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Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

A bit outdated

Written by TL from Glendale

Jun 13, 2007

It is all nice, however the response time needs to be revised in order for this monitor to better serve video needs. The case is somewhat thick and a newer version incorporating a built-in camera should have been made available sometime ago. Not such a huge trill for even the current price that should now be about 1299.-

1328 of 1757 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Beyond your wildest expectations

Written by JP

Aug 19, 2005

This display is worth every penny, and every extra month you might need to save up to buy it. My pixel defect-free model arrived with my PowerMac after a short delay owing to availability issues with the video card. Exceptionally bright (almost too bright), crisp, excellent color. Takes some getting used to its awesome size. Will totally spoil you against using anything else. Its actually wide enough to meet the unkept promise of smaller monitors: practical two-document editing.

My only beef with this monitor is that it can't start my G5 from the power button. It can shut the computer down though.

Don't be tricked into buying similarly sized monitors from competitors, this one is head and shoulders above the rest.

938 of 1438 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Not HDCP compatibel :(

Written by BL from West Chester

Jan 29, 2008

As a computer monitor, this is an incredible buy. Images are beautiful and all my friend's mouths drop when they see this monitor.. I use this for gaming, but that's not the only reason I bought it. Outdated is Right.

Translation: You can't watch anything on this monitor that uses a HDMI cable (even with cable converters, splitters, HDMI capture cards (like blackmagic intensity)

HDCP is a copy protection that is a piece of electronic hardware in many modern devices. Say you want to watch a Blu-Ray DVD and hook it up to your monitor? The Blue Ray Player would send a request to the monitor to prove it is an approved HDCP device. The monitor, having no such piece of electronics would fail to reply, and you don't get to watch your DVD.

356 of 419 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Not worth the money...

Written by PV

May 25, 2008

A lot of people writing reviews about this monitor are either Mac fanatics who would kiss Steve Jobs' feet or avid PC users who would kill any such Mac groupie. I myself am a PC user and tend to stay away from Mac products (mostly because they're overpriced and over-hyped/advertised), but I will attempt to write a review that is as unbiased as possible and will deal with the facts.

The Apple Cinema HD Display itself is breathtaking. I spent some time with it at a Best Buy, and I must say that the graphics are pretty amazing. The brighter colors are rich and the massive screen resolution makes it any video/photo editors dream. Multitasking becomes a breeze with all the extra space. It seems easy enough to set up, although MacBook Pro users will hate the 3 cables required to connect their computer to the monitor. PC users can rejoice now that Apple has returned the favor and is allowing some PC compatibility to their products

However, based on the features that this monitor packs, this is definitely not worth $1700+ price tag that Apple offers. For one, the contrast ratio of 700:1 is extremely weak, especially for a monitor of this quality. The shades of black are not very deep, so dark images look unnatural. The 16ms response time is also insanely slow. If you watch a lot of action videos or play computer games, there will be a ghosting effect because the monitor is incapable of switching between quickly changing colors. Don't plan on watching anything in 1080p with this monitor (this is not a true HD monitor) as it does not support HDCP. Your Blu-Rays and HD-DVDs will not be able to display on this screen.

For $1700, this is a very expensive decision to make when purchasing a monitor. You can get monitors of equal size and resolution with better features, contrast ratio, response time for much cheaper. And trust me, they are JUST AS GOOD! If you are the everyday computer user, this monitor is not for you. For people who use their computers for basic functions, videos, or games, this is simply not worth the money. For graphic designers, video editors, or other such techincal users, this is probably the best monitor money can buy (and believe me, its A LOT of money). But even for video editors, beware of the ghosting

254 of 327 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Just over a year old, needs $500 worth of repairs

Written by PK from Louisville

Nov 7, 2007

It's amazing how much time you'll save when you just have more room, that part of the monitor is great. But after just over a year (which is when my complimentary support was up), I started seeing ghosted images and a permanent dark shadow where the dock is. I called Apple, they knew exactly what it was, it's going to cost me $500 to fix it.

Judging by the reviews here it looks like I'm in the minority, and that most people enjoy their monitors. But in the past two years I've purchased a Macbook Pro, Mac Pro, and this monitor. I haven't taken the monitor in yet because I can live with the problem for now, but I've been through 4 processors, 2 motherboards, and a sound card (luckily these were all within the first few weeks of each machine). I wish Apple's quality hadn't slipped so much lately.

If you buy this—or any Apple hardware—I'd HIGHLY recommend the extended warranty. Normally, i wouldn't buy Applecare on a product I expect to replace every other year, but that's come to haunt me lately.

