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I'm hearing that the LG displays were running out of stock, possibly in anticipation of a new Apple display. Sure enough...wait a minute, FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS?

I'm hearing that the LG displays were running out of stock, possibly in anticipation of a new Apple display. Sure enough...wait a minute, FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS?! Oh, I understand it's a reference-quality, blah, blah, blah, but I just need something to replace an aging Cinema display that was originally $1000. The fucking stand for the new display costs that much (note the audience response when that price popped on the screen). So if I can't buy an LG, what do I buy for less than a couple grand, Apple?

minimaxir 7y ago
The 4k LG display was updated/rereleased: https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/24/lg-ultrafine-display-review-2019-two-thunderbolt-3-ports-video/ https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/24/lg-ultrafine-display-review-2... The 5k LG display is still MIA and there isn't a competitor. (and as someone who bought a 5K LG display on release, I'm surprised that's still the case)
- pkulak 7y ago
  That new 4K no longer has the density to comfortably pixel double. They pretty much made it as useless as every other monitor.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
  - LegoBlockShell 7y ago
    The pixel dimensions and scaling didn't work out so well, it was really awkward. Scaling to the same UI size as the MacBook Pro 13" and 15" the display showed scaling artifacts a screen door effect. When scaling to native resolution the UI elements were far too big and there wasn't enough screen space. The new 4K will scale much better to the MacBook UI sizes.
- LegoBlockShell 7y ago
  There was a firmware update for the LG Screen Manager that stated "additional monitor model (24MD4KL, 27MD5KL) (internal logic was changed)". This monitor is on the Apple website here https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HMUA2/lg-ultrafine-4k-display https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HMUA2/lg-ultrafine-4k-dis... that's the 24MD4KL-B.AUSA. Probably just waiting for the new Ultrafine 5K displays to arrive, these panels are difficult to manufacture. It also explains why Apple didn't do a 27" Apple Pro Display XDR and just went ahead with the 32". They still intend on having the LG monitors as "budget" mainstream options. If you look at the design of the Apple Pro Display XDR it's obvious LG was involved in it's design and manufacturing. Even the USB-C port placement is identical to the 4K/5K just on the other side.
- AdamJacobMuller 7y ago
  > The 5k LG display is still MIA I'm not sure what you mean by that... I'm using one right now and they seem to be available on amazon..
  - minimaxir 7y ago
    Rather, it's mostly sold out from the Apple Store (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HKN62LL/A/lg-ultrafine-5k-display https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HKN62LL/A/lg-ultrafine-5k...). Amazon sellers selling it are less-reputiable.
    - colejohnson66 7y ago
      Or just selling leftover stock
folkhack 7y ago
Eizos are outstanding. You can find pretty good deals on used ones with good color space coverage.
- sirn 7y ago
  EIZO is definitely great, but 4K EIZO screens ain't exactly cheap either. Closest to consumer-level are the CG248-4K and CG318-4K (which actually are reference-grade) and cost about $2,800.
  - dllu 7y ago
    The consumer-level Flexscan series are much cheaper. The EV3285, for example, is retailing for $1800 on BHPhoto.
    - sirn 7y ago
      Ah, I totally forgot about Flexscan. They're definitely more suitable for consumer than ColorEdge. I think I didn't considered it because it doesn't have DCI-P3, but it is definitely a great monitor.
- nextos 7y ago
  True. FlexScan are sometimes not too expensive. With a discount, a 2k one can match Dell UltraSharp in pricing. They also have those amazing 1:1 1920x1920 that are widely used in air traffic control.
  - folkhack 7y ago
    Exactly!! I run exclusively 2k and it's not the end of the world imo. I'm running a 1:1 right now and holy cow. I know it's probably bias but I will say it's actually the best monitor I've ever used... I'm a developer so the balance between LOC on screen at full width is AMAZING. Color isn't fantastic on it but honestly I have two monitors flanking it on the left/right that are calibrated enough for basic print/photo needs. The thing is - I'm still using it for things like PS and Illustrator because 1:1 works so well for complex applications like that... I just check color on a better monitor.
outworlder 7y ago
So it has an insane resolution for an insane amount of money. The original monitor also had an insane resolution for the time, but did not cost 5k. 1k is pricey for a monitor, but understandable. If they had segmented and offered a lower resolution monitor for a lower price (basically, an updated Cinema/Thunderbolt display), that would have been enough. The greedy beancounters have fully taken over. Subjective, but that's also the ugliest piece of hardware Apple has ever created.
- muro 7y ago
  It needs to compete on ugliness with the new Mac Pro. The design and the price, did the inmates really take over?
  - saagarjha 7y ago
    Inmates?
    - muro 7y ago
      Was supposed to be about this book: https://www.amazon.com/Inmates-Are-Running-Asylum-Products/dp/0672326140 https://www.amazon.com/Inmates-Are-Running-Asylum-Products/d... But doesn't quite add up. Sorry.
- phaus 7y ago
  But its not an insane resolution. Its twice as expensive as 8k monitors and the only reason they used a proprietary resolution was to attempt to justify it. I thought the monitor was going to be around 2-3k like others in its class. I agree that the stand might be the ugliest thing they've ever made.
  - village-idiot 7y ago
