Apple Cinema 20-inch Flat-Panel Display Reviews

• Apple Cinema Display gives you full computing experience...

  
  By A1JUBRIZMO0RJV on 2005-03-11
  There was a time that I never considered buying an Apple display. I figured a Mac costs enough money, without spending $1000, or more, on a display. In late January 2005, I purchased the newest Powerbook G4 12 inch 1.5 GHZ G4, with superdrive. The notebook had nearly all the performance I was looking for, and the small form factor allows me to easily haul it around the house, or the world should I ever get to travel properly. However, I wanted more from my Powerbook, when at my desk.
  
  Yes, I was already using my Powerbook with an external display. It was an analog Sony LCD. However, it was only 15 inches, with a resolution of 1024x768, so I actually had as little screen real estate on my external display, as I had on the 12 inch built-in display. I wanted more.
  
  After deciding a 17 inch LCD would not be enough, I ordered the Apple's 20" Cinema Display, and I'm glad I did. Unfortunately, the box arrived beat-up, and there was even dirt inside. However, everything inside seemed to work ok, thankfully. Un-wrapping the cinema display was a joy, and I was eager to put it on my desk. The design of this display is stunning. The aluminium enclosure will please the eyes of anyone, and the back of the display is as beautiful, if not more beautiful than the front. There is a single cable that comes from the back of the display, which neatly goes through an opening on the aluminium stand. This single cable splits in the end into Firewire, USB, DVI, and a power connector that you plug into the power brick. I connected the firewire, USB, and DVI to my Powerbook, and then I connected the power to the display. Wow. It was perfect out of the box. I could never get the color profile right on my old external display, but the cinema display was out of the box the most beautiful display I had ever used. The brightness was exceptional, and it took a few days for me to get used to the brightness. Yes, you can lower the brightness with grace of your finger over the sophisticated tough-sensitive buttons on the right side of the display, but I loved the look at full-brightness.
  
  My computing experience has been at another level, since the cinema display arrived. Whether I'm browsing the web, working in Photoshop and iPhoto, or making a movie in iMovie, the 20" cinema display and its 1680x1050 resolution is a joy to use. The display also gives me two USB and two Firewire ports directly behind the panel, which is incredibly convenient. If you're a gamer, which I'm not, you will appreciate the 16ms response this display offers.
  
  Yes, your computer does all the hard work, but it is your display you interact with. A great display like the Apple Cinema Display allows you to get more done, with less work and effort. For example, you do not have to figure out how to fit all your Photoshop palettes on the screen, for there is plenty of room.
  
  DVDs are quite the experience on this display as well. I popped in Shrek 2, and I was amazed by the images, but DVDs are far from the only reason you should want a widescreen. The widescreen aspect of this display allows you to work in the way our minds are designed and used to working. We read from left to right, so a display that is wider than it is long makes a lot of sense.
  
  Overall, if you would like to save some money, there are other displays out there. Dell actually offers a 20 inch widescreen display, which compares nicely with this one, even supporting additional inputs. However, it does lack something. It lacks the beauty in design that the Apple Cinema Display offers, and it probably lacks some of the quality control that Apple strives hard to achieve. For example, Apple might reject some of the panels they use inside of this display, if they suspect quality concerns, where other manufactures may use any panel they are supplied with, without spending the time and money to ensure a quality panel. If you believe you would like to spend some money on a fantastic display to use with your Powerbook, PowerMac, or DVI-output PC, then you should not pass-up this beauty. It is truly a piece of art from an aesthetics point of view, and the images it displays are spectacular. This display will not look like "yesterday's" display anytime soon. In fact, it is a pleasure to enjoy a display that does not look like it should be part of a busy, cluttered office. This display oozes beauty and grace, and the stock Apple pictures do not do it justice. The Apple Cinema Display gives you the full computing experience.
  
