Didn’t know the VESA Adapter is so hard to get in the US. I bought one for 135 EUR, while the retail price is 229 EUR in Europe. I returned the VESA after getting the Pro Stand.
If I knew it was so difficult to get over there, I would have sold it to one of you guys.
@Silly John Fatty Though I haven’t had any negative experiences yet, I do recommend you to try to find a B-Stock, so it has been thoroughly tested already. It reduces the chance on what scares you away. Also a second hand Pro Display XDR with Apple Care might help you.
What I found out during my research, is that the nano texture version is a bit more prone to the problems that you are talking about. I have done extensive searching before deciding on the Pro Display XDR. I also have been doubting between one XDR or two Studio Displays. I know what you feel like. Feel free to DM me when needed.
My brother bought two Studio Displays and is very happy with them. Although they are not for me, mostly because the screens are too small for me and I really enjoy HDR on the Display XDR.
I have seen your earlier posts and it reminds me of me. I was also looking for negative experiences, just to talk myself out of buying the Pro Display. But in the end you will keep talking yourself out of it until you’ll decide again and again that you want it.
Thanks man
But I can guarantee you that I'm not talking myself out of buying it for fun, but for strictly rational reasons. My time is very limited, and my setup has to work. If there's a slightest problem, then that's a big problem for me, because suddenly I have to deal with my setup, and that's a catastrophe.
Sadly I've had this happen multiple times with Apple already. Also with software updates for example. But it's become better now, and I hope it continues to improve.
The XDR is very expensive and seems to have some flaws that the ASD doesn't have, so the rational decision I took was to go for the ASD.
But I am still looking out for an XDR. The price has to be right, though. I've seen some for 3000 Euros and they didn't sell that fast, so the market value has gone low very steeply. If I could get one for 2000 - 2500 Euros, I might consider getting it, but I'll still have to make sure it has absolutely zero issues.
The problem is that by then, it won't have Apple Care anymore (and even if it does, that's maybe like one or two years, that's nothing). So in the worst case, I'll have a display, without warranty, that could potentially go wrong any time. And I'll have to pay for fixing it, and it will cost
a lot I believe.
I'm the guy who has had the dead pixels, amongst other things. Unfortunately I can't speak for long-term use of the display because I've had to send two back after less than a week's use of each. I'm now waiting for Apple to get back to me regarding this third one as they don't replace a fourth time apparently, at least through their online store (and in the UK).
My gut feeling (and hope) is that I've been very unlucky and gone through a bad batch that will be caught, so I don't want my limited experience with the display so far to completely put you off. I've also been thoroughly checking each one, so I might be over-sensitive to any issues now (as their 'flagship' display and for the price though... it should really be 100%).
However, I will list the problems I've had on each so far:
1st:
Glass front wasn't attached straight, with what looked like glue or some other material slightly poking out the side. I didn't check for dead pixels as I was more concerned about the glass front
2nd:
Several dead pixels across the display and uneven vertical brightness stripes (I didn't notice the brightness issue until after I'd posted here about the dead pixels and around the time I was about to return it). Physically perfect on this one though, if I recall correctly
3rd:
One major dead pixel right in the middle, another two more subtle ones in the top left and bottom right corners. It also has a very minor version of the glass issue where it's almost like there's a gap between the body and the glass but I think at this point I'm over it with my microscope. So overall this is the best version I've had so far. The brightness is totally even and I'd say best so far for blooming (lack of)
If you have an Apple Store with stock near you I suggest taking a look at a unit. Unfortunately in the UK they don't hold stock at all, so I'm at the mercy of the Shenzhen factory QC...!
Thanks for describing the issues more deeply. That does sound very concerning and it's what I've read from other people as well. It doesn't motivate me to get one.
As for your display: I'm not sure how it is in the UK now, as it left the EU, but we've got a "state-side", compulsory warranty of two years (I think it might even have increased to three years, and I think there's plans to make it five years, or at least some have tried to push this through).
Anyway, this warranty basically says that the thing has to work for that period of time. Which your display didn't. And I'm pretty sure the UK has this law too, I would be very surprised if it didn't.
So it's not really a matter of "Apple doesn't replace them a fourth time", but more of "Apple has to replace them as often as needed in that period of time, or return your money". Apple doesn't make the rules here.
I hope you go see them and tell them what's the law (look up the law before, of course).
In the worst case, if they don't want to replace it, just ask your money back and get a Studio Display. Don't tell them your want the Studio Display, or they might try to swap the XDR for an SD, and you'll make a bad deal. I think they'll make everything to make a good deal on you, they're not the most valuable company in the world because they make gifts.
I'd get my money back, not tell anything, and silently order a Studio Display (or two) if I was you.
And I didn't find you pedantic by the way, those things would utterly annoy me as well. Like you say, at that price, 100% is obligatory.