    I don’t think that the resolution was an attempt to justify the price. If that was the case, why go down in resolution from what’s available? Maybe if they were selling a 9k I would buy it. Based off some back of the envelope math I did a while ago, I think Apple decided that 6k is the maximum usable resolution for a desktop monitor. At reasonable viewing distances you should be able to tell the difference between a 4K and 8k monitor, but you won’t be able to resolve every single detail of the 8k, hence 6k.
pastor_elm 7y ago
This is revolutionary tech though
ihuman 7y ago
Why not just buy a 4K monitor from another company?
- mikestew 7y ago
  Same reason I didn't buy a 1440 rez Dell when I originally bought the Cinema display: the Apple product is supposed to "integrate seamlessly, for a full cinema experience, and an orgasmic combination of fanboism". The display also made for a great MBP docking station back in the day. And it's still a nice display, if ten years old. I want another one of those, only moar pixelz. And not five thousand g-ddamned dollars.
  - draw_down 7y ago
    I want a million dollars and a pony, but we don't always get what we want!
- kitsunesoba 7y ago
  Because 4K doesn’t pixel double and the 5K display selection is somewhere between sparse and nonexistent.
- josho 7y ago
  I have an Apple Thunderbolt Display and a generic 4k. The Apple display powers on instantly, the speakers are fantastic, it functions as a dock, and I can control brightness from the keyboard. The generic 4k display has none of those benefits, oh and I can't seem to get accurate colors. I was prepared to buy a new Apple display today knowing that it would be quality in all those aspects. Instead it'll be trial and error to discover a good monitor that works as well as Apple's aging thunderbolt display.
  - benjamin_mahler 7y ago
    I had the same frustrations, and found a way to control monitor brightness with the brightness keys: https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/6kj0oh/use_the_real_brightness_keys_on_a_real_apple/ https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/6kj0oh/use_the_real_br...
tdiggity 7y ago
You can probably get the 5K display on ebay still. Highly recommend it over a 4k display, the extra pixels are awesome.
gnicholas 7y ago
Yep, it doesn't matter if reference displays cost $40k+, if most people who thought they'd want to buy an Apple display are comparing against displays that cost $1k ± $500. I think they'll end up selling the new displays to two market segments: (1) people who actually use the high-end features in their work, and (2) people who have deep/corporate pockets and want to show off that they can afford the most expensive tech imaginable. There are quite possibly more people in the second group than the first.
- CharlesW 7y ago
  > Yep, it doesn't matter if reference displays cost $40k+, if most people who thought they'd want to buy an Apple display are comparing against displays that cost $1k ± $500. This display is for a completely different audience. For the audience you're talking about, Apple sells pretty great LG UltraFine 4K and 5K displays already.
  - gnicholas 7y ago
    The 4k appears to be in stock, but the 5k is not. There have been rumors for quite some time about Apple replacing them because they have been in short supply.
  - _ph_ 7y ago
    I have a 5k iMac with 27". I would like to have a slightly larger display, but there are not many high-dpi displays around. There would be a large market for a screen larger than 27", high-dpi, and somewhat less expensive than the new display.
siidooloo 7y ago
I think this thing is completing against stuff like the 10 bit 4k Eizos which are also pretty expensive to use for anything other the highend graphics. They probably should have a none hdr model for half the price though.
monkin 7y ago
Just to be sure, you get that this display isn't targeted at developers? :)
- stupidcar 7y ago
  There's actually a little bit at the end of the store page that mentions how developers can put it into portrait mode to see more code. The thought of some dev buying this thing just to stare at xcode all day is kinda hilarious.
- mikestew 7y ago
  I do get it, but my question remains: what does Apple suggest that I, a developer/prosumer, buy? Something without an Apple logo on it?
  - monkin 7y ago
    At this time, yes. They saying "go and buy display without our logo, as now we're focusing on other pro group". For years now Apple after each conference was bashed for lack pro hardware and display for video editors, etc. I would bet that next year will be with smaller displays for everyone, and maybe native terminal on iPad... :) Either way todays WWDC was one of the best in recent years, and they responded in a good way to many problems and wishes.
- wuliwong 7y ago
  >Oh, I understand it's a reference-quality, blah, blah, blah, but I just need something to replace an aging Cinema display that was originally $1000. That section of OP's comment seems to clearly show this understanding.
agumonkey 7y ago
I still have the confused laughpplause of the audience when they announced the 999$ stand. I was not paying attention so I rewinded to see what they were talking about. Even the host at the time had a giggle in his voice after that.
bouke 7y ago
Exactly this. I just want a _good_ monitor for around €1000. Thunderbolt 3, 27"+ 5K. Basically an iMac without the computer part.
MR4D 7y ago
I wouldn't consider this a replacement for the cinema display. The Cinema was a high end great monitor for professionals, as opposed to a monitor for professional graphics/video people. The two are radically different, and this time, Apple just went for that niche (albeit making a pitch to do your coding on it, which was kinda dumb in my view). The LG (or equivalent) is a replacement for the old Cinema Display, and is probably great for doing everything. I don't know anyone outside of photo/video (or devs at Adobe making sure their apps look great) working on the new XDR.
aeriklawson 7y ago
I really don't think Apple expects any average consumer to buy this. It's definitely aimed at creative professionals and enterprise, hence why it was launched with the Mac Pro and costs an obscene amount.

