Apple is discontinuing the Thunderbolt Display, the standard resolution, external IPS monitor the company has been selling since 2011. An Apple spokesperson provided us with the following statement:
"We're discontinuing the Apple Thunderbolt Display," Apple told iMore. "It will be available through Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers while supplies last. There are a number of great third-party options available for Mac users."
Since the iMac got thin, hit 5K, and went wide gamut, there's been hope that the Thunderbolt Display would be updated to match. So far, though, the focus has stayed on iMac and the new MacBook. So why make an announcement? Existing stock will soon dry up, it'll cause frustration and speculation, and this gets out ahead of that.
Apple's next window for a higher-density hardware launch would likely be alongside a new MacBook Pro or Mac Pro later this year. That's if the company chooses to go with existing DisplayPort and Thunderbolt technology with some of its own magic thrown in. If they choose to wait on next-generation DisplayPort and Thunderbolt, well, then it'll be a while longer.
In the meantime, if you really want and external display with an Apple logo on it, go get one now before they run out. Otherwise there are some great third-party displays, up to and including 4K, or you can hold out and see what the future brings.
