Reviews for Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)

As a display, this monitor is magnificent. Great colors, clarity, viewing angles, etc.

Where it fails miserably is in the ethernet integration. This display is supposed to act like a docking station where you can plug your usb and ethernet into the display, then your laptop uses the ethernet and usb interfaces in the display when the thunderbolt cable is plugged into the laptop.

Unfortunately once you disconnect from the display, when you return and plug the thunderbolt cable back in, you may find that the ethernet port is no longer available. The only way to restore functionality is to reboot your laptop.

You can read a very long thread discussing this problem on the apple forums. You will see this isn't just an isolated problem. Unfortunately this site doesn't allow me to publish the URL, so just google for: thunderbolt ethernet not available

I keep hoping every OS X Lion update will fix this but after at least 6 months, the problem still persists.

At first I wanted to use this as second larger display for my macbook air, but it's got such a high resolution that I just use it as my sole display, and I use Better Touch Tool to get AeroSnap-like ability. Then with spaces, I can use separate virtual desktops with two apps side by side, or four windows in quadrants. No glare issues for me, it's bright enough that the glare is not a problem. I'm using wireless and not the integrated ethernet interface, so I'm not getting intermittent issues which others are reporting.

Looks great, works great, but not cheap. Hey Mr taxman, I'm writing this bad boy off!

If your work puts you behind a monitor all day, I say treat yourself and go for it.

I own a recording studio and I purchased this for my mac book pro at home. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. Only downside is that it needs a power button and I need a Thunderbolt port on my mac pro in the control room a the studio. Thunderbolt is the future , great product. Thank you apple.

This monitor has absolutely stunning visuals. As a monitor, its unreal.

However, the thunderbolt 'docking' element of it is just plain broken. If you connect the monitor while the computer is asleep, Audio NEVER works and Ethernet is hit and miss.

Its clearly a firmware issue. So if you want a stunning monitor... save money and get the DELL one. If Apple fixes this issue, then this monitor is like the missing link you've been waiting for. It functions as a docking station as well as a stunning display.

This display wasn't compatible with my windows, and I'm not referring to a Microsoft product. The windows were across the room to left of the display not directly behind it. There was a large roll-top desk between the windows and this display to provide some shade. Until I closed the blinds, every solid color on the screen showed bright reflections. The solid blacks of my terminal window backgrounds reflected like a mirror.

I could only reduce the glare enough by closing the blinds and turning the brightness up to two bars below maximum. That was too bright to be comfortable for regular use, and besides I should be able to see outside and see what's on the screen at the same time.

Apple needs to invest some its profits into display R & D. The matte displays sold a few years ago look far better than this display. If people require the vivid colors, Apple must find a way to offer the color without this much glare.

Four months of daily usage, this product compliments my mac mini perfectly. The resolution easily surpasses most all of the competition. It is pricey, but the built in ethernet, thunderbolt, firewire, and 3 usb easily makes up for it. I use the display ethernet with the mini ethernet to link aggregate the data signal from my airport extreme base station. Overall, very satisfied with this product.

total waste of my time. as other have said...apple is a use-ta-be.

1. it does match the height of an imac
2. it does not height adjust
3. no power button total joke ------- and reason to return
4. looks like cheap plastic

USB ports on the back of the Thunderbolt display usually do not work. I have a brand new 2012 macbook pro that I am trying to use with it but I can't get the connected devices that I leave on my desk at work to operate when I connect the display to my macbook pro. I have an apple usb keyboard and a usb flash drive and neither will work routinely. Apple support doesn't have a solution. Actually, the automated system doesn't even understand the item "thunderbolt display." It just says "I don't understand."

I recommend a simple google search on "thunderbolt display usb issues" before you throw away $1000.00

Apple can't fix this issue and they will not give me a refund.

I've wasted my money and my time trying to use this display the way it should work.

My workaround as is: every morning I have to come into my office, attach the thunderbolt cable to my macbook, open my macbook to wake it up, shut it down, restart holding down the command+option+p+r to reset the pram, then wait for it to start up fully, close the lid, and then and only then can I use the keyboard or any usb peripherals.

NOT COOL.

First let me say it really is a beautiful display, the thing is very sharp and colors are noticeably more rich than other LCDs. However, there's just way too much glare even in a moderately lit office environment to use it comfortably for long periods of time. After just a couple of hours of looking at it, my eyes get sore and I have headaches by the end of the day.

I tried a 3M privacy/anti-glare filter, which quickly eliminated the eye strain and headaches, but it makes the display look absolutely horrible, worse than some bargain bin LCD. The screen is just too big for a filter; while looking at the center of the screen, several inches of the edges are blurred without moving my head.

Also I've had problems with the Ethernet over Thunderbolt to my MBP that others have reported in forums. I connect/disconnect my laptop several times a day for meetings and eventually the MBP doesn't see Ethernet link anymore unless I reboot (some device enumeration issue?).

I really want to like this display. I understand the color and sharpness may be a function of the glass, but there needs to be a better medium. What's the point of a great display if you can't look at it?