minimaxir 7y ago

The 4k LG display was updated/rereleased: https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/24/lg-ultrafine-display-review-2019-two-thunderbolt-3-ports-video/ https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/24/lg-ultrafine-display-review-2... The 5k LG display is still MIA and there isn't a competitor. (and as someone who bought a 5K LG display on release, I'm surprised that's still the case)

pkulak 7y ago
That new 4K no longer has the density to comfortably pixel double. They pretty much made it as useless as every other monitor.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- LegoBlockShell 7y ago
  The pixel dimensions and scaling didn't work out so well, it was really awkward. Scaling to the same UI size as the MacBook Pro 13" and 15" the display showed scaling artifacts a screen door effect. When scaling to native resolution the UI elements were far too big and there wasn't enough screen space. The new 4K will scale much better to the MacBook UI sizes.
LegoBlockShell 7y ago
There was a firmware update for the LG Screen Manager that stated "additional monitor model (24MD4KL, 27MD5KL) (internal logic was changed)". This monitor is on the Apple website here https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HMUA2/lg-ultrafine-4k-display https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HMUA2/lg-ultrafine-4k-dis... that's the 24MD4KL-B.AUSA. Probably just waiting for the new Ultrafine 5K displays to arrive, these panels are difficult to manufacture. It also explains why Apple didn't do a 27" Apple Pro Display XDR and just went ahead with the 32". They still intend on having the LG monitors as "budget" mainstream options. If you look at the design of the Apple Pro Display XDR it's obvious LG was involved in it's design and manufacturing. Even the USB-C port placement is identical to the 4K/5K just on the other side.
AdamJacobMuller 7y ago
> The 5k LG display is still MIA I'm not sure what you mean by that... I'm using one right now and they seem to be available on amazon..
- minimaxir 7y ago
  Rather, it's mostly sold out from the Apple Store (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HKN62LL/A/lg-ultrafine-5k-display https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HKN62LL/A/lg-ultrafine-5k...). Amazon sellers selling it are less-reputiable.
  - colejohnson66 7y ago
    Or just selling leftover stock

folkhack 7y ago

Eizos are outstanding. You can find pretty good deals on used ones with good color space coverage.

