I do not understand the hate for the studio display

[Zdigital2015]

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.

I can get an ASUS ProArt 5K or a BenQ 5K for less money that can be hooked up to more than one computer if you need and offers nice Professional features without breaking the bank. Given that Apple displays used to be a bit more economical and cutting edge, the Studio Display is just not worthy of the cost it incurs.

 

[jeffg819]

Have two. Would buy them again.

 

[HiVolt]

... you've got an A19 in there with 8GB ram and 128GB storage, which goes without saying is incredibly expensive these days.

I still don't understand why they have to have an A19 silicon in a monitor. To process audio and the webcam? What on earth for? These things are only supported on Apple Silicon Macs, which have plenty of power to process audio and a webcam, and already do in Macbooks & iMacs.

Now, if they had like a "Smart TV" function, like built in Apple TV, since the hardware is already there, it might be worth the extra money.

 

[mwhite]

@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

But my question is, how long will it last? How long will it work until Apple decides it's vintage/obsolete and you can't use it anymore?

 

[tonywalker23]

I’ll be completely honest as to my ASD I bought a few years ago...

I wanted it because it is made out of the same aluminum as the MacBook Pro I already had. It matched. Call me vain, but when I look at the two together it makes me happy.

As to cost, I would not normally have been able to get/justify this but someone graciously paid me to make a video for their organization (I’m no pro at all now, and I wasn’t back then for sure. I don’t think they ever even used what I made). But the money they gave me was enough to buy the ASD with the non-adjustable stand.

None of my needs are professional and I couldn’t tell you specific stats when it comes to video and display and colors, etc… but for the last 4-ish years I guess I have sat down to a silver MBP, ASD, and a keyboard, mouse, and trackpad that all match. And while the rest of the day may turn into stress or surprises, those first few minutes in my office with a cup of coffee and a few minutes reading and thinking have been worth it for me.

 

[mistymac]

Well pegleg I'm going to join the party sooner than I thought. Moved recently and discovered I put a big ol' scratch on this hunk of junk Samsung monitor. ASD will be mine in a few weeks 😛

 

[teh_hunterer]

I still don't understand why they have to have an A19 silicon in a monitor. To process audio and the webcam? What on earth for? These things are only supported on Apple Silicon Macs, which have plenty of power to process audio and a webcam, and already do in Macbooks & iMacs.

Now, if they had like a "Smart TV" function, like built in Apple TV, since the hardware is already there, it might be worth the extra money.

It's pretty odd. You could maybe start to entertain the argument that it was worth it back when they originally started doing it because RAM and storage might not have been that expensive in the grand scheme of things. Maybe they were making such volumes of the iPhone chips that it just didn't make sense to do anything else.

Now though? Truly bizarre.

And yes, an Apple TV mode was a missed opportunity for sure. There are a few things, particularly sports, that only give you full 4k streaming quality on TV apps and look crap in the browser.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

Why?

If a person uses their MacBook for portable computing, but likes a bigger screen when at home, I don't see problem with that.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

I've plugged my Studio Display into my work PC and the camera, speakers and screen all work.

That's great! I would not expect that result.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

People mentioning LG displays in this thread should probably make themselves aware of the contents of this video.

Thanks for posting this. It was an eye opening video, and makes me angry. It's a low life thing to do for both parties involved.

Ethically, it's no different than the kind of person that would put a camera in a bathroom without prominently posting its use before entering the room 😡😡

 

[Harddrive]

I think a lot of times we get caught up in spec wars I know I am guilty so trust your eyes what do they tell you .

 

[Nyx1]

We hate the price not the hardware

 

[963852741]

Give me at least 36" wide screen and i don't care how much it costs.

 

[963852741]

Thanks for posting this. It was an eye opening video, and makes me angry. It's a low life thing to do for both parties involved.

Ethically, it's no different than the kind of person that would put a camera in a bathroom without prominently posting its use before entering the room 😡😡

At least if you are going to use it with Mac or Linux this **** won't install.

 

[theluggage]

I still don't understand why they have to have an A19 silicon in a monitor.

I don't know why people obsess over this - every display in this class, or even close, needs an onboard processor and update-able firmware in Flash storage – so it makes sense for Apple to use one of their own processors. Using iPhone parts that Apple already manufactures (A19)/buys (128GB Flash) in huge quantities offers significant economies of scale vs. buying tiny numbers of more specialised (but maybe less powerful) components just for the Studio Display.