  

• Excellent monitor, but EXPENSIVE

  
  By AURW67ORPANXK on 2004-08-14
  I'm a relatively new convert to the Mac scene having just purchased my G5 a couple of months ago. Along with it I purchased this monitor to experience the full Mac-Attack. I have not been dissapointed. I could rave on endlessly about the G5, but we're talking about the monitor here.
  The monitor makes a very nice match to the G5 with its faux brushed aluminum surround and 'real' brushed aluminum stand. Quality is absolutely outstanding in both build, finish and, most importantly, display. It takes up about as little desk space as a 20" monitor possibly could without using a VESA mounting arm.
  One caveat is that if you're not using a DVI card, you'll have to buy one (a worthy investment anyway). One of the nicest things about this monitor is the Apple calling card clean lines. No analog controls or buttons mucking up the faceplate (only a power and two brightness buttons hidden on the side).
  My only real problem with this monitor (and the only reason it didn't receive 5 stars) is the price. It's just very hard to justify laying out this kind of cash when you can pick up similar monitors that are extremely close in display quality for almost half the price. If you're willing to 'settle' for a 19" monitor (non-widescreen), then check out the Samsung 910t. It's available here on Amazon for $579 right now and is most excellent (I've purchased two).
  In closing, I am very glad to have purchased this monitor when I bought the G5 as I really do love it, but I can't really see myself spending this kind of money after the fact. It hurts a bit less when it's a smaller percentage of the total bill... :-)
  
  

• Excellent display! (5 stars if you have Apple computer)

  
  By A30ASIWIT6UEZZ on 2006-03-31
  Even though there are some other displays on the market that use the same LCD screen and are sold cheaper, I still really like my Apple display. I've had it for almost a year and it looks very pleasing. The rounded aluminum edges on the top and bottom of the display have a feeling of disappearance, so it sort of blends into the environment. And when you're watching a movie or just typing something (like an amazon review) you just see the screen and not the display itself. Black displays are much more intrusive in my opinion.
  
  Sony and some other companies made these flat displays recently with highly reflective coating on the screen, even more reflective than CRT glass monitors! I honestly have no idea what their problem was but those are very horrible to use. Not only do you see your own reflection in it, but it also reflects all the light from the windows and lamps. This Apple display has very low reflection factor. I have windows on the side and sunlight used to be very annoying (when I had CRT monitor) even with the blinds down I still had to put some drapes over the windows. But now the sun doesn't bother me any more and neither does the lamp behind me.
  
  I won't say much about the colors, brightness and the quality of the LCD display itself, except that it's the best I've seen so far!
  
  So why did I give 4 stars instead of 5? For the following 2 reasons! (if you have Apple computer this won't apply to you)
  
  1) This monitor is labeled for Apple and Windows systems but there are no drivers supplied for windows (I have XP). When I hooked it up to my computer I couldn't set the maximum resolution (the option for 1680 x 1050 was just not there). But then I updated my Video Card (Radeon 9600) drivers to the latest ones, the 1680 x 1050 became an option, and I set it. BUT! To fund out about this took some searching, could've been easily avoidable if monitor drivers were provided!
  
  2) Even after you update your Video Card drivers, the monitor still shows up as "generic" under windows. Some say that this doesn't really cause a problem that's not true however. First of all, the monitor has USB and Firewire ports on the back and although USB ports do seem to work (I didn't test firewire) they show up as "?" in Device Manager and this can't be too good so you might get a problem with certain USB/Firewire devices later on. Now that's a "possible" problem, but a real problem I had was with monitor shutdown. When you shut down your computer the monitor has to also shut down, what would happen quite frequently was that after PC shut down monitor would still be on. And even the power button on the side of the monitor would not turn it off! To shut it down, you had to crawl under my desk and unplug it from the power outlet and plug it back in. This sequence would reset something and now the power button on the monitor could work again to shut it down. Now I began to think that this must be a hardware problem and called Apple customer support which also thought so and recommended me to take the monitor to the repair center. I didn't really want to do that, so I gave searching another shot.. I thought that maybe it's the problem with the drivers. I didn't really find anyone mentioning this particular problem but this time I did find that some one recently released the drivers for this monitor! I say some one because it's not released by Apple. Some nice person wrote it for FREE. Yeah, really puts Apple to shame! After charging so much for this monitor they couldn't spend a little money for some drivers... Ok now that I got that off my chest, the little utility is called WinACD. After installing it, the monitor is recognized by Windows as Cinema Display and when you click properties you can even see some options. Also the ports and Monitor are recognized in Device Manager. The problem with my monitor not shutting down has also gone away.
  
  You can download the latest version of this free driver here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/winacd
  
  Overall I'm very pleased with this monitor, though a little angry at Apple for somewhat ripping me off on the service and price.
  
  

• Watch out for bad pixels!

  
  By A1F9Z42CFF9IAY on 2005-09-09
  LCD monitors inherently can be manufactured such that they end up with a few dead/bad pixels. This shows up as a colored dot on the monitor when certain colors are displayed. Apple needs to do the right thing and take a stand on quality control. Samsung has recently adopted a 'no bad pixel' policy on their monitors and Apple should do the same.
  
