Closest Competitor to 24" Apple Cinema Display?

(There was another similar thread here about the 30" display, but I didn't want to hijack it )

So I've been toying with the idea of selling my 15" hi-spec MacBook Pro and buying either a 13" MacBook Pro or MacBook Air and a 24" monitor to connect it to (I just bought an Xbox 360 so I no longer have any use for the extra power in my 15").

I know a while back Apple had their 24" LED Cinema Displays refurbished for $599, but I haven't seen that deal in a while, and I really can't afford to spend $900 on a display.

So, my question is, what's the closest monitor to the LED ACD in terms of color accuracy, gamut, and so forth? I do web and graphic design, so I need something that's high quality (but at the same time, I'd like to stay below $600 if possible). Additionally (although not nearly as great a concern), are there any monitors that have a similar design/appearance to the ACD?

Thanks for any help!

 

Hmm, was looking around the web a little more, it looks like I can get one of the older 23" Cinema Displays for around $400- not bad. Anyone know what they're like?

 

Dell/samsung 24" IPS displays are quite good! try searching in dell outlet!Don't waste your time with 23" CD, it is outdated!

 

Yeah so I was also looking at the different types of LCD panels, and it looks like I should be looking for IPS panels for highest quality, correct? (and avoiding TN panels)

Also, why do you suggest avoiding the 23" ACD? Is it no longer considered acceptable quality?

 

Dell u2410 or HP LP2475w are the best 24inch monitors under $1000 usd. Since you are a graphics designer I'd stay away from the newer models of the cinema display, they are very glossy and hard to calibrate correctly. They are great for movies, home entertainment, and the design is gorgeous, but will frustrate professionals. The dell u2410 is currently on sale for $499.

 

I use a Dell S2409W for my Macbook Air. Its cost me about $200 NIB from Dell, is very crisp, clear, bright, has a non glare screen and a resolution of 1920x1080 that my MBA drives just fine.

 

I think we're only talkin about IPS panels.

 

I second the Dell u2410. The Dell u2410 is also a IPS panel, you get a built in usb hub and multicard reader. It's also has more inputs. I know many of us probably also have work laptops and unless your work laptop is a Apple, we can't use the Apple Cinema Display. With the u2410 i can use it my MBP, T400 and gaming desktop.

u2410 can be had on dell ebay outlet for 499 now. You can also take advantage of bing cash back!

 

I have the 24" ultrasharp from Dell and it's solid. Not sure if tis IPS?

 

Well what's the model number?

 

Listen to this ^ guy. He knows what he is talking about.

PS. the older IPS model from Dell is the 2408WFP, it's also good and can be found even cheaper on Ebay for example. For the exact differences with the u2410 look up some reviews.

 

Actually the 2408 is not an IPS. I own one and although its not an IPS but a PVA, its still a superb monitor. I love it to death.

 

thinkvision LED L2440x could be an option although it's TN. i compared it to apple 24" LED cinema and feel it's better than apple in terms of color accuracy and being less eye strain.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4236075&cm_re=asus_23"-_-24-236-075-_-Product


Price this weekend: $199

Model
Brand ASUS
Model MS238H
Cabinet Color Glossy Black
Display
Screen Size 23"
Widescreen Yes
Recommended Resolution 1920 x 1080
Viewing Angle 170°(H) / 160°(V)
Pixel Pitch 0.265mm
Display Colors 16.7 Million
Brightness 250 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio 10000000 :1 (ASCR)
Response Time 2ms(GTG)
Horizontal Refresh Rate 30 ~ 85 KHz
Vertical Refresh Rate 55 ~ 75 Hz
Connectivity
Input Video Compatibility Analog RGB, Digital
Connectors D-Sub, HDMI
D-Sub 1
DVI No
HDMI 1 x HDMI , 1 x AV Audio HDMI

 

*Sigh* Some people will never learn. Leave the TN garbage at the door of this thread. We're talking about IPS here.

 

I still dont care what anyone saids about the 24" LED ACD being glossy! There is still none other displays that can compare within the same price range!

One of my cousins came over recently and saw my 24" LED ACD at 4 notches below the full brightness and she was trying to touch the display going OMG this looks so damn crystal clear (while she was checking her facebook on the ol mac pro desktop). Then I busted out to full brightness and she was blown away lol.

To her it looked so crystal clear that it looked unreal and 3d like.

I've had the 24" LED ACD since last december when it was first released and even today when I turn it on and look at it right next to my brand new ACER monitor (which is very nice as well) looks amazing.

 

i personally compared these two and feel apple's IPS has simply no advantage. apple's color is simply inaccurate. although thinkvision is not cheap at all.

there are others complained this: http://discussions.info.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1955314&tstart=255
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1017&message=30625941
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9224609

 

That's funny, since I'm a professional photographer and use the 24" LED Cinema Display and the 27" iMac display now with no trouble whatsoever.

