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Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Paying for Pixels

Written by AS from Kingsville

Dec 6, 2009

That's right. When it comes to down to all the latest and greatest in screen technology, you pay for the pixel.

I went to BestBuy and plugged my MBP into every high-end HDTV in the place, and all them rendered a very fuzzy, grainy image. It was then that I learned: the reason this Apple 30" is so expensive, is because we pay for pixel count, not image size..two very different things.

Now, having said that. This monitor is absolutely glorious. Even by today's standards, this monitor still runs ahead of most other monitors in the game, and certainly all other monitors in it's class. Make no mistake about it, there are other monitors that you can pay $5,000 for. That's not what I wanted/needed. I'm an audio guy. I needed more real-estate. I'm not a video guy (though, technically I bought this second-hand from a big-time video director).

The overall specs could stand to be rebuffed, however. Why? Well, first of all, I only say that because I know what else is out there..namely, LED's. Also, why was there never a refresh performed in which the iSight is implemented? It just seems like an easy update to perform. Also, the total response time is in the medium range whereas many displays in the same price range (albeit, with lower pixel count) have much better response times..again, not that I'm complaining! I'm saying these things so that Apple will see them.

To the negative reviewers on the dead-pixel thing..I understand your frustration and believe that Apple could raise QC on this issue. Mine, even though second hand, has no dead pixels.

Brightness, wow. I keep it between all the way dim and half-way. Turning it up is for distance viewing, I would imagine.

As I said, I'm running this off of my Santa Rosa-era MPB and I love it!! The graphics are simply astounding. I've run X-Plane at full-res and it absolutely kills. HD movies also.

Do not hesitate because of the negative reviewers. I'm not a professional video guy, I'm an audio guy who needed more real-estate and who appreciates details.

22 of 25 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

colored dancing dots ruin the screen

Written by RL from San Antonio

Nov 26, 2009

I have had this monitor for about 2 years. It started with an occasional colored dancing pixels that went away, but now they are more often than not. It's not too bad against a white background, but quite an annoyance against any black background. I have had mac products since the Apple II +(over ??30 years), and generally love the service and products, but this dot issue is very annoying. There have been many different threads. One with over 450 replies, but none seem to know an answer. Maybe the newer monitors have fixed this, but I do not know.
You can find these threads by looking up 3" display flickering/dancing pixels

24 of 32 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Absolutely the best

Written by CW from University Place

Nov 23, 2009

I bought this monitor for a PC about 5 years ago and it continues to be the best monitor I've ever owned. I do photography, video editing, and all the normal stuff and can't say enough about the reliablity of this beautiful monitor. It does require having the correct video graphics card (not cheap!) and enough memory, which is nothing these days, but if you take care to handle this, you'll never be disappointed.

32 of 38 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Excellent Color Rendition for Photographers

Written by KG from ROCHESTER

Nov 17, 2009

Excellent! For photographers color is very important. Especially when it comes to digital printing. A good monitor is the best defense in combating bad color rendition. Apple consistently comes out with monitors that define the industry standard for photographers and digital printers. The color rendition is seamless when paired with a colorimeter and you can always be sure you are seeing accurate colors.

24 of 27 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

great!

Written by OC from Arkport

Nov 16, 2009

my aunt and uncle have this! it is awesome they are graphic designers so it it really helps them

13 of 24 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Brilliant

Written by RS from FORT LAUDERDALE

Nov 14, 2009

Not sure how I did without this display before. I work mostly with underwater images, and this display is spectacular! Reproduction of colors is outstanding and well the size certainly makes life easier.

Lovely on top of everything else.

6 of 8 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

it's the best thing ever

Written by BB

Nov 10, 2009

it's everything it needs to be

5 of 19 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

I love my 30"!

Written by MA from WEST HILLS

Nov 5, 2009

I love this monitor so much I'm about to purchase a second. All of my customers comment on the size. Now I can buy one just for them because I enjoy my fine resolution.

if you have the cash, get one.

M

10 of 15 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

30 inch screen

Written by CB from DONAGHADEE

Oct 25, 2009

Whilst the quality is excellent i have an issue with the external leads. The screen is supplied with a 400 firewire cable to make use of the additional ports, yet my custom made mac pro only has 800 firewire ports. Surely having spent in excess of £3500 apple surely should have had the foresight to either inform me of this or had the wit to include some sort of adapter to make the connection. After complaining to my local store the sales man offered me money from the till to buy my own. Customer satisfaction from apple at the moment, I would even rate them with 1 star. I also had problems with the macpro. Not a happy apple user.