  Apple's policy is that it's not considered a defective monitor unless there are 5 ore more bad pixels or a cluster of 3 or more clumped together. Apple states that out of the millions of pixels that high resolution monitors have, a few dead bad ones isn't considered a problem. This policy is not fair when such a large number of these Apple monitors do actually make it to the retail stores with bad pixels. The first one I received had a bad pixel that was visible all the time and the replacement also has 2 bad pixels that are visible sometimes, when certain dark colors are being displayed. I was told point blank by the Apple Store that I would not be able to return it again, without paying an exhorbitant 10% restocking fee.
  
  While the monitor is beautiful in case, design and quality of the overall picture, the pixel issue is a serious issue for me. I feel it's unfair that I have to pay so much for a monitor that contains visible defects. And while I'm living with the bad pixels right now and don't notice them all the time, it still bothers me that Apple doesn't step up and do the right thing, especially on such an expensive item.
  
  

• Use a PC? Beware. Apple's attempt to 'reach out' is non-existent

  
  By AMWL7XIWIPXEZ on 2007-01-07
  I know this monitor is top of the line. (Another big name brand also uses the same high quality S-IPS panel... but that brand seems to have far more complaints of defects despite being half the price... electronics aren't the same as the actual panel...) Back to the panel itself: The panel used is a drool-worthy .0258 dot pitch, true 8-bit, terrific viewing radius, and perfect for graphics uses (though colors should not look like they're 3D as some reviewers on 'net sites claim, that's an unwanted distortion and graphics designers usually want consistency and accuracy. So do their customers. This leads into my gripe I shall now adumbrate upon:)
  
  My big gripe is the purported PC support, of which it gets 4 stars knocked off.
  
  I pre-ordered one of these and then did some research as I had to wait a day for it to arrive. Glad I had, and I truly wish I could have kept the monitor; I was floored by its quality and specs.
  
  The USB ports won't work on a PC. Fine by me, I don't care about USB ports on a monitor. Some will, so that's a caveat if you use a PC.
  
  What I am bothered with is the lack of a Windows ICM and INF driver. That's outrageous. Especially for the price and PC compatibility claims Apple makes. This means some extra color calibration is going to have to be done and the end result is going to be an approximation (beware if anyone says the colors almost seem 3D. That's not always a plus...). Apple ought to know better than this; anyone in mid-end (or higher) professional graphics can not settle for "approximations".
  
  Indeed, because Apple has nothing on its website and attitudes from folks on their own discussion forum that make Linux zealots come across as heavenly angels by comparison, one has to resort to freeware (that's currently at version 0.4!) to use the monitor as there aren't any settings to be found on Apple's casing, except brightness and power. Yawn. Another toy.
  
  I would have expected even a token Windows driver, but when many reviewers have said "Get the freeware, there is no Windows driver provided", that's enough for me to avoid it.
  
  Now some Apple fans might say "Ha ha Windoze user, PC product vendors have been doing this to us for ages so get used to it." I say in return "Well, those device drivers aren't covering every nuance like the PC equivalent does, but at least they grant you base functionality and a driver when they say it's Mac compatible! Apple's own actions are showing the contrary as there is no Windows driver at all." Touche.
  
  So I returned it. I did not want to pay a 15% open-box restock fee for something I'd have to tinker with and may or may not be satisfied with in the end.
  
  And, no, I can't afford the cost of a new Mac whose specs would match my current PC (that cost me less than half as much for the same amount of power, especially when it's only repurchasing Intel components, that's ridiculous.)
  
  Sorry to be so negative as there is a lot to LOVE about this monitor, but those not in the majority position would do better to win converts by truly reaching out to them.
  
  If you're a Mac user, go for it. Apple knows how to make terrific monitors. If you're a PC user, it will work - just don't expect instant gratification, USB ports, or Windows telling you what the brand of monitor is. Be satisfied with "unknown monitor on ___________ video card" using default VESA color settings. That's a bit risky and even Mac users on that Apple forum said to be wary for such an expensive item... and that's good enough for me.
  
  I will add this: A 1 year warranty is unacceptable, regardless of brand. I always advocate purchasing an extended warranty, but a 1 year warranty is the manufacturer's way of telling the consumer "We lack faith in our product" and/or "If there's a problem, we want you to pony up for our bad design".
  
