Apple Multiple Scan 20 Display vs Apple Studio Display (2026)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Multiple Scan 20 Display compared with Studio Display (2026)
AppleMultiple Scan 20 DisplayAppleStudio Display (2026)
Overview
ReleasedMarch 1994March 2026
Display
Screen size19.1″27″
Resolution–5120 × 2880 (5K)
Sharpness–218 pixels per inch
PanelCRT (Original nominal 20-inch Trinitron CRT, 19.1-inch viewable image and 0.31 mm stripe pitch; no fixed native matrix. Later Revision B uses a different 0.26 mm tube and is not substituted here.)IPS (5K Retina)
Refresh rate–60 Hz
Brightness (typical)–600 nits
Colour range–Wide colour (P3)
Screen finish–Glossy
Shape–Flat
Colour depth–1 billion colours
Colour modes–Apple Display (P3-600 nits), HDTV Video (BT.709–BT.1886), NTSC Video (BT.601 SMPTE-C), PAL and SECAM Video (BT.601 EBU), Digital Cinema (P3-DCI), Digital Cinema (P3-D65), Design and Print (P3-D50), Photography (P3-D65), Internet and Web (sRGB)
Supported signal modesApple's support sheet lists 640 × 480 at 59.95, 66.7 or 75 Hz; 800 × 600 at 75 Hz; 832 × 624 at 75 Hz; 1024 × 768 at 74.93 or 75 Hz; 1152 × 870 at 75 Hz; and 1280 × 1024 at 75 Hz. Service Source gives horizontal scan range 29–82 kHz and vertical range 50–150 Hz. These are supported CRT signal modes, not a native pixel matrix or native refresh rate; modes depend on the computer and adaptor.–
Screen coatingBonded glass panel with multilayer antiglare and antistatic coating–
Connections
Video inputsDA-15Thunderbolt 5
USB-C chargingNoneUp to 96 W (better)
USB ports–Thunderbolt 5, 2 × USB-C
Ethernet–No
Speakers–Yes
Webcam–12MP Center Stage with Desk View
USB-C detail–Upstream Thunderbolt 5 (up to 120 Gb/s) with 96 W host charging
Daisy chaining–Downstream Thunderbolt 5 port daisy-chains more displays; up to four Studio Display models with a MacBook Pro with M5 Max
USB hub detail–1 × Thunderbolt 5 downstream (up to 120 Gb/s), 2 × USB-C (up to 10 Gb/s) for peripherals, storage and networking
Speaker detail–Six speakers with force-cancelling woofers; wide stereo; Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
Webcam detail–Three-mic array with directional beamforming; camera features and firmware updates need a Mac
Other connectionsMacintosh 15-pin DA-15 analogue RGB cable; VGA computers need a video adaptor. Two front ADB device ports and rear ADB pass-through port.–
Design
Stand adjustsTilt, swivel (better)Tilt
VESA mount–Yes
Weight with stand30 kg6.3 kg
Height adjustment–105 mm with the optional tilt- and height-adjustable stand
Tilt−5° to +15°−5° to +25°
Pivot–Landscape only on either stand; portrait with the VESA mount adapter
VESA pattern–100 × 100 mm (VESA mount adapter option)
SwivelAt least ±45°–
Size with standApple support publishes 18.7 × 18.7 × 19.7 inches (height × width × depth); Service Source separately lists 474 × 474 × 501.5 mmTilt stand 62.3 × 16.8 × 47.8 cm; tilt- and height-adjustable stand 62.3 × 20.7 × 47.9–58.3 cm and 7.6 kg (W × D × H)
Size without stand–62.3 × 3.1 × 36.2 cm with VESA mount adapter (W × D × H)
Weight without stand–5.4 kg with VESA mount adapter
Weight detailService Source gives monitor weight 30 kg (66 lb), distinct from the 36 kg boxed shipping weight. The later 1995 Apple Facts sheet for the 0.26 mm tube instead gives 29.7 kg.–
ControlsFront-panel power, reset, brightness and contrast; image position, size, rotation, convergence and colour-temperature controls. Automatic power-on degauss.–
Power and support
Power useMaximum 165 W; less than 15 W in Energy Saver mode–
Power supplyService Source specifies 90–132 or 198–264 V AC, 47–63 Hz; support archive instead gives the upper band as 198–260 V. These are mains ratings.100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase
SoftwareSystem 7.1 or later; older Macs may need additional adaptors. Apple support identifies March 1994 introduction, and InfoWorld's 14 March 1994 shipping section reports rollout that week; month precision retained. Service Source distinguishes original 0.31 mm hardware from later Revision B 0.26 mm hardware with different deflection board, controller and power supply. No Revision B retail date is inferred. Brightness and contrast ratio are unpublished.Needs an Apple silicon Mac with macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 26.3.1 or later
CertificationsUS EPA Energy Star power conservationENERGY STAR
Warranty–1-year limited warranty and 90 days of complimentary technical support from Apple
In the box–Studio Display, Thunderbolt 5 Pro cable (1 m)

More comparisons