Apple's Thunderbolt Display: Upcoming Updates and Future Prospects

With the possibility of an updated Thunderbolt Display looming, this article explores why Apple has not yet released an update for their popular display and delves into the potential future features that might be included in a new Thunderbolt Display.

Why Don't We See an Updated Thunderbolt Display?

When the initial Thunderbolt Display was introduced, it was a competitive and valuable product. Offering a 27-inch 1440p display, a built-in docking station, and a MacBook charger, it provided users with a seamless integration. However, over time, the display began to lag behind in terms of technology and featured often became outdated.

A common reason for Apple not updating a product is to stimulate demand for their newer, more advanced devices. The introduction of the Retina MacBook Pro, which featured a different resolution and different connectivity standards, might have influenced Apple's decision. The Thunderbolt Display relied on a connector technology that was not sufficient to support the new high-resolution displays. Still, Apple could have updated the display to use Thunderbolt 2 or 3, or even improved other features such as USB ports. A price reduction might have also kept the display competitive.

Retina Resolution and Thunderbolt Display

A key factor preventing an update to the Thunderbolt Display is the lack of support for Retina resolution. The original Thunderbolt Display was not designed to support resolutions above 4k. Retina resolution, like the 5k panels found in newer MacBook Pros, requires advanced connectivity and display technology. The current Thunderbolt Display only supports a 5120 x 2880 resolution via a non-standard output to a single LG monitor model, which is impractical for the average user.

Apple has already rolled out Retina displays on their MacBook Pro lineup, and it is likely they will want to extend this to their external displays to maintain a consistent user experience. The release of the Retina 5k displays hints at a new and possibly thinner Thunderbolt Display. However, this new model will probably require Thunderbolt 3, which is expected in the next generation of MacBook Pros.

Can We Expect a New Thunderbolt Display Soon?

Given the introduction of DisplayPort 1.3, which supports 5k Retina displays, it is plausible that we might see an updated Thunderbolt Display soon. DisplayPort 1.3 provides the necessary bandwidth to support these high-resolution displays, which was previously a limitation of the Thunderbolt standard.

The next generation of Thunderbolt connectors is also expected to be more compact and offer improved performance, making it a logical step for Apple to incorporate into a new Thunderbolt Display. This would not only enhance the display's features but also provide a more modern and sleek design.

Conclusion

The Thunderbolt Display remains a valuable product for many users, providing a high-quality display and integration benefits. While it's currently out of date, the possibility of an updated model with enhanced features is on the horizon. For those considering purchasing or updating their display, it's worth keeping an eye on the latest product releases from Apple.