 

Yeah, sorry about that, guess I failed to clarify- when I say I want good color accuracy/gamut, I mean something better than your bargain $200 TN panel monitor- I'm not designing ads for Nike or anything like that, so I don't need anything insanely accurate.

Another reason I was leaning towards the 24" ACD is that the docking abilities look quite nice- being able to set my MacBook in its stand, and then just plug those three cords from the monitor right into it is quite convenient.

 

I have used a Samsung 245T for the past couple of years and it is superb.

 

can someone tell me why apple didn't make the 24" cinema PC compatible ?

 

Or why it doesn't offer matte finish? Who knows... Although it indicates a shift from Apple monitors being targeted towards professionals, to consumers.

blabus: If accurate colors aren't an issue, then the Cinema display may be right for you because of its superior black levels compared to the Dell U2410/HP LP2475w, that is depending on how much the glare comes into play from the lighting around you. In darker rooms the glare problem will be significantly reduced. For movies, multi-media, and general use the Cinema display is excellent, given you can find one within your price range.

 

Apple wants you to buy their MBP and their ACD together. Its kinda neat combo actually, but prohibitively expensive.

 

ASUS MS238H 23IN
Can some one make comments about this monitor vs the Apple Cinema display?
Link here: http://www.ncixus.com/products/48033/MS238H/ASUS/

 

Although a great LED monitor for the price, the asus is a TN panel and will not provide as accurate of colors than the Cinema Display. The Cinema display is also brighter and of higher resolution.

 

That LCD is a TN, has lower res, and is an inch smaller.

 

Is there a display in that market that is led and IPS panel at the same time (beside ACD)?

 

Are you sure you need LED? a good CCFL monitor like U2410 will blow away any mediocre LED monitor.

 

True, some cheaper LED monitors don't even support local dimming, as they are whats called "edge lit." This allows the monitor to be thin, however you gain no advantage in dynamic contrast over CCFL, and you risk having uneven back-lighting. Compared to the U2410, the apple cinema display will show slightly deeper black at higher brightness, giving it the advantage when watching movies and multimedia. However the Asus monitor will still be significantly dimmer, and the colors less vibrant than more expensive IPS screens.

 

I was considering the HP LP2475w or the Dell U2410 been reading the reviews and both seem to have some negative things said about both has anyone seen both monitors ?

anyone think one is better then the other ?

 

Don't know if you've seen these reviews but I think they are very good, detailed reviews.

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2008/review-hp-lp2475w.html
http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2009/review-dell-2408wfp.html

Unfortunately they don't have the U2410 reviewed though.

TFT central did review U2410 http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2410.htm
and HP http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_lp2475w.htm

 

I own a U2410, the main complaints about it are tinting and dithering. However I think the dithering has been fixed on the newer revisions, mine shows no sign of dithering in any preset. Also I do notice a slight pink tint in the bottom left corner, however it is small, and only barely noticeable only when there is a white background. I probably wouldn't of even noticed it if I didn't read complaints about it and looked for it. I would go for the u2410 over the hp, because its slightly cheaper (most of the time), and I personally prefer dell's support over HP. But they are indeed the same panel are should be very similar.

 

Did they ever come up with an adapter so the older macbook pro's can go from DVI > Display Port?

 

Why would you want to do this? Most if not all 24" monitors have DVI inputs.

 

I think he's talking about the 24" Apple Cinema display which only has a displayport.

Yes there is an adapter but it costs $149 bucks.

http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-DVI-to-Mini-DisplayPort-Converter-p-17859.html

 

question on the HP LP2475w monitor, seems they have 2 manufacturer numbers on this same model KD911A8#ABA - KD911A4#ABA there's about a $150 price difference on this and the only specs I see in the 2 is just the power consumption and one is 75 WATTs and the other is 120 and the more expensive is the 75 WATT one and they call this model the super size KD911A4#ABA


anyone have any imput on this ?

 

"Closest Competitor to 24" Apple Cinema Display?"



http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&kc=&oc=u2711

 

I take it you've never owned a CRT monitor before then eh? The "industry standard" for 20 years.... was a glass faced tube. It was glossy. I knew a few professional graphics guys that held onto their large CRT's for a few extra years just because they hadn't found an LCD that looked right to them.

So unless your paycheck is from graphics design work, I really don't want to hear this same thing said over and over when it really doesn't agree with what real professionals are saying.

 

23" Samsung XL2370 1/4 the price of the Apple 24.

1920x1080p res LED backlit.

use the savings to buy a Mac Mini or a new laptop

 

I think the advantages of CRT's were its near 180 viewing angles. An LCD doesn't have this so a glossy screen doesn't exactly help.

Preferably, an LCD would be better as a matte screen for these reasons.

More force fed TN garbage.