Studio Display Supports 5th-Gen iPad Air, But Not the 4th-Gen or the iPad Mini 6 [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Update: Apple has since confirmed to MacRumors that plugging in a fourth-generation iPad Air or iPad mini 6 into the Studio Display will result in a downscaled 1440p output.



According to Apple, the new 27-inch 5K Studio Display supports a range of Macs going back to 2016 MacBook Pro models, but its compatibility with iPads is notably limited to the 11-inch iPad Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro (third-generation and later), and the new fifth-generation iPad Air.

This limitation has left some Apple users wondering why other iPad models with USB-C like the fourth-generation iPad Air and latest iPad mini aren't compatible with the Studio Display. Basically, it comes down to data throughput.

The iPad Pro models supported by the Studio Display feature USB-C with 10Gbps throughput (also known as USB 2.1 Gen 2), whereas the fourth-generation iPad Air and iPad mini 6 include a USB 3.1 Gen 1 5Gbps USB-C connection. This connectivity standard supports a single external display with up to 4K resolution at 30Hz.

By contrast, the new iPad Air uses a USB 3.1 Gen 2 connector, which doubles its data throughput compared to the model it replaces, matching the USB 2.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) of the compatible iPad Pro models. Hence these devices are able to support the Studio Display's output.

It's unclear at present whether connecting an unsupported USB-C iPad would output a degraded picture or simply nothing at all, but suffice to say, customers should heed Apple's compatibility list if they want to ensure a fully functional experience with the new display.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1501326854120255499

Customers can order the Studio Display starting now through Apple's online store, with availability starting March 18, although delivery dates for both the new Mac Studio and its accompanying Studio Display have begun to slip well into April.

In the U.S., the Studio Display is priced at $1,599 with a tilt-adjustable stand and at $1,999 with a tilt- and height-adjustable stand. The monitor can also be configured with nano-texture glass and/or a VESA mount adapter.

Article Link: Studio Display Supports 5th-Gen iPad Air, But Not the 4th-Gen or the iPad Mini 6 [Updated]

 

[fwmireault]

Bummer, but honestly, who really wants to use an external display with an iPad? No matter the model you have, and except very few apps, you’ll be stuck with 4:3 mirroring. Nobody wants that on a 5K monitor

 

[UltimateSyn]

I wonder if non-Apple, USB-C equipped products will be able to drive this thing? Thinking about the Steam Deck (obviously that would be at a lower resolution).

 

[4087258]

Why would someone use an iPad as a tradicional desktop connected to a ($1600) monitor? 😂
If I want to show something for a lot of people I just use Airplay or hdmi for keynotes…

 

[jObooW]

By contrast, the new iPad Air uses a USB 3.1 Gen 2 connector, which doubles its data throughput compared to the model it replaces, matching the USB 2.1 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) of the compatible iPad Pro models. Hence these devices are able to support the Studio Display's 5K output at 60Hz.

The 10Gbps of USB 3.1 Gen 2 is not enough for 5k at 60Hz. On these devices it will probably fallback to 4k at 60Hz, just like the LG UltraFine 5k display does.

 

[MayaUser]

Bummer, but honestly, who really wants to use an external display with an iPad? No matter the model you have, and except very few apps, you’ll be stuck with 4:3 mirroring. Nobody wants that on a 5K monitor

i guess that can be fixed at WWDC if Apple wants to

 

[nowakj66]

Any thoughts on whether this display will support a windows laptop with thunderbolt 3? I use an LG Ultrafine 5k display with my 16" MacBook Pro but also an HP EliteBook and Dell laptop (work machines). The LG 5K Ultrafine does allow windows machines to access the webcam, speaker, and usb-c hub which makes it a nice cross platform display. Hoping for similar functionality with the Apple Studio Display. Will it work?

 

[nowakj66]

I also wonder what speed the USB-C ports are on the back of the Apple Studio Display. On the LG Ultrafine 5k, those ports go down to USB2 speeds in use. Hoping they allow more bandwidth on the Apple product.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I also wonder what speed the USB-C ports are on the back of the Apple Studio Display. On the LG Ultrafine 5k, those ports go down to USB2 speeds in use. Hoping they allow more bandwidth on the Apple product.

