Cinema Display Alternative?

[bradsnw]

Thanks for reading.

I'm looking to purchase a new monitor for my home office. Must be 24" or above, but preferably a 30 incher. The 30" ACD is great, but I have several laptops that I would like to be able to use it. I have a unibody Macbook with the display port, and a HP Vista laptop that has a VGA port. My Fiancee has a Dell Laptop with an HDMI port. I want something that will accomodate all 3 of these machines, and would seem to be pretty "future proof" as well if it also included a DVI port. I'm not so concerned if speakers, or web cam are included.

Requirements:
24" +
Display Port, HDMI, DVI & VGA Ports

I have purchased the Display Port > DVI adapter ($29 from Apple) Would I also need to purchase the better Dual DVI deal? What's the difference?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

[dinaluvsApple]

Thanks for reading.

I'm looking to purchase a new monitor for my home office. Must be 24" or above, but preferably a 30 incher. The 30" ACD is great, but I have several laptops that I would like to be able to use it. I have a unibody Macbook with the display port, and a HP Vista laptop that has a VGA port. My Fiancee has a Dell Laptop with an HDMI port. I want something that will accomodate all 3 of these machines, and would seem to be pretty "future proof" as well if it also included a DVI port. I'm not so concerned if speakers, or web cam are included.

Requirements:
24" +
Display Port, HDMI, DVI & VGA Ports

I have purchased the Display Port > DVI adapter ($29 from Apple) Would I also need to purchase the better Dual DVI deal? What's the difference?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

for the price apple has one of the cheapest ips monitors in that size.

your forgetting that most of the 24" you see for like $400 are tn panels.

[Benjamindaines]

If you're looking a high-quality display (like the Apple Cinema displays) that use S-IPS or similar / better technology rather than cheap TN panels, I suggest looking at NEC displays. They will have most of the inputs you're looking for, but will be more expensive then the Cinema Display.

Another option is a KVM switcher or all your computers.

[Lava Lamp Freak]

NEC LCD2490WUXi ($1,100 new -- $600 refurb)
http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=a46240bd-a846-4de7-b644-bd7f0b7e6ece

HP LP2475w ($620 new)
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/382087-382087-64283-72270-444767-3648442.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

The NEC is a better reviewed monitor than the HP, but both use the same 24" panel that is in the iMac. Dell's 30" uses an S-IPS which is the same that the Apple 23" and 30" use.