The Mac maker may be gearing up for more hardware upgrades

Feb 23, 2009 07:59 GMT  ·  By

Apple has reportedly discontinued the 20-inch Cinema Display, with sources speculating that it is preparing for a hardware upgrade, as it usually does when discontinuing products. The company has slapped the 20-inch display with the “end of life” tag. The 30-inch Display continues to be available for order or immediate purchase in Apple's stores.

This should come as sad news for those who were planning on acquiring one or more 20-inch Displays. Apple is no longer carrying the units, as of this weekend. However, it doesn't come as a surprise. When introducing the 24-inch LED-based Cinema Display last year, Apple itself stated that all future products would contain the Mini DisplayPort connector.

Following the announcement that Apple was shipping its new, 24-inch Cinema Display, the company quietly discontinued the old display model, namely the 23-inch SKU. Selling for US$899, the 24-incher had immediately become available for order from Apple's online store. The discontinued 23-Inch Display had remained the only Display equipped with the FireWire 400 port.

With this information in mind, MacRumors speculates that Apple is preparing for a refresh of its 20-inch Cinema Display in the form of a new LED-based unit, adding a Mini DisplayPort connector like the new 24-inch LED Cinema Display.

We'd go as far as speculating that Apple is first and foremost upgrading one of its desktop computers (Mac Pro, Mac mini) with Display upgrades simply complementing the new computers. Apple is rumored to be revamping the Mac mini, boasting specs such as 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB L2 cache, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, and 'Super Drive is SATA.

The currently available 24-inch Cinema Display is “the first display made precisely for a notebook,” according to Apple. The display boasts a 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, and uses LED-backlit technology to provide instant full-screen brightness. It is also power-efficient. An iSight camera is built in the display, along with mic and speakers. The display is made with mercury-free LED technology, arsenic-free glass, and highly recyclable materials.