From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.misc



NOTE: The new Studio Display models do *not* work with Intel Macs at all
(ridiculously, since it is just a display!) and the XDR version
has limitations with the early Apple Silicon CPUs (M1, M2, etc.).



Apple's New Studio Displays Are a Sight for Sore Eyes (And Wallets)
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A long-overdue update brings Thunderbolt 5 and a stunning new XDR
flagship.

When Apple CEO Tim Cook teased a 'big week ahead' last Thursday, it
wasn't too hard to get our bingo cards ready for what was
undoubtedly coming. After all, Apple's product launch schedules have
become somewhat predictable, so it was a given that the iPhone 17e,
M4 iPad Air, and M5 MacBook Air were all in the cards. Add in the
overdue M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro models, and the much-rumored low-cost
MacBook that's expected to show up tomorrow, and that's already a
pretty full slate.

Still, there was at least one other "wildcard" product in the mix:
the Studio Display, Apple's premium monitor that debuted alongside
the Mac Studio in 2022. With four years since its last update, it
seemed the timing was right for a new Studio Display, and Bloomberg's
Mark Gurman recently said it was ready to ship - although he was
skeptical that Apple would launch it this week as he felt it might be
"overkill" during Apple's "early-March frenzy."

That left an open question as to whether we'd see a new Studio Display
this week, particularly since the Mac Studio that serves as its
natural partner doesn't seem to be ready just yet. However, I can
personally attest that it's also a great companion to the MacBook Pro,
and with Apple debuting the most powerful MacBooks ever today, it
obviously decided that it was the perfect time to announce not just
one, but two new Apple Studio Displays.


The Apple Studio Display
The first of these, the Apple Studio Display, is the direct successor
to the 2022 model. It features the same design and sells for the same
price, with the only notable changes being a significant upgrade to
the Thunderbolt ports and the addition of Desk View to the 12 MP
Center Stage camera -�a feature that previously required mounting an
iPhone on top of the screen in Continuity Camera mode. Apple says the
image quality has also been improved.

While the new Apple Studio Display switches to Thunderbolt 5, that
actually has a tangible benefit, as it now offers a second
Thunderbolt 5 port on the back. The 2022 Apple Studio Display had a
single Thunderbolt 3 port, but that was used to connect to your Mac;
the other three ports were straight USB-C, meaning the display
couldn't be used as a Thunderbolt hub. The extra port on the 2026
Apple Studio Display means you'll no longer need to sacrifice a
Thunderbolt 5 port just to connect your screen, as it effectively
creates a pass-through connection. The other two ports remain USB-C.

Everything else about the new Apple Studio Display remains mostly the
same as the prior model, including a 60 Hz refresh rate, 5K resolution
(5120 x 2880 pixels at 218 pixels per inch), a high-fidelity
six-speaker sound system with support for Spatial Audio, and a
studio-quality three-mic array, although it now includes a
Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable in the box, and Apple notes the speaker system
delivers "30% deeper bass," which suggests there have been a few
internal tweaks, even if the specs remain unchanged.

It starts at the same $1,599 as its predecessor, and includes a
tilt-adjustable stand, and can be upgraded to a tilt- and height-
adjustable stand or nano-texture glass for extra cost. It will be
available for pre-order starting tomorrow, March 4, and arrive in
stores next Wednesday, March 11.


The Apple Studio Display XDR
While the Apple Studio Display is largely a spec-bump upgrade, the
real star of the show is the new Apple Studio Display XDR, which
provides a flagship monitor to replace the 2019 Pro Display XDR - and
does so at a less eye-watering price tag.

The Studio Display XDR will still set you back at least $3,299, but
that's a lot better than the $4,999 price tag of its predecessor. It
also packs in a lot more at that lower price tag, since technology has
evolved just a bit in the past seven years, although the biggest
compromise is its smaller 27-inch size, which is something folks will
have to live with as the Pro Display XDR has been officially
discontinued in light of this latest model.

The Studio Display XDR is still a 5K display, with the same resolution
as its more affordable sibling, but it stands out by offering a 120 Hz
refresh rate with Adaptive Sync, plus mini-LED backlighting with 2304
dimming zones, and up to 1,000 nits of SDR brightness and 2,000 nits
of HDR peak brightness.

This also unlocks a whole new set of reference modes that go beyond
even what the original Pro Display XDR offered. This includes Adobe
RGB-D50 for Design and Print and Adobe RGB-D65 for Photography, plus
DICOM Medical Imaging at 350 and 600 nits.

It's this much better panel that really sets the Studio Display XDR
apart, as the rest of its features are on par with the Studio Display;
it features the same 12 MP Center Stage Camera with Desk View, the same
high-quality studio speaker and microphone systems, and two
Thunderbolt 5 ports, although the higher-end model offers 140W host
charging - enough to keep even a 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro happy.

It also comes in the same configurations, although the base $3,299
model comes with the tilt- and height-adjustable stand, which is a
$400 upgrade on the standard Studio Display, effectively putting the
actual price difference between the two models at only $1,300.
A nano-texture glass upgrade is also available for another $300. As with
the base Studio Display, you'll get a Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable in the box
to take advantage of the new ports, and the Apple polishing cloth if you
opt for the nano-texture glass.



<https://www.idropnews.com/news/apple-new-studio-displays-2026-launch/260613/>





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