I might be the only one, but it's still to this date (and dating all the way back to 2014 with the first iMac 5k display) Apple is the only company that truly gets HIDPI desktop displays with high quality gloss and 200+ ppi at screen this large. In the meantime popular and widely sold gaming screens with matte blur filters and mediocre ppi give me headache and eye fatigue after a few hours of use. Prior generation Studio Display is the only external display that truly worked for text heavy work with my eyes (including software engineering), and I'm sure the latest generation is fantastic as well.
I bought that original 5k iMac on release day in 2014. I was thrilled with that display, and stoked to see the entire display industry go the route of true quadruple-resolution just like smartphone displays did.<p>Sadly, it basically never happened. There was the LG display that came out a couple of years later. It didn't have great reviews, and it was like two thirds the cost of an entire 5k iMac.<p>It took Apple over 7 years to release their standalone 5k display, and there are a few other true 5k displays (1440p screen real estate with quadruple-resolution, not the ultrawide 2160p displays branded as "5k") on the market now with prices just starting to drop below 1,000 USD.<p>Unfortunately in that time I've gotten used to the screen real estate of the ultrawide 1440p monitors (which are now ubiquitous, and hitting ridiculous sub-$300 prices). As of now, my perfect display for office work (gaming, video/photo work, or heavy media playback are different topics) would be 21:9 with 1440p screen real estate with quadruple-resolution—essentially just a wider version of that original 5k iMac display.
You can get a 27 inch 5k from Asus for $750. A 31.5 inch 6K goes for around $1200. A 28 inch 4K is around $350-$400.
It was also really disappointing to see 24" 4k displays disappear from the market instead of becoming the new standard resolution for that size. A few years ago, there were several options including a cheap LG that was usually around $300 or less. Those all seem to be gone, likely for good, even though there are still plenty of 24" displays with 1080p and even a fair number with 1440p.
Agreed.<p>I constantly see people saying Apple displays are a terrible value. Last Apple display I had was the Thunderbolt 27 but from now on I'm sticking with Apple.<p>I've had nothing but issues with non-Apple monitors as well. Customer service ime is non-existent if you need a repair. For something I rely on to get work done, I'm starting to think the premium is worth it.
The Studio Display shares a panel with the MSI MPG 271KRAW16
LG used to with the Ultrafine 5k (I believe it's discontinued now?)<p>I got a deal on a used one last year and I love it. It's the only monitor I've used plugged into a MacBook that didn't look notably off (worse) compared to the MacBook's display sitting next to it. Only thing a bit jarring is it's 60Hz but I can live with it.
You should try some of the newer OLED panels. They're all glossy and look really good.
The hardware is great, but the software is lacking. macOS only supports resolution-based scaling which makes anything but the default 200% pixel scaling mode look bad. For example, with a 27" 4K display many users will want to use 150% or 175% scaling to get enough real estate, but the image will look blurry because macOS renders at a higher resolution and then downscales to the 4K resolution of the screen.<p>Both Windows and Linux (Wayland) support scaling the UI itself, and with their support for sub-pixel anti-aliasing (that macOS also lacks) this makes text look a lot more crisp.
> For example, with a 27" 4K display many users will want to use 150% or 175% scaling to get enough real estate, but the image will look blurry<p>I use a Mac with a monitor with these specs (a Dell of some kind, I don't know the model number off the top of my head), at 150% scaling, and it's not blurry at all.
Yeah this is correct, I don't know why you're being downvoted. The decisions Apple made when pivoting their software to high-DPI resulted in Macs requiring ultra-dense displays for optimal results - that's a limitation of macOS specifically, not an indictment of less dense displays, which work much better on Windows and Linux.
> Apple is the only company that truly gets HIDPI desktop displays with high quality gloss and 200+ ppi at screen this large.<p>And somehow they completely forgot how to seamlessly work with displays in general. Connect multiple displays via Thunderbolt? Nope. Keep layouts when switching displays? No. Running any display at more than 60Hz? No. Remember monitor positions? No.
Great news. Apple announced a 120hz display today.
I was using a dell S3225QC with 120 hz and even variable rate with macbook m1 pro. No hdr with 120 or variable rate though, only at 60.
I got the Kuycon G32P and it’s an incredible alternative. 32in + 6K for less than 2k$<p>Also works great with other sources like an Xbox<p>I used a Pro Display XDR as my daily driver at work and the difference is minimal
I'm really after higher refresh rate than 60, but it seems it would cost me an arm, leg, both kidneys and my newborns to get it at 5k or more resolution.
That's a hefty premium to pay to not also have high refresh or high nits but the higher density options are so thin there's not really much else to go for if getting the resolution density is the goal.
Hah, the absolute shamelessness of that design and the site is crazy!
Is buying a used 32" XDR worth it if we want a 32" apple display? or is the tech not as good now?
It's mind-boggling that Apple is considering the base 27 inch Studio Display with the same 4 year old panel, but with some new accessories slapped on an "upgrade".
