What's a good price for a used thunderbolt display (no applecare)? Or rather, with an impending refresh, what's the most one should pay for one?
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Thunderbolt Display refresh
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I don't know if I should pay this but I was thinking about picking one up later this year for $799 (refurb) if there is no refresh. I already have one and love it and wanted one for the office. I just can't bring myself to pay the full price for a new one given its age.
I think Apple waits for Broadwell (i.e. 2nd generation Iris Pro), which supports 4K@60 Hz better than previous iGPU generations. Newer hardware has also newer ports, like Thunderbolt 2 or 3, which are necessary for 4K@60 Hz.
Possibly, but the nMP and late '13 rMBP already support 4K via TB2, and there are plenty of us waiting on the update. I'm more inclined to believe that there's no linkage to Broadwell, i.e., Apple will be releasing an updated TBD when they can get the price down to the $1000-$1500 level AND do so with a high dpi, high quality screen (e.g., not TN) -- maybe this fall when they release the usual Mac updates?? Who knows. In the meantime, fingers and toes remain crossed!
I remember mu doubts when I was buying my TBD about 1,5 years ago. I got it $200 cheaper (it was open box), but still, I was pretty sure that come June Apple will introduce new TBD - I did a similar "mistake" with a 13" MBP that I've bought in May and then they'd introduced Retinas the next month
But know I don't regret it. Apart from the comical USB keyboard issue - ok, it's kind of embarrassing that Apple's TBD sometimes won't work with Apple's keyboard - the solution is the Apple USB extension cable by the way. Apart from that I love the TBD. I know it's not EIZO, but I don't need EIZO and I prefer the mirror screen vs the "milky" antiglare. Though I must admit I would love to have the new iMac's screen on the TBD. The reflections are way more tolerable and the picture is just as vivid if not more so.
And so I hope there will be a new TBD for my next MBP purchase, although I have doubts Apple will make one. I mean they had a good chance of refreshing the current TBD along the new iMacs - correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the new iMacs are using same old panels, only they're placed closer to the glass (?). So making a new TBD back then would't have been such a hassle, but on the other hand it would probably mean even bigger shortages for the new iMacs which were supposedly quite big. Recently they had the chance to do the new TBD along the MacPro... So now it just doesn't make sense... They probably have big margin's on TBDs, so that's a hope, but then again it's quite a niche product in their portfolio. It only makes sense from the line up point of view to have a display/docking station for their computers. But it's Apple, so you never know...
But know I don't regret it. Apart from the comical USB keyboard issue - ok, it's kind of embarrassing that Apple's TBD sometimes won't work with Apple's keyboard - the solution is the Apple USB extension cable by the way. Apart from that I love the TBD. I know it's not EIZO, but I don't need EIZO and I prefer the mirror screen vs the "milky" antiglare. Though I must admit I would love to have the new iMac's screen on the TBD. The reflections are way more tolerable and the picture is just as vivid if not more so.
And so I hope there will be a new TBD for my next MBP purchase, although I have doubts Apple will make one. I mean they had a good chance of refreshing the current TBD along the new iMacs - correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the new iMacs are using same old panels, only they're placed closer to the glass (?). So making a new TBD back then would't have been such a hassle, but on the other hand it would probably mean even bigger shortages for the new iMacs which were supposedly quite big. Recently they had the chance to do the new TBD along the MacPro... So now it just doesn't make sense... They probably have big margin's on TBDs, so that's a hope, but then again it's quite a niche product in their portfolio. It only makes sense from the line up point of view to have a display/docking station for their computers. But it's Apple, so you never know...
New TBD
I too have been holding off buying a TBD until the ports are updated. I'm speculating here but one of the issues may be USB 3 has been a nightmare for a lot of users both on the Mac and Windows side. Disconnects, not appearing in Disk Utility, failure to mount on wake are the norm.
Intel is aware of this, blaming its design on the fact wifi interferes with it. So much for real world testing. The protocol shuts off port power when the drives are not in use, resulting in disconnects. The drive manufacturers, as well as Apple are aware of this. Its a protocol issue, the spec was poorly implemented.
