Apple Preps for Thunderbolt Display Release with MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update

[MacRumors]

Apple today released MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.1, a 3.99 MB update addressing a pair of issues on the company's latest MacBook Air models. The fixes include enhanced stability for Lion Recovery over the Internet and improvements for Thunderbolt-related issues including compatibility with Apple's forthcoming Apple Thunderbolt Display.

This update includes fixes that enhance the stability of Lion Recovery from an Internet connection, and resolve issues with Apple Thunderbolt Display compatibility and Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode performance on MacBook Air (mid 2011) models.

For more information about Lion Recovery, please visit http://www.apple.com/macosx/recovery/.

The MacBook Air EFI Update will update the EFI firmware on your notebook computer. Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source. When your MacBookAir restarts, a gray screen will appear with a status bar to indicate the progress of the update. It will take several minutes for the update to complete. Do not disturb or shut off the power on your MacBookAir during this update.

We noted last week that the new Apple Thunderbolt Display was beginning to ship to stores in anticipation of a launch in the near future, and today's release to ensure compatibility with the new MacBook Air offers further evidence that a launch for the display is near.

Apple announced the display back in July with a shipping date of "within 60 days", a timeframe that is rapidly approaching. Apple's order page for the $999 display is showing a 2-3 week estimate for new orders, but earlier pre-orders will likely ship sooner than that. We have yet to hear, however, of any pre-orders being prepared for shipment.

Article Link: Apple Preps for Thunderbolt Display Release with MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update

 

[ct2k7]

I want it now

 

[GlenL]

So nice

The Apple Displays look so nice, but it's hard to justify purchasing a monitor for $1000 when there's Samsung monitors for $300. I have other Apple hardware, but a display seems just like any other display. Can somebody tell me what the big draw is? (besides obvious design aesthetics!)

 

[RoboCop001]

Where the hell is the 2011 MacBook Pro Thunderbolt update that fixes all of the flickering display issues!?

 

[nspindel]

The Apple Displays look so nice, but it's hard to justify purchasing a monitor for $1000 when there's Samsung monitors for $300. I have other Apple hardware, but a display seems just like any other display. Can somebody tell me what the big draw is? (besides obvious design aesthetics!)

Can you get one with a Thunderbolt docking station built into it? I look at it this way. The Apple 27" monitor was $999 before the Thunderbolt display. So the fact that now I will be able to get the same monitor, but now with Thunderbolt docking built into it, makes this display a bargain

Until there are Thunderbolt hubs out there that can compete with that part of the functionality that this display will have, it's tough to call this thing overpriced. It is the only product on the market that will provide this functionality.

----------

Where the hell is the 2011 MacBook Pro Thunderbolt update that fixes all of the flickering display issues!?

Software Update.

 

[MacAddict1978]

The Apple Displays look so nice, but it's hard to justify purchasing a monitor for $1000 when there's Samsung monitors for $300. I have other Apple hardware, but a display seems just like any other display. Can somebody tell me what the big draw is? (besides obvious design aesthetics!)

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC914
Read the specs... which are a nice set of features, especially being LED backlit.

I personally would never buy one at the price. I see an iMac missing the computer, or other displays that are a better value.

Thunderbolt does take a docking feature to the next level with it's transfer rates, but still not sold personally. Now if I had money falling out of my bum, I'd buy 3.

 

[ksgant]

I was looking elsewhere for a high-quality monitor like the 27" display, but all I found were these around $400 monitors that were certainly 27" displays, but were limited to the 1080P resolution of 1920 x 1080 and none at the Apple monitor's 2560 x 1440.

I looked over at Dell and they have 27" IPS monitors that can do 2560 x 1440 but they're like fricken $1200. Again, Dell has lower cost monitors but they're only 1080P ones. What happened to other manufacturers having lower cost hardware yet the same quality as Apple?

Are there any high end 27" monitors with 2560 x 1440 that are under the $999 of Apple? Or is this thing truly a bargain?

 

[GlenL]

Can you get one with a Thunderbolt docking station built into it? I look at it this way. The Apple 27" monitor was $999 before the Thunderbolt display. So the fact that now I will be able to get the same monitor, but now with Thunderbolt docking built into it, makes this display a bargain

Until there are Thunderbolt hubs out there that can compete with that part of the functionality that this display will have, it's tough to call this thing overpriced. It is the only product on the market that will provide this functionality.

Well, that would mean people are paying the extra $700 for a Thunderbolt port.

