Thunderbolt Display stock-outs continue as Apple's iMac inventory improves
While Apple has begun to catch up with demand for its redesigned iMacs, the company's Thunderbolt Display remains in limited supply at resellers, potentially hinting that an update could be around the corner.

As of Thursday, the 27-inch Apple Thunderbolt Display is sold out at Amazon, MacConnection, and J&R. Resellers MacMall, B&H and Best Buy advertise that they have inventory available.
AppleInsider first noted in January that Thunderbolt Display units were in short supply at some resellers. The fact that inventory remains limited a month and a half later may hint that Apple is drawing down supply ahead of a refreshed product.
In disassembling Apple's current-generation Thunderbolt Display, the repair experts at iFixit discovered that the device employs the same LG TFT active-matrix LCD screen as the previous-generation 27-inch iMac. Miroslav Djuric, chief information architect at iFixit, described the Thunderbolt Display as "an iMac minus the computing hardware."
If that strategy were to continue, then some of the new design elements employed by Apple in its latest iMac would come to the next-generation Thunderbolt Display. The new iMacs include thinner LCD panels that are fused to the front glass of the display.
The chances of a soon-to-debut thinner Thunderbolt Display have also improved since January as Apple has begun to catch up with demand for its updated iMacs. The screen lamination process used in manufacturing the thinner all-in-one desktops led to production issues that plagued the hardware into early 2013.

As of Thursday, Apple has not yet completely caught up with iMac demand, as the company's website advertises that the 21.5-inch model ships in 2 to 3 weeks, while the larger 27-inch variety ships in 3 to 4 weeks.
But Apple also saw its domestic Mac sales grow 31 percent year over year in the month of January, according to data released this week by the NPD Group. That significant spike in sales was taken as a sign by analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray that Apple has begun to catch up with demand for the new iMacs.
Beyond a thinner design, a new Thunderbolt Display would also likely see upgraded USB 3.0 ports. Apple began offering faster USB 3.0 connectivity on its 2012 Macs, including the redesigned iMac, offering transfer rates up to 5 Gbps, compared to just 480 Mbps for USB 2.0.

As of Thursday, the 27-inch Apple Thunderbolt Display is sold out at Amazon, MacConnection, and J&R. Resellers MacMall, B&H and Best Buy advertise that they have inventory available.
AppleInsider first noted in January that Thunderbolt Display units were in short supply at some resellers. The fact that inventory remains limited a month and a half later may hint that Apple is drawing down supply ahead of a refreshed product.
In disassembling Apple's current-generation Thunderbolt Display, the repair experts at iFixit discovered that the device employs the same LG TFT active-matrix LCD screen as the previous-generation 27-inch iMac. Miroslav Djuric, chief information architect at iFixit, described the Thunderbolt Display as "an iMac minus the computing hardware."
It's likely that a new Thunderbolt Display would borrow design elements from the new, thinner iMac.
If that strategy were to continue, then some of the new design elements employed by Apple in its latest iMac would come to the next-generation Thunderbolt Display. The new iMacs include thinner LCD panels that are fused to the front glass of the display.
The chances of a soon-to-debut thinner Thunderbolt Display have also improved since January as Apple has begun to catch up with demand for its updated iMacs. The screen lamination process used in manufacturing the thinner all-in-one desktops led to production issues that plagued the hardware into early 2013.

As of Thursday, Apple has not yet completely caught up with iMac demand, as the company's website advertises that the 21.5-inch model ships in 2 to 3 weeks, while the larger 27-inch variety ships in 3 to 4 weeks.
But Apple also saw its domestic Mac sales grow 31 percent year over year in the month of January, according to data released this week by the NPD Group. That significant spike in sales was taken as a sign by analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray that Apple has begun to catch up with demand for the new iMacs.
Beyond a thinner design, a new Thunderbolt Display would also likely see upgraded USB 3.0 ports. Apple began offering faster USB 3.0 connectivity on its 2012 Macs, including the redesigned iMac, offering transfer rates up to 5 Gbps, compared to just 480 Mbps for USB 2.0.
Comments
Perhaps this new Thunderbolt display will be released alongside a new Mac Pro?
Then again, for not much more money, Apple will toss in an iMac....
Llikely: I'm expecting an event in March (20th?) with a new Mac tower, new ATD that mirror the new iMac look, and new AirPort products with 802.11ac
Maybe: New Apple TV HW, OS features and SDK.
Unlikely: An Apple Home Server running off iOS that can hold at multiple drives in a RAID and can host a home's iTunes content so that a Mac no longer has to be the hub for all content as devices get more portable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nagromme
I'm often recommending Dell displays to other people, but this IS a prominent piece of furniture, so looks matter--and Dell's price with a plastic shell and no Thunderbolt isn't much less than this. I'm tempted by an Apple display next time I get a screen.
Then again, for not much more money, Apple will toss in an iMac....
These displays are impressive to say the least. I've been using my TB display with my MBA at the office. It's one of the best investments I've made. That display really goes will with a Macbook of some sort. A 27" iMac is still going to cost a chunk of change more though, but true... it can also serve as an external monitor too. Tough decision.
I've seen the Dell monitor. Not even in the same league as what Apple offers. At least Apple's monitor serves as a dock for all the cabling. Dell's price is almost about the same with the more inferior construction. Not my cup of tea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by macxpress
Perhaps this new Thunderbolt display will be released alongside a new Mac Pro?
That would seem to make sense and be a good fit. Assuming they'll want a display that can work with a new MacPro (seeing as the current MacPros don't have TB).
I wish they would go to 30" like the original Cinema Display.
Originally Posted by mstone
I wish they would go to 30" like the original Cinema Display.
Wish they'd go back to 16:10, you mean. And I agree. None of this 16:9 nonsense. Leave that for televisions (though I wouldn't accept an Apple HDTV at anything other than 2.39:1, ignoring some of the other reasons I wouldn't accept one
Quote:
Originally Posted by nagromme
I'm often recommending Dell displays to other people, but this IS a prominent piece of furniture, so looks matter--and Dell's price with a plastic shell and no Thunderbolt isn't much less than this. I'm tempted by an Apple display next time I get a screen.
Then again, for not much more money, Apple will toss in an iMac....
I recently purchase a 23" Dell Display with an IPS panel in it. Its an awesome display and only cost me $159 on sale + price match. It goes well with my Mac mini. If I were to get a Thunderbolt display for my Mac mini, I would have been better off just getting an iMac. It suits my needs well. It doesn't look all that bad either. Sure, its not aluminum/glass, but its not completely cheap looking either.
Dell Display
I'd be surprised if Apple held off once a release is ready. You don't want to do your competition any favors. I suppose Apple might be concerned over some self-cannibalizing, but that's really not Apple's modus operandi.
I'd imagine they'll use the new screen tech and slim it right down.
Oh BTW Apple, how about making it sit at the same bloody height as the iMac screen through use of interchangeable stands.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evilution
Oh BTW Apple, how about making it sit at the same bloody height as the iMac screen through use of interchangeable stands.
I never understood why they do not make the height adjustable in the first place.
Been waiting for this since my rMBP purchase
I believe it's more likely now, but really, it seems most low stock situations aren't an indicator of an upcoming model, it's just supplies on the model are temporarily slim.
I don't think it makes sense to buy a mini with a Thunderbolt display. An iMac with a Thunderbolt display beside it, that's an enticing idea.
They could use an update now that the laptops have USB 3 and a new magsafe. I wonder if they'll switch it around so that it has magsafe 2 with a magsafe 1 adaptor.
It seems a bit away yet, but still...