Apple's 24-inch LED Cinema Display is go for purchase
By Thomas Ricker 
posted November 18th 2008 7:11AM
posted November 18th 2008 7:11AM
Update: It's worth noting that while there are plenty of bright, 24-inch LCD monitors on the market, Apple's is relatively inexpensive (possibly the cheapest) for LED backlit monitors of this size. We'll have to see how it stacks up side-by-side before getting too huffy about the price. As to the lack of additional ports for game consoles, etc: huff away.
[Thanks, Rob P.]
ell-oh-ell
Pretty sure I'd want 1560x1600 or something for that price..
2560x1600**
They still sell the bigger ones don't they?
Both the old 20" and 30" displays are still available to buy (although why you'd want to given the competition is another question) but the 23" has just been killed in favour of the new 24", which isn't surprising.
That's what she said.
I would be correct in saying that it is not possible to connect these displays to a laptop without a DisplayPort socket (e.g. DVI)?
At the moment, yes. It's a matter of waiting until Apple, Belkin, Griffin, or some other company introduces a DisplayPort-DVI/HDMI/VGA/etc. adapter.
The price doesn't seem so bad if you break it down:
Basic 24" TN monitor: $399 ($399 Dell E248WFP)
IPS panel: +$300 ($699 Dell 2408WFP)
LED backlight: +$150 ($899 Apple Cinema Display)
I haven't done math for a while, but I'm sure 900 - 700 equals 200...
I think what he's saying is 399 + 300 + 150, which gives 849, not 700 ?!?
Sorry, I guess should add:
Apple Logo: +$50
However, it's not like Apple slapped their logo on a $400 monitor. These are priced in line with comparable quality monitors. You can spend a lot more than $899 on a monitor.
"Sure, it'll look great next to all your Apple gear but you can get a similar panel (if not exactly the same) or better with more expansion for a lot less." - straight from th horse's mouth
But no actually you can't
true, but engadget is notoriously terrible at understanding anything about technology outside of the standard specifications and buzzwords. Engadget is a great news source but terrible at actually having expert knowledge of technology.
They can take their glossy screen and shove it.
That Dell screen you refer to as being better has a crappy TN panel (2ms response time) and no LED backlight. Guess somebody didnt do their homework before writing this article.
wow 24" monitor.....I've never seen one of those before. For $899 that better come with a cup of Steve's poo.
If you don't know the difference between TN,VA and IPS screens you really don't know what you are talking about on LCD pricing.
First off this isn't a TN screen, which is the cheap crap in 98% of monitors. It is likely an IPS screen given apple history, but regardless it is at least a VA screen.
VA screen + LED backlight = really good deal.
IPS screen + LED backlight = insanely good deal.
Apple may sell some overpriced gear, but this monitor is not among that list.
As a comparison I have a 24" IPS screen (NEC 2490) and it doesn't have an LED backlight. It was ~$1200.
I personally am leaning towards VA as the price seems too good to be true but I hope for possible buyers it is as that would be a hell of a deal.
i just checked out the specs:
* Supported resolutions:
o 1920 by 1200 pixels
o 1280 by 800 pixels
o 1024 by 640 pixels
* Display colors (maximum): 16.7 million
* Viewing angle: 178° horizontal; 178° vertical
* Brightness (typical): 330 cd/m2
* Contrast ratio (typical): 1000:1
* Response time (typical): 14 ms
the last three stats are especially sad given the price of this thing. i was hoping the monitor would be more reasonably priced...or at least provide competition to dell and the like. the 2408wfp is looking pretty sweet about now.
I'd prefer to look at a 14ms 1000:1 contrast IPS panel than a 2ms 10000:1 TN panel. You can't compare an IPS panel and TN panel based on response time and contrast between, they are two different technologies.
Think of it this way: 60fps is flickery on a CRT, but is steady on any modern LCD.
Everyday, I get sick of Apple's crap more and more. I've gotten to the point where I want to buy an Acer Aspire One and install Ubuntu on it, and call it a day. :)
...OK...
I'm a Mac owner and I really don't mind if you do that. Seriously. Go nuts.
This is coming from someone who (literally) hates Apple as a company: this is a good price for a seemingly well configured monitor.
The only nit is connectivity, but (Apply hate ON:) when wouldn't Apple take the opportunity to f&$# all non-Apple users by making it mini-DisplayPort only. (The more rational me says "buy a converter, dork".)
IPS panel LCDs are few and far between, and LED backlit panels are even fewer (and further?). This monitor is really only good for people who need color accuracy at a decent price. If you're wondering whether it plays [insert name of CPU-crushing game], sure it does, but not as well as the $400 2-ms refresh TN-panels available in gobs on NewEgg. Save the money, and save your breath.
It is a good price for 24 inch LED monitor, not to mention it uses IP-S panel.
You can't get this price with other monitors.
Too bad it didn't have DVI port.
It's a $200 premium for LED which is pretty high IMO.
My laptop has an LED-lit screen and it's nice, but not worth paying 35% more.
Great - a 24" inch mirror.
People somewhat do not see the user-friendly-ness in this product. Put your Macbook on the table, plug in the three connectors and you can continue working on your Mac. All you need are two cables. Just two.
People buying this monitor are people who do not want to think about cable-mess, connecting the right cables, doubting it will work with all your files (90% of todays computer-monitors do not have HDCP) , having to set up the screen in the right position because the viewing-angle is about 80 degrees...
People buying this monitor are people who just want to go to the store, buy a monitor, connect it, have wonderful image quality, can iChat, listing to songs, can watch all of there media.
And no, that is something your $299 Samsung monitor cannot.
