please update Thunderbolt Display

We're not Apple.

 

http://www.apple.com/feedback/imac.html

 

Not the right page, but there is no right page. In the comments, ask them to make a Thunderbolt Display of the same design. They obviously plan to anyway. I doubt the resolution will change.

What USB problem?

I highly doubt that the Thunderbolt Display will be updated anytime soon. As to the Mini it comes with 4 USB 3 ports anyways, so what is the problem? Remember the Mini was just updated with Ivy Bridge which supports USB 3 fairly well.

As to why it won't be updated, the number one reasons is that there is no good technical reason to do so. If anything Apple will sell the same basic monitor until Thunderbolt 2 debuts.

The imac didn't go up in pixel count, so you won't see anything different with the thunderbolt display. They've always used similar designs to minimize costs and maintain uniformity through their line. If anything you'll probably see a design similar to the updated 27" imac design. So far Apple hasn't touched usb3 outside of what intel chose to integrate. They'd need a third party chipset tested with stable firmware. The new imacs aren't even out yet, and they would take priority over peripheral displays. No availability until December suggests constrained supplies. I wouldn't expect a new thunderbolt display any earlier than February or March. It could be much later. Be prepared to be disappointed, as what you're requesting is highly unlikely. Overall most of the real changes in displays have been on the mobile end for the past several years. Do not expect anything quickly when it comes to desktop displays. The same models are often sold for 3 years or more between refreshes.

 

Except the 24" and 27" Cinema Displays.

I was referring more to displays in general. With the 27" cinema display, it gave way to a revised thunderbolt version. In terms of the engineering specific to the display parts, it has remained relatively consistent. The panel used there has been available since roughly 2009. Apple most likely designed the implementation with the anticipation of using it in the thunderbolt configuration later. With the 24", they dropped that size from their lineup. My point was that panel designs don't update annually, and for the most part manufacturers design one based off whatever panel and make at most minor tweaks until a new generation of hardware is available. I don't mind this at all. Displays aren't on an extremely short replacement cycle for most people. I was mainly indicating that it's unreasonable to assume the thunderbolt display will leapfrog the imac in technology here. I'm also high skeptical on the idea that Apple would go with a fully custom panel for use in the imac. I don't know of any higher resolution parts that are available today, and hiring LG, Samsung, or Sharp to do totally custom work on a slightly more limited scale would be quite expensive. It doesn't surprise me to see high levels of customization in iphones and ipads as these are areas of much higher growth. As I mentioned, I wouldn't expect any kind of update to the thunderbolt display until the initial surge of demand for the new imacs has passed. It's arguable that Apple would want them to match for those who use dual displays, but that may represent a small percentage of their market.

Apple will probably update this display when they revise the Mac Pro sometime in 2013.

I have to make a decision in the near future on a display with a time-limited work budget.  At this time, the Thunderbolt Display does not qualify, because the screen glare is excessive and because I need USB 3 hubbing capabilities.

 

Should Apple not update the Thunderbolt Display with either matte finish or laminated glass, and USB 3, in the next couple of months, I will likely buy Dell's latest LED-backlit 27 inch display.

 

As an aside I would like to see Apple introduce more HiDPI modes in software.  As it is, the HiDPI modes on Retina support perfectly scaled resolutions up to two-thirds of the native resolution, but the HiDPI modes through Mountain Lion with standard Macs and external displays only go to half in the built-in display menu and about 56 or 57 percent with a third-party control panel.  A two-thirds resolution would yield about 1100 pixels horizontally on the 1680 hi-res matte 15 inch display and 1680 on the Thunderbolt display; both really useful for people with compromised eyesight or simply a preference for larger text.  I know I'd use a 1680 HiDPI mode on the 27-inch display all the time.

You can buy one of these for $950 these days (B+H went to $950). Given the price drops, I wouldn't even consider the thunderbolt display for anything but its docking station functionality. That tends to be their edge with it. If it's not a requirement, there are better ones available at this point for less money.

 

Also Hardforum has a thread regarding the Dell. They seem to be discussing it favorably.

Edited by hmm - 11/19/12 at 7:06am