Apple Confirms Studio Display Will Work With PCs, But With Some Caveats

[LonestarOne]

No one else has issues making monitors, cameras, and microphones work with Windows. Failure to launch with full Windows support comes across as either lazy, incompetent, and or greedy.

So? No one forces you to buy from Apple. If they are so lazy, incompetent, and/or greedy, you have plenty of alternatives. There are many other companies making monitors, cameras, and microphone. How is it harming you if other people buy something you don’t like?

Can’t you just accept that different people like different things, instead of crying for government regulators to make everyone produce what you like, and only what you like? Would that really be so bad? Why does it have to be your way or the highway?

 

[4jasontv]

So? No one forces you to buy from Apple. If they are so lazy, incompetent, and/or greedy, you have plenty of alternatives. There are many other companies making monitors, cameras, and microphone. How is it harming you if other people buy something you don’t like?

Can’t you just accept that different people like different things, instead of crying for government regulators to make everyone produce what you like, and only what you like? Would that really be so bad? Why does it have to be your way or the highway?

Don't put words in my mouth. Where did I say anything about government regulators or only making things I like?

Some people like meth, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't intervene and help them make better life decisions and stop manufacturers from producing something harmful. Drug dealers can't claim they only like it because people prefer their product. People liking something is irrelevant to the obligation Apple has to make a device that isn't ewaste. Other people being wrong doesn't make Apple right.

How exactly is someone expected to repair this monitor without Apple if it's got an unnecessary Apple chip in it? Hmmm? This isn't about making the best possible product. It's about making a product they claim is one thing but in reality, is no different than the lightning port or Apple watch. It's a failure to disclose consumer platform lock-in by calling it a computer display when it doesn't work with most computers.

 

[gommer]

Apple has confirmed to MacRumors that the brand new Studio Display will work when connected to PCs, but critical new features of the display will not carry over and the experience will be lacking compared to using the display with a Mac.

Features that require macOS, such as True Tone, will not work when connected to PCs. When connected to a PC, the webcam in the Studio Display will work as a normal webcam, but Center Stage does require macOS.

Features that also require firmware updates will not function. Additionally, Apple says that screen resolution on the Studio Display will vary from system to system.

The Studio Display is Apple's new external display that starts at $1599, with an option as high as $2299. The display measures 27-inches and features a similar design to the Pro Display XDR but with larger bezels and no rear panel pattern. The Studio Display also features the A13 Bionic chip that powers Center Stage, Spatial Audio, True Tone, and more. The Studio Display alongside the Mac Studio are available for pre-order and will be available on March 18.

Update: Apple has clarified that when connected to a PC, the webcam in the Studio Display will function as normal, but features such as Center Stage will require macOS.

Article Link: Apple Confirms Studio Display Will Work With PCs, But With Some Caveats

So many replies seem to assume NO OTHER DISPLAYS exist and that somehow, this is the only display that Windows users would want, but are totally crippled and forced to buy.

Naw - if you're a Windows user, you wouldn't be buying this. It is a non-issue and non-starter for any sane user of Windows PC.

 

[Danfango]

Do you have an Apple Store nearby? Retail stores get their units from a separate queue. It’s not uncommon for stores to have hardware available for next-day purchase when online delivery times are several weeks.

I've got quite a few near me as I'm in London UK. Alas none available in stores any time soon and only delivery noted.

Gonna have to wait ?

Says 11 - 25th of May on receipt

 

[Danfango]

So many replies seem to assume NO OTHER DISPLAYS exist and that somehow, this is the only display that Windows users would want, but are totally crippled and forced to buy.

Naw - if you're a Windows user, you wouldn't be buying this. It is a non-issue and non-starter for any sane user of Windows PC.

There's absolutely nothing comparable that you can actually buy in the UK to be fair.

I'm going to use mine 3-4 hours a day connected to a windows laptop while I progressively eviscerate the entire platform from our business.

 

[LonestarOne]

I've got quite a few near me as I'm in London UK. Alas none available in stores any time soon and only delivery noted.

Check back after the 18th. That’s when they’ll start showing up in stores. The website does not show inventory until it arrives.

 

[Danfango]

Check back after the 18th. That’s when they’ll start showing up in stores. The website does not show inventory until it arrives.

Good plan. I will try that. If it changes I'll cancel the order and bag one in store. Thanks for the tip!

 

[joevt]

well i know my macbook air m1 can handle at least 5120x1440 at 120hz

I hope so since 5120x1440 is less pixels than 4K.

