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Apple’s 5K Thunderbolt Display Could Include Its Own Graphics Card
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Well I have one. i followed up on a bug report that is causing me lots of problems and was told to wait for the next iOS release. That was a shock, first because it is the first time in ever that someone at Apple actually responded, and second because they made it sound like it could come anytime, which I assume will be WWDC.
This is seriously a brilliant idea, and frankly, the only way that anyone wanting to use a Mac for more than just the basics will be able to do so on something that isn't either a 27" iMac, a high-end 15" MacBook Pro, or a Mac Pro.
I'd say it would depend on the graphics card used, upgradability of that card, and supported connections... The right combination of these could get more people to open their wallets wider...
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Why do people say stuff like this when it's right in the article that they HAVE done things by half before...
So if I want to buy the current Thunderbolt Display used for cheap, when do you guys think would be the best time to do that?
Nope. This won't satisfy gamers. Not only will it be expensive as hell, monitors usually outlast graphics cards by quite a long time. I've had my current monitor for probably my last 3 GPUs. This solution means you'll have to replace your monitor when you want to upgrade your GPU. The only way to satisfy gamers is to give them a solution that allows them to run high-end GPUs and independently upgrade them. Thus, I use Windows for gaming.
They should really consider dropping thunderbolt so PCs can also make use of their monitor. I am typically all game for dropping large amount of cash on a monitor but I cannot imagine buying a monitor that may or may not support the tech I currently/will have in the future. I currently have a thunderbolt monitor sitting on my second desk because I need a monitor that can work with both PC and Mac as my desk can only accommodate just one.
A non-upgradeable video card inside of a monitor will not make gamers stop complaining.
I think you're confusing ports (hardware) and interfaces (not hardware).
Thunderbolt isn't a port, it's an interface. In very very simplistic terms, and interface is just a predefined set of commands and ways to respond to the commands. It can be implemented on any number of ports. Officially, Thunderbolt has been implemented on MiniDisplayport ports (for versions 1 and 2) and USB-C ports (for version 3). Not all USB-C ports support the Thunderbolt 3 interface; but (I think) all devices that support the Thunderbolt 3 interface will have a USB-C port.
Both those ports also support other interfaces. USB is both a set of hardware ports, but is also an interface specification. Likewise, the DisplayPort 1.2 interface works on the MiniDisplayport hardware port.
As another example, HDMI is also both an interface and a port. But, the HDMI interface is sometimes implemented on other hardware ports, like where it is implemented on the MiniDisplayport hardware ports on Macbook Airs so that you can use a plain cheap dumb adapter (as opposed to a powered smart adapter) to connect the Macbook Air to a TVs HDMI port.
It's sort of confusing, because really the hardware ports have been mattering less and less. The important thing is that whatever accessory you are using and the computer it is being used with (and to some extend the cable) all support the same interface version. I don't look at the physical ports present on my Mac so much as I look at the interfaces supported and the capabilities and compatibilities of those interfaces.
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Exactly. And nothing lasts forever.
You might get by with 5K resolution for a while... but GPUs get faster over time.
It's the same general argument with an all-in-one computer like an iMac. The screen is still good... but the internals get outdated. You end up having to get rid of the whole thing.
Things built into other things are rarely a good idea.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
If they put a graphics card inside of a new display, can they eject the graphics card out of- say- the next Mac Mini to roll out a "thinner" Mini?
Can they eject the dedicated graphics card separate from Intel's "built in" graphics in the next rMB Pro?
...and so on. In other words, kicking more demanding graphics cards out of Macs would allow them to make them "thinner" while keeping the "same great battery life" on smaller batteries (because those batteries don't have to power using the better graphics cards). And everyone wanting more graphics horsepower would be somewhat obligated to buy THIS monitor from Apple rather than just any old monitor not built this way. Hmmmm.
I know, I know... Apple would never plot such stuff. I'm sorry, you are soooooo right. Now pass me that Lightning adapter there so I can connect my new iPhone 7 Lightning-terminated, Beats headphones with my Apple Mac (Beats only because all of the other lower-cost brands are still waiting for Apple approvals for months after the "7" launches)
Can they eject the dedicated graphics card separate from Intel's "built in" graphics in the next rMB Pro?
...and so on. In other words, kicking more demanding graphics cards out of Macs would allow them to make them "thinner" while keeping the "same great battery life" on smaller batteries (because those batteries don't have to power using the better graphics cards). And everyone wanting more graphics horsepower would be somewhat obligated to buy THIS monitor from Apple rather than just any old monitor not built this way. Hmmmm.
I know, I know... Apple would never plot such stuff. I'm sorry, you are soooooo right. Now pass me that Lightning adapter there so I can connect my new iPhone 7 Lightning-terminated, Beats headphones with my Apple Mac (Beats only because all of the other lower-cost brands are still waiting for Apple approvals for months after the "7" launches)
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For that money i can get me two(2) non 4k displays, but great, which can be auto color calibrated over an interface.
Apple is totally moving into the wrong direction, and losing loyal pro customers for non loyal hipsters and posers.
I see them already not being able to pay the bills of that campus in 10-20 years or at least in the need to make few cuts.
Maybe the high end Macbook Pros and iMacs and Mac Minis and Mac Pros will continue to have discrete GPUs so this will be a non-issue. Remember how initially only discrete GPU devices from Apple could use 4K monitors at 60 Hz. However, it would be a unique niche to be able to support 4K from lower end devices.
Can USB 3c drive this? You'd need 40 gigabits/sec one way... else it's back to low refresh rates.
I can ensure you that Apple has no intention of providing monitors for (Windows) PCs. Apart from dual-use cases as mentioned by you, I am not aware of any PC users having bought a monitor from Apple in the last decade.
Can you imagine just how much Apple would charge for a 5K monitor with built in graphics card! It charges as much as a Mac computer already for the current display, or near enough.
It sounds like a great idea but I would fear the cost would be far to astronomical for it to be a mainstream option for people.
It sounds like a great idea but I would fear the cost would be far to astronomical for it to be a mainstream option for people.
It will likely be no more than the 27" 5K iMac. That's $1,799. My guess is it will be a little less.
I wrote about this theory in February. You're welcome to read my analysis if you're interested in the details here:
https://medium.com/@Marc.Morissette...k-thunderbolt-display-299433fda27e#.nhgjf1ul6
https://medium.com/@Marc.Morissette...k-thunderbolt-display-299433fda27e#.nhgjf1ul6
Thats something i dislike, because their panel colors will never match each other.
Multi Display Setups must all be of the same display/panel type, and +- of the same production lot.
At least its what i usually demand for professional environments.