Recently, Apple quietly corrected the pricing for one configuration of the Studio Display XDR, and that is the one with the VESA mount adapter. Let me bring you up to speed.
When Apple introduced the Studio Display XDR, it was priced at $3,299, and that was for both of its configurations: one with the height- and tilt-adjustable stand and one with the VESA mount adapter. Now, if we take a look at the regular Studio Display, which was also updated, it’s still priced at $1,599, and that’s the price for the one with the tilt-adjustable stand and the one with the VESA mount adapter. However, the one with the height- and tilt-adjustable stand costs more at $1,999.
See the pricing discrepancy? Since the Studio Display XDR does not come with the more basic tilt-adjustable stand option, the pricing for the VESA mount adapter for that higher-end monitor seemed unfair for customers, as if they would be “paying more” for that VESA option, which just has a flat metal plate on the back. This is especially true given that the tilt- add height-adjustable stand is more “functional”, so the VESA option should cost less. Do you still remember that Apple has been offering the VESA mount adapter for its 24-inch iMac? Heck, even the VESA mount adapter configuration costs the same as the stand by default.
Believe it or not, the Pro Display XDR, which was recently discontinued with the introduction of the Studio Display XDR, didn’t come with the stand included. The only two options were the VESA mount adapter, which retailed for $199, and the Pro Stand, which was both height- and tilt-adjustable, but it was exorbitantly more expensive at $999.
Because of this pricing controversy, Apple adjusted the VESA mount adapter configuration for the Studio Display XDR from $3,299 to $2,899 to match the pricing delta that the standard Studio Display has had for its VESA mount adapter and height-/tilt-adjustable stand configurations. The nano-texture VESA configuration also received the same treatment, dropping from $3,599 to $3,199.
On a related note, Apple updated the purchasing pattern for the Studio Display XDR, making the stand options the first step (with the height-/tilt-adjustable stand as the default option) instead of the glass selection. The non-XDR Studio Display’s purchasing pattern has been unchanged, with the glass selection first before the stand selection.
In case you’re concerned, or if you’re one of those customers who purchased the Studio Display XDR VESA option, don’t worry, according to other sources such as MacRumors, Apple will offer refunds to those customers prior to the pricing adjustments.
I strongly believe Apple has made the right move in adjusting those prices, especially to continue satisfying its pro customers by offering the best products for them, such as the ultra-capable Mac Studio and Studio Display XDR.