 

[SenorWhyMe]

I hope so since 5120x1440 is less pixels than 4K.

not by much but yes

 

[Darth Tulhu]

It’s overpriced still. Very overpriced. Yes I’m sure it’s good but it’s a display that’s several years old now. And lacks 120 HZ, I suspect many would rather Apple ditched the webcam and speakers and put in 120HZ Pro Motion.

Can't argue against that opinion (I think it is slightly overpriced... I expected around $1299), but I think that the pricing is not inconsistent with Apple's pricing.

Now if the machine you're raging against is Apple's pricing in particular, that's a whole other conversation.

 

[cardfan]

Nope. No way I spend that on a plain 27” monitor these days. No hdr. No promotion. No oled. So nope.

I get what these are for and all though. It’ll probably be the best solution for mac users. Just isn’t the solution I want. I wouldn’t be opposed to a version without the speakers and camera for multi monitors.

 

[cardfan]

So many replies seem to assume NO OTHER DISPLAYS exist and that somehow, this is the only display that Windows users would want, but are totally crippled and forced to buy.

Naw - if you're a Windows user, you wouldn't be buying this. It is a non-issue and non-starter for any sane user of Windows PC.

Of course. Windows users have much better options. This is strictly for those with Mac mini or studio wanting the iMac experience.

 

[returnZero]

Just curious. What happens if the processor inside of the monitor dies ? Will it prevent the monitor from being functioning as a typical monitor ? or ?? and Will we be able to use the monitor right away without having it booted entirely ??? Will we still be able to use the monitor when Apple stops supporting software or OS for the monitor when they get real old or being discontinued ???? So many questions are tumbling around inside of my head like aimless kids roaming around one street to another

 

[Pezimak]

Can't argue against that opinion (I think it is slightly overpriced... I expected around $1299), but I think that the pricing is not inconsistent with Apple's pricing.

Now if the machine you're raging against is Apple's pricing in particular, that's a whole other conversation.

Haha no point arguing against Apples prices. They didn't get to be a multi trillion dollar corporation through lower prices.
All Apple devices are expensive yes, but, for the higher premium they charge you expect higher quality. Most of the time Apple delivers however they rightly deserve full criticism when they don't. Like the bugs in their software people report exist. They need to try better.
Most people buy an Apple product and expect it to last, usually they do, so their is value in that higher price.
And the devices can usually be sold on for a decent price too.

I think the problem with the monitor is it's a panel several years old people are saying. I know it'll be good and last well, just I think for the money compared to the competition these days, it really should be offering a higher refresh rate.

 

[Danfango]

When you buy an Apple product you pay for generally better availability, engineering, quality control, the support network, insurance cover and any ongoing software support. When you buy a competing product, all those things go out of the window. I'm quite happy to pay extra for that.

In fact they're really cheap compared to some more niche stuff out there. I used to work as an EE years ago and the stuff we'd buy from Agilent had more zeroes on the end for the same level of ball fluffing and support you get from Apple.

As for expense, the best way to own Apple stuff is get someone else to pay for a chunk of it. I just successfully managed to expense half my studio display at work after some negotiations ?

 

[deeddawg]

Its curved and has only 1400 vertical lines of resolution - given the Apple display has a built-in camera and what seems to be decent audio - that Dell display doesn't look very cheap at all.

I see a lot of people complain this monitor is expensive and then compare it to one that has ~1440p vertical resolution. The price seems fair to me for 5120x2880

$1300 - Alienware AW3423DW

Not seeing any indication of camera or speakers.

 

[deeddawg]

I think the problem with the monitor is it's a panel several years old people are saying. I know it'll be good and last well, just I think for the money compared to the competition these days, it really should be offering a higher refresh rate.

It will be interesting to see if that speculation is correct.

The brightness spec is higher, and another poster indicated it is a different panel with more bit depth.

 

[deeddawg]

Just curious. What happens if the processor inside of the monitor dies ? Will it prevent the monitor from being functioning as a typical monitor ? or ?? and Will we be able to use the monitor right away without having it booted entirely ??? Will we still be able to use the monitor when Apple stops supporting software or OS for the monitor when they get real old or being discontinued ???? So many questions are tumbling around inside of my head like aimless kids roaming around one street to another

Same as what happens if the microcontroller in any other monitor dies - it's likely not gonna work.

There's no evidence of any sort of monitorOS and while there may be firmware updates and Apple may eventually cease making any new firmware updates, there's zero reason to believe that whatever firmware is in there would stop working.

Personally that'd be the last of the things I might be concerned about.

While monitors do fail, it's generally not common, and the monitor will keep working long after the maker ceases to do software updates. I am still regularly using a 2008 Samsung TV and a 2010 Viewsonic monitor. Their microcontrollers work just fine.