43 of 96 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Over 3 years and like new!!! Flawless!!!

Written by RV from LA PLACE

Oct 21, 2009

This monitor is still the best one I have seen on the market. Great work space & movies & TV look beyond HD.

24 of 40 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Good Decision

Written by SO from Port Ludlow

Oct 20, 2009

The 30" display is a dream, just wish I'd have bought one sooner. Reviews led me to purchase a refurbished display with extended warranty. It arrived in perfect condition and function two months ago. With the gentle-on-the-eyes display, a 17" Macbook Pro, wonderful Snow Leopard, a new wireless keyboard and mouse, iWork and iLife I finally feel technologically pulled together. Now, how about that
rumored-to-be larger and improved iTouch. Thanks, Apple!

20 of 37 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Stunning...

Written by JG from Hauppauge

Oct 19, 2009

The color and clarity of this monitor are untouchable. I upgraded from a competitive brand, and while they make my favorite televisions, etc., this display has a depth of color that is unmatched by anything else. Get the refurb, add the extended warranty, it's an amazing bargain!

12 of 18 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Enter Mr. Display

Written by XV from México

Oct 13, 2009

When I finally decided to buy this awesome monster, went to the store and asked the employee if I could give it back, in case I was not completely happy with it. The guy laughed and say yes, of course. "You won't bring it back, anyway", replied later, still laughing...

The guy was right: this is the ultimate display experience. Whether you are a designer or not, this beauty will work as an enormous upgrade for your daily life. I mean, this is almost sci-fi. After enjoying such a pleasant time at work, with all this miraculously colorful real estate, your eyes will just refuse anything less.

The only small flaw I have found is, so far, the short, awkward cable. But then again, once the thing is working, you forget about small things and become wholly addicted. Taking it back to the store? Yes, of course, over my dead body.

Last advice: don't even think about it. Go sell your soul and take it home. After all, the future waits for no one.

24 of 30 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Great product!

Written by DO from Lake Mary

Oct 7, 2009

I have been waiting almost three years to buy this so I could upgrade from the 24" my family is used to for the iMac.

Not only is the display large, its very high resolution brings an additional benefit.

I'd like to see a couple of future enhancements to a very solid existing product that does not appear to have been updated recently (or since its market launch) like:
- More port support like more USB, more Firewire (quantity and firewire types), Ethernet (to plug into Wi-Fi), etc.
- Ability to plug into multiple devices (laptops or desktops) including Windows or Linux PC's via a software / hardware optional accessory so that the monitor can be used for apple laptops or desktops and Windows laptops or desktops. The user could auto-switching (auto-sensing) or with software application toggle from PC to Mac
- Take TV input (from HDMI, preferably)
- Could have speakers attached
- Could be height adjustable for ergonomic reasons for height and tilt (vertical) angle; without the optional mounting bracket

16 of 31 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Love this monitor but terrible with updated Macbook pro

Written by CS from Atlanta

Sep 20, 2009

I love this monitor and have been using it for over 2 years. Recently purchased a brand new Macbook Pro 15" 2.8ghz and $100 dual DVI adapater the result was extremely disappointing.

Not only does this render your firefire 400 ports useless (unless you buy an adapter and bunch all your cables together at your computer) but you will notice tons of feedback as you try to work. Seems like the monitor cables either need an update or they need to bring back native DVI support to the Macbook pro line; for those who like the bigger display while at work.

77 of 90 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Love it

Written by SM from Cambridge

Sep 16, 2009

Bought mine to use with my Mac Pro. Display is beautiful. There are Dell options out there that are cheaper and use the same display, but I happily shelled out extra for the beautiful design and Apple quality.

28 of 55 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Great Picture Quality

Written by BF from Castro Valley

Sep 10, 2009

Purchased two for work. Been in the movie industry for over twenty years and haven't had a better screen.

53 of 72 people found this useful

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

Another beware...

Written by FM from Franktown

Sep 8, 2009

Recently updated my Mac G5 tower to a Mac Pro with the Radeon card. Can't swear one way or the other whether the G5 would do so, but you cannot play iTunes HD content on this monitor from the Mac Pro. You end up getting a warning about no HDCP (as I recall) and can only view the SD version.

(And to borrow from another reviewer: "...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.")

To me this is a big limitation (presumably an internal blu-ray player, if one ever becomes available, would have similar issues.) So even though I've been happy with it, a 5-star product at one time is now just worthy of 3.

71 of 83 people found this useful