Got a tip for us? Share it...

New Displays at MacWorld? [Updated, Disputed]

According to several anonymous and unconfirmed reports, Apple will be announcing new Displays at MacWorld San Francisco. The new Displays are said to include built-in iSight cameras, making up for the recent discontinuation of Apple's external iSight camera.

Reseller sources have reported conflicting stories, with some saying that Apple had told them that the reason for the discontinuation of the iSight was because Apple believed that since most of their products contained built-in iSights, a standalone product was no longer needed. Such an explanation would seem to precede a display update with built-in iSights. However, other reseller sources have indicated that the discontinuation may have been related to troubles getting the devices lead-free to comply with Europe's RoHS initiative.

Little other information is confirmed at this time, however there are some reports that the displays could see a redesign as well. LoopRumors has also claimed that new displays may be coming at MacWorld, with a thinner and lighter design geared towards increased mobility.

Update: MacScoop/MacOSXRumors indicates that Apple's new displays may include an HDMI connector and support HDCP.

Update 2: Since our posting of this story, we have received a few claims that the story was purposely falsified. Our original sources were anonymous (as stated in the story) and therefore it is hard to verify the claims, however they do raise doubt as to the legitimacy of the original submissions.

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

67 months ago
How hard can it be to keep lead out of iSights? If they can do it for their computers, why not the peripherals? I still think pro displays don't really need iSight.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago
new displays with built-in iSights or not, it seems the standalone version should still be available for people with non-apple displays or who already own an older apple display. if apple really wants to move communication channels towards video-based applications (e.g., rumors for the future of iChat on mobile phones etc.), one would think they'd want iSight available to anyone who wants to jump on board.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago
This is unfortunate for Mac Mini users on a budget. The Mac mini + CinemaDisplay combo is hardly a bargain for budget hunters. That means that Mac mini users will be left without an economically viable iChat A/V solution.

That strikes me as rather unfair.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago
it's a good time to refresh the displays, i think this makes sense.

i wonder if they will include an Apple Remote with the displays, with the magnetic clip so it sticks to the side of the monitor? i think it would make sense to do this since Front Row will be included with Leopard, along with Photo Booth ...

also curious if the specs will change. i assume the line will be HD. also, will they introduce any more sizes other than the current 20", 23" and 30"? I also wouldn't mind less Firewire ports and more USB ports.

finally, is it possible they will include touch-screen technology with the new monitors, especially based on all the patents we've seen?
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago
If the issue is lead content, what's special about the standalone version that it would require lead that the embedded iSight does not?

In my admittedly uninformed opinion, if one can make an embedded isight without lead one could make a standalone version as well.

I agree that pro monitors don't need isights. I'd prefer to not have an iSight staring at me all the time from my 30" ACD.

Plus, a detachable iSight lets me do other cool stuff, like move the camera around for a better view during a video chat and use the iSight with Delicious Library.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago

If the issue is lead content, what's special about the standalone version that it would require lead that the embedded iSight does not?

In my admittedly uninformed opinion, if one can make an embedded isight without lead one could make a standalone version as well.

I agree that pro monitors don't need isights. I'd prefer to not have an iSight staring at me all the time from my 30" ACD.

Plus, a detachable iSight lets me do other cool stuff, like move the camera around for a better view during a video chat and use the iSight with Delicious Library.


Maybe a way to add an iSight to a display and make it look built in?

This brings up an issue that was discussed a while back...there are many offices that do not allow cameras. At this point if you work in such a place you are out of luck if you want to use a Mac laptop, now are you going to be out of luck with Apple displays too?
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago
There are many large offices that don't allow cameras of any kind to be on employee's desks, for security reasons.

I wonder how this will play out in those types of businesses?
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago
ehh...not so impressive.

Hopefully we see something groundbreaking!

...or at least just an update to the iPod.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago
This will never happen and even if it does Apple MUST sell a standalone iSight.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
67 months ago
The lead thing is kind of suspicious, but that was one of the reports that we heard, so I included it.

It's a bit of a tricky story, but I guess we'll see in a few weeks.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives

[ Read All Comments ]