Early this month, word had it that Apple is working on a 5K standalone display that would be compatible with its existing, displayless, desktop Macs. The Mac Mini and the Mac Pro are the only two product lines left, to require an external display, and while some may settle for a Thunderbolt Display (while supply lasts), a third party display, or a DisplayPort/HDMI capable TV, some consumers are ready for something a bit more dedicated to the specs of their devices, especially owners of Mac Pros.
According to sources, Apple may be working on a display that is wildly different from any other third party options, in many respects a new concept that would put the rumored display in a class of its own. Rumors hint to the possibility that this new display will feature a powerful, integrated GPU. An internal graphic card, built inside a display means big news for any Mac user, as Apple will effectively eliminate graphic resolution limitations across the entire line of Mac products. No matter what Mac this display is connected to, it will run at full resolution, using a dedicated GPU.
This also means an unlimited number of displays can be connected to any Mac, or even daisy-chained, each one driven by its own graphic capabilities.
Of course, if this rumor is true, there is a chance that other rumors may prove less likely, such as a total redesign of the Mac Mini and the Mac Pro. With special reference to the Mac Mini, the need for a refresh of its GPU from the current Intel HD Graphics 5000, to something powerful enough to drive a 4K or 5K display, or multiple ones, would become a lesser priority, with more focus put into updating CPU and storage options.
The reality is that it’s a lot cheaper and faster to manufacture a new Apple Display with built-in GPU, than it would to rehaul every Mac to support DisplayPort 1.3, which is necessary to drive 4K and 5K displays at decent refresh rate. DisplayPort 1.2 is what’s available so far, and it’s also what will be available in Kaby Lake processors, with DisplayPort 1.3 support to come to Intel CPUs as of Cannon Lake, which won’t happen until 2018.
While there is a point in upgrading MacBooks to Kaby Lake, even as early as this year, updating desktop Macs like the Mac Mini and Mac Pro will be a trickier affair, as Apple will have to choose between upgrading both lines this Fall, with either Skylake or Kaby Lake, or wait until 2018 for Cannon Lake to provide support for DisplayPort 1.3. Considering how long the Mac Mini and Mac Pro have gone without a significant refresh, waiting that long might be counterproductive, especially to those who may look for Windows 10 alternative for a high-end desktop, with plenty of options already available.
This is where the rumored Apple Display with integrated GPU would come into play, as it would extend the life of both the Mac Mini and the Mac Pro, making it a more palatable investment for those looking for a powerful desktop, without compromising on display resolution.