Hands-On With Apple's $4999 Pro Display XDR and $999 Stand

[realtuner]

Color accurate professional monitor. Ships with color inaccurate True Tone enabled by default. Makes complete sense.

Yeah, it’s too bad Apple doesn’t let you change to one of many industry standard reference modes of your choosing. /s

It would be asinine for Apple to make a specific reference mode as the default since they are tailored to the content you’re working with. So having the monitor default to work as a regular monitor (and using True Tone) is the only reasonable (and logical) mode to start as.

What alternative do you suggest the default mode be? Perhaps SMPTE RP 431-2:2011?

 

[69Mustang]

Yeah, it’s too bad Apple doesn’t let you change to one of many industry standard reference modes of your choosing. /s

It would be asinine for Apple to make a specific reference mode as the default since they are tailored to the content you’re working with. So having the monitor default to work as a regular monitor (and using True Tone) is the only reasonable (and logical) mode to start as.

What alternative do you suggest the default mode be? Perhaps SMPTE RP 431-2:2011?

True Tone should be an optional choice, not the default mode imo. Whether or not other modes are available is beside the point. That point being the irony of hyping the professional accuracy of the monitor while presenting the first impression with an intentionally inaccurate mode.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Yup! Everything they release is met with hate comments....no matter what it is.

Hate and anger gives you focus, makes you stronger.

That said, this monitor is dope, and a steal for what it really is.

Now, if only Apple would release the iMac 5k monitor as a standalone....buuut it won't happen because it woul cannibalize sales from this one.
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I’ve transitioned to primarily an iPad Pro as my every day computer but as a photographer, this display with its highly accurate colour and brightness is very very appealing. But how weird would it be to have a display (and stand) 3 times the price of the iPad I’m plugging into it?

Wait, you bought a $2,000 iPad? I thought you guys were a myth...

 

[Ryth]

Color accurate professional monitor. Ships with color inaccurate True Tone enabled by default. Makes complete sense.

Yeah, it’s too bad Apple doesn’t let you change to one of many industry standard reference modes of your choosing. /s

It would be asinine for Apple to make a specific reference mode as the default since they are tailored to the content you’re working with. So having the monitor default to work as a regular monitor (and using True Tone) is the only reasonable (and logical) mode to start as.

What alternative do you suggest the default mode be? Perhaps SMPTE RP 431-2:2011?

69, So I work in post I do editing/gfx...my friend goes color grading.

We have 25k-35k Sony OLED professionally calibrated monitors for their suites.

Clients come in to the suite to review on the $$$ monitors then leave and go home and watch what they just saw on a monitor on their consumer TV/mobile device.

Now most end viewers are now consuming/watching content on their iPad or iPhone or MacBook more than on TVs (which most were never calibrated at home).

Which ‘accurate’ profile is most likely going to match from the suite to end viewer...?

See where I’m going here? Apple to Apple.

So do you see the irony of your statement? You’re complaining about color profiles/accuracy when the reality is the majority other then in a theater NEVER see color accurate content.

That’s the huge downfall my friend talks about...no one sees what it should look like on their consumer devices.

Now there’s a chance they do with this monitor to end user on the same calibrated profile screens to devices.

 

[avkills]

My thoughts are you should use the proper LUT regardless of what the end user watches on. It isn't the responsibility of the content producer to make sure end users calibrate their monitors. Almost everyone I see with newer Samsungs run them with the default settings, which makes everything look uber saturated and plastic looking. Gross.

 

[WozniakDestroyTimCook]

Absolutely horrible for the price, most people prefer to buy a 5K thunderbolt display instead of Apple Pro Display XDR that costs 6 fold.

 

[Ryth]

My thoughts are you should use the proper LUT regardless of what the end user watches on. It isn't the responsibility of the content producer to make sure end users calibrate their monitors. Almost everyone I see with newer Samsungs run them with the default settings, which makes everything look uber saturated and plastic looking. Gross.

That’s the big issue with everything in color...end users don’t see what it should look like...then factor in all the cameras/LUTs etc it’s a mess...
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Absolutely horrible for the price, most people prefer to buy a 5K thunderbolt display instead of Apple Pro Display XDR that costs 6 fold.

I think you’ll see a 5k version coming down the road of the Xdr display

 

[WozniakDestroyTimCook]

I think you’ll see a 5k version coming down the road of the Xdr display

Agreed. Apple needs to resurrect the thunderbolt display and it belongs to sell along with the mac ecosystem.

 

[realtuner]

True Tone should be an optional choice, not the default mode imo. Whether or not other modes are available is beside the point. That point being the irony of hyping the professional accuracy of the monitor while presenting the first impression with an intentionally inaccurate mode.