Having the low-level hardware drivers for speakers, webcam (and maybe some display functions) running on the display makes the drivers needed by the Mac and iPad simpler and more abstract. It's easier for Apple to maintain one up-to-date release of Studio Display firmware than maintain and test drivers across every obsolete Mac and MacOS version. This makes it more likely that your Studio Display will still work with new Macs in 10 years time...

Maybe they were making such volumes of the iPhone chips that it just didn't make sense to do anything else.

They still are making huge volumes of iPhone chips (and have supply contacts for huge volumes of 128GB Flash configurations, the smallest that the iPhone goes) so it still makes sense.

And yes, an Apple TV mode was a missed opportunity for sure.

Well, that would be useless without adding adding networking, a remote control and having your Studio Display logged in to your Apple ID - and probably a bunch of HDCP digital restrictions management complications (which are the most likely reason you can't get 4k on some browser apps) and regular forced firmware updates on your display if you want your third party apps to keep working. Sounds like feature creep to me.

We hate the price not the hardware

I think the price would be easier to justify if the Studio Display had a bunch of features that were standard issue in displays costing a fraction of that price, i.e:
A secondary video input (be it USB-C, DisplayPort or HDMI)
Height-adjustable stand as standard
VESA mounting option as standard (it's just 4 threaded holes in the back for pity's sake)
Proper detachable IEC mains cable (a victim of form-over-function).

...the actual display part is still about the best ~27" Mac display available given the combination of 5k3k resolution (still only a handful of alternatives) excellent anti-glare coating (even on the non-nano version) and integrated speakers/mikes that are actually half-decent. True, it doesn't have HDR or high frame rates but then neither does anything else with 5k3k resolution until you get to the Studio Display XDR price range.

Trouble is, it's also true that the bas SD display is 10+ year old technology with a slight incremental polish - so how long before we do see affordable mini/microLED/OLED 5k3k displays? That's a worry if you're trying to justify spending $2k on a display on the basis that it will still be ahead of the game in 5+ years time.

To be fair, that reasoning still applied in 2022 when the original Studio Display came out, and if you bought then it is starting to pay off... My suspicion is that the. 5k3k@27", 6k@32" market is going to remain a mainly-Mac niche because of MacOS's preference for 220ppi resolution. Windows works comfortably at 4k and while 5k looks a bit nicer it's a fairly minor improvement paid for with a lot of extra bandwidth/GPU power, esp. for HDR and HFR. I don't see there being a rush to 8k for personal computer displays - unless you have a 100"+ home cinema TV it's just knocking uo against the limits of the mk 1 eyeball.

 

[kkclstuff]

the ASD '26 is what they should have released in '22. the killing of the iMac27 is what rubbed me the wrong way as I waited endlessly for my upgrade (and was excited to jump onboard the M1 train) —only to have no M1 iMac 27/32" andthat asd'22 as my only option. (yes there were others makers out there).

 

[tornado99]

I noticed better colors and contrast

The ASD has the exact same contrast ratio as every iMac since late 2015. 1200:1, but in reality around 1050:1 to 1100:1. Many people have measured this.

The ASD has the exact same colour gamut as the iMac too - 100% DCI-P3.

The ASD has the same plasma deposited AR coating as the iMac.

The ASD is basically an iMac panel with a brighter backlight.

The other 5K monitors mentioned in this thread all have uniformity and vignetting problems - seems to be inherent to the IPS Black technology in the BOE 5K panel.

When OLED displays get bright enough and sharp enough the reason for wanting an ASD is gone.

I believe this monitor will be very close to that when released. 5K is less important for OLED, and a 300 nit OLED is equivalent to a 400-500 nit IPS due to the perfect contrast.

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[johannnn]

Sure it’s overpriced. No one can deny that.

But you still get a very solid display that works great in the Apple ecosystem.

Compare that with a random non-Apple screen:

LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without user consent - VideoCardz.com

Connecting some LG monitors to a Windows PC may automatically install software that promotes McAfee subscriptions.

videocardz.com

 

[LFO8]

The ASD has the exact same contrast ratio as every iMac since late 2015. 1200:1, but in reality around 1050:1 to 1100:1. Many people have measured this.

The ASD has the exact same colour gamut as the iMac too - 100% DCI-P3.

The ASD has the same plasma deposited AR coating as the iMac.

The ASD is basically an iMac panel with a brighter backlight.

That was my understanding as well. Same display as the iMac.

 

[PegLegDreg]

Supposedly, people are shocked by the price. No, nobody’s shocked. Nobody’s sitting there with a Pikachu face. The price is being criticized, but nobody’s shocked.

