Where Is Apple's 5K Thunderbolt Display?

[manu chao]

Well, they still sell an un-updated 2012 13" MBP.

Although to be fair, I'd buy that over any of their current machines (since I need the internal storage flexibility).

You can call it flexibility, for a lot of people it might simply be cost per GB, ie, you can get to 1 TB internal storage much cheaper with this 2012 model ($1150 vs $2300). Even to get to 1 TB of SSD internal storage, this can be done much cheaper via third-parties ($1400 vs $2300). And even if you added the faster processor (to reduce the CPU power gap) and increase the RAM to 8 GB to match that spec, you'd be still much cheaper ($1600 vs $2300). You could even go nuts and add two high-end 500 GB SSD in a RAID 0 (which would get you into a similar territory in terms of performance) and still be cheaper, including the CPU and RAM upgrades ($1900 vs $2300).

Though, if I wanted to get a 13" MBP with 1 TB SSD for less than $2300, I'd get a used 2012 13" retina MBP (about $900) and upgrade the internal SSD to 1 TB via OWC ($500). I'd be stuck with 1 TB (though higher capacity upgrades might become available) and likely 8 GB RAM (most people got that 2012 13" retina MBP with only 8 GB) but I'd get a retina display (which would be worth the risk of something breaking earlier in a used device).

 

[pacalis]

Their product line is poorly conceived at every turn and simply inelegant.

A TBD doesn't look good by the new Mac. Big Apple kits used to look the best. Now, because nothing matches, they look worse than dell.

The Apple magic mouse is practically unusable except on a flat surface because of those skis on the bottom. Everyone has better mice.

And the usb-c accessories don't daisy chain, so you have a clustF of cables if you want the rMB.

Don't get me started on screen on the MBA. It's frustrating - now that the battery is dying on my rMBP 2012, I might go back to windows soon.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Apple seems too reliant on Intel just like the situation with IBM when they made the switch. Time to either go custom ARM or buy Intel/AMD to take a pro-active control in their density.

 

[EwanMcTeagle]

I can't believe they're still charging $999 for that woefully outdated display.

Nearly six years old, USB 2.0 and first gen t-bolt.

Totally unsat.

That's just classic Apple pricing.
I remember hesitating about buying the TBD in 2013, because there were rumors about a new one being released. A TBD in Poland (from Apple or its official resellers) cost over $1350 at that time!
I was able to buy one for around $999, which was a steal since it saved me 1/4 of my salary. It's been working great so far, but that doesn't change the fact that TBD's pricing (and Apple's pricing in general) is insane.
And last year, when Apple adjusted (=raised) its prices the TBD got a new (higher!) price.

So, I bought my TBD in 2013. Prices of TBD in Poland (PLN - local currency, average NET monthly wage = $720)
2013: 4400 PLN ($1350)
2015: 4999 PLN ($1340)

So last year Apple raised TBD's price to keep their share, though I guess they're making more $ on it now, since the technology used in TBD is now 5 years old.
It's as if they don't want people buying the TBD — since 4K displays (Asus and Samsung) cost no more than $600! Half the price of 2011 Apple's display. EIZO's 4K display is just $200 more expensive than the TBD!
I gotta say that Apple's ways are getting on my nerves recently. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but for me Apple doesn't have that wow factor in their products anymore. The new soft and hardware doesn't seem so special (and worth the ton of extra $) like it used to at the time of Snow Leopard, first unibody MacBooks, iPhone 4 etc. Maybe it's the reality of software issues (iTunes + iOS syncing nightmare) I've had over the years, maybe it's the world of adapters Apple unleashes into the world and it's definitely the pricing, which is getting more and more premium (at least where I live) while the products and services constantly feel less and less premium (as Apple's competitors are catching up or even surpassing them).
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I will always cherish the 2011 Apple stuff I have.

Same here. I kind of miss my classic Macbook Pro. The resolution was lousy compared to the Retina MBP I have now, but damn it was something special when it I bought all those years ago And I could upgrade the hell out of it on my own! The scary thing is that Apple is still selling the classic MBP in Poland for.... wait for it... $1300!
I think Apple is the only company (except maybe for designer brands) that is able to say "F**k you" with a price tag

 

[Freeks]

"The company continues to sell the 2011 27" model with USB 2.0 and first-generation Thunderbolt ports for $999."

Not overpriced at all

For the same money you get Slate Raven 27" touchscreen.

