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Conclusion: We like it

Apple's Thunderbolt Display can charge compatible Apple laptops, and has built-in networking, making it a one-cable solution to dock your Macbook. If you own a recent Macbook with Thunderbolt, that may justify the monitor's $999 price tag. Other users are better served by more basic monitors that can offer similar picture quality for half the price.

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Critic reviews

8.0
3 reviews
  • Picture quality
    8.0
  • Design and form factor
    8.0
  • Inputs
    8.0

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User reviews

8.9
14 reviews

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8.0
AnandTech Sep 23, 2011

Even with its limitations, the Thunderbolt Display is one of a kind. I do hope it's the start of a much larger trend. Short of a CPU and memory there's a bonafide motherboard inside the Thunderbolt Display, featuring many of the components we're used to seeing inside systems ...

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8.0
CNET Sep 21, 2011

The Apple Thunderbolt Display is an incredible-performing and beautiful-looking monitor with a superfast connection, and we recommend it if you own a Thunderbolt-enabled Mac.

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8.0
Macworld Sep 23, 2011

For owners of the 2011 MacBook Air, the Thunderbolt Display is a fantastic way to get iMac-like features ... If your Mac has Thunderbolt, FireWire 800, and gigabit ethernet, the case for buying the comparatively inflexible Thunderbolt display is a little less interesting.

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8.0
natemcintyre

The reason I got the Thunderbolt display was to use it as a dock for my MacBook Air 13" laptop. So far I have been VERY pleased with this monitor, but there are a few things that could have been done better considering the amazingly high price tag on this display. First, I wish the cable that...

10
KanAugust

Display itself is great and super clean, and the design of it is elegantly beautiful. But It's not just as Display monitor, but also has good speakers that can take my music sound from my macbook pro. And I can facetime or skype with this Display monitor. Oh, and I can keep plugging in all the...

9.0
BKBarclay

Having some problems with FaceTime over my 27" Thunderbolt Cinema Display. After about five minutes I get serious audio degradation, to the point that I have to disconnect and reconnect. I also use this in a twin ('27 Thunderbolt Cinema Display) set up, and occasionally after waking up from...

9.0
richie510

I use this with my Macbook Air. It makes it so that I can have one computer that has an amazing display, speakers, camera and stationary backup HD at home, and on the road I get some spec bump-downs, but still have the same computer. And when I get home, I just plug in two cables. It is so...

10
berning

Turns my MacBook Air into a I/O powerhouse. Replaced a dual-monitor Windows PC and my MacBook Pro with this one-two-punch. No regrets. A really great work experience. Surprising audio quality of the built in speakers. My only complaint would be that it doesn't have enough USB ports, but a USB...

9.0
skjetne

The picture is pretty good! Love all those pixels. Many don't like that it's as high as it is, but there was no problem for me. I was used to look down at a mbp 13. The sound is pretty decent, and is a good replacer for the mac's internal speakers, the mic and cam works like a charm. No...

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