 

[Consultant]

The Apple Displays look so nice, but it's hard to justify purchasing a monitor for $1000 when there's Samsung monitors for $300. I have other Apple hardware, but a display seems just like any other display. Can somebody tell me what the big draw is? (besides obvious design aesthetics!)

Thunderbolt
Firewire for non-firewire mac (such as MacBook Air)
High resolution 2560 x 1440 IPS LED LCD
etc.

 

[qrayg]

Where the hell is the 2011 MacBook Pro Thunderbolt update that fixes all of the flickering display issues!?

And where is the fix for the Mac mini incompatibility with the 24" ACD through the thunderbolt port. Apple is really losing quality and polish IMO.

 

[Chris Lyon]

This could also point to the impending Mac Pro update.

Tangent: We need a Mac Pro refresh and we need Final Cut Pro back.

 

[MacAddict1978]

Can you get one with a Thunderbolt docking station built into it? I look at it this way. The Apple 27" monitor was $999 before the Thunderbolt display. So the fact that now I will be able to get the same monitor, but now with Thunderbolt docking built into it, makes this display a bargain

Until there are Thunderbolt hubs out there that can compete with that part of the functionality that this display will have, it's tough to call this thing overpriced. It is the only product on the market that will provide this functionality.

----------



Software Update.

No, it's over priced. Thunderbolt ports bring no real added functionality except... an extra port. Sure, I guess you could daisy chain from both ports, but how many peripherals does one have? Wait, not, it doesn't because you use the port on your portable to dock. So you still have to daisy chain out of 1 single port.

It serves no real use. If I'm not mistaken, the thunderbolt port is now your video out as well? So they kind of had to have a port there. A port not the full component that is in the computer. It's like an extension cord.

Defend it all you want, but Apple monitors have always been priced for design and not specs. If someone else made one of these it would be $300 cheaper. It's how Apple rolls

 

[ksgant]

The Apple Displays look so nice, but it's hard to justify purchasing a monitor for $1000 when there's Samsung monitors for $300. I have other Apple hardware, but a display seems just like any other display. Can somebody tell me what the big draw is? (besides obvious design aesthetics!)

Well, as I mentioned in my post above, Samsung 27" monitors are limited to 1080p resolution and aren't IPS while the Apple 27" is 2560 x 1440 IPS monitors. Dell also sells a lower end 27" monitor for 300-400 bucks, but it's only 1080p also. It's 2560 x 1440 monitor is more expensive than Apple's...for the same size.

----------

No, it's over priced.

Defend it all you want, but Apple monitors have always been priced for design and not specs. If someone else made one of these it would be $300 cheaper. It's how Apple rolls

Cool...who? Who makes a 27" 2560 x 1440 IPS monitor for less? I honestly want to know because I'd like to get one. Granted, all I looked at so far was Dell, and they may be overpriced now. But in the past, they were the ones offering the lower cost yet high end alternative to Apple monitors.

 

[koruki]

No, it's over priced. Thunderbolt ports bring no real added functionality except... an extra port. Sure, I guess you could daisy chain from both ports, but how many peripherals does one have? Wait, not, it doesn't because you use the port on your portable to dock. So you still have to daisy chain out of 1 single port.

It serves no real use. If I'm not mistaken, the thunderbolt port is now your video out as well? So they kind of had to have a port there. A port not the full component that is in the computer. It's like an extension cord.

Defend it all you want, but Apple monitors have always been priced for design and not specs. If someone else made one of these it would be $300 cheaper. It's how Apple rolls

Dell makes one, how much are they charging?

Well, as I mentioned in my post above, Samsung 27" monitors are limited to 1080p resolution and aren't IPS while the Apple 27" is 2560 x 1440 IPS monitors. Dell also sells a lower end 27" monitor for 300-400 bucks, but it's only 1080p also. It's 2560 x 1440 monitor is more expensive than Apple's...for the same size.

----------



Cool...who? Who makes a 27" 2560 x 1440 IPS monitor for less? I honestly want to know because I'd like to get one.

I think Android does? =)

 

[nspindel]

Well, that would mean people are paying the extra $700 for a Thunderbolt port.

No. Apple 27" display, without Thunderbolt docking, was $999. Now it's $999 with the Thunderbolt docking. So, basically, they're now including the Thunderbolt docking for free.

Obviously there's a lot more to the perceived value of this display than just the Thunderbolt port, or the previous model 27" display wouldn't have been selling for $999.

