john-useless

keithw said:

Like most things in modern, software enabled hardware, an occasional reboot doesn't hurt.

Although I am generally satisfied with my Apple Studio Display, there have been two occasions during three months of ownership that it failed to wake from sleep and I've had to "reboot" it — and the only way to do that is to unplug it, which for me is a hassle because it's connected to a power strip in a hard-to-reach spot.

My Macs start becoming wonky after about 45+ days without a full restart (a sleep/wake cycle is inadequate) … so since the Studio Display is essentially now a computer with its own operating system, I wish Apple would program the Studio Display to reboot automatically every so often. Perhaps once per week, a certain number of hours after it went to sleep? This might keep its OS happy without much chance of interrupting actual use (presuming, of course, that it isn't in 24/7 use by its owner).

DAalseth said:

I’ve thought the same for a while now. It’s one thing to produce a system that is used in other people’s cars, and making the whole thing yourself. The latter involves setting up a dealer network, service and support systems, dealing with warranty claims and more. 
Why reinvent the wheel, when they can make something to go on other people’s products. Far less hassle and far more money to be made in the latter. 

I agree. Apple famously is not the first to enter markets — think MP3 players, smartphones, wearable tech. But when they do, they tend to do it better than the others, redefining those markets as Apple's entries mature. And Apple also prefers to dominate the product categories in which they compete.

Is there enough that needs to be redefined in the automotive market? Even if there is, how could Apple possibly dominate a product category like that? Apple can afford to attempt to compete in certain product categories (e.g. WiFi access points, expensive smart home speakers) and then to simply walk away from those products when market conditions change. It was not embarrassing for Apple to discontinue their AirPort routers or the full-size HomePod speaker — disappointing to some customers, yes, but not to investors or shareholders.

But the incredibly high startup costs of building a new car company? And the ridicule they would get if they started making cars but then had to discontinue them in, say, five or even 10 years? I don't see Apple wanting to do that.

I will certainly be happy, though, if Apple finds a way to get some of the mainstream automakers to partner with them to improve the entire in-car experience (the software, the controls) and/or even help the automotive industry advance its efforts toward safety and autonomous driving.

I just want to take a moment to lament the passing of the tapered thickness (thinness) that has, until now, always been associated with the MacBook Air name.

I can't argue with Apple's decision to reimagine the M2 MacBook Air as a uniform 0.44-inch thin design, especially given that they shaved a full 20% from its volume as compared to the M1 MacBook Air. But I will still miss the wedge-shaped design of all previous-generation Airs, which became absolutely iconic and influenced the shape of thin-and-light notebooks throughout the industry for well over a decade. Apple didn't invent the wedge shape for notebooks, but they perfected it with the Intel- and M1-based Airs. The design certainly earned a revered place in computing history.

I'll tell ya what, though: Speaking of iconic designs, I would be willing to pay a (slight) penalty in thinness if it meant we could still have a glowing Apple logo.

CampBobcat said:

Has anyone else have troubles using the Thunderbolt Display with the new M1 MPB?   I upgraded to the new M1 and the display no longer works.  I've tried it with older Macs (works) and 3 of the new M1 macs (does not work).    The new M1 also works with a few Apple 27" Cinema Displays , but not the next generation Thunderbolt Display.   Any else having this weird issue?

Although not exactly what you're asking, I have a Mac mini (M1, 2020) with an Apple Thunderbolt Display connected to it via Apple's own Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and it works just fine as the main monitor. The ethernet and USB-A ports on the Thunderbolt Display work fine, too. So there's seemingly no inherent compatibility issue with an M1-based Mac working with the old Thunderbolt Display.

What adapter are you using? If it's a USB-C to mini DisplayPort adapter, that won't work. For the Apple Thunderbolt Display, it has to be a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter even though both adapters appear externally to have the same function.

At any rate, I will test this when my new Apple Studio Display arrives (it's due some time in the next week). I will report back here (in case anyone's still reading by then) whether or not it's possible to daisy-chain a non-Retina-quality desktop monitor (with its own power source).

My new Apple Studio Display has arrived … and I can confirm that daisy-chaining another monitor does not work, at least with my 27-inch Dell U2721DE (a non-Retina-quality QHD 2560 x 1440 pixel monitor).

Even though Apple lists the USB-C ports on the Studio Display as supporting up to 10Gb/s (which someone earlier suggested should be enough bandwidth for a 4K, or 4096 × 2160 pixel, display at 60Hz), Apple apparently does not allow pass-through of any video signal. I was hoping that perhaps it might work for a non-Retina display, i.e. less than 4K resolution.

Just for clarity: The same 3-foot USB-C cable from my Dell monitor that wouldn't get a signal when connected to a USB-C port on the Apple Studio Display does get video when connected directly to a port on my MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021). I also bought a 6-foot USB cable (one rated officially as a USB 3.1 data cable) and I get the same results. So … it's a no-go for having the convenience of connecting just one cable to get two external monitors connected to my MacBook Pro. It's a minor disappointment that I can live with — although I wish Apple's tech specs page for the Studio Display would list clearly that the USB-C ports don't support monitors.

Happily, though, when my Dell U2721DE is directly connected via USB-C to my MacBook Pro, the Dell monitor's built-in gigabit ethernet jack and USB 3.1 hub (with USB-A jacks) work just fine. I'm able to use the Dell monitor as a dock, utilizing its fast ethernet connection while connecting an older Apple wired USB keyboard.