 

[4jasontv]

Same as what happens if the microcontroller in any other monitor dies - it's likely not gonna work.

There's no evidence of any sort of monitorOS and while there may be firmware updates and Apple may eventually cease making any new firmware updates, there's zero reason to believe that whatever firmware is in there would stop working.

Personally that'd be the last of the things I might be concerned about.

While monitors do fail, it's generally not common, and the monitor will keep working long after the maker ceases to do software updates. I am still regularly using a 2008 Samsung TV and a 2010 Viewsonic monitor. Their microcontrollers work just fine.

Doesn't the monitor support Hey Siri? That's evidence of a monitorOS.

 

[CWallace]

$1300 - Alienware AW3423DW

Not seeing any indication of camera or speakers.

It does not have a webcam. It does have two 5W speakers, but they're effectively useless except for System Notification alerts.

 

[CWallace]

Just curious. What happens if the processor inside of the monitor dies ? Will it prevent the monitor from being functioning as a typical monitor ?

The A13 is there to support extended functionality like CenterStage, Spatial Audio and Hey Siri. Since that functionality is said to not be available to Windows and Linux users (likely because they cannot access the A13 due to no drivers), that should be proof enough that an A13 failure would still mean the monitor would work, it would just lose that functionality in macOS, as well.

Will we still be able to use the monitor when Apple stops supporting software or OS for the monitor when they get real old or being discontinued ?

Doesn't the monitor support Hey Siri? That's evidence of a monitorOS.

It is almost certainly just using iOS (probably a cut-down embedded version with just the functionality necessary to support the hardware features).

If Apple releases updates to iOS that improves CenterStage, Spatial Audio or Hey, Siri, I could see them making those updates available for the Apple Studio Display. But once they stop offering updates (or never offer an update), that will not prevent the monitor's functionality from stopping because it would continue to use the current version installed.

 

[4jasontv]

It is almost certainly just using iOS (probably a cut-down embedded version with just the functionality necessary to support the hardware features).

If Apple releases updates to iOS that improves CenterStage, Spatial Audio or Hey, Siri, I could see them making those updates available for the Apple Studio Display. But once they stop offering updates (or never offer an update), that will not prevent the monitor's functionality from stopping because it would continue to use the current version installed.

As others have mentioned, the life expectancy of monitors is measured in decades. That would mean that Apple should be expected to support the monitor for 15 to 20 years. As customers, we should hold them accountable for supporting the device for it’s useable lifespan, and not the manufactures expected support window. ... Or, they could release the documentation necessary for others to manufacture chips and modify their code.

 

[deeddawg]

Doesn't the monitor support Hey Siri? That's evidence of a monitorOS.

Ah good point.

Still no reason to think it wouldn't keep on functioning after whatever point in the future Apple ceased providing updates. I found an ipod nano in a drawer and it still works. My 2008 samsung smart tv still works.

Only concern would be if whatever interfaces at Apple are called upon by the inbuilt software were later deprecated; in that case the reliant functionality might quite (Hey Siri) - but basic monitor functionality shouldn't be impacted.

 

[4jasontv]

Ah good point.

Still no reason to think it wouldn't keep on functioning after whatever point in the future Apple ceased providing updates. I found an ipod nano in a drawer and it still works. My 2008 samsung smart tv still works.

Only concern would be if whatever interfaces at Apple are called upon by the inbuilt software were later deprecated; in that case the reliant functionality might quite (Hey Siri) - but basic monitor functionality shouldn't be impacted.

How do we decide what features are ok for consumers to lose because the manufacturer has decided it's no longer important to support? What if it eventually dropped to 1080p? What if the display stopped working and Apple said 'well customers can still use it as speakers?" Should there be an expectation that the device continues to function until the hardware fails? And at what point should Apple be allowed to no longer service it? Should third parties not be allowed to service it? Even after Apple has discontinued support?

 

[CWallace]

As others have mentioned, the life expectancy of monitors is measured in decades. That would mean that Apple should be expected to support the monitor for 15 to 20 years. As customers, we should hold them accountable for supporting the device for it’s useable lifespan, and not the manufactures expected support window. ... Or, they could release the documentation necessary for others to manufacture chips and modify their code.

Apple will support the monitor for a minimum of five years after it is removed from sale. After seven years has passed, they may no longer provide support if the parts are no longer available (so LG stops making the 5K panel and Apple eats through their repair stock; same with the A13 SoC).

Apple sold the LED Cinema Display for three years and the Apple Thunderbolt Display for five years. So one can reasonably expect to get at least a decade's worth of support for an Apple Studio Display purchased today.

And that is longer than someone who bought a Dell or HPE 5K display got.