Apple Stops Selling 27-Inch LG UltraFine 5K Display

[EugW]

As someone who installed a new M1 Mini in a different room that required a separate display, I can state unequivocally that I would have much preferred the Studio Display to the UltraFine. Twice, I had the UltraFine go dark, with no apparent reason. Twice I had to change out the TB cable just to get it to reliably work with the new Mini. (VESA mounted; lots of work). My penchant for sticking with Apple for everything wasn't possible at that time since a $4999 display was outside my affordability or need and was the only Apple product available at that time. The Studio Display also looks a lot nicer and has a built in VESA mount available

They already available?!?

EDIT:

Oops I misunderstood your post. I thought you got the Studio Display already but you didn't.

 

[andreasfcb]

LG has some very nice 4K IPS panels at around 450$, for example LG 27UP850-W. Those have high color accuracy and fine brightness. If you connect to them by Thunderbolt/USB-C, they even function as integrated USB-A hubs (2 ports out). Also, they have very slim bezels and look nice.

I don't understand why you would buy an overpriced 5K display just because it's Apple approved. The LG ultrafine looks ugly and has horrible bezels. The new Studio Display looks very nice to me, but you could buy more than 3 4K LG displays with that money. I am especially disappointed that it doesn't even have an USB-A hub. Those are very useful for Macbook users.

 

[rafark]

Regardless of its features, that thing was fugly. Not what you’d expect when shopping Apple products.

 

[chrfr]

LG has some very nice 4K IPS panels at around 450$, for example LG 27UP850-W. Those have high color accuracy and fine brightness. If you connect to them by Thunderbolt/USB-C, they even function as integrated USB-A hubs (2 ports out). Also, they have very slim bezels and look nice.

I don't understand why you would buy an overpriced 5K display just because it's Apple approved. The LG ultrafine looks ugly and has horrible bezels. The new Studio Display looks very nice to me, but you could buy more than 3 4K LG displays with that money. I am especially disappointed that it doesn't even have an USB-A hub. Those are very useful for Macbook users.

It’s less about being “Apple approved” than it is about 4K at 27” being a poor fit for the way macOS scales. Ideally, I’d want a 4K display to be no larger than 24” on a Mac. There just aren’t many options in 27” 5k.

 

[SenorWhyMe]

Here are some of the ways the Studio Display is superior to the UltraFine 5K

• 600 nits of brightness (vs. 500 nits)
• Aluminum design (vs. cheap looking black plastic)
• Six speaker system (vs. two)
• True Tone capable (vs. not)
• USB-C ports are 3.1 Gen 2 (vs. 3.0)
• 12MP ultra-wide camera with Center Stage (vs. 1080p)
• Three microphone array (vs. one)

It's a really compelling product, although I do wish that it had ProMotion or mini-LED backlighting.

600 nits is still low hdr

 

[KPOM]

Thanks for the summary. But still, not very cool of them to stop selling an alternative option for those who don’t want those things.

It’s likely LG’s decision. They supply the panels for the Studio Display. Apple gave them 6 years of “exclusivity” and for a variety of reasons the UltraFine 5K wasn’t that popular. No 5K monitor has really caught on for the Windows market, so without Apple’s marketing support, it doesn’t make sense for LG to continue making a separate 5k display.

 

[efktd]

Check out that Retina MacBook Pro! My 13" 2015 was recently replaced with a 14" 2TB M1 Pro =]

 

[shansoft]

Buying that ultra-expensive monitor from 2016 wouldn’t make any sense today, unless you find a used unit for $6/700. The Studio Display is even incredibly more expensive, but at least it is good looking and comes with some decent update.

Not to mention if this monitor used the same exact panel, then it will guarantee to have severe ghosting issue down the road. The tint uniformity also a complete garbage. I could have got a proper FALD 27" 120hz + a thunderbolt dock for better price and performance.

 

[ninecows]

The 27 inch iMac is exactly like your milk analogy. You want to buy a screen but have to buy a Mac as well. Even if you don’t need one. And when the coffee runs out, you need to buy everything new. Because Apple refuses you to use the screen standalone.