And as for your “simplistic claim” that using a button on a Samsung is so terrible that it justifies any price at Apple… sorry, but I’ve never heard anyone make such comparisons. Not even when it comes to other aspects of the monitors.

Why don't you just look at the facts with two popular competitors and compare them, instead of accusing everyone of being nothing but haters? You're already assuming the answer you want.

BenQ MA270s and LG 27GM950B-B 999$
Apple Studio Display 1.599$

LG and BenQ can be adjusted in all directions. With the Apple Studio, you can only adjust the viewing angle.

BenQ offers 70 Hz, LG 120 Hz, and Apple 60 Hz

LG and BenQ can be connected to three computers at the same time, or to one computer plus two monitors.
Apple allows one computer and a maximum of one additional monitor. Provided it supports Thunderbolt. That’s because Apple doesn’t like HDMI or DisplayPort.
(I’ll leave out daisy chaining here)

LG and BenQ have physical buttons and therefore work with any computer. Apple relies on proprietary touch controls, thereby excluding any devices the company no longer favors from use.

Oh, and Apple has proven that its monitors are disposable products. While you can still use a BenQ, LG, or any other monitor 20 years from now, or connect it to a computer from 20 years ago, Apple arbitrarily renders its monitors completely unusable for the own products.

Studio Display (2026) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

Studio Display (2026) - Tech Specs

support.apple.com

Let’s see if you’ll really still be able to use the monitor you bought today for $1,599 in five years. To be fair: Yes, of course. If you also buy the Macs Apple wants you to use.

These are the facts that raise the question of why a built-in camera (which was flawed in the first version) and built-in speakers justify a $1,000 price premium.
($600 if you don’t care about ergonomics)

Just because the design is pretty? Just because the monitor feels “cool”? Or because the marketing hype makes it seem like the device is groundbreaking?

It’s a monitor that relies on proprietary standards and, by design, has software locks to force customers to buy new products.
Of course, if you say: “Hey, a monitor is just like a computer. I replace mine every three years anyway. Debts for the world.” Then it’s a different story. Then you might not care whether the monitor will still work with your current computer in four years. Because until then you will have a new computer.

But I and many other people don’t buy a new monitor every few years. There just isn’t enough progress. Now, after ten years with the Dell UP2715K, there are finally enough innovations to justify a purchase.

And I, like many others, look at the monitor’s technical specs. They’re not competitive. I can get P3 from BenQ, too. LG and even Asus allow for smooth scrolling without any software restrictions. Offer glossy or matte displays.

The market is bigger than just Apple and Samsung. Those two just keep popping up because they have the most aggressive marketing.

Does the screen on the LG and Benq have True Tone and auto brightness that matches the Studio Display? You are not paying for the panel. It looks great. You are paying for the whole package.

 

[PegLegDreg]

Gobsmacked by an inbuilt webcam?

Absolutely. When using an iPad connected to it. You wouldn’t expect it to work as well as it did is what I was trying to convey. No fiddling around choosing which output do I want. It worked beautifully out of the box. THAT is why you are paying extra.

 

[PegLegDreg]

I can get an ASUS ProArt 5K or a BenQ 5K for less money that can be hooked up to more than one computer if you need and offers nice Professional features without breaking the bank. Given that Apple displays used to be a bit more economical and cutting edge, the Studio Display is just not worthy of the cost it incurs.

Fair enough. If you are a professional and can get the features you need for less than it’s understandable. I’m not a professional and enjoy the least possible amount of tweaking lol

 

[PegLegDreg]

That is not missing. My intention was to compare the display panel specs. You're free to collect the other specs and to post them yourself.

The point is that panel specs are not the be all and end all for all people. Most people are not creative professionals they are consumers of content.

 

[PegLegDreg]

As a data point, about 4 years ago, I bought two LG 27" 5k monitors, which I'm very happy with. That said, as they age, I'm noticing more and more dead pixels. At 5k and 27", they are VERY small, so they do not bother me, but I'd be curious as to whether Apple's LG sourced panels are from a higher quality QA batch. At the time, Apple wasn't selling 27" monitors, but soon came out with their own with LG panels at approximately 20% more than LF was charging.

I highly doubt it. If it’s a manufacturing fault it would be across the board.

 

[Petite messe solennelle]

The point is that panel specs are not the be all and end all for all people. Most people are not creative professionals they are consumers of content.

Again, my intention was to compare the display panel specs. You're free to collect the other specs and to post them yourself.