Apple Monitors: Lcd Displays Explained

Apple has sold a variety of LCD and CRT displays since introducing their first display in 1980. Apple paused production of their own standalone displays in 2016 and partnered with LG to design displays for Macs. In 2019, Apple released the Pro Display XDR, the first Apple-branded display since the Thunderbolt Display was discontinued in 2016. In 2022, Apple released the Apple Studio Display, the first Apple-branded consumer display since the Thunderbolt Display's discontinuation.

Apple's LCD history

Apple has a long history of manufacturing LCD displays, dating back to the 1980s. Here is a detailed overview of Apple's journey with LCD technology:

The Early Years:

Apple's first foray into the world of LCD displays began in 1984 with the Apple IIc Flat Panel Display. This 7-inch, 1-bit LCD was designed for the Apple IIc, offering a resolution of 560 x 192. However, with a price tag of $595, it failed to gain traction, resulting in an estimated production of only 10,000 units.

Experimentation and Innovation:

After a decade-long hiatus from external LCD displays, Apple re-entered the market in 1998 with the Apple Studio Display 15-inch. This thin, LCD display stood in contrast to the bulky CRT monitors of the time. While it initially retailed for $1,999, a 1999 revision reduced the price to $1,099. This marked Apple's transition from beige plastic designs to more vibrant colours.

Cinema Display Arrives:

In 1999, Apple unveiled the groundbreaking 22-inch Cinema Display, its first widescreen monitor. With a resolution of 1600 x 1024, it was the largest LCD display on the market at the time. The sleek, thin design and vibrant colours made it an instant hit, though it carried a hefty price tag of $3,999. This display also introduced the digital video interface, a significant step forward.

Expanding the Lineup:

In 2000, Apple revamped the Studio Display to match the larger Cinema Display. The following year, in 2001, they introduced a 17-inch Studio Display, completing their transition to flat-screen displays.

HD and Beyond:

Apple continued to innovate with the launch of the 23-inch Cinema Display HD in 2002, offering a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200, a significant upgrade for media playback. In 2004, they introduced three new displays—20-inch, 23-inch, and 30-inch—clad in sleek aluminium enclosures.

LED Revolution:

Apple embraced LED technology with the introduction of the 24-inch LED Cinema Display in 2008, followed by the larger 27-inch version in 2010. These displays integrated cameras, microphones, and speakers, catering to the needs of notebook users.

Thunderbolt Display:

In 2011, Apple unveiled the Thunderbolt Display, combining a high-resolution screen with advanced connectivity. This display served as a docking station for MacBook users, offering a seamless, all-in-one experience.

Recent Developments:

Apple paused production of standalone displays in 2016, instead partnering with LG to design displays for Macs. In 2019, they released the Pro Display XDR, a 32-inch Retina 6K display aimed at professionals. More recently, in 2022, Apple reintroduced the Studio Display, offering a 27-inch 5K panel with modern features.

Apple's CRT displays

Apple has sold a variety of LCD and CRT computer displays since its first display in 1980. Apple's CRT displays were manufactured in-house and were known for their unique design and features.

The history of Apple CRT displays began in 1980 with the Monitor ///, a 12-inch monochrome (green) screen introduced alongside the Apple III business computer. Despite its slow phosphor refresh rate, which resulted in a "ghosting" video effect, Apple addressed this issue by providing a plastic stand to accommodate the larger footprint of the display.

In 1983, Apple introduced the Apple Monitor II, which was specifically designed for the Apple II line, offering improved features and visual quality. The following year, in 1984, Apple released the Monitor IIc, a miniature 9-inch screen for the Apple IIc computer. This display marked a significant shift in Apple's design language, introducing the "Snow White" aesthetic and moving away from the traditional beige colour.

The early 1990s saw the release of the Apple Monitor II series, which included the Monitor IIe and Monitor IIc, designed for the Apple IIe and IIc computers, respectively. These monitors were Apple's first colour CRT offerings and featured composite video displays.

In 1986, Apple introduced the AppleColor RGB Monitor, a 12-inch analog RGB display designed for the Apple IIGS computer. This monitor supported a resolution of 640x400 interlaced and could also be used with the Macintosh II with the Apple High Resolution Display Video Card.

The second generation of Apple displays were built into the Lisa and Macintosh computers. The Macintosh featured a 9-inch monochrome display with a resolution of 512x342 pixels, which became the standard for all monochrome Compact Macintosh computers.

In 1987, Apple released the AppleColor High-Resolution RGB Monitor for the Macintosh II. This 13-inch Trinitron CRT was the first Apple display to use an aperture grille CRT and offered a fixed resolution of 640x480 pixels.

The third generation of displays marked the transition from monochrome to multimedia, with Apple introducing the Apple AudioVision 14 Display in 1993, which included built-in speakers. During this period, Apple also launched the "Multiple Scan" and "AppleVision" series, offering shadow mask CRTs and high-end Trinitron CRTs, respectively.

The fourth generation of Apple displays, introduced in 1999, featured the "Apple Studio Display" series of CRTs. These included a 17-inch Diamondtron and a 21-inch Trinitron CRT, both driven by an LG-manufactured chassis. However, these displays were prone to issues, with reports of faulty flybacks and potential damage to GPUs and computers.

In 2000, Apple introduced its last external CRT display, the 17-inch flat-screen Diamondtron CRT, which was discontinued the following year. Subsequently, Apple transitioned to LCD displays, with the release of the "LCD Studio Displays" in 2002.

Apple's standalone displays

Apple has a long history of manufacturing and selling standalone displays, with its first display released in 1980. In 2016, Apple paused its production of standalone displays and partnered with LG to design displays for Macs. However, in 2019, Apple re-entered the display market with the Pro Display XDR, and in 2022, it released the Apple Studio Display as a consumer-focused option.

