Apple Cinema 24" display worth it?

[crotter]

I recently bought a new MBP 13" and I am very tempted to pick up one of the new 24" cinema displays:

http://www.apple.com/displays/

Anybody have experience with this new model? I can get it for $799 with the student discount. I like how it is "made" for my new macbook pro by including the power jack, and the display port cable. I also like the integrated webcam and speakers, as I use the cam on my MBP all the time for skype.

I have also done some research on LCD screens and apparently this panel uses IPS technology, and is supposed to be one of the more affordable panels to use IPS instead of the more common cheap TN panels. Also the fact that it is LED backlit vs CCFL is a big plus.

Anyways, just thought we could have an LCD panel discussion and help me decide if I should go ahead and pick up a new cinema display! :D

-Christian

[rklepper]

I have 2 of the 20" and I am very happy with them. I had previously used Eizo CRT displays so they had to really impress to be kept and they did.

[Dunedan]

Even discounted, it appears that is a bit pricey.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-8277

$540 for a 24" Dell - IPS panel too.

Panel Size: 24-inch (518.4 mm) viewable area
Aspect Ratio : Widescreen (16:10)
Panel Type: IPS – In Plane Switching
Optimal Resolution: 1920 x 1200 at 60 Hz
Contrast Ratio: 1000 to 1 (typical)
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 80,000:1 (Max)
Brightness: 400 cd/m2 (typical)
Response Time: 6ms (gray to gray) Typical
Max Viewing Angle (vertical/horizontal) : 178º vertical / 178º horizontal


While the LED lighting is nice on the cinema display - it's also a glossy screen so you will get reflections very easily and probably not the best if you want to do photo editing.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Even discounted, it appears that is a bit pricey.

While the LED lighting is nice on the cinema display - it's also a glossy screen so you will get reflections very easily and probably not the best if you want to do photo editing.


Never really understood the last part. I've been editing on a glossy screen for the last 3 years, with no problems at all (an iMac for the last two). Just don't be a goofball and edit at 7 in the morning with your monitor pointed right for a window.

Oh, and yes...the LED is VERY nice.

[basroil]

The ACD are not better than any other 24" IPS screen, and they are far overpriced for not having 10 or 12bit LUT. Save your money and go with a high end hp or dell, spend the same for a decent NEC, or spend a bit more for an EIZO or LaCie

[rklepper]

Yes, get an Eizo.


The ACD are not better than any other 24" IPS screen, and they are far overpriced for not having 10 or 12bit LUT. Save your money and go with a high end hp or dell, spend the same for a decent NEC, or spend a bit more for an EIZO or LaCie

[Tony-S]

Yeah, it's a great display, especially if you have a MacBook or MBP with Mini DisplayPort. It'll even power your MB with its built-in MagSafe adapter, microphone, speakers and video camera for iChat/Skype, USB2 hub, plus an H-IPS panel instead of the older S-IPS technology, it's pretty much in a class by itself. The only downside, IMO, is the requirement for DisplayPort (and the glossy display if you cannot control your ambient lighting).

[Damian75]

The 24 is a gorgeous display and keeps a very clean and nice desktop and as a big MAC fan I would love to recommend it and if you have the funds and value the very clean look I say go for it. However if your primary concern is photo editing a dell IPS display can be had for much less money. I have found the glossy screen to be a nonissue unless you don't put any thought into you location of your editing station.

[beeng]

Even discounted, it appears that is a bit pricey.
It's Apple; what do you expect? :p

[Tony-S]

It's Apple; what do you expect? :p

Can you point to another display with the same features that costs less?

[basroil]

Can you point to another display with the same features that costs less?

U2410 has more features and costs 40% less

[dlpasco]

I have a 24" Apple Cinema Display sitting on my desk next to a Dell 24". The Apple is much clearer and more crisp. The Dell is a worthy monitor but I do like the Apple better.

[Tony-S]

U2410 has more features and costs 40% less

Does it have a 2.1 speaker system? A built-in video camera? Does it have a microphone? Is it LED backlit? Is it an e-IPS, S-IPS or H-IPS panel? Can it power a MacBook or MacBook Pro?

[beeng]

Does it have a 2.1 speaker system? A built-in video camera? Does it have a microphone? Is it LED backlit? Is it an e-IPS, S-IPS or H-IPS panel? Can it power a MacBook or MacBook Pro?
No, but with the money left over from monitors like this you could buy all those things (if you wanted them).
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=46070&vpn=ET.FS3LP.001&manufacture=Acer
Apple makes all their hardware and software to be proprietary. They charge a rather large amount of markup on their products simply because of their branding and proprietary design.

Anyways; here's a nice list of monitors using the IPS standard:
http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/s-ips-lcd-list.php

[Tony-S]

No

That's what I thought. :rolleyes:

[beeng]

That's what I thought. :rolleyes:
:| Look, the guy asked for LCD discussion, not a "macs are so awesome, everything else sucks" thread. We're just giving alternatives to the mac displays.

[Tony-S]

:| Look, the guy asked for LCD discussion, not a "macs are so awesome, everything else sucks" thread. We're just giving alternatives to the mac displays.