  
  
• Beautiful - Limited Functionality on PC
  By ADJ6K8THUG25L on 2004-11-28
  I recently said good-bye to my 55 pound Viewsonic CRT monitor to make room - and an excuse, for the Apple 20 Cinema Display. The pros are as you would expect: beautiful design, excellent color quality and convenient usb/firewire connections. As with Apple, the cons are also fairly predictable: once you get beyond the emotional experience of buying and installing the monitor you realize that this is an expensive product with limited functionality and a mediocre warranty.
  
  One disappointing note, and the reason for my 4-star rating, is that the brightness controls do not work on a Windows PC. As of today, (11/26/04) there are no drivers available to make this feature work. There wasn't any mention of this issue on Apple's web site or from the Apple store staff. PC users - make sure you realize this limitation. It doesn't impact the image quality, but it does limit the ability to adjust your monitor.
  
  Sidenote: My computer meets all of the required specs as listed by Apple - Windows XP Pro, with a Radeon X300 video card that has DVI and DDC. So technically, the monitor controls should work.
  
  
• 20" with a PC/DVI
  By A3GAYIDLB4ZDH2 on 2005-04-01
  After several months of debating whether or not it was worth the money, I finally bought one of these babies. I hesitated for so long because of the price. I came close to ordering the 21" Samsung several times but really wanted a WS. After seeing the in the Apple stores several times, I really wanted one but $1300 was a big chunk of change. Then when the price dropped to below $1000 I gave in.
  
  Overall, it is an impressive display. I am running it with a custom built PC using an ATI 9700 Pro w/DVI out. At first I could not get the thing to work at native resolution at all and any other res would produce strange results. Eventually, I discovered that something was wrong with my display drivers and I simply wiped out windows and started over from scratch (had been meaning to do it anyway and I upgraded the HD at the same time). After that, it worked like a champ. No problems whatsoever.
  
  My only grips are the incompatibility with XP and the USB hub in the display. This is a well know problem with the PCs and Apple does not seem to care. Also, the only hard button controls you get are brightness and contrast. No other screen adjustments with the PC. I haven't really need any since the display have proven to be very intelligent when resizing different screen res's and I can use the ATI drivers to adjust things like color temp and gamma.
  
  Other then that it is a fantastic display for the price.
  
  
  
• Great display, but look out for Amazon's shipping
  By AQB6XHYRYITCY on 2005-12-09
  This is a great display, if you own one you will love it. BUT, Amazon doesn't seem to have a box that it will fit in securely for shipping. I received my original order, the box was completely destroyed and the screen was damaged due to being thrown around in shipping. The second display I received had been treated even more brutally, and I had to return it as well. I ended up getting a refund, because I don't want to keep dealing with this. Don't let this review stop you from buying an excellent display, but be careful how you ship it. I recommend you choose overnight shipping so it doesn't get tossed around for 4 days in the shipping process. Sure it might be 30 dollars more, but you are already spending 700+ on a monitor so the 30 dollars to ensure it gets to you safely won't hurt too bad.
  
  
• Apple Cinema 20" Display
  By A16EG02F15G7O9 on 2005-03-23
  I bought a G-5 last summer and was using a 17" PC monitor for months with it. Let me say that the monitor is more important than I thought! I am a graphic designer/artist that works on the computer most of the day. If you are using a computer as a professional and especially a graphic person PLEASE CONSIDER THIS FOR YOURSELF!!!!! I also talked my boss into getting me one at work ... so I have one at the office and at home.
  
  The graphics are so crisp and clear! The wide format which allows you to have all your pallets and toolbars open and still have a two page spread open with NO overlap! This is worth the cash in it's self. It is a lot easier on the eyes than a CRT.
  
  The only downside to it is there is a little banding on it when viewing a DVD movie, or a heavy video game... but mine is used 95% work and internet so I don't care.
  
  GET ONE!
  
