Apple Thunderbolt Display: Tech Giant Working on 5K Monitor To Replace Discontinued Device? [VIDEO]
It's now official. Apple's only external monitor, the Thunderbolt Display, is being retired by the tech giant. The Thunderbolt Display has not had a refresh since 2011, and Apple fans have been clamoring for an update to the well-loved monitor. Instead, however, it seems like Apple is intent on abandoning the device altogether.
"We're discontinuing the Apple Thunderbolt Display. It will be available through Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers while supplies last. There are a number of great third-party options available for Mac users," Apple said in a statement to Tech Crunch.
The Thunderbolt Display, which features a 2560x1440 IPS panel, has been due for an update for a pretty long time. Now pushing well into its fifth year in the market, the Thunderbolt has, in a lot of ways, become far too expensive and far too behind on the competition.
Indeed, even Apple fans admit that the latest offerings from third-party companies now outgun the Cupertino-based giant's monitor. In fact, even Apple's official statement advised users to opt for external monitors from other companies, which is something quite unexpected from the tech giant.
The Thunderbolt Display is still for sale on Apple Stores, however, for a still-premium price of $999. However, after its inventory runs out, that is basically it for the Thunderbolt Display. Thus, Apple fans, especially those using the Mac Mini and the Mac Pro, are advised to purchase a Thunderbolt Display now. After all, they would soon be gone forever.
Then again, the retirement of the Thunderbolt might not mean that Apple is stepping away from the monitor business altogether. Recently, rumors were emerging that the tech giant is hard at work in creating a 5K monitor that is more in line with its more recent products, such as its premium iMac line, which already features a 5K display.
Unsurprisingly, Apple has been pretty silent about rumors pertaining to another external display in the works. Considering the number of Mac Minis and Mac Pros out there in the wild, however, it would also be unsurprising if Apple introduces its next-generation monitor pretty soon.