Gosh, I couldn't tell when you said:

It's Apple; what do you expect? :p

Perhaps you'll help the OP install LED backlights onto his Dell display?

He has a MacBook Pro and the 24" ACD is designed to maximize the MBP. While it costs more, it is worth the $799 the OP has to spend on it.

Oh, and no where did I say everything else sucks. So quit making things up, ok?

[beeng]

Oh, and no where did I say everything else sucks.
Your comments indicate otherwise :P
OP will have to decide whether or not the Apple specific additions are worth the extra couple hundred dollars. And I'd love to help OP install an LED backlight in his display :D Nothing like a good hack to use as an excuse to break out the ol' soldering iron :cool:

[basroil]

Does it have a 2.1 speaker system? A built-in video camera? Does it have a microphone? Is it LED backlit? Is it an e-IPS, S-IPS or H-IPS panel? Can it power a MacBook or MacBook Pro?

1) Who would ever want a 2.1 system in the monitor? But you can get a sound bar for the U2410, raises the price by about $35, so we are still 35% cheaper.
a) Even though Apple says 2.1, it's like 2.0001, as the sub is so underpowered that your laptop probably sounds the same. There are no specs on the speaker system, but at least the dell one tells you outright it's only 10W (which is very likely the same as the ACD)
2) No LED, but has H-IPS. Currently, LED is a gimmick for photo monitors, it's only real use is in laptops (lower power consumption at the same brightness and no need for a high voltage PWM) and TVs (region specific dynamic contrast)
3) No microphone or camera, but:
a) OP already has those included in his MBP
b) You can buy one like the one I have for under $50, and it looks better than an iSight. Assume you get the sound bar and this, still about 30% cheaper.
4) 24" ACD doesn't do anything to power a MBP other than having a power adaptor built in. Sure you can save one plug by doing that, but it's not necessary at all considering UPS and surge protectors already have more plugs than you need.
5) Does the ACD have any inputs other than displayport? NO
a) u2410 can connect your MBP (2009 with displayport), your second MBP (earlier with DVI), your desktop (with DVI), your non apple or g4 MBP (with VGA), your PS3 (on HDMI), XBox360 (on component), and your Wii (on composite) all at the same time.
b) And u2410 supports PIP and side by side in case you want to be fancy.

[Tony-S]

Your comments indicate otherwise :P

No, they don't. The Dell is a fine monitor for the price. But if you want the features built into a display that the 24" ACD has then you have to expect it to cost more. It's really that simple.

[Tony-S]

1)

All of this is irrelevant. When you buy anything, the more features it has the more expensive it will be.

[beeng]

No, they don't.
The eye of the beholder... Or something. It's been a while since I've done any sort of literary studying.

stuff
My thoughts exactly.

[basroil]

All of this is irrelevant. When you buy anything, the more features it has the more expensive it will be.

Then where's the 12bit LUT, multiple inputs, and low lag modes? What about VESA mounting compatibility? Audio out? Built in card readers? If you line the two up, U2410 has more, and (for me at least) more important features.

More features does not mean more expensive. Sometimes things with more features are more expensive, but quite often it's irrelevant. Just look at the H3d II. No high speed modes, no live view with AF, no video, no weather sealing, no 45point AF with cross type points, no auto modes, yet it's more expensive than canon's entire lineup. Hell, it's more expensive than a p45+ with a touchscreen even at the same resolution and sensor size.

Nobody is saying the ACD is bad, or that OP shouldn't consider it, but it's not a special monitor by far, and overall it is a bit pricey for what you are getting.

[Damian75]

What about VESA mounting compatibility?

Please fact check before posting

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB902ZM/A

[basroil]

Please fact check before posting

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB902ZM/A

I was mentioning the fact that the ACD is NOT VESA complaint, hence the need for an adapter like the one you posted ;)

[René Damkot]

Gosh. Not another thread about to be locked I hope?
Back on topic please. As a reminder, that topic is "Apple Cinema 24" display worth it?". So suggesting alternatives is fine.

Taking this thread off topic toward a general "Mac bashing / revering" is not.

[PM01]

To the OP - how critical are you in terms of color accuracy?

The NEC high end monitors will deliver close to 98% of the Adobe RGB space. Dell U2410 seems to be a favorite also with very good bang for the buck. Eizo - only if you're doing high end photo editing as some of their panels are slow for movie work.

Apple - their spec sheet is very scant, ie, percentage of Adobe RGB space covered, LUT, etc. I had a 23ACD at one time and compared it side by side with the NEC. Of course, this was after I spent the 800 dollars (after discount). For a few hundred more I could have had the nicer NEC display (2690wuxi), but that was back then. As for the 24 apple, we have them all over the place at the college, but their color accuracy still doesn't match up to the NEC, especially in reds and blues.

The NEC is far far easier to calibrate with the SVII software and a good calibrator (I use the DTP94). Fully automated, just type in the brightness and contrast settings that you want. Just an awesome piece.