  
• Pricey but beautiful..
  By A1IILFFC2EUXFC on 2005-05-30
  First things first: the 20" Apple Cinema uses the same panel as the Dell Ultrasharp 2005FPW. I paid less than retail for the Cinema due to a coupon and another discount but regardless, the price was almost twice what the Dell cost (if caught during one of Dell's frequent sales or from a third party reseller). I repeat: the Dell and Apple use the SAME Philips panel. So why buy the Apple? I like the brushed aluminum case, stand and clean look. Frivolous but for something I have to look at every day, I find it important to have something that's pleasing to the eye. And please it does. It is truly a work of art that wouldn't be out of place in the Guggenheim. The resolution and response times are outstanding. Video is smooth with no noticeable artifacts. The display is very bright and has good off angle viewing. Using it in daylight with the windows open isn't a problem. The widescreen makes viewing and editing documents side by side easy. Did I mention bright? Bottom line, this is an outstanding display. The 20" widescreen is a good compromise between smaller 17"-19" displays and the almost too large 23"-24" screens. Larger is usually better for movies and television but for the desktop, I find the 23" and up a little too big. A best buy this isn't but a frivolous purchase once in a while won't kill you.
  
  
• I would not buy it again
  By A32QOZWIKQDNZX on 2008-01-16
  I own two of these. First one for more than three years and another one is one year younger. Apple positions these as pro level monitor with superb tech specks and capable of great color accuracy. While the monitors are esthetically pleasing, the technical capacity is very low, color calibration is very difficult as two monitors exhibit very different color casts and brithness.
  Even pro level calibration set could not eliminate it completely and it needs to be recalibrated very often.
  The monitors are terribly SLOW with 14 ms times and not even in the league to compete in pro level status with today alternatives as fast as 2-4 ms.
  The monitors are horribly overpriced, for the price of one you can buy TWO monitors of better quality and serviceability.
  The monitors do not have VESA mount adapter (required for arm or wall mounting) and Apple wants to rob you of additional $30 for plain piece of metal. This mount is a standard feature of any, even cheapest, LCD monitors these days. And it makes the monitor even less attractive and more expensive.
  If you were not fortunate to purchase monitor exchange warranty (highly recommended, Compusa, Staples other offer it) and if this thing in one year fails it will be cheaper to buy a new one than fix an old one.
  Overall, my point is: it is a fine monitor for general computing and if you are willing to pay extra for its appearance it is fine. However if any color or movement sensitive considerations in the terms of pro-level work flow it is not one would put on my list.
  For the money there are MUCH BETTER alternatives.
  
  
• updated from a 17" CRT and wanted something to match iMac 20"
  By A2FISM50WF1VCE on 2006-04-04
  when I bought my Intel iMac w/20" LCD suddenly everything else looked dull in comparison. This Apple 20" is very close in spec to my iMac 20" screen. Stores like Best Buy do not have good quality 20+" LCDs in yet. You want the 16x9 profile also, the regular square LCDs look dorky in comparison and typically have lower brightness and contrast ratios. The newer stuff is very bright and clear. It is obvious when you go to a store and look at the LCD screens. The cheap $200 LCDs just don't look good in comparison to the new stuff.
  
  Intel iMac screen:
  1680x1050
  280 cd/m2 (brightness in candle power)
  800:1 Contrast ratio
  
  Apple 20" LCD
  1680x1050
  250 cd/m2
  400:1 Contrast
  14ms response time (www.apple.com/displays/specs.html)
  
  Other comparables:
  Gateway 21" 1680x1050 $599
  300 cd/m2 1000:1 contrast
  
  Dell 24" 2405FPW $800
  1920 x 1200
  500 cd/m2
  1000:1 contrast
  
  You should be aiming for at least 300 cd/m2 on brightness and close to 1000:1 contrast. These Apple LCDs have been out for awhile and are starting to show their age in comparison to the brand new products that have just started to come out. If you are using your LCD for a TV you may need the brightness, but for computer work the Mac 20" LCD is just about right.
  
  I paid a few $$$ more ($750 total price) for the Apple LCD, but I feel I made the correct purchase. I just didn't like the way the others looked and it had to look good against my iMac. I actually like this screen better than the one on my iMac and it seems just as bright even if the specs say that it is not. Amazon also boxes the shipment (besides the Apple box) so your screen should arrive undamaged.
  
  
• Best LCD on the Market
  By A3P6IN1DXR4K7D on 2004-10-09
  I just purchased the 20" Cinema display and right out of the box this thing was amazing. Zero setup (with the G5) was needed. Just plugged in the only cable coming out of the back. This cable split int the power, DVI, USB, and FireWire. Great design. Then I booted the computer and WOW. The picture quailty was so crisp and pure. It was an obviously upgrade from the 17" CRT I've had for 4+ years. The only slight downside was the price. If you're a student or educator, you can get this monitor for $1169 + tax, so it's about the same depending on your tax rate. Perfect companion to the G5 aluminum look!
  
