Apple Pro Display XDR Review (vs Sony Reference Monitor)
Why Hacker News recommends it
Cited both as a well-crafted monitor review and as evidence for the XDR's shortcomings versus reference displays, though some dispute its fairness.
What it is
HDTVTest reviews the Apple Pro Display XDR using measurements and a side-by-side comparison with a Sony BVM-HX310 dual-layer LCD reference monitor. It examines how well the display handles HDR against a professional reference.
Recommended by 1 HN commenters across 1 different months, 2020 to 2022.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec aikinai · 2020-03 · on “Pro Display XDR”
I don’t know why this is posted now, but since it’s here I wanted to share this review which I thought was incredibly well crafted and refreshing to watch. [this video]
Cites sunaurus · 2021-12 · on “Q&A with the developer of BetterDummy: from macOS secrets to his motivations”
> Totally crushes Apple with straight up numbers and pure unadulterated objectivity: [this video] I don't know a lot about either of these monitors, but I don't find it surprising at all that a 30,000€ monitor would be better than a 6000€ monitor. Saying that the reviewer objectively crushes apple by using these two monitors in a comparison seems quite misleading.
Cites bubblethink · 2022-12 · on “Apple Is Struggling to Build Mac Pro Based on Its Own Silicon”
>a device that is designed to compete with other devices 4x the price That itself is marketing spin. It's not like studios are throwing away their reference monitors for the apple display. You can design anything to compete; winning is the important bit. [this video]
Critical rbx · 2020-12 · on “Apple’s “Extended Dynamic Range” Brings HDR to Non-HDR Displays”
[this video] Comparison with the 40k display here. Apple doesn't come very close. Sure it's much cheaper. But then why compare.
Critical systemvoltage · 2021-12 · on “Q&A with the developer of BetterDummy: from macOS secrets to his motivations”
Unrelated but newer Macbook Pros (with M1 Max chips) as well as the Apple Pro Display XDR have entirely gotten rid of ICC profiles which seems crazy to me. Apple's definition of a professional is a more like a hipster. Real pros want no bullshit abstractions and hidden stuff, they want all knobs and switches exposed in all its glory. Btw, if you want to see how bad Apple Pro Display XDR is, look no further than the legendary HDTV Test channel on YT. Totally crushes Apple with straight up numbers and pure unadulterated objectivity: [this video]