[PM01]

Nobody is saying the ACD is bad, or that OP shouldn't consider it, but it's not a special monitor by far, and overall it is a bit pricey for what you are getting.

Absolutely agree. One must look at the real specs. What they don't tell you is often as important as what they do tell you.

I have mac/apple (mac pro 2.8 xeon). And also use a very nice PC (i7EE OC'd to 4ghz). I'm more trusting to the PC setup since that has my NEC 2690wuxi2 on there - and the spec sheets and calibration data have nothing to hide.

[LethalFrog]

I have the same setup and I think that it is the best screen I have used. I have now had a book printed and the colours are an excellent match.

I am little disappointed that the MacBook 13" struggles to drive the display with Aperture 2 but Lightroom is fine.

[PM01]

Macworld UK seems to mirror my experience with the 24s.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/MAC/REVIEWS/index.cfm?reviewid=2937&pagtype=samechandate&pn=5

[basroil]

I have the same setup and I think that it is the best screen I have used. I have now had a book printed and the colours are an excellent match.

I am little disappointed that the MacBook 13" struggles to drive the display with Aperture 2 but Lightroom is fine.

The 9400m isn't exactly known for the fastest processing, and driving a 1920x1200 monitor concurrently isn't exactly an easy task. Since LR2 isn't GPU accelerated, it should work just as well regardless of the display. That said, you're probably being heat limited though, a good laptop cooling pad should help a bit with Aperture and a high resolution monitor.

[PM01]

NEC 2690wuxi2 review...
http://www.macworld.co.uk/digitallifestyle/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=3474&pn=2

And for the NEC 30 incher...editors choice.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/digitallifestyle/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=2998

[crotter]

Thank you all for the input! I seem to have opened a can of worms here haha :lol:

Anyways, I am not too worried about perfect color reproduction, I am not a pro photographer, photography is just a hobby, and the monitor would primarily be used for web surfing, and video skype chat with the GF...

Thanks for posting up the alternatives, although it would be hard for me to spend more than the ACD for a monitor that may technically be better for color reproduction, however that is not something I am particularly worried about. I understand most of you on here only want equipment that is really geared towards a pro photographer...

Anyways, I think I may go ahead and pick one up, I like how it seems to integrate with my 13"MBP really well.

Thanks again, I will report back when/ if I ever get the ACD and throw up some pictures of her...

-Christian

[beeng]

Enjoy the new view crotter :D

[basroil]

Thanks for posting up the alternatives, although it would be hard for me to spend more than the ACD for a monitor that may technically be better for color reproduction, however that is not something I am particularly worried about. I understand most of you on here only want equipment that is really geared towards a pro photographer...

Reread a few posts, the NEC monitors can cost about the same as an ACD, u2410 is actually on sale for $490 today (normally about $550) and is hence a good deal cheaper. the HP 24" is also good.

[PM01]

You might want to consider the warranty on the units. NEC is good for 3 and 4 years, depending on the model.

Apple is usually 1 year. I speak from experience - they can and DO fail. Mine croaked just a little after the warranty and Apple wanted 1/2 the new monitor cost to fix it.

Consider future growth. Though you may not need an accurate monitor now, would you need one in the future? Not worth spending the same amount of money again to do the job right in the first place. I learned that lesson the hard way.

[Damian75]

Congrats crotter enjoy the new display and while you can get an equally good panel for less there is something to be said for the way in integrates with your macbook that non of the others do.

PM01 you can find someone with experience with any brand that has croaked shortly after the warranty you can also find people like me that still have 3 of the old acrylic cinema displays that are 8 years old and still running fine.

[PM01]

PM01 you can find someone with experience with any brand that has croaked shortly after the warranty you can also find people like me that still have 3 of the old acrylic cinema displays that are 8 years old and still running fine.

True, but the newer Apple displays seem to run quite warm. In the case of the 27, they're VERY VERY warm. Heat tends to shorten life of electronics. I'm guessing that your acrylic display won't run nearly as warm as the 27 or 24 or even my former acd 23.

[Damian75]

True, but the newer Apple displays seem to run quite warm. In the case of the 27, they're VERY VERY warm. Heat tends to shorten life of electronics. I'm guessing that your acrylic display won't run nearly as warm as the 27 or 24 or even my former acd 23.

We tested that and actually the internal component temp is pretty much the same between the Acrylic and the Aluminum displays it is only the outside that feels warmer due to the Acrylic acting like and insulator. Kinda the same way a Powerbook G3's CPU temp was about the same as a Macbook Pro but that plastic felt better on my legs than the aluminum :mad:. But hey everyones milage may very.

[LethalFrog]

The 9400m isn't exactly known for the fastest processing, and driving a 1920x1200 monitor concurrently isn't exactly an easy task. Since LR2 isn't GPU accelerated, it should work just as well regardless of the display. That said, you're probably being heat limited though, a good laptop cooling pad should help a bit with Aperture and a high resolution monitor.

basroil, the MacBook is on a Griffin stand to aid cooling and I only drive the one display at a time. I am not the only one to notice this slowdown looking around the interweb.

I am still very happy with the choice I made.