There were raised eyebrows this week when Apple unveiled the Studio Display, a 27" 5K retina screen with a resolution of 5120 x 2880 (218 PPI) that cost less than half the $5,000 it charges for the Pro Display XDR; admittedly, the more expensive monitor is five inches larger and features HDR. Another very welcome aspect of the Studio Display is that the $1,599 price ($1,899 with nano-textured glass) includes a monitor stand or VESA wall mount, unlike the Pro Display, which charges $1,000 for such a privilege. However, before you write a letter of thanks to Apple, be aware that including the pretty standard function of height adjustability will add another $400 to the price, taking it to $1,999.
Apple’s images suggest that the extra $400 adds a small, moveable arm to the stand that allows for height adjustment. One can only presume this is made from gold and encrusted with diamonds. Apple’s well-known for its extravagantly priced items. In addition to the $1,000 Pro Display XDR Stand, there’s the $300 Feet Kit and $700 Wheels Kit for the Mac Pro, which really are just four feet or four wheels. And don’t forget the $19 polishing cloth it recommends to buyers of its nano-textured Pro Display XDR. You might think that’s obscene for a small piece of material, yet it was at one point Apple’s most backordered product.
