Ultrafine 5K now or wait?

[coldwaves]

I am thinking to get an external monitor for the 16 inch MBP and want to have one with built in camera and speaker for convenience. I have seen rumors (a Bloomberg report I believe) that Apple is working on a new lower cost external monitor. So should I buy the LG Ultrafine 5K now or should I wait for the potential new monitor? I don't have an urgent need for the monitor so waiting for a bit is fine.

I have also seen rumors that Apple will redesign MacBook Pro to have MagSafe connection and more ports. If that is the case, the new monitor will probably have the corresponding cables and therefore may not be as clean a set up as the one cable connection from the Ultrafine 5K to the current MBP. On the other hand, there might be exciting new design or features from the rumored new monitor.

Want to see your opinion whether I should wait for a bit or go ahead and buy the Ultrafine 5K now.

 

[Weaselboy]

I use that monitor and like it a lot, but for the reasons you mentioned, I would wait to see what comes out in the next few months if you can.

 

[JanoschR]

wait.

 

[anthony13]

As with any choice like this I would always say buy what you need when you need it. With that in mind though, if you have no pressing need, I would wait. It's worth noting that Apple's idea of 'low price' will probably be quite a bit more than competitors. If they come out with a new display, that is essentially in the form factor of the rumored new iMac, I'm betting atleast 1500 dollars.

 

[rawweb]

The going price for an Ultrafine 5k on eBay is significantly lower than new at $1,300. If you need one to hold you over for a while to see if and what apple offers, I might recommend the used route. Some good deals can be had.

 

[coldwaves]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Seems like worth waiting for a bit to see whether a new product will come out in the next few months. I was thinking about getting a used one but in where I am now, there are not a lot of used Ultrafine 5K and they are fairly expensive.

 

[OS X Dude]

There's no way the new Display will come in at less than £1200. It's going to be a superior version of the LG UltraFine, essentially, in an aluminium chassis so it's funny that you see people expecting between £800-1000 tops. If they can add a webcam to it, which could be quite likely given that #WFH is going to be more prevalent than ever now, then it's going to push £1300-1500 as @anthony13 said.

 

[Royksöpp]

If you plan on using anything other than USB-C then both monitors will not be for you. That's just something to keep in mind. If the Ultra fine is not discontinued, the price will surely decrease. It may be worth it to wait just for that.

 

[coldwaves]

There's no way the new Display will come in at less than £1200. It's going to be a superior version of the LG UltraFine, essentially, in an aluminium chassis so it's funny that you see people expecting between £800-1000 tops. If they can add a webcam to it, which could be quite likely given that #WFH is going to be more prevalent than ever now, then it's going to push £1300-1500 as @anthony13 said.

Thanks for the insights! Yeah, I expect an Apple branded display, if there is indeed one coming soon, will be more expensive than the ultrafine 5K. Since I do not have an urgent need, I can wait to see what comes out. If an Apple one comes out and it is really nice, I can go for that. Or if the Apple one is not that exciting or is too expensive, the Ultrafine 5K's price will likely drop a bit.

 

[coldwaves]

No new display from the April event so have to wait until the WWDC to see if anything new will come out. I guess if there is still no new display from WWDC, I will go ahead and get the Ultrafine 5K.

 

[boooomerrr]

Have you got the ultrafine 5k? I'd like to purchase one too. But I have read some iamge retetion issue of this monitor so I couldn't make a decision...

 

[Lammers]

I have two of them, both been flawless.

 

[shansoft]

I have two of them, both been flawless.

That's what happened to me at first... Flawless... for about a year....

 

[turbineseaplane]

At this point, I'd say it's a major "wait"

 

[Lammers]

That's what happened to me at first... Flawless... for about a year....

Shrug. I’ve had mine two and a half years. No problems at all.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Shrug. I’ve had mine two and a half years. No problems at all.

Kiss of death

Delete that post ASAP!

 

[johnscully]

Posted it already in the issues thread, but a warning of potential quality control problems: Bought one and it has major flaws. The viewing angle stability and the color shift on the edges is bad (on my unit). Turned off the light in the room and used plain black wallpaper on both displays (the other one is iMac 21.5 from 2019).

 

[coldwaves]

Have you got the ultrafine 5k? I'd like to purchase one too. But I have read some iamge retetion issue of this monitor so I couldn't make a decision...

Haven't got mine. I have been waiting for long enough time that I get used to just using my laptop without external monitor. Plus, the Ultrafine 5K keeps getting sold out here and it is hard to get one. So I might as well just wait to see if anything new will come out.