Oh, and if you want to utilize 120Hz on the XDR display, you're going to have to replace your perfectly functioning Mac.<p>> Mac models with M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, and M3 support Studio Display XDR at up to 60Hz. All other Studio Display XDR features are supported.
Almost certainly due to bandwidth limitations on older versions of Thunderbolt. Full bit depth HDR 5k @ 120hz requires some absurd data thoughput.
I don't really see your point. The chips mentioned do not have enough bandwidth on display outputs to support the monitor at 6K@120Hz. If anything, I find it surprising that Apple supports running the display in 60Hz mode instead of telling people to go pound sand and buy new Macs.
Pretty lame that the Studio Display with a height-adjustable stand is still 400 Euro more. My biggest regret is getting my Gen 1 Studio Display without.<p>Also the non-XDR is only a small upgrade otherwise, no 120Hz, no HDR, only Thunderbolt 5 and a new camera. Finally a downstream Thunderbolt port though.<p>This is all after 4 years?
VESA mounts are only a few bucks and give you even better height and tilt adjustment. You also get desk space back. I have a shorter desk (24" vs typical 30" depth) and I have two monitors and a laptop mounted on 3 VESAs and I can extend them so that the monitor edge is inline with the desk edge, giving me the same 24" that a 30" desk would have with a monitor stand.
I just use some old textbooks to raise the height of the display:<p>- Design Patterns by the Gang of Four<p>- Modern C++ Design by Andrei Alexandrescu<p>- Code Complete from the Microsoft Press<p>That's enough old paper to raise the display height to a comfortable level.
> Also the non-XDR is only a small upgrade otherwise, no 120Hz, no HDR, only Thunderbolt 5 and a new camera. Finally a downstream Thunderbolt port though.<p>The camera is still 12MP but offers Desk View. Maybe this is a feature unlocked by the improved onboard A-series chip (A19?).<p>I wouldn't sniff too hard about Thunderbolt 5. Thunderbolt 5 doubles throughput to 80 Gbps from 40.<p>Would have loved refresh above 60Hz but then who's gonna get the XDR?
> Pretty lame that the Studio Display with a height-adjustable stand is still 400 Euro more.<p>just buy a nice one on amazon for $100, it's still VESA mounts
Insanity that a monitor that expensive is stuck at 60Hz
Super disappointed that the base model doesn't get 120hz. I own the old model and it's great, but I will have to look for an alternative 5k display with 120hz refresh rate. There are a few on the market now, and I won't pay 3.5k for 120hz.
I’ve owned my nano-textured XDR since launch (with the stand), and I love it.<p>As the years have gone, the only upgrade I wished to have was 120 refresh for some very limited design work - but 120 really is still not widely adopted in most places anywhere, so it’s really a non-issue for me.<p>The new XDR is smaller, has a less ergo stand, and also loses the beautiful lattice etchings on the rear which I often admire.<p>The XDR was overdue for a refresh, it’s nice the price dropped some, but I won’t be upgrading for now.
Too small… I got used to my 4K Philips OLED 42" that I hung directly on the wall in front of my desk (no stand at all)… USB-C cable also charges the MacBook.
This size is so good to work with; so much screen estate.
I was hoping for a 6k 32inch model.<p>But even so, these 2 new monitors still don’t support multiple inputs.
I'm also a little bummed that they seem to have dropped the Pro Display XDR. I wanted a 32" display as the main display, and then use my existing two Studio Display vertically as secondary on each side.<p>I guess we're going to see how the support for DP Alt-Mode will be, as I'm not sure how much bandwidth that can provide, so 120Hz might be out of the question. But for now that has been a simple way to get around the lack of multiple display inputs, you just needed a separate KVM switch for it.
I just want to natively hook up a PS5 without capture card latency... I would've bought a Studio Display years ago but can't bring myself to purchase a $2000 device-locked monitor.
I've been pretty happy with my ASUS ProArt PA32QCV (32", 6k, but only 60Hz). Kinda infuriating that Apple doesn't let you adjust third-party monitor brightness though (and my work disallows apps like BetterDisplay).
The only monitor on the market of this size and resolution that I am aware of that has really high brightness and works well when I work outside on the terrace.<p>Really glad Apple is building it.
Sad, but not surprising to see Apple discontinue the Pro Display XDR. Hard to go back to 5K once you’ve used 6K.
I vaguely recall an Apple rumor from the last few months about 3 new display model numbers, 2 of them being 27" and one of them being 32"... so still possible a Pro Display XDR refresh is on the horizon.
The pixel density is the same I believe - I guess their theory is that 5K is more fungible than a large 6K display since people looking for more real estate can daisy chain the 5K displays.
Same pixel density, but smaller monitor though.
So it seems the new Studio Display XDR is the only display on the market that offers:<p>- 5k resolution at HIDPI (27inch)<p>- 120hz refresh rate<p>- TB5 and single cable connectivity.<p>There are a couple of other HIDPI displays at 5k with 120hz refresh rate but they don't do TB5.
