LG UltraFine 5K Display listed as 'unavailable' through online Apple Store
Apple's online store is currently sold out of LG's UltraFine 5K Display in multiple regions, leading some to speculate that the product might soon be discontinued.
Online Apple Stores in Brazil, Canada, the U.S. and the UK list the 27-inch LG UltraFine 5K as "Currently Unavailable," with no option to pick up the product from brick-and-mortar stores.
The updated availability follows a period in which customers saw longer than usual shipment quotes, suggesting LG is facing supply constraints. It is possible that the Korean company, like many other hardware manufacturers, is grappling with coronavirus fallout. Apple's webpage does not indicate when more units will be in stock.
Another possibility is a refreshed 5K panel or discontinuation of the joint Apple and LG project.
In May 2019, Apple listed the UltraFine 5K as "Sold Out" on its online storefront prior to releasing a refreshed model in July.
Apple's own Pro Display XDR, a cutting-edge 32-inch 6K display, went up for sale alongside the new Mac Pro in December. At $4,999 (without stand), however, the Pro Display is in no way a direct replacement for the $1,299 LG unit.
The change in Apple's UltraFine 5K stock was spotted by 9to5Mac earlier today.
Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama is also offering AppleInsider readers an exclusive $100 promo code discount with coupon code APINSIDER. This brings the cost of the monitor down to $1,196.99 when shopping through this pricing link with the code.
Online Apple Stores in Brazil, Canada, the U.S. and the UK list the 27-inch LG UltraFine 5K as "Currently Unavailable," with no option to pick up the product from brick-and-mortar stores.
The updated availability follows a period in which customers saw longer than usual shipment quotes, suggesting LG is facing supply constraints. It is possible that the Korean company, like many other hardware manufacturers, is grappling with coronavirus fallout. Apple's webpage does not indicate when more units will be in stock.
Another possibility is a refreshed 5K panel or discontinuation of the joint Apple and LG project.
In May 2019, Apple listed the UltraFine 5K as "Sold Out" on its online storefront prior to releasing a refreshed model in July.
Apple's own Pro Display XDR, a cutting-edge 32-inch 6K display, went up for sale alongside the new Mac Pro in December. At $4,999 (without stand), however, the Pro Display is in no way a direct replacement for the $1,299 LG unit.
The change in Apple's UltraFine 5K stock was spotted by 9to5Mac earlier today.
Deals available elsewhere
Although the LG UltraFine 5K Display is out of stock at Apple, you can pick up the high-res panel at Amazon via 6ave for $1,175.43.Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama is also offering AppleInsider readers an exclusive $100 promo code discount with coupon code APINSIDER. This brings the cost of the monitor down to $1,196.99 when shopping through this pricing link with the code.
Comments
if Apple comes out with an Apple-branded 4K or 5K stand-alone monitor, I would buy a few with minimal hesitation,
Even the LG Monitor was a step down for me.
They were supposed to be the 3rd party answer to the discontinued Cinema displays (i.e. combining a Display with USB hub, webcam + microphone + speakers). However for they have been causing regular issues especially with mac laptops:
- The screen is known to reliably crash the mac (Fortunately recent macOS updates appear to be limiting the scenarios when this occurs.)
- The screen may or may not wake from sleep, or force the system to crash/reboot when in sleep.
- If it does wake, it'll often wake "late", meaning the desktop/windows are flying back and forth across displays
- After waking, the screen may exhibit unusual flickering lines (resleeping/waking the display does seems to resolve these however)
For the cost of the screen and the fact that it's sold 1st party from Apple (with no true alternatives from Apple) is a disgrace to the brand, one of the strongest motivators I have to buy through Apple is knowing that the hardware isn't going to crash my system or generally misbehave. Additionally because it's 3rd party: all attempts at resolving the issues lead no where, if you don't refund the screen within your 2 week grace period, you're stuck with a very expensive lemon.
My main issue with the display is ghosting. Overall, I don't notice it too much, I paid a pretty good price for the monitor ($950 in the early incentives), and it still does look great. I have an older 20" cinema display next to it and the difference is huge. No real regrets.
If we were seeing those connection/negotiation problems I’d be looking at alternative TB3 cables.
I do remember that the earlier models were an absolute nightmare for a lot of people.
If you want the job done properly …
Long after the fact, I learned those machines also suffer from thermal failures (like MacBooks), so I’m glad I never wasted my money on one.
Apple have been continually dropping the ball on pro/power-user machines. Now they’ve priced that ball into an insanely tiny market. Any failure to sell this stuff is a self-inflicted injury on Apple’s part.
In Catalina, it sort of kind of works. The driver doesn't crash but it's hit or miss as to whether the enclosure will mount. Sometimes it'll mount and then immediately drop. If it lasts 5 min, you're generally good until the next sleep / restart. I plan to replace it with an OWC Thunderbay Mini at some point.