I'm genuinely surprised by the negative reviews of the Studio Display

[Ethosik]

Fortunately, Macs include everything you need to attach whatever display you wish. People complaining about the one they don't want seems kind of petty.

I agree. I have two 27" 1440p 144Hz gaming monitors attached to all my Macs and other computers and do not have any issues. The cost for both those monitors was $850 so slightly more than half the cost of the one Apple monitor. And a proper color calibration later and it is just as good IMO. Plus, I find 60Hz a real eye strain. Ever since I upgraded to 144Hz my eye strain has dramatically improved!

On another note, I am really surprised people complaining so much about the hardwired cable. Apple has a history of this with the extremely popular Thunderbolt display where the data cables and charging cable are hard wired which is far worse IMO than a power cord because I would love to get a cable that has mini-displayport on one side and full displayport on the other side.

 

[anson42]

Well.. yeah. But what I and others were hoping for is something that Apple DID DO in the past. The Thunderbolt Display was basically just a really good display and what we were hoping for is the modern version of that. Instead, we're forced to either pass on a good Apple monitor or pay for a lot of things that we don't care about.

But that is what you got. The TB display had a built in camera and speakers just like the new SD so as an integrated product the SD *is* the next version of the also integrated TB Display. Apple just doesn't make, and probably doesn't want to make, what you're looking for.

 

[anson42]

I could of done without them mentioning modularity, since they are offering "none".

I suppose the term modularity does apply in one specific scenario only: The Studio Display allows any Mac to be connected to it so from the overall "system" perspective, it is modular. But in no way is the Studio itself or the Display modular unless paying $400 for a different stand is considered modular. I'm thinking they needed a third descriptor to add to that presentation and came up with "modularity". Classic presentation padding that I've definitely been guilty of

 

[ignatius345]

I can’t believe how Apple brute forces everyone to buy their products.

They have an event announce the product show the specs and prices. People complain, they buy the product and then complain about the specs and price they knew about when they the purchased it. Amazing.

Actually, you'll notice the people doing the most whinging are armchair designers and pretend supply chain managers who haven't bought the product in question, but really want to clutch their pearls about every design choice. Pretty much every single product announcement they come out like roaches.

This thread was started by someone who did buy the monitor and was reporting back about how it was actually pretty nice to use. Imagine that.

 

[dawnrazor]

This display is targeted to a specific user group with specific needs. For everybody else this is not the display they should be considering..Apple has made this display for all Mac users who want a 27" display at 5k resolution. For those people this is an excellent choice. Is it expensive? Yes! Is it worth it? Yes! Are there other options out there? No, unless you want to spend 1300$ for the LG plastic monitor. This is the truth and despite what everyone here writes or whatever YouTubers say, this display will sell like hot cakes.

I got to agree with this for the most part and would add that the clue is in the name… This is STUDIO display… now that doesn’t mean it is exclusive to people who work in studio environments but its not called the working from home display or wall street dealer display or kids bedroom display…

It’s the Apple Studio display, it’s optimised to work with Apple computers in particular the Mac Studio but also anyone who has a Intel 27” iMac and wants a second display… this is PERFECT… you know because it’s 5K and the iMac is 5K and basically its the same panel so works really well with the iMac…

Is it expensive, it is… is it made for all Apple users, no. In much the same way that the XDR panel is only for high end pro users that can afford it, the Studio display falls into this world albeit more affordable…

Personally I prefer a 27” monitor over 32” but then I have several monitors on my desk including a 24” Sonly OLED A250 and 32” monitors dwarf the Sony and just look ridiculous… also the Studio display will be my second monitor until such time as I’m ready to upgrade my iMac for Mac Studio and then I might buy a second Studio Display and have a mac-boy fangasim … but then the back of my desk is client facing so it’s nice it give them something nice to look at rather than some nasty black plastic monitors…

 

[turbineseaplane]

but also anyone who has a Intel 27” iMac and wants a second display… this is PERFECT…

"perfect"

...except for how the default stands for the iMac 27" and ASM put the screen at different heights

 

[4sallypat]

Actually, you'll notice the people doing the most whinging are armchair designers and pretend supply chain managers who haven't bought the product in question, but really want to clutch their pearls about every design choice. Pretty much every single product announcement they come out like roaches.

