Over the last several months, we’ve learned quite a bit about Apple’s re-entry into the
Pro display market. The display is said to measure 31.6-inches and feature a 6K
resolution. Read on as we roundup everything we know so far about the display,
and when it might be available.
Pro display market. The display is said to measure 31.6-inches and feature a 6K
resolution. Read on as we roundup everything we know so far about the display,
and when it might be available.
Apple officially left the
standalone 87Comments, discontinuing its Thunderbolt Display and pointing users
towards third-party options. The move, however, was met with disappointment
from Pro users who rely on seamless integration between Apple’s various
hardware products.
standalone 87Comments, discontinuing its Thunderbolt Display and pointing users
towards third-party options. The move, however, was met with disappointment
from Pro users who rely on seamless integration between Apple’s various
hardware products.
Subsequently, in 2017, Appleannounced that it was doubling downon the Pro market with a new
modular Mac Pro and a new AppleDisplay. That announcement was almost exactly two years ago, and now
it seems we’re finally nearing the launch of Apple’s highly anticipated Pro
display. Here’s what we know so far.
modular Mac Pro and a new AppleDisplay. That announcement was almost exactly two years ago, and now
it seems we’re finally nearing the launch of Apple’s highly anticipated Pro
display. Here’s what we know so far.
Apple Display Size and
Resolution
According to reliable Apple
analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple Display will feature a 31.6-inch display.
That’s considerably larger than the 27-inch iMac – and should certainly please
Pro users in many industries. Kuo says that the Apple Display will feature a 6K3K
resolution.
analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple Display will feature a 31.6-inch display.
That’s considerably larger than the 27-inch iMac – and should certainly please
Pro users in many industries. Kuo says that the Apple Display will feature a 6K3K
resolution.
At this point, it is unconfirmed whether the Apple Display will be
16:9 in nature or join in on the trend of ultra-wide displays. Our ownJeff Benjamin, however, has presented a very solid case for the
latter.
16:9 in nature or join in on the trend of ultra-wide displays. Our ownJeff Benjamin, however, has presented a very solid case for the
latter.
Jeff argues that Apple’s display will feature a 6240×2880 native
resolution. This is a “true” 5K footprint that has been expanded horizontally
to turn the display into an ultra-wide panel. With the extra pixels, the
display’s resolution is stretched into 6K, which matches exactly with Kuo’s
claim that the display will be 6K3K.
resolution. This is a “true” 5K footprint that has been expanded horizontally
to turn the display into an ultra-wide panel. With the extra pixels, the
display’s resolution is stretched into 6K, which matches exactly with Kuo’s
claim that the display will be 6K3K.
Theoretically, Apple would also want itsstandalone Pro monitor to match the existing iMac and iMac Pro form factor andDPI. Some basic math explains how this would be possible. Essentially, the
27-inch 5K iMac uses a pixel-per-inch standard of 218. With a resolution of
6240×2880, an Apple display could hit that by being 31.59-inches – which rounds
up to 31.6-inches, matching Kuo’s claims.
27-inch 5K iMac uses a pixel-per-inch standard of 218. With a resolution of
6240×2880, an Apple display could hit that by being 31.59-inches – which rounds
up to 31.6-inches, matching Kuo’s claims.
Thus, while Kuo has not mademention of whether the Apple Display will be ultra-wide or 16:9, the mathcertainly seems to favor the former. With so many third-party displays going
the ultra-wide direction, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Apple also follow
that trend. Furthermore, if it can do so in a way that makes the Apple Display
beautifully complement the existing iMac and iMac Pro, creative users
everywhere are sure to be pleased.
the ultra-wide direction, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Apple also follow
that trend. Furthermore, if it can do so in a way that makes the Apple Display
beautifully complement the existing iMac and iMac Pro, creative users
everywhere are sure to be pleased.
Mini-LED
Ming-Chi Kuo also says that
Apple’s 6K display will feature mini-LEDbacklight technology. What this means is that the external display
will only use mini-LED for the backlight, not for true end-to-end mini-LED
screens. In late 2020 or early 2021, however, Apple is expected to launch new
MacBook and iPad models with true mini-LED panels.
Apple’s 6K display will feature mini-LEDbacklight technology. What this means is that the external display
will only use mini-LED for the backlight, not for true end-to-end mini-LED
screens. In late 2020 or early 2021, however, Apple is expected to launch new
MacBook and iPad models with true mini-LED panels.
Kuo specifically says that the Apple monitor will use a “mini-LED
like backlight unit” with larger LEDs. By using mini-LED backlighting, the
Apple screen will have more power efficient backlighting that allows for more
accurate blacks and improved contrast. Furthermore, mini-LED backlighting
should allow for the panels to be thinner, resulting in a slimmer design
overall.
like backlight unit” with larger LEDs. By using mini-LED backlighting, the
Apple screen will have more power efficient backlighting that allows for more
accurate blacks and improved contrast. Furthermore, mini-LED backlighting
should allow for the panels to be thinner, resulting in a slimmer design
overall.
The performance won’t match that of OLED, such as what is found in
the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, but Apple is said to favor mini-LED
backlighting because it is not susceptible to burn in. In day-to-day use, this
is likely a wise choice. A computer monitor is far more likely than a phone to
show the same thing – such as a static email inbox – all day. This would
greatly increase the likelihood of burn-in.
the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, but Apple is said to favor mini-LED
backlighting because it is not susceptible to burn in. In day-to-day use, this
is likely a wise choice. A computer monitor is far more likely than a phone to
show the same thing – such as a static email inbox – all day. This would
greatly increase the likelihood of burn-in.
Apple Display Release and
Price
The Apple Display is saidto be released sometime in Q2 or Q3. This aligns well with Apple’s
upcoming developer-focused WWDC, which kicks off on June 3rd. It does not seem presumptuous at all to
think that Apple could announce both the 31.6-inch monitor and modular Mac Pro
during its WWDC keynote.
upcoming developer-focused WWDC, which kicks off on June 3rd. It does not seem presumptuous at all to
think that Apple could announce both the 31.6-inch monitor and modular Mac Pro
during its WWDC keynote.
Assuming the panel is announced at WWDC, that would be just over
two years from when Apple announced its renewed focus on the Pro market.
two years from when Apple announced its renewed focus on the Pro market.
As for price, it’s hard to know at this point what Apple might
charge for this 31.6-inch 6K monitor. The Thunderbolt Display was sold for
$999, but you should expect this new display to cost more than that, especially
when you consider Apple has little competition in this area of the market.
charge for this 31.6-inch 6K monitor. The Thunderbolt Display was sold for
$999, but you should expect this new display to cost more than that, especially
when you consider Apple has little competition in this area of the market.
Wrap up
Apple doubled down on the Promarket almost exactly 2 years ago, and it seems we’re finally about to see the
first results of those efforts. Pro users certainly have high hopes for the new
Apple Display and modular Mac Pro, and it will be interesting to see the
reactions.
first results of those efforts. Pro users certainly have high hopes for the new
Apple Display and modular Mac Pro, and it will be interesting to see the
reactions.