By losing 100 euros and gaining the M2 chip, the Mac mini has become one of the most interesting products in the Apple catalog. However, he puts his finger on a problem: Apple does not sell affordable screens. The first option is the Studio Display at €1,749.
Apple announced several products at the start of the year, such as the new MacBook Pro and the second generation of HomePod. But the most interesting of the lot is undoubtedly the Mac mini. With an entry price of 699 euros and the M2 chip (or even the optional M2 Pro), this small office computer has become even more attractive. It represents the ideal entry point to discover the many qualities of macOS.
Nevertheless, the Mac mini has a major problem: it puts its finger on a hole in the catalog of Apple, which does not sell any screen suitable for it. Thus, the Studio Display, sold for €1,749, does not have a price positioning in line with a computer at €699. The total bill would amount to €2,448 (not including the keyboard and mouse), or €1,000 more than an iMac, admittedly limited to an M1 chip. This is, by the way, the association shown by Apple on promotional tools. At the same time, it is hard to imagine Apple recommending a Samsung or Xiaomi screen…
Why Apple needs to launch a more affordable display
Today, Apple markets two screens, which are intended for a professional audience. In addition to the Studio Display at €1,749, you can afford the Pro Display XDR, at €5,499 (excluding options). It clearly lacks an entry-level solution, under €1,000.
Here are the characteristics of the two screens sold by Apple :
| StudioDisplay | ProDisplay XDR | |
|---|---|---|
| screen size | 27 inches | 32 inches |
| Definition | 5K | 6K |
| Resolution | 218 dpi | 218 dpi |
| Brightness | 600nits | 1,600 nits |
| Potential targets | Mac Studio, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro… | MacStudio, MacPro… |
| Price | €1,749 | €5,499 |
In this table, you will notice that the two screens have only one thing in common: the resolution, set at 218 dpi. (pixels per inch) It corresponds to what Apple calls Retina display technology – that is to say the ideal resolution for the development of applications on Apple platforms (macOS, but also iOS or iPadOS) – as Leo Duff recalls very well in this video published on YouTube). No 4K screen can meet this level of requirement, which is why Samsung recently launched a 5K screen.
To fall below the €1,000 mark, Apple could opt for a monitor with a diagonal of 20 inches. By applying the principle of 218 dpi resolution, this would give a higher definition than 4K. Remember that the iMac relies on a 4.5K definition to animate its 23.5-inch panel – which gives a resolution of 218 dpi (it’s mathematical). Otherwise, Apple could put aside its perfect resolution and agree to offer a more classic 4K panel, for more office use.
Of course, you can plug any display into the Mac mini (M2), which is capable of supporting two monitors at the same time. ” One display up to 6K at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt and one display up to 5K at 60Hz or 4K at 60Hz connected via HDMI “says the data sheet. However, the many third-party screens on the market are not Retina – hence the hole in Apple’s catalog. We also imagine that many Mac mini buyers would dream of an adequate Apple screen, rather than a product from a less prestigious brand. In short, there is definitely a market for Apple.
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