sirn 7y ago
EIZO is definitely great, but 4K EIZO screens ain't exactly cheap either. Closest to consumer-level are the CG248-4K and CG318-4K (which actually are reference-grade) and cost about $2,800.
- dllu 7y ago
  The consumer-level Flexscan series are much cheaper. The EV3285, for example, is retailing for $1800 on BHPhoto.
  - sirn 7y ago
    Ah, I totally forgot about Flexscan. They're definitely more suitable for consumer than ColorEdge. I think I didn't considered it because it doesn't have DCI-P3, but it is definitely a great monitor.
nextos 7y ago
True. FlexScan are sometimes not too expensive. With a discount, a 2k one can match Dell UltraSharp in pricing. They also have those amazing 1:1 1920x1920 that are widely used in air traffic control.
- folkhack 7y ago
  Exactly!! I run exclusively 2k and it's not the end of the world imo. I'm running a 1:1 right now and holy cow. I know it's probably bias but I will say it's actually the best monitor I've ever used... I'm a developer so the balance between LOC on screen at full width is AMAZING. Color isn't fantastic on it but honestly I have two monitors flanking it on the left/right that are calibrated enough for basic print/photo needs. The thing is - I'm still using it for things like PS and Illustrator because 1:1 works so well for complex applications like that... I just check color on a better monitor.

outworlder 7y ago

So it has an insane resolution for an insane amount of money. The original monitor also had an insane resolution for the time, but did not cost 5k. 1k is pricey for a monitor, but understandable. If they had segmented and offered a lower resolution monitor for a lower price (basically, an updated Cinema/Thunderbolt display), that would have been enough. The greedy beancounters have fully taken over. Subjective, but that's also the ugliest piece of hardware Apple has ever created.

muro 7y ago
It needs to compete on ugliness with the new Mac Pro. The design and the price, did the inmates really take over?
- saagarjha 7y ago
  Inmates?
  - muro 7y ago
    Was supposed to be about this book: https://www.amazon.com/Inmates-Are-Running-Asylum-Products/dp/0672326140 https://www.amazon.com/Inmates-Are-Running-Asylum-Products/d... But doesn't quite add up. Sorry.
phaus 7y ago
But its not an insane resolution. Its twice as expensive as 8k monitors and the only reason they used a proprietary resolution was to attempt to justify it. I thought the monitor was going to be around 2-3k like others in its class. I agree that the stand might be the ugliest thing they've ever made.
- village-idiot 7y ago
  I don’t think that the resolution was an attempt to justify the price. If that was the case, why go down in resolution from what’s available? Maybe if they were selling a 9k I would buy it. Based off some back of the envelope math I did a while ago, I think Apple decided that 6k is the maximum usable resolution for a desktop monitor. At reasonable viewing distances you should be able to tell the difference between a 4K and 8k monitor, but you won’t be able to resolve every single detail of the 8k, hence 6k.

pastor_elm 7y ago

This is revolutionary tech though

ihuman 7y ago

Why not just buy a 4K monitor from another company?

mikestew 7y ago
Same reason I didn't buy a 1440 rez Dell when I originally bought the Cinema display: the Apple product is supposed to "integrate seamlessly, for a full cinema experience, and an orgasmic combination of fanboism". The display also made for a great MBP docking station back in the day. And it's still a nice display, if ten years old. I want another one of those, only moar pixelz. And not five thousand g-ddamned dollars.
- draw_down 7y ago
  I want a million dollars and a pony, but we don't always get what we want!
kitsunesoba 7y ago
Because 4K doesn’t pixel double and the 5K display selection is somewhere between sparse and nonexistent.
josho 7y ago
I have an Apple Thunderbolt Display and a generic 4k. The Apple display powers on instantly, the speakers are fantastic, it functions as a dock, and I can control brightness from the keyboard. The generic 4k display has none of those benefits, oh and I can't seem to get accurate colors. I was prepared to buy a new Apple display today knowing that it would be quality in all those aspects. Instead it'll be trial and error to discover a good monitor that works as well as Apple's aging thunderbolt display.
- benjamin_mahler 7y ago
  I had the same frustrations, and found a way to control monitor brightness with the brightness keys: https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/6kj0oh/use_the_real_brightness_keys_on_a_real_apple/ https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/6kj0oh/use_the_real_br...

