23" Apple Cinema Display vs Dell U2410 which one is better?

[sjannapizzle]

A few days ago I came across an amazing deal for a second hand Dell Ultrasharp U2410 monitor which I bought for EUR 150 (180 dollars) while it retails for EUR 410+ (500+ dollar). The monitor is only 10 months old and comes with 26 months of premium warranty. It's in mint condition and it's known to be a great device.

I like the design of Apple monitors better though so I've been looking around for a 23" Apple Cinema Display and I found one which I can buy for EUR 180 (210 dollars). This monitor was bought originally around 2006 and the seller is the second owner, so he does not know how much it has been used. He claims no dead pixels and/or scratches of any kind.

I could easily sell this Dell monitor for EUR 250 (300 dollars) pick up the 23" Apple Cinema Display which would have cost me even less then the Dell because of the small profit I made on the Dell...

But somehow it doesn't feel right, should I worry about the age of the Apple Display? Is the IPS display of the Dell superior to the ACD? If so by how much? I use my display for my studies, and nothing graphical or anything apart from watching movies and series. I use it in combination with a 13" MBP (mid2010). I read somewhere the lamps of the ACD need to be replaced after a while, does this mean older monitors have worse picture?




extra input to consider:
The Dell has been great but there are 2 small problems:
1 - it will not go into sleep mode properly (it says no-dvi connected when the MBP is in sleep mode)
2 - When I connect it to my MBP with the lid open, within 10 minutes the pro freezes and on both displays a certain pastel color occurs, sadly it seems that this is a known issue for a faulty logic board of my particular model MBP. This doesn't happen with all monitors, my previous samsung worked fine and so does my lg television (And I hope it doesn't happen with the ACD). There is a simple workaround though.. either keep the lid closed and use only the external monitor or... start up with the lid closed, put mbp in sleep mode, get it out of sleep mode, and open the lid.. somehow when I follow this procedure I do not get this problem

 

[sjannapizzle]

really? nobody has an opinion on this dilemma?

 

[uniforms]

The ACD is by FAR much better!!!!!!! No comparison! Also having all the cables to interface with your laptop is great. But big difference in price. IF you work with color, go with apple.

 

[stiligFox]

ACD all the way. I just picked one up from Craigslist, and it's the best monitor I've ever used!

 

[chrfr]

The 23" cinema display is a significantly older display than the Dell which is a more modern LCD and is a higher end IPS panel (the ACD is probably also IPS but I don't have specs on that nearby.) Neither have LED backlights. Personally, I'd stick with the Dell which is newer, as the fluorescent in any of these displays dim with time.
Edit: for color accuracy the Dell wins hands down because it has color controls while the Apple does not.

 

[sjannapizzle]

The ACD is by FAR much better!!!!!!! No comparison! Also having all the cables to interface with your laptop is great. But big difference in price. IF you work with color, go with apple.

Tnx for your response, I agree with you that the ACD LED Cinema Display, as an attribute to my MBP would be ideal. However, I'm talking about the old 23" model which is 6 years old now. The Dell is the best monitor they've produced and retails for $500+, and because its matte, people that work with color actually prefer this display over the LED ACD's.. Luckily I'm just a fanboy that doesn't work with color, and I'd prefer the LED ACD immediately. Too bad it's too expensive for me atm.

Does knowing that i'm talking about the old display change your opinion?

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The 23" cinema display is a significantly older display than the Dell which is a more modern LCD and is a higher end IPS panel (the ACD is probably also IPS but I don't have specs on that nearby.) Neither have LED backlights. Personally, I'd stick with the Dell which is newer, as the fluorescent in any of these displays dim with time.
Edit: for color accuracy the Dell wins hands down because it has color controls while the Apple does not.

Thank you for your educated response. I'm leaning towards the Dell as well. It's a beautiful display and I'm lucky to have been able to buy it for this great price. The premium warranty (still 2 years and 3 months) is also nice. Although I prefer the design of the old ACD over the Dell (and I hate owning anything of Dell) the difference in quality between this top of the line Dell and a 6 year old monitor is probably too big to justify it on mere fanboyism.

I'll probably save up some more and try to find a decently priced 24" LED ACD.

 

[uniforms]

I own both a 23 inch ACD, 27 inch ACD, and 27 inch thunderbolt. I love them all. They work flawlessly. I know the 23 inch ACD is six years old, however my works as good as it the day it was new.

 

[lixuelai]

No comparison...get the Dell.