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PSA: Studio Display Stands Are Not Interchangeable
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Aside from the foolishness of locking you in to one stand option in perpetuity, the Vesa option looks pretty crude! Almost like an after thought.
There was a time when I definitely had to have a matching Apple display for my Mac, but I grew up; I'm more matured and pragmatic now.
It should have had the same magnetic connector as the XDR but could have used a different stand for the lower weight. The XDR weighs 16.5 pounds but the Studio Display only weighs 12.
I wanted to put the Studio Display in portrait mode but the only way to do that is VESA which makes resale nearly impossible and had to move around to different desks too.
The biggest disappointment for me is no Ethernet.
I wanted to put the Studio Display in portrait mode but the only way to do that is VESA which makes resale nearly impossible and had to move around to different desks too.
The biggest disappointment for me is no Ethernet.
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The regular stand should be detachable (for serviceability reasons) so if Apple doesn't provide a VESA-compatible adapter for this monitor, third-parties will definitely provide them. I think the safest, most versatile, and least expensive way is to get the regular stand, as the VESA-compatible adapter will be available reasonably soon.
It may be detachable, just that you will need to take the whole thing apart to reach its assembly from the inside.
Just get the VESA version and be happy.
Still haven't found a nice looking aluminum stand that would match the looks of this monitor.
Yep. I ordered one with VESA mount... We'll see how it goes. The regular stand makes no sense in that it isn't height-adjustable. That always irked me with their display/ iMac designs.
This is super weird that Apple designed the mount/stands to not be interchangeable. Why? Why would they do this? It makes less sense than the Lightning connector location on the Magic Mouse.
Anyway, for those looking for a budget arm or stand solution that's quite good, take a look at the Amazon Basics heavy duty monitor arm. Not sure if the pricing is still the same, but I bought one back in early '18 to hold my iMac Pro and it worked great, was like $75. Still going strong and will hold the Studio Display when it arrives in a few weeks.
All things considered, the display looks rather good other than the mount and stand options. I would have liked it to support 120Hz. But I'm sure they'll save that for the new XDR display when they update the Mac Pro.
That was the iMac Pro which offered an after-purchase VESA option if I remember correctly. The outgoing 5K iMac from 2020 had the same option as the current 24-inch iMac; choose at purchase between a fixed stand and a VESA mount. The VESA option is very solid.
I'm not in the market for this monitor, so I'm not affected one way or the other. However, this sounds like there may be a market for someone to develop a stylish stand that looks/functions like the "tilt-height-adjustable" stand that can mount to the VESA model. Apple has set the price ceiling for a stand like this to be $400.
I'm guessing there are many accessory design firms that are busy cranking out designs, as $400 is a big area to provide something and make a lot of profit. Heck, price it at $200 and these things will fly off the shelf.
I'm guessing there are many accessory design firms that are busy cranking out designs, as $400 is a big area to provide something and make a lot of profit. Heck, price it at $200 and these things will fly off the shelf.
I hear you bro. I have a closet full of monitors with damaged stands. Bad Apple!
As a customer I'm honestly not liking this Apple management team. The the soul of duplicity seams to be king in this new Apple era so much so that can no longer be trusted as they were.
This is purely a money drill design decision with no value added to the function, design or user experience of the product. It is totally manipulative with no content of interested for customers, praying on their ignorance instead of enlightenment!!!
There is no other way to see it. This is not what made this company great and trusted by many.
It is NOT, NOT, NOT and NOT.
PS: If I bought one of these I would go VESA. I'm afraid that will be taken out as an option soon.
This is purely a money drill design decision with no value added to the function, design or user experience of the product. It is totally manipulative with no content of interested for customers, praying on their ignorance instead of enlightenment!!!
There is no other way to see it. This is not what made this company great and trusted by many.
It is NOT, NOT, NOT and NOT.
PS: If I bought one of these I would go VESA. I'm afraid that will be taken out as an option soon.
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VESA mount for the iMac Pro ('17 thru '21) was actually great. It was an overpriced and way over-engineered solution for an extra $200, but great nonetheless.
Not sure why Apple doesn't just integrate the VESA mount and then make their stands attach as any other VESA solution would. Seems like they're reinventing the wheel every time the come out with a new iMac/ display.
I may pay up to $400 for a stand that can be adjusted by the touch of a button.
But no more than $200 for the adjustable version.
It seems entirely possible for a third-party to mill an aluminum ‘L’-stand with the VESA pattern drilled in to it. Someone will produce this, make a decent buck, and then the VESA Studio Display will be even more of a no-brainer.
VESA model is the smart buy, but not being able to switch between stands and VESA really limits flexibility and resale potential.
Very frustrating decision here by Apple
Honestly feels lazy (and wasteful) to not make one monitor that can take all three stand options
Very frustrating decision here by Apple
Honestly feels lazy (and wasteful) to not make one monitor that can take all three stand options
A good point well made, but all this does is highlight that Apple have lost their design chops. Any half decent mechanical engineering team would have designed their first party stand options to attach to the unified VESA coupling on the main body. Anything else is simply bad design, and that, in my view, is the problem.
I am not surprised. 1k for a wheel kit? Stupid polishing cloth? Idiot stands for a monitor, 400? A really fast non upgradeable computer?
Sorry I am done. I like their equipment but stupid (yes I know I said it a lot) minor things make it unsellable.
I'll stay with Dell monitors and generic made computers. I like my iphone and ipad but they are getting too expensive to buy.
Sorry I am done. I like their equipment but stupid (yes I know I said it a lot) minor things make it unsellable.
I'll stay with Dell monitors and generic made computers. I like my iphone and ipad but they are getting too expensive to buy.
"...so it's important to consider your workspace needs at the time of purchase."
Outrageous!
People's workspace needs don't ever change over time, Apple, do they?
An absolutely ridiculous design decision. I've not read all the other comments on here about this but I suspect there will be a lot of people saying that this is a cynical ploy to grab money. Can you blame them?
Shame on you Apple. Appalling.
Only one way to deal with this. Unless you are absolutely certain that you'll never want or need to change your workspace arrangement, go for the VESA version. At least then you have options. You can fit the monitor to any suitable fixed stand, height adjustable stand, or even an arm, as you require. Yes, it does mean that you don't get to have the shiny Apple fixed or height adjustable stand which others will no doubt claim "is a marvel of engineering". But so what. Keep your money in your pocket and vote with your wallet.
Outrageous!
People's workspace needs don't ever change over time, Apple, do they?
An absolutely ridiculous design decision. I've not read all the other comments on here about this but I suspect there will be a lot of people saying that this is a cynical ploy to grab money. Can you blame them?
Shame on you Apple. Appalling.
Only one way to deal with this. Unless you are absolutely certain that you'll never want or need to change your workspace arrangement, go for the VESA version. At least then you have options. You can fit the monitor to any suitable fixed stand, height adjustable stand, or even an arm, as you require. Yes, it does mean that you don't get to have the shiny Apple fixed or height adjustable stand which others will no doubt claim "is a marvel of engineering". But so what. Keep your money in your pocket and vote with your wallet.
No, it's the limitations of engineering. People complained-- mocked-- a monitor that came without a stand, and where the stand was a $999 option. Hardly anyone noticed that said stand was an engineering marvel, and that no other monitor of that size had so much balance, easy re-positioning, and flexibility. Very well. Apple took all to heart, and made a different trade-off; reduced the flexibility, but kept all the other advantages and reduced the price point. This is engineering, folks-- if you don't want to pay for it, you can't have it all.