I have a 27 inch iMac as well. When I’ll upgrade, I can either go 24 inch (which is also retina btw) or 27 inch Studio or 32 inch XDR. Plenty of choice.

And if you think Apple is overpriced, you buy a third party screen that fits your budget. It’s all fine.

I dont think you get it. So thats the concept of all in one. You would be stupid to buy an iMac if you just need the screen. Then you just buy the more affordable LG fine display.

But now they just split the all in one machine that used to be iMac 27 retina/5k into two products that in total are more expensive. And ditched the LG display. And it’s not available where I live anymore. Might be different in India or Brazil… don’t know.

Say I just wanted a screen with 5k and 27”. What are my options then compared to when they were still selling the LG? Pay more and get the studio display. Granted: I also get more (slightly better quality panel, webcam and speakers), but it’s more than I asked for.

 

[123]

If you take the $1300 that the UltraFine launched at in 2016 and adjust it along with U.S. inflation it's somewhere around $1560 today. The Studio Display is a also significantly better product.

Hahaaa, you inflation-adjust technology? Good one. What an utter rip-off the original Mac was. 128k RAM for $6800. Apple should be ashamed.

 

[Digital Skunk]

The picture quality is incredible. It's better than any Apple screen I've ever owned aside from my XDR MPB and OLED iPhone 13 Pro. Perhaps I got lucky with my panel, but I've never had any issues.

For a plastic monitor the build quality is excellent. The stand is height and tilt adjustable with a solid metal base. The stand is removable and can be replaced with the included metal vesa mount. The stand and vesa mount are quite heavy.

View attachment 1972105View attachment 1972107View attachment 1972106

All of this right here is why the LG will still be a solid choice for a 27" 5k. Even the 24" 4k is stellar, I have one, and use it in the attic with my MBP from time to time.

I'm still on the fence about picking up two LG or two AS displays since the cost is almost the same ( all things considered ). It's a real shame Apple essentially gave us a re-skinned LG display with one less port Bolt port.

 

[ibran]

I can’t believe it’s 2022 and people are still whining about the lack of height-adjustable stands or their outrageous cost. For less than $100 USD, you can get a well-made, fully-adjustable mount for a desk or a wall. If you want the best, you can get an Ergotron arm for not a whole lot more and put the screen exactly where you want it. Buy it once and attach any monitor you want as you upgrade, as nearly every monitor has a VESA mount or an adapter available. This is such a non-issue for anybody who cares about ergonomics.

 

[Reggaenald]

I'm not too familiar with the LG display. Did it have a tri-beam microphone and camera like the Studio Display? Oh, and did the LG display have 4 thunderbolt 4 ports???

Nope. Has it been designed by Apple? Was it announced a Week ago?
It’s still a great display, but bad competition. Obviously.
Apple and LG could offer it at a reduced price, like Apple does with older iPhones, cause it’s just not the latest and greatest anymore, but they choose not to, so people that want their offerings have to go with the new display with a way too high price tag.
That’s like comparing a new MBP and an old one, not really fair, cause, you know, it’s old.

 

[Reggaenald]

I can’t believe it’s 2022 and people are still whining about the lack of height-adjustable stands or their outrageous cost. For less than $100 USD, you can get a well-made, fully-adjustable mount for a desk or a wall. If you want the best, you can get an Ergotron arm for not a whole lot more and put the screen exactly where you want it. Buy it once and attach any monitor you want as you upgrade, as nearly every monitor has a VESA mount or an adapter available. This is such a non-issue for anybody who cares about ergonomics.

So, you admit that the price for Apple‘s stand is way too high?
Also, what happened to „it just works“? Out the box, boom bam pow. Or not.
Also, the stands can’t be changed later. That’s the real use. Sure you can get one and attach it to a Display with a VESA mount, if it has one. If you went for the normal stand, it’s a done deal.