This thread was started by someone who did buy the monitor and was reporting back about how it was actually pretty nice to use. Imagine that.

WELL SAID!

And true too.

I love my display and think $1500 (EDU) for the base display is priced perfectly!

 

[astrorider]

But that is what you got. The TB display had a built in camera and speakers just like the new SD so as an integrated product the SD *is* the next version of the also integrated TB Display. Apple just doesn't make, and probably doesn't want to make, what you're looking for.

Exactly...Apple even had an iSight camera and speakers in the LED Cinema Display that came out before the Thunderbolt Display!

 

[clevins]

But that is what you got. The TB display had a built in camera and speakers just like the new SD so as an integrated product the SD *is* the next version of the also integrated TB Display. Apple just doesn't make, and probably doesn't want to make, what you're looking for.

Yes, but the speakers were basic (I don't object to speakers, but these are high end, spatial audio ones.. .which add cost). And they shoved an A13 in there with 64g of storage... Why the hell would I want Hey Siri on my MONITOR?

Give me the camera but without all the center stage stuff (though... eh), basic, decent speaker, nix the Hey Siri crap and give me a screen for $1299. $1600 is silly. It's even sillier when we now live in a world where people are commonly using 2 screens... why would I need 2x the speakers, 2x the Hey Siri?

 

[clevins]

"perfect"

...except for how the default stands for the iMac 27" and ASM put the screen at different heights

Sigh... This is the lack of attention to detail that I fear. Ive, for all his obsession with thinness, kept that extreme attention to detail that Jobs had alive within Apple. It sounds obsessive, but it's one of the basic things that sets Apple apart

 

[anson42]

Exactly...Apple even had an iSight camera and speakers in the LED Cinema Display that came out before the Thunderbolt Display!

I still have one of those! It’s hooked up to my son’s M1 Mac mini with a usb-c to mini DisplayPort adapter. Camera, mic and speakers still work great for Zoom and FaceTime. Have gotten so many years of use from that display. Crap, when I think about it, it’s been in use now for 15 years, I think, and going strong. That’s what my hard earned money paid for back then.

 

[clevins]

What would a “quality” 5K monitor look like to you? mini-LED? That would put it at $3,000 or $4,000, based on large 4K monitors with mini-LED. ProMotion? That would likely require two Thunderbolt ports (similar to the dual-tiled approach that the original LG UltraFine 5K took to achieve 5120x2880), limiting compatibility to newer Macs.

Give me the screen in this display. Basic, 2 channel speakers. Similar enclosure. Drop the hey Siri stuff, drop the 6 channel, spatial audio. I can see the attraction of Center stage but they dropped the ball with the camera quality.

I got to agree with this for the most part and would add that the clue is in the name… This is STUDIO display… now that doesn’t mean it is exclusive to people who work in studio environments but its not called the working from home display or wall street dealer display or kids bedroom display…

(rolles eyes)

 

[clevins]

Actually, you'll notice the people doing the most whinging are armchair designers and pretend supply chain managers who haven't bought the product in question, but really want to clutch their pearls about every design choice. Pretty much every single product announcement they come out like roaches.

This thread was started by someone who did buy the monitor and was reporting back about how it was actually pretty nice to use. Imagine that.

Awww, did we hurt your feelings? Does it upset you to have people discuss things about Apple products that they don't like?

No one is saying it's not a good monitor. Some of us are saying it's overstuffed with things that are of marginal usto use and that those things drove the price up. Why that upsets you is something to work out with your therapist.

 

[anson42]

Give me the camera but without all the center stage stuff (though... eh), basic, decent speaker, nix the Hey Siri crap and give me a screen for $1299. $1600 is silly. It's even sillier when we now live in a world where people are commonly using 2 screens... why would I need 2x the speakers, 2x the Hey Siri?

Cool, I think you've talked yourself out of buying the SD quite a bit now. Hey, I'm not buying one either because I'm happy with my ultra-wide setup, and that's a form factor I really don't think Apple is going to do. But I do see the new SD's merits even if it isn't for me, and I suspect Apple is going to sell quite a few of them.

