Apple Studio Display Contains 64GB of Storage, But Only 2GB Used

[MacRumors]

Apple's Studio Display contains 64GB of onboard storage, but only 2GB are actually used by the display, a developer has discovered.

As highlighted by developer "Khaos Tian" on Twitter, the Studio Display only uses 2GB of its 64GB of internal NAND storage. Some free space is likely needed for firmware updates, but the 62GB of unused space is seemingly otherwise useless at the current time. Apple has not confirmed the quantity of the Studio Display's internal storage in its technical specifications.

Image via @KhaosT​

The discovery may be unsurprising given that the Studio Display contains an A13 Bionic chip. The A13 Bionic was introduced with the iPhone 11 lineup in 2019, before being offered in the second-generation iPhone SE and the ninth-generation iPad. None of these devices have ever been available in any storage configurations below 64GB, which may suggest that smaller quantities of NAND storage are incompatible with the A13's storage controller.

Economies of scale may also be responsible, with production costs for pairing the A13 with a smaller amount of storage potentially costing more than the same 64GB system currently used in the iPhone 11 that is still on sale and the ninth-generation iPad.

The finding means that, overall, the Studio Display contains the exact same 2.65GHz A13 Bionic chip, 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera setup with Center Stage, and 64GB base configuration of storage as the ninth-generation iPad. It is also now clear that the Studio Display has better specifications than the second-generation Apple TV 4K, which sports an A12 Bionic chip and a base storage configuration of just 32GB.

Last week, it emerged that the Studio Display runs the full version of iOS 15.4, with the exact same build used by the iPhone and iPad, meaning that updates to the display's functionality will come as part of iOS updates.

Article Link: Apple Studio Display Contains 64GB of Storage, But Only 2GB Used

 

[berrymetal]

I can't believer they're only offering 64GB versions, hello apple it's 2022! 64GB is very little!

 

[Gazsi]

sounds like surprises are coming! I guess we'll hear more about these hidden capabilities at WWDC!

 

[Gazsi]

I can't believer they're only offering 64GB versions, hello apple it's 2022! 64GB is very little!

not sure if sarcasm or something more sad

 

[akbarali.ch]

I have a feeling this Studio Display is something else disguised as Display, i mean, it is going expand its functions/role in the ecosystem and so they are charging so much for it.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

sounds like surprises are coming! I guess we'll hear more about these hidden capabilities at WWDC!

I doubt it, As was mentioned in the article 64GB is the minimum storage for the A13 so just a cost thing than develop a new chip

 

[akbarali.ch]

I can't believer they're only offering 64GB versions, hello apple it's 2022! 64GB is very little!

Yes, its quite less, A display's storage should at 512GB

 

[thekeyring]

I know this is a n00b comment but I’m still interested by how iOS is able to present itself on different devices.

Windows is Windows on a 10” laptop or a 30” display. iOS works the same way with iPhone sizes but goes through a metamorphosis when jumping to iPad size.

 

[idmean]

I have a feeling this Studio Display is something else disguised as Display, i mean, it is going expand its functions/role in the ecosystem and so they are charging so much for it.

It's always a good marketing strategy to seemingly overcharge people and only later reveal what they've purchased! Always works!

 

[opeter]

I have a feeling this Studio Display is something else disguised as Display, i mean, it is going expand its functions/role in the ecosystem and so they are charging so much for it.

Of course. It is a fully-fledged surveillance device, approved by the NSA. Not to speak of the consumer/prosumer is happily paying for it 😉

 

[t0rqx]

Mac Micro inside.

 

[idmean]

I know this is a n00b comment but I’m still interested by how iOS is able to present itself on different devices.

Windows is Windows on a 10” laptop or a 30” display. iOS works the same way with iPhone sizes but goes through a metamorphosis when jumping to iPad size.

Because they designed a separate user interface for iPhone and iPad and then implemented it (i.e. paid software engineers to make it work)? Where's the magic?

 

[falkon-engine]

It needs airplay and/or tvOS functionality. That would be dope. What if apple will actually release a tv with tvOS inside?

 

[alexqndr]

I am surprised it doesn't have Face ID despite the A15 chip inside. I am starting to doubt we'll ever see it on macOS.

 

[dysamoria]

It’s getting to where it’s almost impossible to hide just how arbitrary Apple’s limits are when imposed upon hardware by software. This thing could’ve been an Apple TV (without the need for a display).

This thing seems stupidly over-engineered and then intentionally crippled. Or maybe this isn’t engineering. Maybe it’s laziness/convenience and price gouging, because they have all these over-featured parts to use instead of something focused, less complicated, and less expensive.

 

[Bustycat]

Literally a device with many wasted components.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Given Apples usual RAM prices, we now know why the Studio Display is so expensive!

 

[darinzook]

While not surprising, this is quite interesting. You have to wonder if this is intentional, for future use and software updates? Or if its just a byproduct of the A13 Bionic SoC they used...

 

[KPOM]

So they basically put an iPhone 11 logic board in the Apple Studio Display.

 

[troublador]

I know this is a n00b comment but I’m still interested by how iOS is able to present itself on different devices.

Windows is Windows on a 10” laptop or a 30” display. iOS works the same way with iPhone sizes but goes through a metamorphosis when jumping to iPad size.

iOS and iPadOS are separate things.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

I'm starting to wonder, if a 27" iMac (Pro) would really be THAT expensive? A version with M1 Pro, starting at around $2500 seems quite plausible.

 

[Reggaenald]

This entire thing seems so silly. Unbelievable.

 

[alexqndr]

face id

It’s getting to where it’s almost impossible to hide just how arbitrary Apple’s limits are when imposed upon hardware by software. This thing could’ve been an Apple TV (without the need for a display).

This thing seems stupidly over-engineered and then intentionally crippled. Or maybe this isn’t engineering. Maybe it’s laziness/convenience and price gouging, because they have all these over-featured parts to use instead of something focused, less complicated, and less expensive.

Apple is increasingly chocking the capabilities of their tech. Here's another example:

I think there are good reasons to do so, I'd be so curios to know what they are!

 

[jtopp]

not sure if sarcasm or something more sad

It’s something more sad.

 

[BigMac?]

From what we learned so far, Apple missed some opportunity by not including WiFi/BT:
Think of this:
Sidecar: connecting the external display just by click and not by cable