ACD or not ACD?

itsallaboutyou

itsallaboutyou

itsallaboutyou

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11 Mar 2005
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Morning all...

I've managed to save up some pennies and am looking to purchase a 'decent' monitor for my macbook..

I was thinking about the 20" cinema display. I know a few people seem to think that I can get more for my money and that there are better panels out there - but they're soo damn pretty... :)

So, my question is in two parts..

1) Does anybody have a cinema display that could comment on the quality etc...

2) Are there any alternatives.. 20" to 24" max...

Fanx,

Tom
 
Well, do you need a high quality screen?

The panels in the ACDs are pretty old, so the quality isn't the best in the world. But, I wouldn't say no to one. They're damn good looking.

However, they are long due an update and if you can wait until Juneish then I would expect new ones by then. Probably around WWDC.

But anyway, if you can't wait, get one now. You know you want to ;)

Edit: And I'm pretty sure Dan got his today with his Mac Pro.
 
Justin said:
Well, do you need a high quality screen?

The panels in the ACDs are pretty old, so the quality isn't the best in the world. But, I wouldn't say no to one. They're damn good looking.

However, they are long due an update and if you can wait until Juneish then I would expect new ones by then. Probably around WWDC.

But anyway, if you can't wait, get one now. You know you want to ;)

Edit: And I'm pretty sure Dan got his today with his Mac Pro.
Click to expand...

I know!! Arg..

I've nosed at them in the apple store and they look really good quality... certainly enough for what I need!

I was checking macrumors (I wish they'd spell it correctly!) and they're looong overdue an update..

I think maybe I'll hang on.. get a cheap(ish) monitor and see what happens come june...

But you're right.. I'm literally this *puts up finger and thumb* to just going for it! :)
 
AFAIK the panels are a generation behind the current Dells, but Apple have been boosting the lamps used inside the screen (to make them brighter) without notification.

My 23" ACD should be sat at home snuggling the Mac Pro as I type.

When I say "should", you never know what my parents dogs are doing to it.
 
EVH said:
AFAIK the panels are a generation behind the current Dells, but Apple have been boosting the lamps used inside the screen (to make them brighter) without notification.

My 23" ACD should be sat at home snuggling the Mac Pro as I type.

When I say "should", you never know what my parents dogs are doing to it.
Click to expand...

Heh! Well, I'll have a good think... jealous about your macpro though! Enjoy... :)
 
Unless you're doing serious colour correction then the ACD should be fine anyway, mate.

A good calibration tool and you'll be rockin' :cool:
 
Nope - I'd only be using it to span desktop or use the macbook closed with my mouse and kb..

I sometimes wish I'd bought a desktop machine - but being able to take the macbook anywhere was a big bonus..

Who knows, I might treat myself to a beast in the future :)

As for colour correction, I'm not doing anything that really requires it!

I'm working on generalramblings.co.uk at the mo, and find it much easier with a mouse, kb and monitor...

I also think work are becoming worried as I keep 'borrowing' one of my 24" dells from work! Was gutted the first time i did it though as I had to go out and buy a mini dvi adapter... and the people in the bloomin purple shirts were shut!

I've just bought myself a dslr and have been playing around with that, as I'd quite like to get into photography properly(ish) - so how I get on with that may dictate how I upgrade/purchase hardware :)

Cheers for the advice!
 
£400 for a 20" monitor is nothing short of a joke. There are so many nicer and bigger displays out for far less than that.
 
The Dell 2007WFP is a popular one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-011-DE

There's also the 2008WFP which is a bit cheaper, probably users a lesser-quality panel but is silver and has a built-in camera.

I've got one of these myself:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-051-SA

Or the 22" version, which is actually cheaper:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-056-SA

For the price of the ACD, you could have two...

The Dell is probably the nicest panel of the lot, but you've said yourself you're not too bothered about that. Can't say I've ever found the quality of my Samsung to be anything less than excellent anyway.
 
I wouldn't pay Cinema Display prices for a 20" display with only the one input and a poor stand. Congratulations on the 2407 :)
 
Caged said:
I wouldn't pay Cinema Display prices for a 20" display with only the one input and a poor stand. Congratulations on the 2407 :)
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I kind of wish they weren't so expensive! I agree having one input is a pain in the knackers..

I wasnt aware of the stand issue - but I can wait until they look to release the new ones...

I'm also thinking, maybe, that I may treat myself to a macbook pro near november... :) wait and see what the refresh cycle is like!

Good tips chaps!
 
Caged said:
I wouldn't pay Cinema Display prices for a 20" display with only the one input and a poor stand. Congratulations on the 2407 :)
Click to expand...

I've got a 20" ACD and the input is a bit **** if you intend on plugging other things into it, but as a monitor it's fine and there isn't anything wrong with the stand?:confused:
 
Don't forget the Cinema Display is S-IPS certified, and some of these mentioned aren't, hence the substantially less price tags.
 
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