 

[clevins]

Cool, I think you've talked yourself out of buying the SD quite a bit now. Hey, I'm not buying one either because I'm happy with my ultra-wide setup, and that's a form factor I really don't think Apple is going to do. But I do see the new SD's merits even if it isn't for me, and I suspect Apple is going to sell quite a few of them.

Yep. I think for people who value enough of what the SD has, it's a very good device.

 

[dawnrazor]

"perfect"

...except for how the default stands for the iMac 27" and ASM put the screen at different heights

well at least they don’t wobble like the Ultrafine ?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Sigh... This is the lack of attention to detail that I fear. Ive, for all his obsession with thinness, kept that extreme attention to detail that Jobs had alive within Apple. It sounds obsessive, but it's one of the basic things that sets Apple apart

I’d be willing to guess that there was more focus on making sure it looked good next to the computer they’re still selling than it was to align with one they’re no longer selling. I’ve seen a couple example images and it does have a balanced look to it, but those were copy/pasted images, not a photo. I’ll drop by an Apple Store for some eyes on.

UPDATE: Image a few posts below shows an almost uncanny alignment with the discontinued 27” iMac. Certainly not something I’d expected they did, but there you are.

 

[ozthegweat]

Why the hell would I want Hey Siri on my MONITOR?

You might not, but people with Macs that don't support it might. A lot of the "added stuff" are basically things people with a desktop Mac have missed out on compared to Mac laptop and/or iPad users (True Tone, brightness sensor, Center Stage, Hey Siri).

 

[ozthegweat]

"perfect"

...except for how the default stands for the iMac 27" and ASM put the screen at different heights

What about this picture I found somewhere (posted it to a Slack channel some time this week, sorry I can't tell you the source anymore)? The display area is aligned perfectly, no? But could be that this is the ASD with height-adjustable stand…

 

[Unregistered 4U]

What about this picture I found somewhere (posted it to a Slack channel some time this week, sorry I can't tell you the source anymore)? Aligned perfectly, no?

View attachment 1979676

Huh… from the discussions here (and not having one myself) I would NOT have thought that the actual panels were practically the same height. Yeah, the monitor housing is lower, but then again, the bezel is thinner, too. Thanks for the image!

 

[m.x]

What about this picture I found somewhere (posted it to a Slack channel some time this week, sorry I can't tell you the source anymore)? The display area is aligned perfectly, no? But could be that this is the ASD with height-adjustable stand…

View attachment 1979676

That's the height-adjustable stand.
Here's how it looks out of the box (I'm sorry for the hideous wallpaper):

 

[m.x]

Sigh... This is the lack of attention to detail that I fear. Ive, for all his obsession with thinness, kept that extreme attention to detail that Jobs had alive within Apple. It sounds obsessive, but it's one of the basic things that sets Apple apart

Well, that's not true. The Thunderbolt Display and the 27" iMac were never the same height, there's even a Stackexange discussion how to match them. And the display was released in 2011, when Ive was there and Jobs was alive.

Source (Apple Support Communities - Connecting A1407 Thunderbolt Apple display)

 

[ozthegweat]

That's the height-adjustable stand.
Here's how it looks out of the box (I'm sorry for the hideous wallpaper):
View attachment 1979701

Ah OK, thanks for clearing that up!

 

[MayaTlab]

I would agree. The Asus 27” miniLED is $3k and we know an Apple version won’t be cheaper.

Strictly speaking the Asus doesn't use mini-LED, the number of zones isn't enough. It's similar to the XDR backlight, which these days you'll find in monitors below the $2000 mark : https://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-...oth-gamers-and-content-creators.589845.0.html
(That said mini-LED displays rely heavily on the quality of the local dimming algorithm and I'm skeptical Acer will do a particularly good job of it).

A 500 zones local dimming version of the Studio Display could have easily come at the $2500 mark in early 2022, and by the end of it should rather come at the $2000 one or so.

I would expect a true mini-LED display (ie same density as the MBP, thousands of zones over a 27" / 32" displays) to be considerably more expensive and come in the form of a revision of the XDR display (which desperately needs it to be comparable to the reference monitor Apple pitted it against in their presentation).

 

[MayaTlab]

Appears to be improved and allowing for HDR viewing

It doesn't. The contrast ratio isn't high enough. It isn't because Youtube for some reason allows the HDR content to be enabled on such monitors that you're actually experiencing HDR .