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I do not understand the hate for the studio display

P

PegLegDreg

macrumors regular
Original poster
I recently purchased a Studio Display 2026. It works flawlessly with both my MacBook and iPad with zero configuration and looks and sounds great. It looks cool. I thought that was the whole reason people liked Apple (it just works).

Why are people so shocked by the price of this thing? Why is it that when it comes to monitors people suddenly start saying that the Apple experience does not matter and that it is far superior to use a Samsung monitor with a thumb nub on the back that you have to use to change any settings? Bit simplistic but I’m genuinely baffled by the response to this monitor’s release considering the audience it is targeted at.
 
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They use to sell you a nearly identical 5K panel + an entire computer and peripherals for just a few hundred dollars more (27" iMac)

It's also just a regular, low-contrast IPS display running @ 60Hz. I say this as someone who enjoys using one every day, but I'm not going to pretend this thing is a great value at retail price or makes sense for most people.
 
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PegLegDreg said:
Why are people so shocked by the price of this thing?
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I'm not shocked by the price, Apple has clearly shown what their priority is when they charged a 1,000 dollars for a monitor stand, and 700 dollars for wheels for your mac pro (may the MP rest in peace).

As monitors go, given the price there were better alternatives that cost a lot less then what Apple is charging.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but they use an LG panel, so why not look for other monitors that use the same display panel.
 
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@maflynn “…they use an LG panel, so why not look for other monitors that use the same display panel.”

Apple get LG to build screen panels to their own specification and with their own higher standard of quality control.
So these panel’s don’t appear in other manufacturer’s products - not even LG themselves, except in the discontinued LG Ultrafine 5K, which was permitted with a different panel format, to be sold in Apple Stores up until Apple produced their own standalone display.

For LG’s new 5K/165-330 monitor they are using a BOE panel, to get the dual-mode.
 
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PegLegDreg said:
I recently purchased a Studio Display 2026. It works flawlessly with both my MacBook and iPad with zero configuration and looks and sounds great. It looks cool. I thought that was the whole reason people liked Apple (it just works).

Why are people so shocked by the price of this thing? Why is it that when it comes to monitors people suddenly start saying that the Apple experience does not matter and that it is far superior to use a Samsung monitor with a thumb nub on the back that you have to use to change any settings? Bit simplistic but I’m genuinely baffled by the response to this monitor’s release considering the audience it is targeted at.
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if you are happy with it - that's all that matters.
I've had mine since later 2022 and am absolutely happy with it.
 
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I've had one since launch and I love it. You will not find another monitor as sharp, uniform, and color-accurate as the Studio Display. Only one other display is better, which is the XDR. As for the iMac comparison, that is simply untrue. I noticed better colors and contrast, plus it is 600 nits versus 500. Contrary to popular belief, they are not the same panel. The refresh rate is not as big of a deal as people make it out to be; at such a large scale, you will not be scrolling or moving around as fast as you would on a smaller display. Even when using a MacBook Pro, I don't notice it as much. Apple displays have always been expensive, that is nothing new. They are not for everyone, and that has always been the case.
 
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PegLegDreg said:
I recently purchased a Studio Display 2026. It works flawlessly with both my MacBook and iPad with zero configuration and looks and sounds great. It looks cool. I thought that was the whole reason people liked Apple (it just works).

Why are people so shocked by the price of this thing? Why is it that when it comes to monitors people suddenly start saying that the Apple experience does not matter and that it is far superior to use a Samsung monitor with a thumb nub on the back that you have to use to change any settings? Bit simplistic but I’m genuinely baffled by the response to this monitor’s release considering the audience it is targeted at.
Click to expand...
Because it is ridiculously overpriced compared to what is on the market, offers NOTHING above the market offerings, and in some ways offers less (like not having a VESA mount by default, or a removable stand).

Unless you're buying the XDR model for specific needs, the standard model is an absolute sucker purchase.
 
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@Gorlammi I wouldn't say it's an absolute sucker purchase, especially now that you can get one on the apple refurb store for $1200. It depends on what you value.

It has many nice qualities: integration with macOS (brightness/volume) , instant wake, excellent sharpness with the best anti-reflective coating, color accurate and bright, good panel uniformity, enough power from built-in PSU to quick charge your macbook, and (imo) best looking design and build qualiity of any display on the market.