  
• A Stunning display
  By A1WD7E42I0W8UY on 2005-04-27
  This is by far the best computer display I have ever seen in my 22 year affair with computers. The design of the display is just stunning - it's a jewel on your desktop or on your wall. It's bright (even in mid day full sunlight), it's crisp, the colors are alive/fantastic and it's very easy on the eyes. It is not only superior to any LCD I have seen to date but also better than any CRT I ever looked at (numerous - believe me, including all kind of mitsubishi, sony etc). I am truely excited about this monitor. By the way, DVD films look great on it too! Well worth the money. It will make you happy.
  Cheers.
  
  
• Beautiful! A Vision!... an APPLE!
  By A5Z5WO8ELXLX on 2006-01-13
  I have to say, this is a beautiful monitor. I already own a 23" Apple Flat Panel as well--and have never had any issues with it--I use it on my Dual 2.5 G5 PowerMac.
  
  But what I needed was a good monitor for my stupid Sony VAIO PC that my company forces me to use. My company is very solid about not wanting to purchase any Apple products, but I asked for (and got) this 20" Apple Monitor to replace my existing so-called 17" Sony Monitor--it's really only a 15" with two extra inches of casing around the screen (at least it seems that way).
  
  What a joy! This monitor totally kills the Sony display... and tears up ANY Dell monitor I have ever used. This, for the money, is well worth purchasing.
  
  This clinches it... I WILL NEVER ENDORSE, CONDONE THE USE OF, or SELL ANYONE on PC hardware. Buy APPLE, you will love yourself for it!
  
  
• excellent
  By A3L2XZFLBIF5YW on 2005-02-26
  I recently bought this monitor for use with my 12 inch Powerbook G4. What an incredible combination! The Cinema Display offers unbelievable clarity, brightness, and "crispness." The Powerbook drives it with no difficulty. The Display slides around very smoothly on the desk, so I can move it out of the way when I'm not using it. Expensive, yes, but if you are using your Mac for making money, it is well worth it in improved productivity!
  
  
• Gorgeous Display!
  By AMEZVPTB8WR3H on 2005-09-20
  I've had my 20" Apple Cinema Display for 8 months now.
  
  This monitor is everything one could hope for. Very highest quality. Eye appeal plus!
  
  Looks way bigger on your desk than it does in the store. I almost went for the 23" unit. Glad I didn't.
  
  This great display teamed with the PowerMac Dual G5 2 Ghz delights me every time I sit down to it! I don't see what improvement anyone could want .....
  
  
• A solid display that compliments any computer
  By A1D2JLLWMSTDXC on 2005-10-25
  I've been slowly making my way to the Mac side after nearly 15 years of unadulterated Windows/DOS use. The process has been slow mainly because of the price and availability of Apple products: High and Scarce.
  
  The best thing about Apple is that their customer forums are full of people like you and me, and if you have a problem, someone else has most likely had it, too. Those forums helped in my decision to purchase this monitor.
  
  I had been looking closely at the 23" monitor. When I read about a majority of the displays getting a pink tint after only a few hours of use, I realized I would either wait until Apple re-engineered the monitor, or look at other options.
  
  With the 20" Aluminum, I didn't have to look far. I wanted a monitor that would compliment my G4 laptop (Powerbook), but I didn't want to break the bank, either. The answer was turning to ebay. $600 out the door. Mint condition. Saved over $150, and the monitor works and looks great!
  
  The 20" and 30" models have had no problems. If you can buy them new, go for it. If you can buy new, but would rather spend that extra money on something else, check out the ebay auctions.
  
  
• Beautiful Display
  By AGNXHVSC002CO on 2006-06-07
  Apple displays are synonymous with quality. This high quality LCD display is really just about everything you could ever want in an LCD monitor.
  
  Now if only Apple would put down the crack pipe and lower the prices a bit....
  
  
• great product
  By AA6HKDLM17Y6H on 2005-01-25
  apples monitors have always among the best. Most people skimp out on monitors and think they are smart. asa designer i can tell you, screens matter. the monitor is what you actual interface with, not the computer. and if you are looking at a cheap, dim display for 8 hrs a day for 8 years, you saved nothing. i bought this after my 17" apple sony trinitron died after 8 years of service. I'm a graphic designer and this screen is perfect for my needs. the brightness and color accuracy are superb and well within my tolerances. (i need proofs no matter what screen i use for print materials) the industrial design and small foot print on desk are also a plus. it reeks of quality. a plus was my monitor had no dead pixels. this being my first LCD, that was a big concern for me.
  