184 of 214 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Great Display but....

Written by DJ from San Diego

Jul 13, 2009

This display is the best the 2560x1600 is a amazing resulotion but it's time for apple to release a LED 30"inch, come on Apple it's been 5 years sense the last update to the cinema display line but all in all the 30" inch cinema display HD is nice display but I think is time for Apple to update the 30" inch to LED

139 of 153 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

UPDATE WAY OVERDUE

Written by AF from Dallas

Jan 15, 2008

This is a beautiful monitor but it really needs to be updated. All Macs have integrated cameras except the Mac Pro ( and the mini) Mac Pro needs a monitor and Apple monitors, including this one, do not have integrated cameras. Also, the iSight camera is no longer available. C'mon Apple!

164 of 208 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

carefull buying one

Written by PM

Sep 22, 2006

I bought one one month ago it came with a green and red pixel dead in the meddle... so I can't work on photography and I got back to my old 20" from other brand. I think is to expensive to risk for a monitor that has no warranty of no dead pixel. other than that great monitor, the best ever made. but now I will buy a big TV in the same cause my eyes are always ruining to the red and green dead pixels

199 of 279 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Needs Some Updating

Written by MV from Milpitas

Mar 15, 2008

So we own a lot of these babies (we are a photography studio), gorgeous in every way. Never a problem, ever. But we need to equip a few new desks and as I am looking around at options, I noticed that the competitors have much higher contrast ratios. Would like Apple to update this monitor to it is brighter and have darker blacks. And it would be nice to have the same coating on our MacBook Pros, better yet...glass with filters.

132 of 157 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

16 millisecond response delay

Written by NF from Spruce Grove

Jan 26, 2009

For a sumptuous display of 30 inches there are some complaints expressed about it being slow in response. There are choices to be made and the Apple decision to go for colour purity over response time was sensible to me, a graphics user who needs perfect colour which is just what I get with this display. If you want to watch movies..look elsewhere I guess...If you want the best graphics SWOP display you are in the right place. I suggest from other comments that you buy the extended warrantee though my screen has been perfect from day one and it is years old now and still fine. It is worth the lack low grade stress of having to concern oneself for the first three years for failure. I doubt if there is a cause for concern on these screens any more than other brands. You get what you pay for as most of the 30 inch screens are not SWOP...

123 of 145 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Refurbished Display Issues

Written by LT from Germantown

Jan 29, 2008

I bought this monitor as a refurbished display from Apple along with Apple Care. I started to have little dots appear throughout the screen display on an intermittent basis which made diagnosis hard to pin down.

To make a long story short, it took a lot of time talking to Apple Care reps on the phone, sending it back to Apple once for a new DVI connector which did not solve the problem, and finally some other issues which were not intermittent before a resolution was found. A local Apple dealer sent the display back to Apple for a second time. Apple replaced the LCD panels, power supply, and circuit board and I have had no problems since.

I don't know if the problems I experienced were related to why it was refurbished and Apple told me they give refurbished products a new serial number so it is not possible to trace the original reason it was returned to Apple.

For a major purchase like the 30" Cinema display or a refurbished hardware product, I strongly recommend Apple Care which saved the day on this issue. I have always had very polite and understanding Apple reps when I called Apple Care for any issue even when it was a frustrating issue for me. I see why they have such an excellent reputation for service.

I love the 30" size but would also like a built in camera for its next refresh.

134 of 169 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Best display, but long in the tooth

Written by RL from Nashua

Jun 10, 2008

Awesome display, but needs a camera, LED backlighting, Firewire 800 (if it is to keep firewire), HDMI for Blu-Ray, possibly DisplayPort connectivity. Would be five stars with any two of the above.

144 of 191 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Don't Use With iMac equipped with mini-dvi interface

Written by DG from Carnation

Jan 25, 2009

Love the monitor (own 3 of them), however, this monitor will not resolve to anything greater than 1280x800 dpi if you try and connect it (as a second monitor) with the iMac's. The problem is; the iMac has mini-dvi interface which does not pass all of the signals that are required by a full DVI interface (this is what the 30" Cinema Display has).

You can connect the 30" Cinema Display to an iMac, but (for technical reasons) it will only operate at a maximum resolution of 1280x800 dot per inch and you will not get the picture that you should be able to expect from this monitor. This is not, I repeat..NOT an Apple problem... it is a an interface issue. I'm writing this review in case someone reads them, who might decide to attempt setting up this arrangement on an iMac or any Mac system that has a mini-dvi external monitor interface. And no, I do not work for Apple.

