No 5K Thunderbolt Display With Integrated GPU Coming at WWDC

Earlier this week, rumors and speculation suggested Apple was working on a 5K Thunderbolt Display with an integrated GPU that could potentially debut at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, but new information from iMore suggests that is not the case.

According to iMore's Rene Ritchie, Apple does not plan to introduce an Apple Display with an integrated external GPU. Ritchie does not provide a specific source on this information, but he is well-connected and occasionally shares accurate details on Apple's plans.

thunderbolt_display_elcap_views

There'd been some speculation on Twitter and rumor reports about Apple possibly introducing a display with an integrated eGPU. Theory being, it would take some of the graphical processing overhead off MacBooks and/or facilitate a single-cable connection that could drive 5K.

While it sounds cool, it can also create expectational debt. So, scratch eGPU off your list for now, but keep your eyes locked to the keynote on Monday, June 13, for lots of other amazingly cool stuff.

Ritchie's statement does not appear to entirely dismiss the possibility of an upgraded Thunderbolt Display at the Worldwide Developers Conference, so it is possible some kind of display-related announcement is still in the works.

As we explained yesterday, Apple could introduce a 5K display alongside Thunderbolt 3 Macs, using both DisplayPort 1.2 streams in the Thunderbolt 3 specification to drive a 5K display using Multi-Stream Transport. Apple used a similar setup internally for the original 5K iMac.

In recent weeks, Thunderbolt Display stock has been dwindling in many Apple retail stores across the United States, in Canada, and in the UK, leading to speculation that a refresh is on the horizon. It is still not clear if the stock shortages are indicative that a new model is coming, but the Thunderbolt Display is long overdue for an update and WWDC would be an ideal time for an unveiling.

Tag: iMore

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 Models Rumored to Feature Redesigned Dynamic Island

Monday July 7, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
iPhone 17 models will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, according to a post today from Digital Chat Station, an account with more than three million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account has accurately leaked some information regarding future Apple products in the past. The account did not share any specific details about the alleged changes that are ...

Top Rated Comments

ButteryScrollin Avatar
119 months ago
Apple To Not Release Product Some Random Guy On Twitter Dreamt Up
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FoxMcCloud Avatar
119 months ago
Typical rumour!

Day 1: "Theres a new thing coming very soon!!"
Day 2: "The thing reported earlier isn't coming soon"

Day 5: "New rumours suggest the previously rumoured thing that was supposed to come soon but was later rumoured not to come soon is in fact coming soon!"
Day 7: "A further report states the thing is not coming soon, but is coming later, possibly next year..maybe"

WWDC, nothing announced.

1.1 minute after WWDC: "I CANT BELIEVE APPLE HAVENT RELEASE THE THING!"
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PantalonesSucia Avatar
119 months ago
Not to fret, the 5k watch bands are confirmed.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scary Spice Avatar
119 months ago
Its been YEARS since an apple keynote announced some 'amazingly cool stuff', even a little. Definitely not 'lots'.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zirel Avatar
119 months ago
Yes, there will be. It's called the iMac 5K, and it's a GPU+CPU+etc attached to a monitor.

Costs less than dell's inferior 5K monitor, too!

Even if you upgrade to a PCI-Ex, or fusion drive, still costs less than the Dell!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Icaras Avatar
119 months ago
All that bickering at yesterday's article forum thread for nothing. Yep. Just another day at Macrumors. :cool:
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)