Hi, I feel I might be risking the wrath of the Mac faithful by asking this, but here goes.
I have a 20" iMac and I'd like to add a second external display.
Obviously, I'd like the Apple product, but the Apple 20" display is $699. Future Shop has a 20" Samsung for $199. And according Consumer Reports has Apple and Dell 20" monitors rated exactly the same for "display quality" and "viewing angle".
My question is, is there really much difference between the Apple 20" and the corresponding Samsung and Dell models? I'd like the Apple product -- but am I really getting anything for my extra $400-$500?
If you are thinking that the price is only for Apple aethetics, you are mistaken. Apple displays have very little color shift across the viewing angles. The $200 big box store displays do have bad color shift - whites start to look yellow, and they are less accurate.
"Viewing angle" does not measure how accurate the color is across the angles. It only measures the ability to see the content on the screen.
This is a case of getting what you pay for, not for Apple aesthetics.
If you are thinking that the price is only for Apple aethetics, you are mistaken. Apple displays have very little color shift across the viewing angles. The $200 big box store displays do have bad color shift - whites start to look yellow, and they are less accurate.
"Viewing angle" does not measure how accurate the color is across the angles. It only measures the ability to see the content on the screen.
This is a case of getting what you pay for, not for Apple aesthetics.
There is nothing wrong about paying for Aesthetics..that's why we buy cloths from certain places or shoes from of certain brands, and Apple is King on Looks, designing cost money to them also..so I'm not saying money is wasted on looks.. about the technical details well I would not be suprised if Samsung comes really close to Apple on that, especial after CR rated them similar.. remember Samsung makes LCDs for some of these brands like Sony, and who know maybe even Apple cinema display LCD panels could be made by them
There is nothing wrong about paying for Aesthetics..that's why we buy cloths from certain places or shoes from of certain brands, and Apple is King on Looks, designing cost money to them also..so I'm not saying money is wasted on looks.. about the technical details well I would not be suprised if Samsung comes really close to Apple on that, especial after CR rated them similar.. remember Samsung makes LCDs for some of these brands like Sony, and who know maybe even Apple cinema display LCD panels could be made by them
Isn't the ACD 20" panel made by LG-Phillips? Although there's no doubt that it's a high quality panel, if nothing else.
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Matt
24" Aluminum iMac (finally), 32Gb iPod Touch
If you enter Apple here you'll see that the Cinema Displays use LG.Philips S-IPS panels where as the Samsung you're looking at will be a TN panel. IPS panels are MUCH better for graphics work. Your 20" iMac has a TN panel by the way where as the 24" iMac has an IPS. This site here explains the various strengths of each panel type.
Now all that said I have a 24" Samsung 245bw monitor that uses a TN panel sitting on my desk at work and its a very nice monitor that suits my needs perfectly...but I have no illusions that its as percise as a IPS panel.
This is a case of getting what you pay for, not for Apple aesthetics.
I have a hard time believing that that mantra applies in this case. The Apple display hasn't been updated in over 18 months. The OP's $199 option may not be directly comparable in this instance, but I'm sure it's pretty easy to get a monitor that outperforms the Cinema Display for less than half the price. Unfortunately, it won't look as nice as the Apple.
Personally, I'm willing to pay extra for aesthetics, but not *that* much.
You will be getting a USB and a Firewire hub in addition to the aesthetics of the Apple monitor.
You may also be getting an IPS panel instead of a cheaper one - but I haven't seen anything definitive regarding this with the smaller Apple LCDs. I am sure others here (or elsewhere on the web) could verify the type of panel that Apple uses in their various sized offerings.
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"When the sides facing each other suddenly realize that they're looking into a mirror, they'll see that this is the pattern for the future."
ACD displays have been the biggest rip offs for the last year or two. It's as bad as buying RAM directly from Apple. ACD displays used to be top of the food chain years ago but the technology has advanced, is cheaper and more widespread now. Sure, aesthetics are nice and there are a couple premium features (touch sensitive controls / integrated cable) but you can get a Samsung, Dell, HP, NEC (SIPS or LED) panel monitors in the 24" size for the same price. Some of these monitors outperform as well and have better input options. If you have the aluminum iMac, the Dell's two tone is almost a perfect match aesthetically.
And you would think by paying almost twice it's market value Apple would include an industry standard 3-year warranty like everyone else? Nope, dish out another $100 for that.
Then they release the new 24-inch LED display. Sure its beautiful, has iSight, speakers, one cable, it's LED... but a $1000 ?! The glossy screen will deter most pro's, still has a measly 1 year warranty and only connects via a mini-display cable that only the new MB/MBP's have. That's a pretty expensive mainstream accessory.
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