108 of 121 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Better monitors out there

Written by JM from Cresskill

Nov 19, 2007

Pros: Big screen, goes wonderfully with your Mac
Cons: Expensive, better performing monitors out there at the same size and a cheaper price

For the most part this monitor is great. The only things that would make it on par with other monitors are better refresh rate and a better contrast ratio. But you should only really concern yourself with this unless you're a gamer, which I assume most people using Macs aren't. On the other hand it's a beautiful monitor and probably the only monitor that will compliment your Mac.

135 of 178 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Buyer beware

Written by AC from Cheltenham

Aug 14, 2009

I won't waste effort adding reiterated detail in respect of quality; this monitor is still better than any in the current price-bracket.

However, it is obsolete in today’s world, as it does not provide a HDCP signal/response to the sending unit. This means you can't hook it up to a blue-ray player, a PS3 or other gaming station.

I wouldn’t' have brought mine if I had of known this 'slight'/deliberate omission/oversight from the Apple website. Arrgghh.

112 of 133 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Overpriced, underpowered

Written by ML

May 14, 2008

I played with this display at an apple store, and I have to say, I'll Stick w/ the Samsung SyncMaster 305T. It has the same screen res, all digital input. It doesnt have FireWire, but it does have 4 USB and the hub is powered. Not only can I adjust the tilt, but i can also adjust the height and swivel as well. I like my Sammys way faster refresh rate, richer color and better dim range.

At this price, there should have at least been an added and/or built-in iSight. and don't get me started on the cable architecture. all input cables (Power, DVI-D, FireWire, USB) fork from 1 cable that runs for about 3-5 feet to a breakout. the power, USB and Firewire breakouts are about 6in and the DVI-D is about 3 inches. great for a MacPro, dismal on a 17" MacBook Pro (Like i currently have). Defiantly not a great option, considering in order to use my MacBook in clamshell, i have to have it plugged in, which is on the other side of the Notebook. Apple, next time, put all the ports on the same side for external monitor usage. at least separate the power from the other I/O cables. 3-5 ft of cable cluttering the back of the monitor is unacceptable.

156 of 226 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

This monitor's cable is its greatest drawback

Written by KM from Melbourne

Mar 18, 2008

Aarrrrgh! I spent a long time writing a lengthy review of this monitor only to press the Preview button and have the site tell me that my session had expired. When will web designers learn to avoid this nasty habit.

So here I go again (more brief this time):

After waiting for more than a year for Apple to upgrade this display with a built-in iSight (and maybe even a card reader), I decided to bite the bullet and buy this display.

The biggest drawback of this display is its horrible cable configuration which is not detailed in the Apple tech specs on this site. The cable is permanently attached to the back of the monitor which makes it cumbersome when mounting the display on an articulating arm.

Worse however, is the cable's configuration. It is about six feet long and rather thick. It splits into 4 individual cables for Power, DVI-D, USB2, and Firewire only for the last foot of its length. This is probably OK if you plan to use it with a Mac Pro because you can run all the cables to the back of the tower and the power brick can lie on the floor behind it. If, like me however, you are connecting this display to a MacBook Pro, this is a problem. The short length of the individual cables means that the huge power brick has to sit on your desk behind your MBP occupying precious desktop space. I wound up having to buy extension cords for the DVI-D, USB2, and FW400 just so I could clear some clutter and move the brick under my desk.

114 of 143 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Love its outer beauty and simplicity.. not too sure about everything else.

Written by MN from BREA

Jun 2, 2009

Ok, I love the look of this thing.. its awesome! The screen is great too.. but must admit I really was looking to buy a 24" LED cinema display but couldn't because of the mini display port and too old mac pro tower. That aside this monitor is wonderful, however I am starting to notice some color issues.. its minor unless your a photographer who wants color accuracy as would expect from spending 2K.. this is a 2009 purchase by the way. I can see (mainly on an all white background) yellow hue in the middle and pink hues elsewhere on the screen, mainly sides and top. That is very disappointing.. its probably a backlight issue.. im taking the screen in tomorrow to have Apple look at it. I don't have Apple care but am certainly considering if I keep this monitor for more than a year. I also agree with most everyone else.. this monitor is overpriced for what it is.. and I am a mac loyalist.. who could care less about additional ports; I figure if you are looking to buy this monitor you must be using for daily pro app use as I am, and want an alternative to the super expensive Eizo monitors and the like. This monitor also radiates a ton of heat! Really love it (for cosmetics), just wish the colors were consistent across the whole panel.

100 of 119 people found this useful