Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)

With built-in Thunderbolt technology — the fastest, most flexible I/O ever — the new Apple Thunderbolt Display can do things other displays simply can’t. Of course, it delivers a brilliant viewing experience. But connect it to any Thunderbolt-enabled Mac and it becomes a plug-and-play hub for everything you do. Features include a high-resolution 2560-by-1440 LED-backlit display, a FaceTime HD camera, high-quality audio, three USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a Thunderbolt port for daisy-chaining additional high-performance devices.

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3.5

Based on 71 reviews

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$999.00

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Overview

Introducing the world’s first Thunderbolt display.

Made for the new Macbook family

Thunderbolt technology built in.

Thunderbolt I/O technology lets you move data between your devices and your computer with unprecedented speed. With two channels of 10-Gbps throughput in both directions, it’s up to 20 times faster than USB 2.0 and up to 12 times faster than FireWire 800. And it allows you to connect as many as six devices through a single, compact port.

Connect via Mini DisplayPort

The ultimate docking station.

With just one cable, connect any Thunderbolt-enabled Mac and get 27 inches of high-resolution screen space, high-quality audio, a FaceTime HD camera, FireWire 800 and Gigabit Ethernet ports — and a Thunderbolt port you can use to daisy-chain additional high-performance peripherals such as hard drives and video capture devices.

MagSafe connector.

Plug in and power up.

The Thunderbolt Display includes a MagSafe connector that powers and charges your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. The connector sits on your desk, ready and waiting. No need to unwind the cord to the power adapter that came with your notebook. Leave it exactly where it is, in your bag.

Made for the new Macbook family

A bigger display for your biggest ideas.

Connect your Thunderbolt-enabled Mac to the Thunderbolt Display for a panoramic viewing experience unlike any other. This huge 27-inch glossy widescreen display features a cinematic 16:9 aspect ratio and an astonishing 2560-by-1440 resolution. That gives you more room to work with apps on your MacBook Air. More pixels for your MacBook Pro. And a worthy desktop companion to your iMac or Mac mini.

The LED advantage.

LED backlighting.

Full brightness with no waiting. That’s the big advantage of LED backlight technology. Unlike most displays that take time to warm up before they reach maximum brightness, an LED-backlit display is instantly on and uniformly bright. LED backlighting also gives you greater control over screen brightness. So you can tune the Thunderbolt Display to suit the ambient light in even the dimmest room.

Built-in conveniences.

Built-in FaceTime HD camera and microphone.

With the built-in FaceTime HD camera and microphone, you can connect your Mac desktop or notebook — open or closed — and make HD video calls* or take a few snapshots using Photo Booth.

Thunderbolt Display compatibility.

Thunderbolt-enabled Macs, including the current generations of MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac are fully compatible with the Apple Thunderbolt Display. Customers with Macs that only support Mini DisplayPort output, such as the Mac Pro and MacBook, as well as previous generations of MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iMac can use the 27-inch LED Cinema Display.

What’s in the Box

  • Apple Thunderbolt Display
  • AC power cord
  • Printed documentation

System Requirements

Technical Specifications

  • Screen size: 27 inches (diagonal viewable)
  • Screen type: TFT active-matrix LCD with in-plane switching (IPS)
  • Resolution: 2560 by 1440 pixels
  • Colors: 16.7 million
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Viewing angle: 178° horizontal; 178° vertical
  • Brightness: 375 cd/m2
  • Contrast ratio: 1000:1
  • Response time: 12 ms

Cables

  • Built-in Thunderbolt cable
  • Built-in Universal MagSafe cable (up to 85W)

Ports

  • Three powered USB 2.0 ports
  • FireWire 800 port
  • Gigabit Ethernet port
  • Thunderbolt port
  • Kensington security slot

Camera and Microphone

  • Built-in FaceTime HD camera with microphone

Speakers

  • Built-in 2.1 speaker system (49 watts)

Electrical Requirements

  • Input voltage: 100V to 240V AC; 50-60Hz
  • Maximum power: 250W (Thunderbolt Display while charging MacBook Pro)
  • Energy saver mode: 2W or less

Environmental Requirements

  • Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
  • Storage temperature: -4° to 116° F (-20° to 47° C)
  • Operating humidity: 20% to 80% noncondensing
  • Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet

Size and Weight

  • Height: 19.35 inches (49.1 cm)
  • Width: 25.7 inches (65 cm)
  • Depth (with stand): 8.15 inches (20.7 cm)
  • Weight: 23.5 pounds (10.8 kg)

VESA Compatibility

  • Compatible with VESA Mount Adapter Kit (sold separately)

    *Requires a FaceTime-enabled iOS device with a Wi-Fi connection or a FaceTime-enabled Mac with an Internet connection and FaceTime for Mac software (may require separate purchase). Not available in all areas.
 

Ratings & Reviews

3.5

Based on 71 reviews

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Most Useful Reviews

  • Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)

    1.0
    HORRIBLE FOR IMAC, MULTIPLE DISPLAYS AND LION
    • Written by CG from sacramento
    • Oct 13, 2011

    I was so excited to get my 27 inch iMac, and thunderbolt display(TBD)...until i opened them up and set them side by side.... and went huh?

    The TBD is shorter than the 27 iMac so the screens do not line up. that is a bad design flaw. if you had the laptop or the 21 inch iMac this wouldn't even matter so I'm lost for why they didn't make them match. did they hire someone from micro$oft to design this?