The USB-C ports on the back of the Studio Display are rated up to 10Gbps, so mostl likely USB 3.1 Gen 2.

Source: https://www.apple.com/studio-display/specs/

 

[DFZD]

Well to be accurate iPads support no external displays. Wired mirroring is what this support is at best, and it is mostly useless, for two reasons, first the colors come out totally off and second because the aspect ratio is not native for the display.

And as a cherry on top, there's no clamshell mode. So don't mislead users by saying that iPads support external displays.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Both the iPad mini 6 and iPad Air 4 have USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports capable of only 5Gbps, while the iPad Pros from 2018/2020 and the new iPad Air 5 have USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports that are 10Gbps throughput.

 

[Spike1999]

So a con to get you buy an iPad Pro instead…

 

[tdbrown75]

Any thoughts on whether this display will support a windows laptop with thunderbolt 3? I use an LG Ultrafine 5k display with my 16" MacBook Pro but also an HP EliteBook and Dell laptop (work machines). The LG 5K Ultrafine does allow windows machines to access the webcam, speaker, and usb-c hub which makes it a nice cross platform display. Hoping for similar functionality with the Apple Studio Display. Will it work?

Similar situation here. I'll find out when it arrives and will let you know!

Tim

 

[bobtem]

I’ve been really looking for a good external display for my iPad…

 

[MiloCody]

Can’t wait to get mine!

My iPad Pro 12.9” on my MagFlött magnetic stand is going match so well.

Hopefully iPadOS can make use of the full screen.

 

[wilhelmer]

Who cares about the iPad ... the real question is: Does it support Windows PCs?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Interesting, but not unexpected I suppose. The market for Mini-6 and external monitors will have to look elsewhere as these are not the monitors you are looking for.

 

[darngooddesign]

Well to be accurate iPads support no external displays. Wired mirroring is what this support is at best, and it is mostly useless, for two reasons, first the colors come out totally off and second because the aspect ratio is not native for the display.

And as a cherry on top, there's no clamshell mode. So don't mislead users by saying that iPads support external displays.

Mirroring is external display support, just limited.

 

[tddylng]

I have the old school 27" 1080p Thunderbolt display, with an Apple Authentic thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 adapter. It's perfect for my Macbook Air M1. My eyes aren't good enough for 5K haha. Anyway, annoyingly my ipad mini 6 still won't work with this bad boy. When I plug it in, it just says Thunderbolt accessories don't work in any capacity. So i'm guessing it would just give the same warning with the Studio diplay

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I have the old school 27" 1080p Thunderbolt display, with an Apple Authentic thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 adapter. It's perfect for my Macbook Air M1. My eyes aren't good enough for 5K haha. Anyway, annoyingly my ipad mini 6 still won't work with this bad boy. When I plug it in, it just says Thunderbolt accessories don't work in any capacity. So i'm guessing it would just give the same warning with the Studio diplay

I hadn't thought to connect my Mini-6 to an external display, and apparently might encounter limits now. Not sure how I feel about this. Maybe if Apple hadn't throttled the CPU, this wouldn't be an issue?

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Dumb question. Since the Studio display has a A13 Bionic built in for the web cam and running some version of iOS, can the display support Apple SideCar from other devices?

 

[mkoesel]

All current iPads support video out @ at least 1080p through HDMI, so if such a signal can be converted to one that the Studio Display will allow, the monitor should at least be able to produce a picture. Whether or such a signal conversion can be accomplished in a straightforward way with currently available dongles / adapters is another matter.

 

[svish]

Data throughput should be the reason. Connecting iPad to Studio Display seems unnecessary. But at least it should support 4K output. We will know once reviews start coming in.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I have the old school 27" 1080p Thunderbolt display, with an Apple Authentic thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 adapter. It's perfect for my Macbook Air M1. My eyes aren't good enough for 5K haha. Anyway, annoyingly my ipad mini 6 still won't work with this bad boy. When I plug it in, it just says Thunderbolt accessories don't work in any capacity. So i'm guessing it would just give the same warning with the Studio diplay

The iPad mini 6 does not have a Thunderbolt 3 port, it has a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, so it will never work with your display. You’ll need to find an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor m and the appropriate dock or hub and cables.

 

[unQuestionable]

I’m trippin’. I don’t understand why USB 3 is worse than USB 2; how does that work?