I've been through 2 3rd gen usb3 drives and neither were reliable on my 2014 MBA. Older 1st gen drives seems to work fine. Using a USB extension cable, forcing usb2, works as the issue is usb3.
The good news is with Apple's latest EFI firmware update, my gen 3 drives appear to be working fine. Not enough time as I recently did the update but hopefully this issue is resolved and Apple can update the TBD.
I too have been holding off buying a TBD until the ports are updated. I'm speculating here but one of the issues may be USB 3 has been a nightmare for a lot of users both on the Mac and Windows side. Disconnects, not appearing in Disk Utility, failure to mount on wake are the norm.
Intel is aware of this, blaming its design on the fact wifi interferes with it. So much for real world testing. The protocol shuts off port power when the drives are not in use, resulting in disconnects. The drive manufacturers, as well as Apple are aware of this. Its a protocol issue, the spec was poorly implemented.
I've been through 2 3rd gen usb3 drives and neither were reliable on my 2014 MBA. Older 1st gen drives seems to work fine. Using a USB extension cable, forcing usb2, works as the issue is usb3.
The good news is with Apple's latest EFI firmware update, my gen 3 drives appear to be working fine. Not enough time as I recently did the update but hopefully this issue is resolved and Apple can update the TBD.
the rumor has always been that imac yields aren't good enough to justify another product line of making monitors
But I just can't understand why they can't just update the freaking ports.
But I just can't understand why they can't just update the freaking ports.
Yeah, it's only the USB 2.0 ports that feel horribly dated. Otherwise, the TBD is still a pretty gorgeous display, just not at the frankly eye popping price given how old it is. Even the thick black bezel on mine doesn't bother me in the slightest, it's still my favourite hardware design despite have several different monitors now, some newer.
Off topic, but my 3 monitor setup of TBD for Mac Mini, 27" Dell IPS + 24" 120hz BenQ for PC gaming is being slimmed down to 2 shortly! Preordered (for my gaming PC) a Asus ROG Swift 27" , 1440p, 144hz, G-Sync, woo! Only downer is it's a TN, but for gaming I personally am fine with TN (the above BenQ is TN), a worthwhile trade off for higher frame rates. July 28th it's due, can't wait
Off topic, but my 3 monitor setup of TBD for Mac Mini, 27" Dell IPS + 24" 120hz BenQ for PC gaming is being slimmed down to 2 shortly! Preordered (for my gaming PC) a Asus ROG Swift 27" , 1440p, 144hz, G-Sync, woo! Only downer is it's a TN, but for gaming I personally am fine with TN (the above BenQ is TN), a worthwhile trade off for higher frame rates. July 28th it's due, can't wait
Panel laminating was a prob in late 2012, but not as bad since spring 2013. Yeah, the missing 3.0 ports. Considering 3.0 was on Mac portables in Mid 2012 (2 years ago) and the TBM was designed to go with portables, the same ol "Why?" chatter has been going the same ol 2 years.
If they wait a little longer they can skip 3.0 and add USB 3.1.
At this point, it's seems obvious there will be a dramatic change on the enclosure. I agree - updated ports and chop the chin off the iMac enclosure they've been making for close to 2 years. Sounds easy, right?
Ive probably had 4 prototypes rockin' but they put him on software design, so who knows. Wouldn't ya just love to take a peak in his shop and scream "Hey, we'll take one of those!" No, all the milling machines are busy making i devices.
Same here.
I really want the TBD, and I can afford it, but I am also heavily invested in USB 3.0 harddrives. I know I can get a TB-dock which supports USB 3.0 in addition to the TBD, but then why the hell am I spending extra money on the TBD? For the price of a TBD I can get a Belkin TB dock and TWO 27" dell monitors.
I really want the TBD, and I can afford it, but I am also heavily invested in USB 3.0 harddrives. I know I can get a TB-dock which supports USB 3.0 in addition to the TBD, but then why the hell am I spending extra money on the TBD? For the price of a TBD I can get a Belkin TB dock and TWO 27" dell monitors.