 

[SDAVE]

"The company continues to sell the 2011 27" model with USB 2.0 and first-generation Thunderbolt ports for $999."

Not overpriced at all

For the same money you get Slate Raven 27" touchscreen.

Buy used/refurb. I paid $450 which I think is a fair price considering all the functionality. It is in perfect condition.

 

[bobob]

.

 

[domsodidavid]

It seems that Apple is indirectly support the MST 5k resolution on the Dell monitor, so why we suppose that they won't support it on a Thunderbolt 3 display?

 

[Freeks]

Maybe they wait until iPad sales really drop and they can finally release TB Display as big touch screen. I'm looking forward for that day as it would mean touch friendly version of OSX and Logic Pro.

 

[Mago]

Apple solution, should be to launch two usb-c cinema display, one 21“@4K available for all the 4K capable Macs and a 27" 5k versión available for Macs with discrete GPU capable to handle 5K on SST, both monitor on SST thus avoiding conflict with Intel gpu and platform delay.

Also the relatively new retina MacBook only can drive 4k thru USB-C.

I'M Also sceptical on the convenience of the next cinema to be Thunderbolt based unless it comes with an integrated GPU, should be better it to be USB-C only, this way allowing full bandwidth on the remaining Tb3 port for actual Thunderbolt 3 peripherals as external storage and 10GbE adapters.

 

[B.A.T]

It seems very odd that they have sold tens of millions of iPhones that shoot 4K video (and will continue to do so) and that there are so few options to view it at full resolution in the Apple ecosystem. I'm losing faith in Apple for this and several other reasons.

 

[leeds utd fc]

I got tired of waiting for an updated Apple display, so I finally bought a new 5k 27 inch iMac today. Now that I've pulled the trigger on this, expect new displays to be announced tomorrow!

The screen on this thing is amazing. I'd be happier if I was able to connect my rMBP to it. But oh well. I'm just loving the display!

 

[anentropic]

"Intel's Skylake processors, launching in early 2016, and Kaby Lake processors, expected to launch in the first half of 2017, will not be able to drive a 5K Thunderbolt Display over Single-Stream Transport (SST). The underlying issue is that both processor lineups lack support for DisplayPort 1.3. Instead, the display would sync two channels over Multi-Stream Transport (MST), which can cause some performance issues. That means Apple may wait until at least Cannon Lake chipset (which promise SST 5K support) in the second half of 2017, before releasing a 5K Thunderbolt Display."

So it sounds like not just Apple that will wait to make a 5k TBD... but that we should wait for Cannon Lake macs to go with it, instead of the first TB3 macs possibly arriving later this year?

 

[Mago]

"Intel's Skylake processors, launching in early 2016, and Kaby Lake processors, expected to launch in the first half of 2017, will not be able to drive a 5K Thunderbolt Display over Single-Stream Transport (SST). The underlying issue is that both processor lineups lack support for DisplayPort 1.3. Instead, the display would sync two channels over Multi-Stream Transport (MST), which can cause some performance issues. That means Apple may wait until at least Cannon Lake chipset (which promise SST 5K support) in the second half of 2017, before releasing a 5K Thunderbolt Display."

So it sounds like not just Apple that will wait to make a 5k TBD... but that we should wait for Cannon Lake macs to go with it, instead of the first TB3 macs possibly arriving later this year?

I'll don't care about the article assumption, MST or SST works well for 5K, SST 5K won't arrive until Tb4 either, further there is not a 5K display with SST dp 1.3.

I'm confident Apple will launch a 5K cinema display but may be not TB3 But USB-C.

MST what means is the display is driven as 2 different display with split screen, to date this works well on the nMP for 5K with more bandwidth on Tb3 Should work better, just not good enough for heavy gaming but enough for general purpose.

 

[JackANSI]

I would think it a foolish move for Apple to bring out a 5K display unless it did a heck of a lot more (like IO expansion) and entered the market at the low end of the current pricing. The 5K iMac is already cheaper than some 5K displays, pricing a display-only unit higher than that (IMO) would just be blatantly admitting that they just mark up the same things that already sell elsewhere, albeit in a prettier box. (I'd actually find it insulting as a customer that Apple would think anyone is stupid enough to buy a more expensive Apple 5K display than the decent ones already out there)

I think third parties have already proven they can move faster than Apple could even hope to in the tiny market where this would sell. Apple would just look like a "me too" unless they pull out something "wow'ish" like a 5K display for $999-$1299.