I just wish it had a higher contrast ratio... and now you can shell out for an XDR if you want that lol
 
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jabbr said:
@Gorlammi I wouldn't say it's an absolute sucker purchase, especially now that you can get one on the apple refurb store for $1200. It depends on what you value.

It has many nice qualities: integration with macOS (brightness/volume) , instant wake, excellent sharpness with the best anti-reflective coating, color accurate and bright, good panel uniformity, enough power from built-in PSU to quick charge your macbook, and (imo) best looking design and build qualiity of any display on the market.

I just wish it had a higher contrast ratio... and now you can shell out for an XDR if you want that lol
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I don't know who is going to buy a refurb display. The studio display starts at $1,600 and you either have no VESA option with a permanently attached stand...or you buy the VESA mount option at the same price (apparently forgoing the "free" stand). That kind of inflexibility is insane for a monitor at any price, let alone this price.

For $300 less, you can get a 32" 6K display from LG, which is a far better product overall.
 
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@Gorlammi the apple refurb store has identical (if not better) quality control

If you read through the reviews on that LG you’ll see numerous complaints about the matte coating (defeating the high PPI), poor uniformity, mid brightness. Poor uniformity is typical for those ips black panels and that alone would stop me from buying one.

As far as the stand goes, it’s a great stand in that there is zero wobble, unlike every other monitor stand I’ve ever used. You can also get it swapped for VESA at an Apple Store.
 
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I just sold and replace my 2022 model so I can explain why. For me first and foremost it was a sizing upgrade to 6K 32” but in the process, I found my 32” to be just as color accurate but more crisp, better blacks/contrast, similar uniformity, narrower bezel, adjustable height and rotation. Sure I lost a crappy useless webcam and good speakers but I think you get the point… If it was half the price I would understand but at the current offering it’s hard to justify.

Nothing wrong with the ASD but there are better in many ways, bigger, cheaper choices out there.
 
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It costs too much for what it does. It's an outdated 60hz IPS panel.

There are legitimate reasons it costs Apple a lot to make. 5k panels are rare and thus cost more because they're made in lower volume, plus you've got an A19 in there with 8GB ram and 128GB storage, which goes without saying is incredibly expensive these days.

While Apple may not be charging an unfair amount based on the cost to make it, the value just isn't there for most consumers.
 
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PegLegDreg said:
I recently purchased a Studio Display 2026. It works flawlessly with both my MacBook and iPad with zero configuration and looks and sounds great. It looks cool. I thought that was the whole reason people liked Apple (it just works).

Why are people so shocked by the price of this thing? Why is it that when it comes to monitors people suddenly start saying that the Apple experience does not matter and that it is far superior to use a Samsung monitor with a thumb nub on the back that you have to use to change any settings? Bit simplistic but I’m genuinely baffled by the response to this monitor’s release considering the audience it is targeted at.
Click to expand...
I have the previous model. I love mine. Enjoy. Ignore the haters.
 
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I bought a couple ASD's over the years at about 2/3 the price. Overpriced, but the best for that niche.

Not a gamer display. I fact, not being a gamer, I get a bit confused about how many monitors are gamer displays, as this complicates the selection process. But really, there are lots of great monitors similar to the ASD.
 
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For browsing the web, checking email, watching YouTube, and streaming movies, the standard Studio Display does the job just fine. It also makes your office or desk look incredibly professional and stylish. Honestly, it might be the best investment in the world if you want everyone to know how professional you are and how great your taste is.
No, I don’t hate it at all. I’d absolutely call it a smart buy.
 
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ddhhddhh2 said:
For browsing the web, checking email, watching YouTube, and streaming movies, the standard Studio Display does the job just fine.
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That is not correct. The iMac (Retina and Non-Retina) has been used for years for professional design work and photo and video editing. The Studio Display was marketed alongside the Mac Studio as Apple's answer for a Pro Apple Silicon workstation. Saying that it's only intended for basic tasks is absurd and goes complexly against the original intention of the display. With that being said, the old XDR display was a niche product, which is why many Pros went for the Studio Display instead. Based on how the new XDR is priced, that isn't going to change anytime soon.
 
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