Last week, Apple released a whole bunch of new stuff, including a couple of things I found particularly interesting. But perhaps the most interesting was the Studio Display XDR. If you're unfamiliar with it, I like Marques Brownlee's take as an introduction:
Apple Studio Display XDR Review: We're All Pros Now!
The Studio Display XDR is really good. And really expensive.MKBHD Merch: http://shop.MKBHD.comApple Studio Display XDR: https://geni.us/eVYQk (Affiliate Link...
I bought a used Pro Display XDR after working on a lower-pixel density but ultrawide monitor for over a year, and then temporarily using a Retina external display again, which made me realize I missed the higher density. At the time, it did occur to me that the XDR was long in the tooth, and it could be replaced in the lineup soon. Buying used made taking that chance more acceptable, but if they released an update that improved on the things that I really wanted from the XDR—large size, high resolution, Apple aesthetics—at a more reasonable price, I'd be sad. But Apple updates its monitors so infrequently that it's a fool's errand to try and make any decision based on when an update might come.
The Studio Display XDR is a kind of replacement for the Pro Display XDR, though Apple isn't calling it a replacement. The new XDR is a 27" 5K monitor, not a 32" 6K one. It is also less expensive than the Pro Display by half-ish. Among the improvements over the Pro Display XDR are: many more local dimming zones for better contrast with less blooming, higher brightness specs, a built-in web camera and speakers, and an included adjustable stand. Those are all notable and interesting to me, especially the increased local dimming zones. But by far the improvement I'm the most jealous of is that the new display can run at a 120 Hz refresh rate.
Now, I don't care much about the parts of the Pro Display XDR that makes its insane price justifiable to some, like those who work in high-end color correction and video production, which is why I refused to pay full price for one. But the Studio Display XDR targets exactly the kinds of things I do care about, so I'm happy that Apple decided to aim it at people like me more precisely. And, don't get me wrong, I'd likely have pre-ordered one if I hadn't already bought the Pro Display XDR.
But I love big monitors. The reason I strayed from Retina in the first place was to get away from dual 27" monitors and get more real estate on one screen. I got other benefits too, and they'll sound familiar: OLED (better blacks/contrast) and a 120 Hz refresh rate. (Well, technically, the monitor could do 240 Hz, but my Mac couldn't push it at that, and 120 is fine for my eyes.) So, while I'm jealous of the other improvements, the downgrade in real estate is going to keep me on the Pro Display XDR. In fact, I'm happy I made the jump, and am more secure in that decision now that I know about the new monitor.