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Hardware that goes with your Mac, like external HDDs, TV tuners, HTPCs, monitors and other accessories. Includes AppleTV, AirPort and Time Capsule.

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  1. 6th February 2012, 08:47 AM #1
    missmakeupgrrl
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    Default Apple Cinema Display VS another LCD 27"

    Hi there


    I've been trying to get some justification for purchasing a 27" display. I have a MBP - and im not getting my value out of it as I am going back to my desktop.

    Im was looking at the Apple Cinema Display and was blown away by the price. I get the impression the high quality display is suitable for visual creatives and people highly interested/fussy in their image quality. I will put it out there - im not particularly fussy about my picture. I will do a little fiddling around on photoshop and such this year - but nothing more than amateur.

    I love the idea of the thunderbolt port - but I see that there is no audio out for my speakers from the Apple. The ASUS I have been looking at ( Asus VE278Q if you're interested) looks to be nice.

    So, here is basically what i've worked out.


    Apple $1,200

    Pros

    Great image quality
    Thunderbolt port

    Cons

    Price
    No audio out? (ie. 3.5MM jack)


    Asus $400

    Pro's
    Ok image quality
    Audio out
    Price

    Cons

    Not as good in image quality
    Having to fuss with cables
    Purchase adapter to HDMI

    Am I missing anything? I just dont know if I can justify the Cinema display to save a little fuss with cables - especially if we see Thunderbolt docks coming out this year? I see Mactalkers have a lot of Cinema displays - so i'd be interested to know why you were pushed over the edge - or if there is something missing in my logic?
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  2. 10th February 2012, 12:26 PM #2
    thorntonp
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    Default

    You seem to have the pros and cons sorted...

    I bought a Dell27" as I too thought cinema display price was excessive. I used it as a second monitor for my 27" imac.

    I only lasted 2 months before selling it and getting a cinema display.

    Side by side, the image quality of the dell was horrible compared to the imac and I hated it.

    You may not notice it as a stand alone for your laptop though.

    Just thought I's throw my 2 cents in...
    need online info? http://searchfirst.com.au
    27" iMac 2.8 GHz Quad Core i7 8GB ram, MacBookPro 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4GB, iMacG5, mac mini + apple tv + iphone....
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  3. 10th February 2012, 12:30 PM #3
    davemc
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    Default

    I brought a 32" led tv. I also use it to watch tv. I do not normally like high resolution and small text so works for me.
    Mac Mini's 2006 and early 2009, White Macbook 2007. Powerbook 15" G4 1.5Ghz, iBook 14" G3 900mhz, Powermac G4/400, iPad 64 3G,iPad2 32 wifi, ipad 3gen 32gb wifi, iPhone4 (2), iPhone3G(kids ipod touch now), ipod 3gen 32gb
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  4. 10th February 2012, 12:42 PM #4
    decryption
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    Default

    Keep in mind that the cheaper 27" LCDs are not the same resolution as the Apple or Dell 27" LCDs, hence why they're significantly cheaper.
    I write a lot of shit here: http://anthonywrites.posterous.com
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  5. 10th February 2012, 03:55 PM #5
    dotnet
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    Default

    The TB hub aspect of the 27" display is very attractive if you use the MBP as desktop replacement, although the lack of audio I/O is a bit of a bummer. USB speakers are the only way around that, short of using the audio socket of the MBP...

    Cheers
    Steffen.
    It's Unix, Jim, but not as we know it...
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  6. 10th February 2012, 06:14 PM #6
    ~Coxy
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by thorntonp View Post
    You seem to have the pros and cons sorted...

    I bought a Dell27" as I too thought cinema display price was excessive. I used it as a second monitor for my 27" imac.

    I only lasted 2 months before selling it and getting a cinema display.

    Side by side, the image quality of the dell was horrible compared to the imac and I hated it.

    You may not notice it as a stand alone for your laptop though.

    Just thought I's throw my 2 cents in...
    Which Dell did you get? The UltraSharps are probably better quality than the Apple screen, being matte.
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  7. 13th February 2012, 11:00 AM #7
    missmakeupgrrl
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    Default

    Just an update - i've decoided to use my 32" Sony Bravia as an external as I typically watch things in bed form my computer. I'll soon find out if it is too bright to be used as a monitor.

    Thanks everyone. If anyone is interested, I can advise how that works out.


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  8. 13th February 2012, 11:22 AM #8
    davemc
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    If using the tv some like my
    Samsung you need to go into tv settings and make sure it is set as pc
    Otherwise text is blur
    Mac Mini's 2006 and early 2009, White Macbook 2007. Powerbook 15" G4 1.5Ghz, iBook 14" G3 900mhz, Powermac G4/400, iPad 64 3G,iPad2 32 wifi, ipad 3gen 32gb wifi, iPhone4 (2), iPhone3G(kids ipod touch now), ipod 3gen 32gb
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  9. 13th February 2012, 12:11 PM #9
    missmakeupgrrl
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    Default

    Thanks for letting me know!....
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  10. 13th February 2012, 12:18 PM #10
    davemc
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    Default

    Now I am home.
    On the Samsung its under source list
    you edit the name of the item you can select input source PC or DVI PC
    Took me ages to find.
    Mac Mini's 2006 and early 2009, White Macbook 2007. Powerbook 15" G4 1.5Ghz, iBook 14" G3 900mhz, Powermac G4/400, iPad 64 3G,iPad2 32 wifi, ipad 3gen 32gb wifi, iPhone4 (2), iPhone3G(kids ipod touch now), ipod 3gen 32gb
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