Reviews for Apple LED Cinema Display (27" flat panel)

Apple has become so enamored of glossy displays that they've forgotten that in many home and office environments the glossy surface renders them a mirror, making the whole point of owning such a large, beautiful display moot.

So unless you mind working in very indirect light or with the lights turned way down low, try and find yourself a store that still has a 30" Cinema Display in stock, or hope that as they did with the MacBook Pros, they eventually realize there are a lot of users who still require an anti-glare display.

I gave it two stars because if you CAN minimize reflection from ambient light, it really IS a good looking display.

2644 of 3090 people found this useful

having just bought both a new MacBookPro and MacPro i was looking for a good monitor, but this replacement for the very olde 30" Cinema Display (which was overdue for a replacement 3 years ago) seems to be made for the non-pro user who just wants to be dazzled by the image rather than seeing what is really there.

it also seems to be limited, without spending a fortune on extra cables/adapters for this use and that use, to the newest macs only, will only reach a MacPro that is on the desk next to the screen (rather than the usual habit of keeping the desktop UNDER the desk) due to the short length of the main cable, will not directly connect to an Apple TV, etc etc

worse still is the fact that i was advised to NOT buy an Apple monitor by an Apple One-To-One advisor sinc in addition to the poor screen for pro use, it has been designed more to look good, rather than to keep the screen at optimal temperature (the screen housing should have a lot of air holes in order to keep the screen cool, the wrap-around design, although admittedly gorgeous, is not what the components require for a long life at the correct colour

so, the conclusion is that Apple have moved to the consumer market, left the pro out of it, and have forgotten that the initial crusade to build the best has been sideswiped by a desire to sell the prettiest

a great shame, and a missed opportunity to catch up and produce a stunning pro screen

892 of 1113 people found this useful

I am a die hard Apple supporter that just purchased a new 12 core macpro. When I went to select a new 30" display, it was gone. All that I can choose from is this 27" GLOSSY display. These workstations are being used in Pro environments where glossy is not an option. Fine... after my initial anger, I figure I'll get the 27" and put it on another station while hooking up one of our existing 30" displays to my new 12 core mac. WRONG... The 27" only connects to machines with display port. so it doesn't work with our 2 year old 8 core Mac Pro's. This is absolutely ridiculous. Apple has made it absolutely impossible for me to buy this no matter how hard I'm trying to go all Apple. Congratulations, this is the first time since 1984 that I am forced to purchase a non Apple display.

288 of 310 people found this useful

I've tried this display, loved it for its features and tried to think of every excuse imaginable to keep it.

However, I didn't.

I'll keep it short, as many users/reviewers have already pointed this out.

This screen is way, and I mean WAY too reflective. I'm a graphic designer and to make this display useful, I would have to change my whole lighting plan, move the windows and….in essence...create a dark room to have this screen operating at its full potential.

Any light from behind me, any dark color, any movement behind me, will DISTRACT my focus from the screen, and FOCUS it on the REFLECTION.

This is where Apple's "we are trendsetters, and we are right 99% of the time" becomes their Achilles heel.

In design there’s a principle. Form Follows Function.

The FUNCTION of a display is to be able to SEE things (in the highest detail possible) on THAT screen.
ANY OTHER ARGUMENTS AND ADDITIONS like "glass is easier to clean, the colors are deeper, it has a webcam and USB!" are SECONDARY. AND NOTHING MORE.

If there's a petition going, set up by people who get headaches, eye-strain, back pain (because they subconsciously adjust their posture to get rid of the reflections'), it’s a SIGN.

If its signed by thousands….it’s a bigger SIGN.

It’s a statement that doesn't say: APPLE you’re Wrong. Its says: APPLE, we love your products so much, and we’d love to buy them, but PLEASE listen to us.

It’s not 'complaining', it’s almost begging Apple to make something that will easily cost them a thousand dollars, that’s a bit more useful.

Please Apple, take note.

Good design, should make a product useful. - Dieter Rams

235 of 256 people found this useful

It's not entirely clear, but PA from London seems to have written his review based on his impressions of the monitor without actually having bought one.

I bought one recently to sit alongside the 27" iMac I use, professionally, every day for programming and have to say it is great. Yes, it would be nicer if it was a little less glossy (hence only 4 stars) but the display is wonderful. Very precise and clear, the colours are bright and punchy and it's just as good for watching videos as for working on.

No problems with heat - the back is cool to the touch even after hours of use. This is LED backlit, after all, which generates far less heat than tungsten backlighting.

The only significant issue with it for me is that it sits a lot lower than the screen on the iMac. However, I have discovered that using a first-generation AppleTV lifts it to be almost exactly the same height :-)

272 of 351 people found this useful

To be completely up front, there is way too much glare off the monitor to be useful as a professional tool. Owners of the monitor should not be required to perfectly situate the monitor to reduce glare. Also, the colors appear way too vivid, which though great for watching a movie, is a big problem for doing photo work. And lets face it, watching a movie on a Cinema Display, though certainly not a bad option, is nothing compared to a good HDTV. There is no doubt that the monitor is stylish and since it is an Apple, it is undoubtedly with technical peer. However, the glare problem, and the over amped colors, seem to be a direct result of the monitor glass. Apple needs to offer an OPTION to go MATTE like they did with the Mac Book Pros. It is amazing how one design component (the glossy glass) can severely compromise the attractiveness of owning the Cinema Display.

204 of 224 people found this useful

The design and performance of the display are second to none. However, I have to spend a lot of time in front of the monitor and eye strain from glare is a major problem. I am not sure whether a matte display is in fact better than a glossy display when it comes to color calibration. That, I suppose, is debatable. However, indisputably, glare off a glossy display is far more intense than off a matte display. Otherwise a really excellent monitor, the glare problem renders it far less usable, or at least bleeds the desire to use it. Glare as a function of intermittent use is perhaps not a big deal. But glare times hours of use each day is a big deal. The decision to go glossy only is a bit baffling and disappointing.

195 of 217 people found this useful

Apple, where is antiglare / matte option? Please please please, we as a professional photographer, need antiglare/matte option. Can't bear the glare anymore.

175 of 192 people found this useful

I went to the Apple store today to buy a completely fitted out Mac Pro. Loaded. This is not a cheap investment, but since my original G5 has lasted about 10 years I felt it was a good investment. When I get to the store, prepared to also buy two 27" monitors I find out they no longer offer a matte monitor, only glossy.

Between the Final Cut X fiasco and this, I can only assume that Apple no longer cares about their professional users. I am so disgusted right now I can't even sleep. I haven't been this upset with a company, ever. Surely, the folks at Apple must know that those of us doing color critical, detail oriented imaging work need a matte screen, so I can only assume that they really don't want our business.

So now i have to find another brand of monitor. I can't believe that Apple did this, I really can't...

253 of 362 people found this useful

Apple! Honestly, you must start listening to us. Once again I must go to the Dell Ultrasharps because your glossy screens create too much glare. I am a radiologist and this is truly the only thing preventing me from buying one. You must at least offer a matte screen option in the future if you hope to ever reach the market of photographers and medical professionals.

145 of 156 people found this useful