The Apple Thunderbolt Display Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on September 23, 2011 2:56 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
- Mac
- Apple
- Thunderbolt
- Thunderbolt Display
Power Consumption
Unsurprisingly, power consumption hasn't changed much in the past year. The Thunderbolt Display draws a bit less at its dimmest setting (likely just panel efficiency variance) and draws a bit more at max brightness:
While powering a 15-inch MacBook Pro and reading data from an attached Pegasus R6 (copying to a local SSD at around 200MB/s) I measured total power consumption for the display (max brightness) at 179.6W. That number could go up if the battery in the MBP was near empty and thus being charged at a higher rate.
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JasperJanssen - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link
Not every product merits an in-depth review. 1 in-depth equals about 4 or 5 short reviews, and every site has to choose carefully how to spend its time.The first time we saw SF2000, there were *massive* reviews. If Samsung would suddenly put out an SSD that is a few dozen percent faster than the current fastest SSD, (and not cost the earth) it'll no doubt get an extensive review. When Apple puts out something very new that could well be the way of the future for the industry as a whole, they get a large review. Makese sense to me.
And before you jump all over me on that score: Just look at the Sony implementation of Light Ridge on the current Vaio Z. That's a docking station that has everything this thing has (apart from the display) and some more.
The market as a whole may well not go for integration into displays and integrated power supplies, but Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt-style docking stations seem likely to sweep the world.
Zink - Friday, September 23, 2011 - link
+1 top notch video review in every waySunrise089 - Friday, September 23, 2011 - link
Agree as well. While I definitely hope the text reviews will continue and receive the most resources, these video reviews are a great supplement, especially with less "numbers driven" products like displays and mobile devices.I wish all the CNET, television, etc. reviewers would take a look at this simple, engaging, intelligent review style and adopt it as well. Most reviewers spend way too much time trying to be entertaining and talking down to their audience.
Anand Lal Shimpi - Friday, September 23, 2011 - link
The text reviews will continue, this is simply something we're experimenting with to offer an augment :)It's always been my opinion that we should treat the readers as equals. It turns out that if you don't treat your readers like idiots then you'll find that you actually attract some really smart people :)
Take care,
Anand
Constructor - Friday, September 23, 2011 - link
The video was quite good indeed.And I like the eye-level-approach. Especially since you had a pretty good balance between talking about the actually interesting bits and still keeping it easy to follow.
Maybe in some places you might want to slow down just a tiny little bit. ;-)
Iketh - Friday, September 23, 2011 - link
NOO!! If anything Anand, talk even faster! Throw it at me at full GigE! I'm a busy man!Constructor - Friday, September 23, 2011 - link
Just play the video in fast forward then. ;-))pmcg - Friday, September 23, 2011 - link
I agree too. What an impressive setup and continuous, cogent presentation. I have never seen a video of Anand but now that I have, I demand more! Should there be an anandtech.tv?jleeworking - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link
Wow! nicely done, can we have more of those videos?mymoon - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link
Also agreed! Well done Anand on the video review. Felt my time well spent.