  
• Amazing image quality - worth it with the price drop
  By A186F6MPHZ9N4R on 2005-01-28
  I bought the 20" model after looking at many other options for a long time. When Apple finally dropped the price from $1299 to $999 It became a no-brainer.
  
  It is hard to find the monitor that matches the image quality and ease of setup (especially on a mac). I love the built in firewire and USB hub and the pure aluminum case is beautifully designed. It literally melts into the wall in my studio with its understated design and I feel like the images just hover in mid air.
  
  As I said I looked at other monitors, but they were all a bit too clunky and unrefined in both picture quality and design for not much less or even more money sometimes.
  
  
• Gorgeous display now at a reduced price
  By A1JWSDDIH5Z7DV on 2007-04-23
  Recently, my wife and I each upgraded our venerable Sony Trinitron CRT displays to widescreen Viewsonic LCD displays. The major reason we bought new displays was their large size and widescreen aspect ratio which provides plenty of desktop space and obviates the need for scrolling when working with wide applications, which are becoming fairly common these days. When we chose our ViewSonic displays we both really wanted this 20" Apple display which had the best picture of all the displays we viewed. We didn't buy this Apple display because, at that time, it was too high priced for our budget. But now Apple has reduced the price of this outstanding display, and it now clearly is the best choice in a 20" widescreen LCD display. Maybe my wife and I should consider selling our very good ViewSonic displays and replacing them with this topnotch Apple model which we bother admire so thoroughly. If you are looking for a widescreen LCD display please check out this gorgeous Apple display whether you use a PC or a Mac.
  
  
• Amazing Monitor!
  By A36K8K8V1K5POV on 2005-07-14
  Until recently I'd been working with the 17" Apple Studio Display, the beautiful companion to an equally stunning Cube. But demands of my work as a photographer necessitated upgrading to a Powermac G5. I continued to use the CRT monitor, convinced as have been most graphics professionals, that LCD monitors just don't cut it. The opportunity came to sell both the Cube and Apple Studio Display at a fair price, which left me with the decision of how best to replace the monitor. Prices have been coming down for the Apple Cinema Display and from what I'd read, they're more than a pretty piece of hardware.
  
  I've been using the 20" model for a couple of weeks and have to say it is both gorgeous to look at on my desk, and pure pleasure to work with as I prepare images for publication. I'm both surprised and delighted to say I don't miss my old monitor at all. Colors are rendered beautifully and I have plenty of real estate within which to work in Photoshop. I have space for palettes as well as a good size version of an image. I can't comment on reduced eye strain, but I'm happy to know there is no flicker in this screen and I have an unquantifiable sense that my eyes are more relaxed after a few hours in front of this beauty. Apple scored big time with these monitors, especially at the current pricing structure.
  
  You may be able to buy an LCD cheaper, but check the specs and look closely at the product before you buy. It is rare to find a product that is truly comparable in terms both of performance and appearance. Treat yourself!
  
  
• Best of the best
  By A3LCYSLJS6QDYB on 2006-12-08
  This monitor is of the best. If you are trying to decide between and Apple Cinema Display and something else, go with the ACD. It is a beautiful monitor and you won't be disappointed.
  
  
• Awesome display
  By A2F84JGOJU3L6R on 2007-03-13
  This is an amazing display. The only reason why I give it 4 stars is because of the price. I think that its definitely worth it though. I could've gotten a display for less but I wanted it to match my macbook pro. The amount of real estate on it is incredible. It's also extremely bright, my eyes are still having to adjust to that when the display is on. All in all, apple does it again. The only thing is I hope they don't update it soon cuz i Just got it.
  
  

• Apple Wireless Pro Mouse ( M9269Z/A )
• Apple iPod 40 GB White M9268LL/A (4th Generation)
• Apple iSight Video Conferencing Webcam with Autofocus -M8817LL/B
• Apple M9314G/B iSight Accessory Kit
• Apple Wireless Pro Keyboard

• Apple Keyboard Kit
• Apple Mighty Mouse Wireless Kit
• Apple Mac Pro MA356LL/A Desktop (Two 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processors, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)
• Apple Wireless Keyboard Kit
• Apple Mighty Mouse Kit