tdiggity 7y ago

You can probably get the 5K display on ebay still. Highly recommend it over a 4k display, the extra pixels are awesome.

gnicholas 7y ago

Yep, it doesn't matter if reference displays cost $40k+, if most people who thought they'd want to buy an Apple display are comparing against displays that cost $1k ± $500. I think they'll end up selling the new displays to two market segments: (1) people who actually use the high-end features in their work, and (2) people who have deep/corporate pockets and want to show off that they can afford the most expensive tech imaginable. There are quite possibly more people in the second group than the first.

CharlesW 7y ago
> Yep, it doesn't matter if reference displays cost $40k+, if most people who thought they'd want to buy an Apple display are comparing against displays that cost $1k ± $500. This display is for a completely different audience. For the audience you're talking about, Apple sells pretty great LG UltraFine 4K and 5K displays already.
- gnicholas 7y ago
  The 4k appears to be in stock, but the 5k is not. There have been rumors for quite some time about Apple replacing them because they have been in short supply.
- _ph_ 7y ago
  I have a 5k iMac with 27". I would like to have a slightly larger display, but there are not many high-dpi displays around. There would be a large market for a screen larger than 27", high-dpi, and somewhat less expensive than the new display.

siidooloo 7y ago

I think this thing is completing against stuff like the 10 bit 4k Eizos which are also pretty expensive to use for anything other the highend graphics. They probably should have a none hdr model for half the price though.

monkin 7y ago

Just to be sure, you get that this display isn't targeted at developers? :)

stupidcar 7y ago
There's actually a little bit at the end of the store page that mentions how developers can put it into portrait mode to see more code. The thought of some dev buying this thing just to stare at xcode all day is kinda hilarious.
mikestew 7y ago
I do get it, but my question remains: what does Apple suggest that I, a developer/prosumer, buy? Something without an Apple logo on it?
- monkin 7y ago
  At this time, yes. They saying "go and buy display without our logo, as now we're focusing on other pro group". For years now Apple after each conference was bashed for lack pro hardware and display for video editors, etc. I would bet that next year will be with smaller displays for everyone, and maybe native terminal on iPad... :) Either way todays WWDC was one of the best in recent years, and they responded in a good way to many problems and wishes.
wuliwong 7y ago
>Oh, I understand it's a reference-quality, blah, blah, blah, but I just need something to replace an aging Cinema display that was originally $1000. That section of OP's comment seems to clearly show this understanding.

agumonkey 7y ago

I still have the confused laughpplause of the audience when they announced the 999$ stand. I was not paying attention so I rewinded to see what they were talking about. Even the host at the time had a giggle in his voice after that.

bouke 7y ago

Exactly this. I just want a _good_ monitor for around €1000. Thunderbolt 3, 27"+ 5K. Basically an iMac without the computer part.

MR4D 7y ago

I wouldn't consider this a replacement for the cinema display. The Cinema was a high end great monitor for professionals, as opposed to a monitor for professional graphics/video people. The two are radically different, and this time, Apple just went for that niche (albeit making a pitch to do your coding on it, which was kinda dumb in my view). The LG (or equivalent) is a replacement for the old Cinema Display, and is probably great for doing everything. I don't know anyone outside of photo/video (or devs at Adobe making sure their apps look great) working on the new XDR.

aeriklawson 7y ago

I really don't think Apple expects any average consumer to buy this. It's definitely aimed at creative professionals and enterprise, hence why it was launched with the Mac Pro and costs an obscene amount.