Apple Studio Display noise issue?

[johnscully]

Hi, wanted to get an Apple Studio Display to use with my MacBook Air M3, though I read about audible fan or coil whine noise with the Studio Display. Is this a common issue even with the 2026 model?

As I want a quiet office room, audible noise at normal desk distance would be a no go. For reference: In the past I sent back an iMac M1 and an older intel iMac because the fan noise even in idle mode was too loud for my taste. Is the Studio Display comparable loud?

 

[Macintosh101]

I’ve never once heard any audible fan noise, or coil whine, from any of my Apple Studio Displays.

 

[Ifti]

The fan in the Studio Display never seems to stop, but you can hardly hear it. I only ever hear mine if I move my ear right up to the top left edge of the screen.......which you're never going to do normally! Otherwise, at normal viewing distance, it's silent.

 

[johnscully]

Thanks for the feedback. There are noise reports from users on Reddit (among others), at Apple and also here on MacRumors, even on a MacRumors news report from a couple years ago.

That's why I'm hesitant to buy and checking alternative options like the BenQ MA270S.

 

[TheBigApple2006]

What about the XDR? Does that make any noise in a quiet environment? Mine is rather quiet, which also makes me hesitant. I went through two 2022 Studio Display and could hear both of them, I wonder whether the XDR would be any different, in normal desktop usage (not HDR).