    Second design flaw for the TBD is actually LION the os... does not work well with multiple displays like snow leopard does! when you use the new FULLSCREEN mode in lion apps it actually dims out the TBD(or any other screens for that matter) and displays a linen style backdrop which make the $1,000 monitor a very nice paper weight. I would hope this would be addressed in a LION update ASAP.

    The third and very irritating design flaw is the lack of a POWER BUTTON. so now your pretty much forced to look at the linen style backdrop because you can't turn off the monitor. its like a reminder how much you paid to look at NOTHING.

    I have been a mac user and customer for over 13 years and have owned/used almost every product apple has made and let me say that I have not been this disappointed from apple ever with both the TBD and LION.     …More

    1155 of 1476 people found this useful

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  • Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)

    2.0
    Beautiful and full featured yet handicapped by LCD quality control
    • Written by BF from Frisco
    • Oct 11, 2011

    I purchased two of these beautiful displays a few weeks ago and was wowed with them. The displays have a lot of functionality with the multitude of ports on the backside. The ethernet, firewire, and usb ports are great when docking a computer such as an air. This is the good.

    The bad is that the LCD panel inside of of the two units had a blue/greenish tint to it on the right and bottom area of the display which was very prominent when a light or white background was moved over it. I had that display replaced only to have the new one have yellowing around the bottom left corner and upper middle when on a darker background. Likely is caused by backlight bleed.

    At $1000, I would assume others are using this for creative means and work like myself. Apple since will only replace the panel once. Being in photography, I am unfortunately having to return the display. Disappointing.     …More

    614 of 690 people found this useful

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  • Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)

    4.0
    Ultimate docking station for my Macbook Air
    • Written by MS from candiac
    • Oct 12, 2011

    Likes:
    - great size, was a bit concerned it would be too large compared to my previous Apple Cinema 20" display, but I quickly appreciated the extra space
    - Clean simple design
    - No fan, no noise - sometimes get fan noise from my MBA when using video chat 9heavy processing i guess)
    - Love the Docking simplicity - I plug 2 FW 800 drives, keyboard, Ethernet (Thunderbolt HD prices are crazy, even by this monitors standards...)
    - no concerns about reflection, I'm in sunny office by a window, no issues with reflection at all
    - Built in FaceTime camera is great - was tired of looking sideways at my laptop during video calls
    - Colors bright and even
    Dislike:
    - undocking - no clear documentation on how to undock when you have multiple drives attached. Found an applescript called "undock" to eject all drives prior to undocking
    - Apple needs to improve communication on how to "undock", sleep computer first ? eject disks, etc...
    - Smell - yes smell, for first few days, like some past macbook pros i've owned, this monitor has a "smell" for few days from the 'electronics" heating up, not too techie, but there's obviously some sort of coating etc. that emits a annoying smell, it eventually goes away, but reminded me of my past macbook pros
    - no USB 3, this is a bit ridiculous, again, considering the price of thunderbolt external HDs
    - would like to have audio out to plug speakers

    Summary:
    would i buy again and recommend - yes.
    hope this was helpful to shoppers     …More

    417 of 493 people found this useful

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Most Recent Reviews

  • Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)

    4.0
    Works well, nice design
    • Written by JR from Steinbach
    • Feb 17, 2012

    I've read some of the more negative reviews of this product and felt I had to chime in. I use this monitor with my 17" MBP, often with the laptop in clamshell; I have had no problems recovering from sleep mode with all my devices waking with the laptop. I have a FW800 drive plugged in all the time for data syncs, and often have at least one USB2 drive plugged in as well. Everything wakes up when the laptop does.

    I have to agree with the complaints about Lion's full screen multiple monitor support. Going full screen on one monitor while still seeing anything on the second is just not possible. It would be a nice tweak if Apple added this mode's support.     …More

    7 of 8 people found this useful

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  • Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)

    5.0
    It's awesome!
    • Written by AM from Hialeah
    • Feb 16, 2012

    I have two. The quality is outstanding I have them since the first day it came out and so far I'm happy. I can't believe it's has not given my no problem while working of a 15inch mac book pro. I love when things works! …More

    7 of 7 people found this useful

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  • Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)

    1.0
    Non-functional as docking solution
    • Written by JH from Champaign
    • Feb 15, 2012

    The quality of this monitor is amazing. It gets high remarks here.

    But, it's useless as a docking monitor. I have a TB Macbook Air, and I wanted to take advantage of the docking features of the monitor. As other folks have mentioned in the review and numerous other apple discussion threads, this monitor fails as a docking monitor.

    1) When in clamshell mode, it's impossible to wake up the computer from sleep mode without restarting the computer. Given how many times a day I go from meetings to my desk, restating my computer every time is impractical.

    2) Even when you get the monitor to work with the laptop, devices connected to the USB port & ethernet port will not working without a reboot.

    I'm fed up with this monitor. Clearly, the docking solution via thunderbolt is flawed in this monitor. Save yourself some frustration and get the LED Cinema display instead. The Thunderbolt display is the worst device I've ever bought from Apple. Doesn't work as advertised. It is clearly not ready for prime time.     …More

    19 of 23 people found this useful

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Questions & Answers

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Featured Question

Can a Thunderbolt monitor connected to an appropriate iMac hold an ICC profile?
  • Asked by BW from Grand Rapids
  • Jan 11, 2012
Answer
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