 

[GlenL]

No. Apple 27" display, without Thunderbolt docking, was $999. Now it's $999 with the Thunderbolt docking. So, basically, they're now including the Thunderbolt docking for free.

Obviously there's a lot more to the perceived value of this display than just the Thunderbolt port, or the previous model 27" display wouldn't have been selling for $999.

ksgant answered my question. It's all about the high resolution, and a little bit about the .

 

[KScottMyers]

Can't wait and will be picking one up for my new i7 mini as soon as its available!

 

[nspindel]

No, it's over priced. Thunderbolt ports bring no real added functionality except... an extra port. Sure, I guess you could daisy chain from both ports, but how many peripherals does one have? Wait, not, it doesn't because you use the port on your portable to dock. So you still have to daisy chain out of 1 single port.

It serves no real use. If I'm not mistaken, the thunderbolt port is now your video out as well? So they kind of had to have a port there. A port not the full component that is in the computer. It's like an extension cord.

Defend it all you want, but Apple monitors have always been priced for design and not specs. If someone else made one of these it would be $300 cheaper. It's how Apple rolls

That is completely false. The Thunderbolt port is not just an extra port. It's an extra port that is compatible with every other kind of port.

Without this display, my Macbook Air has no ability to connect to my gigabit ethernet. With the Thunderbolt display, it does.

Without this display, my Macbook Air has no ability to connect to my firewire 800 drive. With the Thunderbolt display, it does.

It's not just an extension cord. It's allowing me to use devices/networking that I'm not otherwise able to.

 

[shabbasuraj]

The Apple Displays look so nice, but it's hard to justify purchasing a monitor for $1000 when there's Samsung monitors for $300. I have other Apple hardware, but a display seems just like any other display. Can somebody tell me what the big draw is? (besides obvious design aesthetics!)

27" IPS panels are not cheap

'Design' aesthetics are also not cheap.

Everything has a price. (like being an early adopter).

Prices will eventually decrease, this is the LAW OF ELECTRONICS!!!!!!

 

[ksgant]

Looks like Amazon has a few Dell monitors from last year left over that are going for $850. But you can't get that price on the new Dell's at Dell's site.

Also, the NEC PA271W-BK is going for $1200 at buy.com.

The DoubleSight DS-275W 27in is going for around $800-850 depending on where you buy it. DoubleSight? Anyone heard of them before? Any good?

So, just looking around for high end IPS 27" monitors they range from $800-$1200. Looks like Apple's is smack dab in the middle of the pricing.

 

[milkaxor]

That is completely false. The Thunderbolt port is not just an extra port. It's an extra port that is compatible with every other kind of port.

Without this display, my Macbook Air has no ability to connect to my gigabit ethernet. With the Thunderbolt display, it does.

Without this display, my Macbook Air has no ability to connect to my firewire 800 drive. With the Thunderbolt display, it does.

It's not just an extension cord. It's allowing me to use devices/networking that I'm not otherwise able to.

Don't forget the 3 usb ports (one more than your MBA), the 2.1 speaker system, or built-in webcam. This is a great monitor for the price and the fact that I have to connect 2 cables (thunderbolt and optional power) to get all of that is what makes it a true companion hub to any TB-enabled laptop.

 

[bobbytallant]

Just a small note on the cost of these things.

Yes it may be considered high but as is almost always the case with Apple products, these have a fantastic resale value. I am a student and got an ACD for around £750 after the education discount this time last year from Apple. I sold it last month for £700 cash on collection.

I intend to do the same with the Thunderbolt display. It goes without saying look after it and keep the box and provide a poof of purchase to your buyer.

 

[AidenShaw]

So, TBolt means upgrading your BIOS just to attach a display?

I thought that we'd eliminated that kind of crap in the early 1990's.

 

[hefeglass]

there is so much misinformation in this thread...i really hope nobody comes here for factual information



^...wow..


.."demi-god"

 

[Boomhowler]

the apple thunderbolt display costs 8954 SEK in Sweden, the DELL ultrasharp 27" goes for roughly 6000 (no thunderbolt, no firewire, no webcam) and the Samsung 27" is roughly 6500. The HP equivalent costs 7000. I'd say that the pro's of buying the apple one clearly outweighs the price increase from the DELL variant, but if I didn't have thunderbolt on the computer I'd might think otherwise. The other screens have roughly the same panels and both DELL and HP usually have very nice footstands (all have VESA so that should be interchangeable).