tha $50 on Amazon.

I cannot recommend this LG 4k 27UD88 27-inch monitor enough.

 

[pat500000]

I review, unbox and demonstrate gear for a living - every day.

(And I buy stuff with my own money - so no one influences my reviews).

Apple just gave us an early Christmas present - I am surprised more people are not happy about this...

Here is why:

Most people do not know that Apple has been private labelling LG's monitors for a long time.

Yep, they slap an apple logo on LG units (with slight modifications).

So we are basically getting "Apple-quality" monitors at half price.

And if I could pick just one computer monitor to recommend to my best friends, it would be the LG 4K UHD 27UD88-W 27″ monitor (with USB-C)...

This is the biggest bang for the buck these days. At under $700, it is a steal.

It is like getting a HUGE retina monitor on the cheap.

The colors POP.

The text is clear.

It includes just about every port type imaginable - yes, including USB-C...

In fact, one of the hidden benefits is the ports can be used as a hub. Yep. Connect a mouse, keyboard - even a printer to the back of this monitor and (in most cases) it works.

It was designed for the gaming crowd - so latency (lag) is virtually nonexistent.

Daisy-chaining monitors is a breeze.

There are however 2 minor catches:

1) There is no built-in Facetime camera...

2) There is no audio speaker...

I saw this is good news. The vast majority of monitor sound is awful.

The solution? Rush to Amazon and get the Logitech 3.5mm Jack Compact Laptop Speakers, Black (Z130) for less than $17. These speakers are surprisingly amazing - especially for their low price.

If you get this monitor, set input scaling to “wide” to get the lowest lag (weird, right?)...

And for an elegant way to hook your laptop into this monitor, get the Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand - it is less tha $50 on Amazon.

I cannot recommend this LG 4k 27UD88 27-inch monitor enough.

You have a video of your review?

 

[2b1ask1]

You have a video of your review?

I will have a video... stay tuned.

 

[pat500000]

I will have a video... stay tuned.

let me know! thx.

 

[2b1ask1]

let me know! thx.

Here is one you might like:

 

[TazmoStarkana]

Any reviews availablelable yet???

 

[jquebedeaux]

J-FYI: picked up the 4k @ local Apple store. I was surprised Apple's online ordering said 5-6 week delivery vs available today at my local apple store - which was ready for pickup an hour after i placed the order (i picked up another hour or so later). Might see about using the VESA plate to mount it to an arm or something.... not crazy about the stand itself...

 

[rdav]

Here is one you might like:

"The Ultimate MacBook 4k Monitor"

Any review that claims the product being promoted is the "Ultimate" anything [ tired cliché & smashed hyperbole ] should probably be avoided.