Generally agree, but in this case I think the presumptions are reasonable. Seeing it at CES shows that they are capable of manufacturing it, and at least at some level have it functional for display, so it's not just an unsubstantiated press release.
On your other points, I think the key is to remember that being a 220 ppi display really pins this as a Mac-focused product. And if you are catering to Mac users, matching the aesthetic of what they already have is a huge bonus. (Remember how much reviews panned the LG UltraFine 5K for this?) "Copying the look" is a GOOD thing here.
Likewise, because of this, it's safe to assume the price will be lower than the Apple Studio Display. If they priced it at parity with the ASD, nearly every buyer who didn't need the S9's input flexibility would simply go with the proven first-party option. The S9 has to be cheaper, or it doesn't have a market at all.
I suppose it all boils down to perspective (pun intended?). While I agree the odds of being released increases with being displayed at CES, the S9 would not be the first product to be shown and not released. But my point is more, let's judge it when it actually is available. It seems premature to be making so much noise as the SD killer. But that's marketing, and the tech reviewers who clearly have been influenced by the manufacturer is telling.
I chuckled at your
huge bonus comment. What something looks like
rarely impacts my tech buying decision. First criteria is performance. Second is cost. Distant third is appearance, and I can't remember rejecting anything because it was too ugly. Shrugs. I do agree a lot of people these days seem to put fashion over function. But even there, being a
close fit to my existing SD is likely to trigger my limited sense of fashion, either match, or don't. close is just an irritation. And when I looked at the LG ultra fine the only thing that held me back was the numerous technical difficulties it had (wifi etc), and that it was wobbly. not the bezel or whatever stupid thing 'critics' panned on appearance. And if I don't have a SD sitting side by side, again, knock off just screams, 'did I fool you into thinking I got the real thing?'
And finally price. Yep. It is safe to assume it will be cheaper. and for some that might be enough. Not for me. I could care less if I save a couple of hundred on something I am likely to be using for years to come. My eyes deserve it.
A lot of people criticize the SD because it is NOT a straight monitor, but has a computer chip controlling a lot of the functions. Yet, in the 'reviews' of the S9 no one mentions the S9 is also clearly run by its own computer, if it has all those smart tv functions built in. Which, yeah, has me concerned on privacy, after trying to minimize my Alphabet soup presence on my computer, the last thing I want to do is invite them into my monitor. So all that is a negative to me.
All this to mean, I will be carefully watching actual hands on reviews and data once the S9 is released. First criteria, Does it really performs as good or better than the SD? Do I want that matte screen? is it as sturdy sitting on my desk? Second criteria, is it substantially cheaper to be worth the difference when spread out over 6 years. Third, can I be sure when the third party software is disabled its not really phoning home my data?
Appearance? Wish it wasn't a knock off. That's just cheap.
