Apple Unveils $1,599 27-Inch 5K 'Studio Display' External Monitor

Apple today unveiled the 27-inch 5K "Studio Display" external monitor, alongside the new, high-end Mac Studio desktop computer.

apple studio display 1
The Studio Display features an all-screen design with narrow borders in a slim, all-aluminium enclosure like the 24-inch iMac. The display can be tiled up to 30 degrees thanks to its built-in stand.

To customize the display, customers can choose a more versatile, height-adjustable stand with a counterbalancing arm for an additional $400, or opt for a VESA mount adapter option, and there is also the option of nano-texture glass for an additional $300.

The screen itself features a 5K retina resolution with over 14.7M pixels. It also has an anti-reflective coating, up to 600 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, support for over one billion colors, and True Tone.

The Studio Display also contains the A13 Bionic chip to support its camera and audio system. It features a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera like the iPad, with Center Stage for the first time on the Mac.

With a high-fidelity six-speaker setup, the display contains four force-cancelling woofers that minimize distortion and two high-performance tweeters, featuring support for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. The Studio Display also includes a studio-quality three-mic array that is optimized for calls and voice recordings.

The rear of the Studio Display features three USB-C ports and a Thunderbolt port to connect peripherals. The display can deliver 96W of power to a notebook, and can fast charge the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Up to three Studio Displays can connect to a single MacBook Pro.

The Studio Display starts at $1,599. Alongside the Mac Studio, the Studio Display is available to order today and orders will begin to arrive on March 18.

Top Rated Comments

LonestarOne Avatar
16 months ago

Basically, this monitor starts at $1,999. Nobody buys a non-height adjustable monitor these days.
Hi, there. I’m nobody.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CWallace Avatar
16 months ago
Considering how much better it is than the $1300 LG UltraFine 5K, $1600 is quite reasonable, IMO.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamBrian Avatar
16 months ago
I'm pretty let down by the studio display. The Studio CPU seems like a very capable professional tool given the performance capabilities, so the display doesn't quite match up to me since it seems more like a lower level consumer product instead of a mid tier item as reflected by the price.

- I was hoping for something more than a standard IPS 600 nit display. They didn't mention anything about MiniLED or pro motion, which makes it strange to have them market to colorists and photographers who would have a less capable screen compared to a MacBook Pro.

- The focus on audio capabilities is also kind of strange since anyone even slightly interested in production would use external speakers no matter how relatively good the monitor audio is.

-As for the price tag, it seems like you're getting the similar to a 5K iMac display with upgraded audio and webcam while shaving off an entire Mac computer for only $100 off what a base model 27" imac was.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LonestarOne Avatar
16 months ago

Silly that anyone thought it was going to be 120Hz or mini-LED at this price.

That would push the cost up and over $5000. The XDR display costs that much and doesn't even have speakers or a camera.

It's available in the MacBook Pro because it's a much smaller display. Mini-LED hasn't reached the level where it can be in all Macs yet without ridiculous prices.
Everyone wants a 40-inch 8K-resolution mini-LED monitor that sells for under $500. And a free pony.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CWallace Avatar
16 months ago

$1599 is VERY high considering Samsung and Dell is planning to sell QD-OLED panel with >30" in size for around $1300
At sub-4K resolution (3440x1440) with no webcam (much less a 12MP one) and no speakers and optimized for video games, not professional production work.

Mind you, I have the Alienware on order, but it's going to be my gaming monitor on my Alienware gaming PC.

I will still use my iMac 5K for my work.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cashmonee Avatar
16 months ago
This display feels out of date before it has even launched. A 60Hz, non-HDR, IPS LED, non-HDMI 2.1, edge-lit monitor for $1600? Yikes. And with how often Apple updates their displays, this monitor is not likely to age well.

Who is this for exactly? A video editor is going to want HDR and local dimming. Maybe a photographer? A casual user isn't spending $1600. Seems like it occupies this weird middle space between an everyday user and professional. Not sure there is a market in that space.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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