So Apple essentially introduce a new (middle) price point in their displays:<p><pre><code> $1,500 Studio Display
$3,300 Studio Display XDR <-- NEW
$6,000 Pro Display <-- DISCONTINUED ???
</code></pre>
Apple is amazing at "laddering" people up to the next higher tier.<p>EDIT: It appears the Pro Display has been discontinued.
Do they still sell the Pro Display? <a href="https://www.apple.com/pro-display-xdr/" rel="nofollow">https://www.apple.com/pro-display-xdr/</a> redirects to the Studio Display XDR now.
it seems like the Pro Display XDR is discontinued. The webpage for that now redirects to the Studio Displays XDR
There is a note at the end of the linked announcement:<p>”Studio Display XDR replaces Pro Display XDR and starts at $3,299 (U.S.) and $3,199 (U.S.) for education.”
I can't find it either.<p>Which means they don't have a 32" display option if true.<p>Maybe it will also be updated, but on a different day this week?
> Studio Display XDR replaces Pro Display XDR<p>How does a 5k display replace a 6k display? Are they giving up on 6k? Disappointing.
> Featuring extensive connectivity to support a variety of workflows, Studio Display XDR includes two Thunderbolt 5 ports and two USB-C ports.<p>That is not extensive connectivity. That’s the bare minimum one might credibly expect.<p>If I were to consider buying a display like this, I would want at least two and preferably more <i>inputs</i> and at least a DisplayPort input. Not everything in the world is USB-C, especially when discrete GPUs are involved.
I was curious to see the "Innovative DICOM Medical Imaging" section. I wouldn't have thought that Apple would be interested in niche applications like viewing radiology imaging, but I guess they're probably interested in any cost-insensitive market for these since they're so expensive.
At a local hospital the radiologists have been all Mac for a long long time. They refused to give it up and resisted all attempts to get them to switch. So it doesn’t surprise me at all.
Interesting, I would've guessed that they would've forcibly been on Windows since time immemorial.<p>Entirely unsurprised that someone would refuse to give up their workflow, though! I've rarely found a user with specific needs who wants to change literally anything else about their system, since what they have works for them.
It's probably an easy win for them. It also might have been a good target when they were ideating on specs. Having these pro certifications gives the devices a halo of premium quality.
Regular consumers probably don't buy these displays in bulk, when you can get very nice displays for less than half the price that are 98% the same on specs.<p>So targeting checkbox-compliance for places like hospital systems is probably an easy win to generating / keeping some long term contracts.
> you can get very nice displays for less than half the price that are 98% the same on specs.<p>Can you recommend any displays with PPI and brightness equivalent to the studio display, with 120Hz+ refresh rates? I was waiting for this announcement to buy a studio display because I thought they might bring 120Hz to the base model, but $3300 is a lot to spend on a single display. I have an original studio display and a high refresh rate 4K OLED monitor, and they are both compromises unfortunately.
<a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/asus-rog-strix-27-dual-mode-5k-165hz-2k-330hz-1ms-gaming-monitor-with-freesync-premium-pro-and-hdr-black/JJGHGPRXXF/sku/6648335" rel="nofollow">https://www.bestbuy.com/product/asus-rog-strix-27-dual-mode-...</a><p>I haven't found a glossy competitor, or even one with the same HDR spec, but this is the closest I could find so far.
The price point is super painful. 2k would have been bad enough but I would have considered it. It’s a no go at $3,300 for me.
I don't think you can get a DICOM-certified display at 5K and 27" for half the price. Probably like $1k less but that's it - and if you're a radiologist making $300k+ you're not going to want to cheap out on a display.
This also keeps their development targets at the state of the art.
This looks like a new iMac Pro minus the computer. Its a shame they don't have anything where you can just dock your iPhone Pro to one of these to run macOS.
Does this still not support multiple inputs / devices?
I wish it came in an ultrawide format.
wow, the prices have come down. I inherited the old Pro XDR display when my father passed away a couple of years ago: I think he paid $6K for the display and another $1K for the stand.<p>Off topic, but Apple seems to be dropping hardware costs / capability - relying more in subscription, app store, and cloud now? On an impulse buy, I bought the entry level MacBook Air at Best Buy about two months ago because it was $200 off list price. Amazingly capable laptop for $800.
I just tried to look up the power usage for XDR and they only list voltage no amps or watts.<p>Did I miss something
Really, a $3300 Mini-LED display in 2026?
This is awesome! $3299 is a great price drop. I’m moving countries soon and wasn’t going to bring my old monitor, so this is perfect timing.
> Studio Display XDR replaces Pro Display XDR and starts at $3,299 (U.S.) and $3,199 (U.S.) for education.<p>My father-in-law is a monitor engineer. He is insanely gifted. We were in a Taiwanese factory together years ago and I asked him what it would cost to build the Pro Display XDR today. I will never forget his answer…<p>“We can’t, we don’t know how to do it.”
I might be missing how this differs from the previous model.
anyone else still using their 30" cinema display from 2003?
Daisy chaining finally supported.
XDR = LCD
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