 

[ibran]

So, you admit that the price for Apple‘s stand is way too high?
Also, what happened to „it just works“? Out the box, boom bam pow. Or not.
Also, the stands can’t be changed later. That’s the real use. Sure you can get one and attach it to a Display with a VESA mount, if it has one. If you went for the normal stand, it’s a done deal.

Yes, Apple’s stand is too expensive, which is why I said it’s a non-issue when one already has a more functional wall- or desk mount, and they’re cheap enough that everyone should have one.

Which professional monitor doesn’t have a VESA mount? Even the iMac has an adapter available. Sure, entry-level monitors often omit the mounting provision — but anything reasonably comparable to the LG UltraFine 5K and Apple Studio Display will have a 100x100 VESA mount, and those are the monitors we’re discussing.

A wall mount or desk mount is infinitely more adjustable, even more than LG’s height-adjustable stand. That’s why my LG stand is still in the box, and the monitor is mounted on an Ergotron arm. If I choose to upgrade to the Studio Display, I can simply get the VESA-ready model and save that $400 for something else. Easy.

If the included stand works for you — that’s great. But if it doesn’t, don’t be a clown and whine about the expense of Apple’s option. There are alternatives.

 

[ninecows]

I can’t believe it’s 2022 and people are still whining about the lack of height-adjustable stands or their outrageous cost. For less than $100 USD, you can get a well-made, fully-adjustable mount for a desk or a wall. If you want the best, you can get an Ergotron arm for not a whole lot more and put the screen exactly where you want it. Buy it once and attach any monitor you want as you upgrade, as nearly every monitor has a VESA mount or an adapter available. This is such a non-issue for anybody who cares about ergonomics.

I think we are whining about a display with such a high price tag comes with a fancy A15 chip, stage view, super-duper-webcam, atmos sound and really a lot of bells and whistles that is not standard for display in the upper end prosumer range. But NOT a basic thing like height adjustment which you normally find on all other displays in that price range… and also in the 0.5x price range.

But it sounds like money doesn’t matter to you. Please send me some.

 

[andreasfcb]

It’s less about being “Apple approved” than it is about 4K at 27” being a poor fit for the way macOS scales. Ideally, I’d want a 4K display to be no larger than 24” on a Mac. There just aren’t many options in 27” 5k.

I used 2 LG screens (4K) with my iMac (5K) for over 4 years without any problems. It was possible to scale them all so they had the same virtual resolution (I think it was 2560*1440). Now I have 3 LG screens (4K) with the new Macbook Pro and I don't see any issues. Can absolutely recommend it.

 

[lilkwarrior]

I'd trade all those features for promotion and height adjustment.

You get that with the VESA variant that's far better than any stand in such things. It's silly there's two variants instead of one that can support both.

 

[LonestarOne]

Here are some of the ways the Studio Display is superior to the UltraFine 5K

• 600 nits of brightness (vs. 500 nits)
• Aluminum design (vs. cheap looking black plastic)
• Six speaker system (vs. two)
• True Tone capable (vs. not)
• USB-C ports are 3.1 Gen 2 (vs. 3.0)
• 12MP ultra-wide camera with Center Stage (vs. 1080p)
• Three microphone array (vs. one)

It's a really compelling product, although I do wish that it had ProMotion or mini-LED backlighting.

And reference modes. No one seems to be talking about that feature. Apple didn’t even mention it at the event, but it is listed in the specs.

 

[LonestarOne]

It's an LG product, and I don't think Apple has any contractual or moral obligation to sell LG's products. They sold it when it was the best monitor option available for Mac buyers - it no longer is. LG can keep selling it if they want, and people who need it can buy it from them.

Apple does not sell 99% of all Apple-compatible monitors (and other accessories). The Apple store has always offered a small, highly curated selection of third-party products. And the LG monitor was never available in the retail stores — only online. I wonder how many Apple sold compared to Amazon.

 

[ralphthemagi]

Major bummer. I have four of these between home and office. Some odd hate in this thread for this monitor. This has been the best (and only) true 5k display if you exclude the $5000 XDR. I think the worst thing about the LG display is that it's 5 years old and it was STILL selling for $1,299.

