Apple's Pro Display XDR Is Six Years Old Today

[Pezimak]

I'd still love to own one, but not for $6000. And even the used ones I've seen are overpriced.

I saw one on eBay for 1500... but it was broken! The ad said there was something wrong with the power board, if you can fix it 'you will get a bargain'... key word being 'if'.. they are VERY expensive, I considered one second hand then thought why would've boat over 3 grand for a monitor with NO warranty or guarantee it won't stop working after a week.

A beautiful monitor but only worth buying new or refurb from Apple.

 

[BeatCrazy]

In my case I was referring to a Nintendo Switch, which I don't think would work. We have one connected to my current monitor in our home office.

Wife like to play some during her daily downtime and works from home.

Yeah, Switch is it's own proprietary mess, bricking 3rd party docks, etc.

I did get the SteamDeck working on the Studio Display in the past, haven't tried lately.

6K pixels pushed to the Pro Display is a lot of work, so I'm not sure devices that traditionally connect to 4K TVs (Switch) are ever going to be the best fit.

 

[Mactagonist]

Still loving every time I sit down in front of mine. The pain of the initial price is long gone, only the joy of having the best remains!

 

[klasma]

Cool monitor, and looked at buying one, but don't like it's basically proprietary to Apple, and can't take an HDMI input as well as USB-C, for non-computer attachments. I think 32" would have been too big, as well.

I wonder how long people typically keep monitors? I used my Dell 2005FPW for close to 20 years; just retired it earlier this year.

I’m still using a 2707WFP, whose contrast and blacks are only beat by OLED. Later VA panels unfortunately regressed in that aspect. I’m waiting for a 27” 4K WOLED or true-RGB OLED, hopefully next year.

 

[BeatCrazy]

This is mostly because Apple is obsessed with specific PPIs for their displays to achieve Retina sharpness, so any 27" display they offer will be 5K instead of 4K.

4K at 120Hz without compression is achievable using fairly common connection technologies like Thunderbolt 3/4 or HDMI 2.1. (4K at 240Hz like your monitor can achieve can only do so with DSC).

5K at 120Hz needs more bandwidth than the aforementioned technologies can deliver; Thunderbolt 5 or DisplayPort 2.1 can support them without needing DSC.

There aren't even any OEMs that make 5K panels that do 120Hz outside of 5K2K ultra widescreens, but those aren't full 5K resolution and have fewer pixels to drive and thus lower bandwidth requirements. Apple would need to work with an OEM to develop custom 120Hz panels for their eventual offering which drives up component costs.

Now that Thunderbolt 5 is widely deployed on higher end Macs I suspect higher refresh rates will be in the offering.

People were complaining about lack of 120Hz literally since the day the Pro Display was released. Until Thunderbolt 5 was available for Macs (one year ago), there was no path for a 6K/120Hz monitor. Personally, I think such high performance (at present time) could be priced at $8K or more... and people already gripe about the price of the Pro Display.

 

[klasma]

The next version needs to support 5,000+ nits if it wants to be a reference-quality display, as several TVs now support that level of brightness.

Only if you need to do HDR video mastering. For most normal computer use, 500 nits is already plenty.

 

[jayb3]

Last month I gave up on waiting for a iMac 32" 6K and bought myself a 2025 ASUS 32" 6K display at <16% of the this 6yo Apple 32" 6K display price that starts at $5k without matte screen, VESA, stand or 3Y warranty.

Is it as nice as the 2019 Apple display? No! But my use case isn't that edge so at $1,170 it's well worth it.

Now waiting for a 2026 Mac mini M5 Pro to replace this 2019 MBP 16" Pro Core i7.

I did the same. I took a serious look at getting the Pro Display but just could not justify that much $$$ for a 6 year old monitor which could be refreshed somewhat soon. The ASUS is just meh but I love the size and DPI. It will hold me over for now at a fraction of the cost.

Note to Apple: You see what happens when you let products go stale? You lose out on revenue.

 

[AppleMega]

AirPods Max are five years old. USB-C and refreshed colors don't count.

 

[bigglow]

I did the same. I took a serious look at getting the Pro Display but just could not justify that much $$$ for a 6 year old monitor which could be refreshed somewhat soon. The ASUS is just meh but I love the size and DPI. It will hold me over for now at a fraction of the cost.

Note to Apple: You see what happens when you let products go stale? You lose out on revenue.

For the price it's pretty good. Would've been nice if it was glossy to address everyone demanding glossy.

But sales data likely points to better sales # and far fewer returns if it was matte display & not glossy.

Personally? That's like going after the last 1% of performance.

 

[relaxedpanda]

I have two of these with the stands and nano texture, I love them.

I don't expect any trade in options for these when ever there is finally a refresh on them, but beyond not having 120 refresh, I don't have any reason to upgrade. They are extremely competent and accurate panels.

 

[Saturn1995]

I'm old enough to remember when apple cared about more than just their iPhone line.

 

[jole]

I have been using Pro Display XDR for fire years. It remains as amazing today as it was when I bought it.

 

[Alex.ne]

This is mostly because Apple is obsessed with specific PPIs for their displays to achieve Retina sharpness, so any 27" display they offer will be 5K instead of 4K.

4K at 120Hz without compression is achievable using fairly common connection technologies like Thunderbolt 3/4 or HDMI 2.1. (4K at 240Hz like your monitor can achieve can only do so with DSC).

5K at 120Hz needs more bandwidth than the aforementioned technologies can deliver; Thunderbolt 5 or DisplayPort 2.1 can support them without needing DSC.

There aren't even any OEMs that make 5K panels that do 120Hz outside of 5K2K ultra widescreens, but those aren't full 5K resolution and have fewer pixels to drive and thus lower bandwidth requirements. Apple would need to work with an OEM to develop custom 120Hz panels for their eventual offering which drives up component costs.

Now that Thunderbolt 5 is widely deployed on higher end Macs I suspect higher refresh rates will be in the offering.

What is the problem with using in a compression? I believe it is easily achievable on both ends.

 

[minik]

Price hasn't come down, oddly.
Although the wheels for your attached
Mac Pro are now $400.

Still, they're Wheels Of Fortune.

Or a smooth $699 if purchase after receiving the Mac Pro.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

2 years ago, after using 2 Apple Cinema Displays side by side for 10 years, I bought 2 Studio Displays with the height-adjustable arm.

Yes, they are on the expensive side but if you spread the cost over 10 years (assuming these will last as well) the monthly cost isn’t all that much, considering I use these more than 8 hours per day.

Plenty of devices are connected to the displays and they also power my laptop. It’s a clean, enjoyable setup.

 

[bradman83]

I wonder how long people typically keep monitors? I used my Dell 2005FPW for close to 20 years; just retired it earlier this year.

I had a 17" Sony flat screen monitor that I bought in 2004 that I finally retired in 2019 for and replaced with a larger 27" 4K model. There was nothing wrong with it, it was just too small for my needs when I started working from home more often. I don't obsess over refresh rates so I could easily hold onto these monitors for another 15 years.

EDIT: I technically didn't retire the 2004 monitor, it was given to a friend during Covid when monitors were in short supply and everyone was working from home. It may or may not still be in active use.