I'd be surprised if they ever bring an updated monitor-only to the world.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

What year does the TBD become "vintage"?

You are probably only kidding, but 2021 at the earliest. Minimum 5 years after Apple discontinues the Thunderbolt Display, which of course hasn't happened yet.

Question: The author says: "But no current Macs could drive such a 5K display over a single cable."

The current MacBook Pro 15" (Late 2015) spec says:

Thunderbolt digital video output

• Native Mini DisplayPort output
• DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI output supported using Mini DisplayPort adapters (sold separately)
• Support for up to 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz on a single external display (model with AMD Radeon R9 M370X only)

So, while it looks like the MacBook Pro could drive it, on closer examination, it seems to work only with two TB ports. At least, that's what this Apple Document says.
It's time that Apple comes up with a new Thunderbolt 3 Display in 5K, USB 3.1, etc. and New MacBooks to support it over a single cable.

I finally want to replace my old 27" @ 2.560 × 1.440 Apple Thunderbolt Display (TBD) with a 27" @ 5.120 × 2.880 Thunderbolt 3 Display. It's simple: Once you have worked for a few hours on the Retina display of the MacBook Pro, it's a total pain to switch back the pixelated TBD. If Apple does not deliver a 5k Thunderbolt 3 Display with USB 3.1 and 1 GB Lan, I'll switch to the Dell UP2715K.

Yeah, that's the Mid 2015 model actually and emphasis on the single cable part definitely.

Mid 2015 MacBook Pro with upgraded AMD Radeon R9 M370X only can drive 5K with 2 cables -- 1 per Thunderbolt port.

 

[Ryan0751]

I have two of the Thunderbolt displays and gave up waiting for a new 4K/5K Apple monitor after buying a nMP.

I took the Thunderbolt displays to the office (where we get really cheap Dell 1080p monitors), and bought 2 of the Dell 4K P2715Q's for home on my nMP.

I run them at 2550x1440, which is the regular "look" for a 27" display. I have to say, even though it's not 2X scaling, they look fantastic. It's not "a little sharper", to my eyes they appear as nice as my retina displays.

Unfortunately, compatability with 4K displays has been iffy. First, the EFI firmware on nMP doesn't display any boot screens. You have to wait for the system to boot up before anything is displayed. Beyond that, the latest OS X update to El Capitan has broken display sleep... If I let OS X put my display to sleep, they don't wake up anymore 50% of the time, and I have to SSH into the Mac and reboot it. I ended up just disabling sleep entirely.

 

[ppenn]

This is a question that died for me long ago. Apple displays are nice and all but $1,000 for a 27" display that is covered glass and reflects and glares is absolute a rip off in my profession. I love the colors, but I can get a display with great color calibration and matted anti glare screen for much cheaper.

 

[fiveainone]

Same here, waited long enough. Got one of these baby instead, never looked back. Thunderbolt connectivity (minus split power cable), and super wide screen, for half the price.

 

[randian]

Same here, waited long enough. Got one of these baby instead, never looked back. Thunderbolt connectivity (minus split power cable), and super wide screen, for half the price.

Model?

 

[SDAVE]

Same here, waited long enough. Got one of these baby instead, never looked back. Thunderbolt connectivity (minus split power cable), and super wide screen, for half the price.

That's a weird aspect ratio.

 

[randian]

That's a weird aspect ratio.

Looks like 21:9.

 

[fiveainone]

That's a weird aspect ratio.

21:9, cinematic ratio. If you watch a lot of movies, play games, this is an awesome ratio. And if you use a lot of production softwares like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, After Effects, etc., this is a godsend.

Model?

34UM95
In Action

 

[cerberusss]

Still using the 27" Cinema display that came out in 2010, which I'm fine with. Great Display! If there was one with USB 3.0 and a jack for external speakers I would really consider the upgrade.

Re-reading this topic; did you know Logitech sells USB-based speakers?
http://www.amazon.com/LOGITECH-S-15...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00BKEBA0Y

I've had an old version of these, basically you only connect them over USB (no audio 3.5mm jack required).
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How much is the Thunderbolt Display worth second hand with the box?

Here in Europe they still sell for 60% of the new price.

 

[akm3]

I got an ASUS 4K monitor and it's okay but I would rather have an Apple display that doesn't have sleep issues because Apple coordinates OSX with the monitor. Pipe dreams.

I would rather have that too. BUT, for the price of ONE of these old monitors I now have TWO 27" 4k monitors. The math just didn't make sense at all in favor of the apple product.