Which monitors have you used that require you to do anything other than:
1) Plug in the power
2) Plug in the DVI/VGA cable
3) Press the power button
?
Yes, but do these monitors have a built in powersupply for you laptop? Will the connecting cable always work on your laptop? Do you have to install pesky drivers for the webcam, sound and microphone?
My experience is that using a generic monitor on my Macbook, it results in cable mess. My Dell 2407WFP-HC has >> FOUR
And the reply system went fucked. To continue:
My experience is that using a generic monitor on my Macbook, it results in cable mess. My Dell 2407WFP-HC has FOUR cables. Three separate cables going to my Macbook (sound, USB, DVI), one to power. Also include the bulky power-adapter my Macbook needs to operate. I am seriously considering swapping my Dell for this.
It comforts one that he is buying a product that is 100% guaranteed compatible with his current product. Consumers do not care about specifications. LED, IPS, 110% NTSC gamut, the customer does not care. The customer only wants it to look pretty, easy to use, and that it just works. If you have a Macbook, the Apple 24" CD is the only monitor that can do that.
It should not surprise you. Most people use WIndows laptops and those come with docking stations. Windows users have had this level of comfort for decades :-)
Must be a lot of Obama supporters in here complaining about price. In America a true capitalist society the number one rule is price your products as high or higher then people can afford and make as much money as you possibly can. This country was built on Greed and the "me first" motto. My parents left Europe so they could get rich quickly and get out of that oh, the price is so hight attitude of you peasant folks. You all need to move back to Europe you Socialist Swine.
Like supporting Obama has anything to do with monitor selection. Or Socialism. Or Europe. Or how everyone came here from Europe to begin with.
Get a clue you M$ clowns.
IPS + LED + $899 + Apple = rules your life.
Just because the economy is taking a dump on your wallet you are complain-ey little whiners.
If Dell did this you'd be fanboiuiieee all over that plastic trash.
Enjoy your disgustingly cluttered desks with 5,000 cables all over it. I'll be supporting Apple with my $899.
@Aubrey
This whole time I thought my Chinese grandfather came from China. Guess I should go back to the family tree and rewrite history to say that everyone in my family came from Europe. /sarcasm
If I already live in Europe, can I assume that no action is necessary on my part? Or do you want me to move over one country?
Incidentally, did your parents leave or were they deported? Regardless, I am sure that all of Europe feels the loss of your particular gene pool and Americans all over are thrilled to see such an insightful person as yourself demonstrating an almost ambassadorial role. Bravo!
Sometimes we wonder how George Bush Jnr was ever voted into The White House and at other times that question seems to answer itself...
Dell 2408WFP doesn't use LED backlight, but it's an IPS monitor with 110% NTSC color gamut. (117% in the 30inch model)
What's the color gamut of this Apple Cinema Display?
Dell's web site says it's an S-PVA monitor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD#PVA), not an IPS monitor. Looks like it might be good enough for photo editing.
This actually doesn't seem like a bad deal for what it offers; IPS panel, LED backlight, Displayport, webcam/speakers and 3 USB ports. Too bad it's glossy and hideous looking, but that's how Apple likes to design their new products.
£650 in the UK.
What...
It should be noted that Dell's 2408 (flagship 24" screen) has a hybrid LED and CCFL backlit screen. In fact, most high quality screens have this hybrid in order to reach insane color gamuts. The 2408 has a 108% color gamut, while this apple does not have that information yet.
Also, LED does not necessarily indicate better quality. There are many other factors as there are many LED panels that suck. Dell's panels have been mopping the floor with Apple's displays for quite sometime and while I admit Apple's panel is pretty hot for being the first budget one to market, I'm sure the next iteration of Dell's screens are not far off and will be even cheaper.
Everyone is claiming this is an IPS panel but I have yet to see anything official on it and after a quick visit to the mac forums people there are claiming they don't know as well in posts as recent as today. So before everyone going on and saying this is the deal of the century lets wait and see what is really under the hood. If it's a PVA panel it will still be of great quality and fair price but an IPS LED panel with this price is a steal so I remain skeptical yet hopeful for all those would kill for such a screen at such a price. If someone has definitive information though by all means let me know as christmas is coming up :)
Not bad, only $100 more than my colleague paid for a 42' 1080p display.
Oh Apple, what will Veblen goods *not* do for you?
lol apple
The 26" LED NEC LCD2690WUXI-BK display going for $1000 on Amazon right now. Much more of a "pro" monitor than this cinema mirror.
I'd strongly suggest that over this monitor to anyone considering it.
As much as i like apple, i cant say i've used one Apple monitor that hasn't crapped out on me in one form or another. Good thing i didn't pay for em.
You can even go to the apple site and see what users rate their monitors if you don't believe me.
Spend less money and get a better monitor.
Extremely unfortunate that it doesn't have a DVI output...
And even MORE unfortunate is that this display cannot be used anything but the very newest line of macbooks. They are doing a good job completely shoving aside the millions of mac users who don't own the newest Macbook, or even went so far as to spend thousands of dollars on a top of the line desktop Mac. I have a Macbook Pro that I purchased less than a year ago. When I spend $2000 on an Apple machine, I expect it to be compatible with even their newest, best displays.
I'm sure the display is great, however, in terms of versatility, absolutely disgusting.
It's inexpensive for LED. Also, it comes with 3 extra USB ports, doesn't take up a USB port on your MacBook itself. has a built-in mic and the excellent iSight camera.... Let's not forget the built-in speaker system WITH subwoofer.. It's more than a monitor, it turns your notebook into an iMac in seconds.