New Apple Cinema Display - Mini DisplayPort?

[datapirate]

Any idea if Mac will be releasing a new Apple Cinema Display that supports mini display port when they release the new Thunderbolt version?

I was thinking about purchasing a 2nd monitor for my older mac pro, I am not sure if its worth waiting to see if they are going to release a new mini-display port model.

thanks.

dp

 

[simsaladimbamba]

It is very unlikely that they do. Apple almost never goes back to "older" technology.

 

[Attonine]

No way of knowing what will be released.

My opinion is that any new displays will be TB. I imagine the current ACD with mini displayport will be kept with no updates to support those who do not yet have TB equiped macs

 

[Umbongo]

That seems highly unlikely. They sell too few displays to have a separate model.

We also have no idea when there will be a new display from Apple. All that is feasible at the moment would be to update the enclosure to match the iMac. Improved resolution is probably years away from all that display manufacturers have shown.

If you own one now and wanted to add another they I'd do it now.

 

[datapirate]

thanks for the info..

I just thought with the release of a new Mac Pro they might update the mini display port model as I don't believe their newer version of the Mac Pro will support ThunderBolt (I could be wrong).

 

[goMac]

thanks for the info..

I just thought with the release of a new Mac Pro they might update the mini display port model as I don't believe their newer version of the Mac Pro will support ThunderBolt (I could be wrong).

I think it's pretty likely (however Apple technically pulls it off) that the new Mac Pro will support Thunderbolt.

 

[deconstruct60]

I just thought with the release of a new Mac Pro they might update the mini display port model as I don't believe their newer version of the Mac Pro will support ThunderBolt (I could be wrong).

It is possible but ....

a. The current one is more oriented to being a docking station (i.e., the MagSafe) connector. If the product is primarily a docking station then Thunderbolt (TB) is a better solution. Three headed, fixed length cord is worse than a Two headed, fixed length cord.

The nominal use case for the product is probably pretty exhausted with all of the pre TB Macbooks , Minis , and iMacs already paired up with a display.


b. Even though it is a bit of a solution in search of a problem on the Mac Pro, Apple's tendency to OCD uniformity would make the Mac Pro match-up with the rest of the Mac line up by adding Thunderbolt. ( if they do add TB, any miniDisplayPort monitor you buy now will still work. )


If Apple were to jump back into the primarily being a display market they could do something like:

same panel. better/broad range backlighting solution , color coverage , no power supply for other devices. and useful for other machines (some buttons ). DisplayPort 1.2 support (or maybe even multiple inputs) .

don't hold your breath. buttonless , single input , and defacto proprietary solution is more the usually design track they follow.

It is way easier to go the path of the "happens to work with the Mac Pro" and have those users buy a docking station with an integrated LCD panel if wedded to matching logos between display and computer.

 

[thekev]

DisplayPort 1.2 support (or maybe even multiple inputs) .

The current version of thunderbolt doesn't seem to support the full displayport 1.2 spec. I suspect this will change with whatever revision comes next.

 

[deconstruct60]

The current version of thunderbolt doesn't seem to support the full displayport 1.2 spec.

I was talking in the context of they released a new mini Display Port model. If they did, they should add 1.2 support. For one reason, because Thunderbolt doesn't support it and most new PCI-e video cards do. If no Thunderbolt on Mac Pro then primary default connection will be through one of these newer cards.

If Mac Pro with thunderbolt then will only offer the TB docking station which isn't oriented toward several issues DP 1.2 solves.

I suspect this will change with whatever revision comes next.

I'm not as sure. There is bound to be some routing overhead issues when thunderbolt has its own ideas about where things should go due to physical layout mapping. It will make the switching more complicated and soak up more bandwidth. I think it will be faster but primarily aimed at driving down latencies and/or spanning longer distances. ( so still PCI-e v2.0 and DP 1.1a )

If TB's cost structure is still inhibiting adoption then adding complexity to the controller (and likely increasing costs of controllers and certifications ), then it is not really a good move.

But no new Thunderbolt coming till 2014-2015 timeframe.( http://www.anandtech.com/show/5405/the-first-thunderbolt-speed-bump-likely-in-2014) So no, not on any upcoming Mac Pro.

 

[goMac]

The current one is more oriented to being a docking station (i.e., the MagSafe) connector. If the product is primarily a docking station then Thunderbolt (TB) is a better solution. Three headed, fixed length cord is worse than a Two headed, fixed length cord.

The existing MDP model currently sold for the Mac Pro also has Magsafe.

(Unless you meant the current MDP model has Magsafe. Didn't quite know. Sorry )

 

[deconstruct60]

The existing MDP model currently sold for the Mac Pro also has Magsafe.

(Unless you meant the current MDP model has Magsafe. Didn't quite know. Sorry )

That's OK, but yes the both current models that Apple labels as "Displays" power laptops ( LED and Thunderbolt )

2004 was the last year Apple released something that was aimed at being a display primarily. They incrementally retired the models starting in 2008 (intro the laptop powering LED 24"). By 2010, the entire 'display' line up went uniformly to powering laptops ( and single size of larger iMac). Besides the iterative refinement of toward being a better docking station with Thunderbolt there have been no changes besides following iMac screen size changes. They'll probably match the new iMac (laminated screen). Essentially, the product is a somewhat hollowed out iMac. Instead of powering the CPU/GPU inside the box, it keeps essentially same power supply and sends it out through the MagSafe connector. There is slight difference in physical size but a significant intersection of parts.

They haven't done something primarily focused on display in almost 10 years. It is extremely unlikely they are going to switch gears now. It is possible, just not very probable. Primary displays are in the same category as printers. A 3rd party opportunity.

They use the docking stations for photo-ops with an iMac, mini, or Mac Pro, but those aren't the primary target.