No, you're just looking for another petty reason to try and bash Apple over some perceived error on their part.

69, So I work in post I do editing/gfx...my friend goes color grading.

We have 25k-35k Sony OLED professionally calibrated monitors for their suites.

Clients come in to the suite to review on the $$$ monitors then leave and go home and watch what they just saw on a monitor on their consumer TV/mobile device.

Now most end viewers are now consuming/watching content on their iPad or iPhone or MacBook more than on TVs (which most were never calibrated at home).

Which ‘accurate’ profile is most likely going to match from the suite to end viewer...?

See where I’m going here? Apple to Apple.

So do you see the irony of your statement? You’re complaining about color profiles/accuracy when the reality is the majority other then in a theater NEVER see color accurate content.

That’s the huge downfall my friend talks about...no one sees what it should look like on their consumer devices.

Now there’s a chance they do with this monitor to end user on the same calibrated profile screens to devices.

With my work in recording studios we always strived for the highest possible sound quality even though many people would listen on the radio or a basic audio system. It's also about taking pride in your work.

For the video side, calibration is also about consistency. Even watching on an iPad or cheap TV a consumer could easily spot if there are differences in color grading from one scene to the next.

 

[69Mustang]

69, So I work in post I do editing/gfx...my friend goes color grading.

We have 25k-35k Sony OLED professionally calibrated monitors for their suites.

Clients come in to the suite to review on the $$$ monitors then leave and go home and watch what they just saw on a monitor on their consumer TV/mobile device.

Now most end viewers are now consuming/watching content on their iPad or iPhone or MacBook more than on TVs (which most were never calibrated at home).

Which ‘accurate’ profile is most likely going to match from the suite to end viewer...?

See where I’m going here? Apple to Apple.

So do you see the irony of your statement? You’re complaining about color profiles/accuracy when the reality is the majority other then in a theater NEVER see color accurate content.

That’s the huge downfall my friend talks about...no one sees what it should look like on their consumer devices.

Now there’s a chance they do with this monitor to end user on the same calibrated profile screens to devices.

None of that makes any sense at all. The vast majority of screens consumers use to view content, Apple and others, don't employ True Tone. So yes, I do see where you're going. Straight idown a blind alley with no exit. True Tone on this monitor does not serve the function you envision in your scenario..

 

[citysnaps]

None of that makes any sense at all. The vast majority of screens consumers use to view content, Apple and others, don't employ True Tone. So yes, I do see where you're going. Straight idown a blind alley with no exit. True Tone on this monitor does not serve the function you envision in your scenario..

Which profile would you recommend Apple set as the default profile? And with respect to True Tone, I don't see that as a biggie being set on.

 

[bill44]

Apple Pro DIsplay XDR vs. Asus PA32UCG

Asus PA32UCG monitor out-specs Apple's Pro Display XDR, at least on paper

The latest ProArt display may not be a shiny work of art, but Asus isn't afraid to make it more functional

www.cnet.com

 

[realtuner]

None of that makes any sense at all. The vast majority of screens consumers use to view content, Apple and others, don't employ True Tone. So yes, I do see where you're going. Straight idown a blind alley with no exit. True Tone on this monitor does not serve the function you envision in your scenario..

True Tone doesn’t serve the function of giving you another talking point to complain about Apple. It’s a non-issue - stop trying to create one from nothing.

 

[69Mustang]

Which profile would you recommend Apple set as the default profile? And with respect to True Tone, I don't see that as a biggie being set on.

Apple could set any profile as the default. I couldn't care less. It's not the point. As I've already stated, my point was highlighting the irony of featuring an inaccurate profile as the default setting on a monitor marketed as a color accurate. You're right. It's not a biggie.
I never treated as a biggie and the comment doesn't read as if I think it is. The comment was a simple quip that triggered some members of the ADF. The ADF getting hot and bothered makes it seem as if it is. I figured if I stopped replying to the ringleader he'd calm down. As of yet, nope. No worry. I figure he'll tire himself out at some point.

 

[wigby]

That still doesn't answer my question of what makes a stand worth that much money

I can completely understand a $5,000 display, however

The answer to your question is that professionals are willing to pay that much for it. Same answer as the monitor and Mac Pro pricing. If you don't understand or agree with their pricing, the product is not for you but that doesn't mean it's not for everyone. But I find it hard to believe you would be willing to pay $5k for a monitor and $10k for the computer and then not pay $1k for a monitor stand based on some principle of what you feel it's worth. I suppose you could go with VESA mounting or engineer your own solution or just lean monitor up against something but the last two options seem more absurd to me than $1k.