I doubt it will happen, but I hope that LG actually makes a refresh of this monitor. One little known and nice thing about the Rev 2 LG display was that it supports DisplayPort (4k max) over USB-C via DP Alt Mode, so you did have some compatibility beyond just Apple devices.

The Rev 1 of the display definitely had some issues, but by Rev 2 they were almost all ironed out. The backlighting isn't the best I've ever seen, but you never really noticed it with daily use and these display have been my main displays for 3-4 years now.

Once I actually got a 5k display I never wanted to go back. I didn't think I would even notice the difference between 185 PPI and 215 PPI, but once you do… it's impossible to go backwards. And now, once again, there is only a single display that has a 200+ PPI for the Mac. AFAIK the Dell 8k display still doesn't work quite right on macOS.

 

[RedTheReader]

I suspect 120 Hz isn't as common in those smaller monitor sizes because they're not in as high demand. Typically these people want bigger monitors I'm guessing.

I know most people, office users, creative professionals, and gamers alike, don't like 24" screens, but super competitive esports-style players often find that size easiest to focus on/least nauseating with fast-paced motion. That's why you can even find 240Hz 1080p and 1440p monitors at that size. I just wish that they'd push the bar with resolution a bit too, so that I could get 4K with those refresh rates!

I suspect in the future I might end up going with a super wide-screen monitor,

Any idea what size and resolution you'd go with?

I can’t believe it’s 2022 and people are still whining about the lack of height-adjustable stands or their outrageous cost. For less than $100 USD, you can get a well-made, fully-adjustable mount for a desk or a wall. If you want the best, you can get an Ergotron arm for not a whole lot more and put the screen exactly where you want it. Buy it once and attach any monitor you want as you upgrade, as nearly every monitor has a VESA mount or an adapter available. This is such a non-issue for anybody who cares about ergonomics.

My desk is built into the wall, so I can't use any arms. I've got nice wainscoting on said wall that I don't want to drill holes into, so mounts aren't an option. That leaves stands, which is why I care about stands. It's non-issue for everyone.

AFAIK the Dell 8k display still doesn't work quite right on macOS.

Yup. Even if it could connect properly (it needs 2 displayport inputs and macOS can't make sense of that for any resolution except 5K, like on the 2014 Dell), macOS doesn't support 300% scaling, which is probably what you'd want to use for that resolution.

 

[EugW]

Any idea what size and resolution you'd go with?

Well, I can't seem to find anything that would work: Something with around 190-205 ppi.

I am just going to stick with my 30" Cinema Display with Mac mini plus 27" 5K iMac for now and then reassess periodically. Here's hoping Apple continues to update their monitor lines. If Apple does eventually release a 29-30" prosumer monitor I might just pick one up even if it is higher ppi, and just work around that.

 

[krifor03]

Apple does not sell 99% of all Apple-compatible monitors (and other accessories). The Apple store has always offered a small, highly curated selection of third-party products. And the LG monitor was never available in the retail stores — only online. I wonder how many Apple sold compared to Amazon.

Ordered my UF5k online and picked it up at my local Apple store same day on the 9th. Many other Apple stores in my area also had them in-stock; as a matter of fact they still do, you just can't order it online for pick up. Obviously once they're out - thats it.

 

[hagar]

I dont think you get it. So thats the concept of all in one. You would be stupid to buy an iMac if you just need the screen. Then you just buy the more affordable LG fine display.

But now they just split the all in one machine that used to be iMac 27 retina/5k into two products that in total are more expensive. And ditched the LG display. And it’s not available where I live anymore. Might be different in India or Brazil… don’t know.

Say I just wanted a screen with 5k and 27”. What are my options then compared to when they were still selling the LG? Pay more and get the studio display. Granted: I also get more (slightly better quality panel, webcam and speakers), but it’s more than I asked for.

That the brilliance of Apple. You’ll need to fork over more money and buy the Mac Studio, Mini or Macbook in combination with the Studio Display.

Or buy the LG display. It’s not because Apple stops selling them, they’ll disappear.