Just got a Dell Outlet refurb, with a coupon, for ~$450. That price included tax & shipping. The display itself is every bit as good, or better, than my 27" Apple. Actually, it's better.
Pro
- Many USB 3.0 ports
- Adjustable, so I can align it to my iMac or whatever else I use. I can also use it in Portrait mode, which is kind of cool. Actually, turns out I've missed having adjustable display for years, but just didn't know it.
- Half the price!
Con
- No Thunderbolt... not a huge deal, since little else is
- No speakers... but I use external anyhow
- No power adapter, if I'm using my MBA
- Not Aluminum and feels a bit cheap
Because I used the coupon, I can literally buy two of these for the price of one Mac. And I will.
There's really no reason to buy a Mac display now, when there are so many better display for so much cheaper. Yes, Apple's displays might still have a better looking shell, but there are far better display panels out there. Apple is shipping 2010 technology with 2010 pricing. In 2010, Apple arguably provided the best display bang for the buck. Today, they're behind. And this consumer has decided not to support that behavior by buying another outdated and overpriced monitor.
When I can literally buy two refurb Dell 27" displays for the price of one Apple 27" refurb unit, the Apple would have to be a whole lot better to justify the cost. IMOHO, it os not... not even close. Personally, I'm buying one more Dell display, so my I can have 3 displays on my 27" iMac. Actually, I prefer the way the dells line up to my iMac, vs the Apple display. And I'll use the Apple display for my MBA. I do like having the magsafe power adapter, as well as the simplicity of one TB connection. But if I didn't already own an Apple 27" display, I'd buy three Dell displays instead.