There will probably be $500 monitor stand released soon just like there was the OWC SSD upgrade to compete with Apple's own factory option. And most likely, the 3rd party solution will be a bit less polished than Apple's solution. Maybe even $500 less polished.

 

[Abazigal]

That still doesn't answer my question of what makes a stand worth that much money

I can completely understand a $5,000 display, however

It’s buy or do without.

If it helps, see the stand as part of a $6000 monitor package.

 

[VictorTango777]

I do NOT believe Apple developed this for Consumers.

I believe they developed for their Content Partners, & will grant each of them some number of them for FREE.

I ALSO believe the pricing is somewhat similar to what the Pentagon did decades ago when this listed the cost of certain toilets at $20,000 USD !

Does anyone remember the reason for that ?

It's very-likely the same reason this new Display (& Stand) costs what it does !

The fact that Apple even mentions coding or music composing in their advertisement suggests that they actually think people should buy this monitor just for those uses. So instead of criticizing people who complain about the price of the monitor, how about we reexamine the message that Apple itself is sending.

Anyone can look up the prices of $20,000 reference monitors on Google without actually working with one. So my questions for people who actually have professional experience with reference monitors:
1. Is this Apple Pro Display a reference monitor, based on industry accepted definition of the term?
2. Does the Apple Pro Display have all the features that industry professionals come to expect from a reference monitor?
3. If the Apple Pro Display is a reference monitor based on industry accepted definition and Apple can sell it for $5000, does that mean those $20,000 reference monitor manufacturers have been price gouging their customers all along?

 

[ArrayDecay]

I remember those. Sony Trinitron displays and Nubus-based RasterOps display cards. Guessing the Sony weighed about 75 pounds. Bought a bunch for a project at work.

I remember hauling these goddamn giant Sun monitors to the field when I was in the Army. Damn those bastards were heavy.

 

[Oculus Mentis]

Here is a pro Sony monitor: https://pro.sony/en_GB/products/broadcastpromonitors/bvm-x300-v2

It’s 6 to 7 times more pensive than the Apple one. It offers true pro versatility and controls whilst still somehow appearing as a no frills product.

it feels as if Apple, once again, wants to brand this as a pro product more from a marketing perspective rather than a specialistic one.

It would be interesting to see a comparative review...

 

[Unregistered 4U]

When the display is on it'll be a lot less reflective. Even the best matte displays reflect some light

I think that’s a careful distinction that people need to be aware of. Apple isn’t producing anything even remotely like the way matte used to be handled, which was basically the equivalent offrosted or textured glass. They are using regular glass than applying anti-reflective coatings. So, anyone from the old school that even buys the matte option is likely to be disappointed.
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Apple Pro DIsplay XDR vs. Asus PA32UCG

Asus PA32UCG monitor out-specs Apple's Pro Display XDR, at least on paper

The latest ProArt display may not be a shiny work of art, but Asus isn't afraid to make it more functional

www.cnet.com

Wow, not even close. I mean 4k compared to 6k and they’re arguing that the 4k is better. Guess they’ve got to eat some kinda way, so why NOT write something guaranteed to get hits? Probably even got a bonus.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Apple Pro DIsplay XDR vs. Asus PA32UCG

Asus PA32UCG monitor out-specs Apple's Pro Display XDR, at least on paper

The latest ProArt display may not be a shiny work of art, but Asus isn't afraid to make it more functional

www.cnet.com

In what world does 4K out-spec 6K? 🙄 I guess somebody doesn’t understand their “K”s.

The pixel density of the ASUS is much lower, 137 ppi. The XDR’s is 218 ppi.

Cnet clickbait is clickbait.

 

[WozniakDestroyTimCook]

Anyone will find it unacceptable and imbecile that Apple charges $6000 for the display because it can crank up the brightness to 1600nits.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Anyone will find it unacceptable and imbecile that Apple charges $6000 for the display because it can crank up the brightness to 1600nits.

It’s a color-accurate reference monitor. Those who need it will gladly pay the price.

Why that should trigger anyone, who knows 🤷‍♂️

 

[WozniakDestroyTimCook]

It’s a color-accurate reference monitor. Those who need it will gladly pay the price.

It is so bad that the rear need so many hole to keep it from boiling.

 

[faust]

I guess it's a nice monitor and all, but it's just cringe to me because crap like "6K" is as worthless a standard as "5K" was. Seems a bit of a meme to me personally. It would've been cool for them to go with a higher pixel density 4K display or go 8K since I guess that resolution is gonna be a thing sooner than later.