No 5K Thunderbolt Display With Integrated GPU Coming at WWDC

Earlier this week, rumors and speculation suggested Apple was working on a 5K Thunderbolt Display with an integrated GPU that could potentially debut at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, but new information from iMore suggests that is not the case.

According to iMore's Rene Ritchie, Apple does not plan to introduce an Apple Display with an integrated external GPU. Ritchie does not provide a specific source on this information, but he is well-connected and occasionally shares accurate details on Apple's plans.

thunderbolt_display_elcap_views

There'd been some speculation on Twitter and rumor reports about Apple possibly introducing a display with an integrated eGPU. Theory being, it would take some of the graphical processing overhead off MacBooks and/or facilitate a single-cable connection that could drive 5K.

While it sounds cool, it can also create expectational debt. So, scratch eGPU off your list for now, but keep your eyes locked to the keynote on Monday, June 13, for lots of other amazingly cool stuff.

Ritchie's statement does not appear to entirely dismiss the possibility of an upgraded Thunderbolt Display at the Worldwide Developers Conference, so it is possible some kind of display-related announcement is still in the works.

As we explained yesterday, Apple could introduce a 5K display alongside Thunderbolt 3 Macs, using both DisplayPort 1.2 streams in the Thunderbolt 3 specification to drive a 5K display using Multi-Stream Transport. Apple used a similar setup internally for the original 5K iMac.

In recent weeks, Thunderbolt Display stock has been dwindling in many Apple retail stores across the United States, in Canada, and in the UK, leading to speculation that a refresh is on the horizon. It is still not clear if the stock shortages are indicative that a new model is coming, but the Thunderbolt Display is long overdue for an update and WWDC would be an ideal time for an unveiling.

Tag: iMore

Popular Stories

M3 iPad Air

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
Apple Sales Coach App

Apple Launching New 'Sales Coach' App

Friday February 13, 2026 2:01 pm PST by
Apple plans to launch a rebranded "Sales Coach" app on the iPhone and iPad later this month, according to a source familiar with the matter. "Sales Coach" will arrive as an update to Apple's existing "SEED" app, and it will continue to provide sales tips and training resources to Apple Store and Apple Authorized Reseller employees around the world. For example, there are articles and videos...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock

Five iPhone 18 Pro Features Revealed in New Report

Friday February 13, 2026 8:43 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still seven months away, an analyst has revealed five new features the devices will allegedly have. Rumored color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models In a research note with investment firm GF Securities on Thursday, analyst Jeff Pu outlined the following upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro models: Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored...
macbook air prime day 2025

M5 MacBook Air: Release Date, Features, and Performance Predictions

Wednesday February 11, 2026 3:36 am PST by
The MacBook Air is Apple's most popular laptop – a thin, fanless machine that wields quiet power thanks to the efficiency of Apple silicon. While the M4 model isn't exactly old, attention is already turning to its successor. Apple doesn't telegraph new product launches ahead of time, but we can draw a surprisingly clear picture of what to expect by looking at Apple's silicon roadmap,...

Top Rated Comments

127 months ago
Apple To Not Release Product Some Random Guy On Twitter Dreamt Up
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
127 months ago
Typical rumour!

Day 1: "Theres a new thing coming very soon!!"
Day 2: "The thing reported earlier isn't coming soon"

Day 5: "New rumours suggest the previously rumoured thing that was supposed to come soon but was later rumoured not to come soon is in fact coming soon!"
Day 7: "A further report states the thing is not coming soon, but is coming later, possibly next year..maybe"

WWDC, nothing announced.

1.1 minute after WWDC: "I CANT BELIEVE APPLE HAVENT RELEASE THE THING!"
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PantalonesSucia Avatar
127 months ago
Not to fret, the 5k watch bands are confirmed.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scary Spice Avatar
127 months ago
Its been YEARS since an apple keynote announced some 'amazingly cool stuff', even a little. Definitely not 'lots'.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zirel Avatar
127 months ago
Yes, there will be. It's called the iMac 5K, and it's a GPU+CPU+etc attached to a monitor.

Costs less than dell's inferior 5K monitor, too!

Even if you upgrade to a PCI-Ex, or fusion drive, still costs less than the Dell!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Icaras Avatar
127 months ago
All that bickering at yesterday's article forum thread for nothing. Yep. Just another day at Macrumors. :cool:
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)