Apple's Early Displays

Apple's first standalone display was introduced in 1980 and was a 12-inch monochrome screen for the Apple III business computer. Over the next few years, Apple continued to release displays, including the Apple Monitor II in 1983 and the Monitor IIc in 1984, which was designed for the Apple IIc computer.

Transition to LCDs

In 1984, Apple introduced its first LCD display, the Apple IIc Flat Panel Display, which offered an 80-column text mode and hi-res graphic support. However, due to its odd aspect ratio and poor contrast, it was not well-received and was soon discontinued.

External LCD Displays

In 1998, Apple released the Apple Studio Display, a 15-inch thin LCD display that marked a shift away from the CRT displays of the time. This was followed by the Apple Cinema Display in 1999, a 22-inch LCD with a new design language that would influence Apple displays for the next five years.

The Pro Display XDR

After a hiatus from the display market, Apple re-entered with the Pro Display XDR in 2019. This display offers a 32-inch Retina 6K screen with up to 1600 nits of brightness and an incredible contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. It utilizes advanced LED technology and intelligent image processing to deliver exceptional image quality and color accuracy.

The Apple Studio Display

Released in 2022, the Apple Studio Display is a 27-inch 5K Retina display with camera, audio, and connectivity features. It offers a tilt-adjustable stand and a VESA mount adapter option. While it received praise for its image and sound quality, there was criticism for its design, build quality, and lack of cable management and USB-A ports.

Apple's current LCD displays

Apple has a long history of manufacturing LCD displays, dating back to the introduction of their first display in 1980. Here is an overview of Apple's current LCD displays:

Apple Studio Display

The Apple Studio Display is a 27-inch 5K Retina monitor with a resolution of 5120 x 2880 and a brightness of 600 nits. It offers wide colour (P3) and True Tone technology, ensuring accurate colour reproduction and an immersive viewing experience. The display also features an advanced camera and audio system, including a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage, a studio-quality three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio. For connectivity, the Studio Display is equipped with three USB-C ports and one Thunderbolt 3 port, allowing users to connect and charge their compatible Macs. Additionally, it offers a tilt-adjustable stand, with the option for height adjustment and VESA mount adapter compatibility.

Pro Display XDR

The Pro Display XDR is Apple's most advanced display, boasting a 32-inch 6K Retina screen with a resolution of 6016 x 3384. It features an Extreme Dynamic Range (XDR) panel, delivering stunning visuals with precise colour accuracy. The display is designed with a focus on sustainability, utilising low-carbon aluminium enclosures and recycled materials. Like the Studio Display, it includes a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, a studio-quality three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system. For connectivity, it also provides three USB-C ports and one Thunderbolt 3 port. The Pro Display XDR offers flexible stand options, including tilt and height adjustment, and can be mounted using the VESA mount adapter.

Apple's LCD displays vs competitors

Apple has sold a variety of LCD and CRT computer displays since introducing its first display in 1980. In 2016, Apple paused production of their own standalone displays and partnered with LG to design displays for Macs.

The Apple Studio Display is the company's "budget-friendly" monitor, intended to cater to a broader audience compared to the $4,999 Pro Display XDR that targets professionals. Nevertheless, at $1,600 it remains a display on the higher end of the cost spectrum. The Apple Studio Display is a 27-inch 5K Retina display with outstanding camera and audio. It has a resolution of 5120 x 2880 and a peak brightness of 1600 nits. It features a tilt-adjustable stand, three USB-C ports, and one Thunderbolt 3 port.

There are several competitors to the Apple Studio Display that offer similar or better specifications at a lower price point. These include:

• Samsung ViewFinity S9: This monitor has identical specifications and price to the Apple Studio Display, with additional features. It includes a 27-inch panel with a 5K resolution, impressive colour-reproduction capabilities, and support for HDR600, which Apple does not offer. It offers up to 600 nits of brightness and has a Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB Type-C ports, and a mini DisplayPort. It also comes with a bundled remote control and wireless connectivity. The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is available for $1,600.
• LG Ultrafine 5K 27MD5KL-B: This monitor is almost exactly the same as the Apple Studio Display but a few hundred dollars cheaper. It has a 27-inch display with a 5K resolution, three USB-C ports, and one Thunderbolt 3 port with a 94W power pass-through. It offers exceptional colour accuracy and 500 nits peak brightness. The LG Ultrafine 5K 27MD5KL-B is available for $1,150.
• BenQ PD2705U: This monitor delivers a great display experience without replicating the Apple Studio Display and is nearly a third of the price. It has a 27-inch 4K display with 99% colour accuracy in the sRGB colour gamut. It also has a healthy selection of ports, offering USB-C, HDMI, and USB-B connections. The BenQ PD2705U is available for $550.
• ASUS ProArt Display PA279CV: This is another quality affordable display that appeals to budding creatives and professionals. It has a 27-inch 4K display with 100% sRGB/Rec. 709 colour accuracy and an excellent amount of ports, including one USB-C connection, DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and two USB-A ports. The ASUS ProArt Display PA279CV is available for $400.
• Dell UltraSharp U2723QE: This is another great 4K monitor that is half the cost of the Apple Studio Display. For $580, you get a 27-inch 4K display with 100% sRGB colour accuracy that supports HDR 400. It has a robust USB hub with two USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, two DisplayPorts, four USB-A ports, and an Ethernet jack. The stand supports full height, tilt, and swivel adjustment.

While Apple makes the best displays for its OS, there are several competitors that offer excellent alternatives at a lower price point. These alternatives provide a similar or better level of experience and are worth considering when choosing a monitor for your Mac.

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