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24" LED Cinema Display or 30" ACD

jackiecanev2

jackiecanev2

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 6, 2007
1,033
4
I have a few monitors already, but I sold my 30" ACD and I miss it. I've been lusting over the new 24" LED ACD lately, and I'm at a crossroads.

Semi-comparison:

24" LED LCD:
+ H-IPS panel, LED backlit
+ superdrive connectivity for my MBA
- only 24" (same as my current 23" ACD)
- glass screen

30" ACD:
+ screen real estate
- possibility of dual-link DVI adapter fritzing out

I have a 2nd power adapter/speakers, so thats not really an advantage of the 24". I could wait for a refresh and see what happens to the 30", but I really don't feel like waiting. I could also pick up a 30" in the refurb store right now and save some dough. Anyone have any input?
 
jackiecanev2 said:
I have a few monitors already, but I sold my 30" ACD and I miss it. I've been lusting over the new 24" LED ACD lately, and I'm at a crossroads.

Semi-comparison:

24" LED LCD:
+ H-IPS panel, LED backlit
+ superdrive connectivity for my MBA
- only 24" (same as my current 23" ACD)
- glass screen

30" ACD:
+ screen real estate
- possibility of dual-link DVI adapter fritzing out

I have a 2nd power adapter/speakers, so thats not really an advantage of the 24". I could wait for a refresh and see what happens to the 30", but I really don't feel like waiting. I could also pick up a 30" in the refurb store right now and save some dough. Anyone have any input?
Click to expand...

As a previous 30" ACD owner, and a new owner of the 24" LED Cinema Display, I can say with some confidence I'm glad I made the switch. Sure, you're losing some real estate, but how much of it would you actually use -- or rather, how effectively would you use it?

The 24" LED ACD is superb on all fronts -- save connectivity, which will obviously not be a problem in your case.

And though the glass screen is often frowned upon, I find it's not a problem during long term use. After a while your eyes adjust, and you no longer focus on the reflections; that, and the display is so bright it cuts through most of them on its own.
 
I have the 30" ACD, and I've seen the 24" LED in our office and the 24 is clearly superior.

Except for the fact that it is smaller, of course. :) If/when they produce a 30" LCD I will place my order immediately.

If I had to make a purchase today and choose between the two, I'd choose the 24.
 
eddietr said:
I have the 30" ACD, and I've seen the 24" LED in our office and the 24 is clearly superior.

Except for the fact that it is smaller, of course. :) If/when they produce a 30" LCD I will place my order immediately.

If I had to make a purchase today and choose between the two, I'd choose the 24.
Click to expand...

Wanna trade? :D
 
alphaod said:
Wanna trade? :D
Click to expand...

Well, I said if I were making a purchase today :)

But since I bought and paid for the 30 more than a year ago, I think I'll suffer through with it another few months until someone makes an LED backed 30. As long as I don't look at my colleague's 24s, I think I can survive.

But thanks for the kind offer. :D
 
If you need true color accuracy, then glossy 24" LED is not for you. I agree it's better, but some people that do graphic design need the color accuracy of the old ACDs.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
If you need true color accuracy, then glossy 24" LED is not for you. I agree it's better, but some people that do graphic design need the color accuracy of the old ACDs.
Click to expand...

Yes, that may be true actually. I should have pointed out I don't need color accuracy. I just prefer the look of the 24. I also prefer the look of the glossy LED laptops, so that's no surprise.

Guess these new displays are for us developer types, not for professionals. :)
 
I have a 24" LG at home, for a long time I've wanted a bigger monitor. When I went and checked out the new 24" from Apple and compared it to the 30" in the store, for some reason I liked the 24" better. I wanted to try gaming on each, but didn't get the chance.
 
relativist said:
I have a 24" LG at home, for a long time I've wanted a bigger monitor. When I went and checked out the new 24" from Apple and compared it to the 30" in the store, for some reason I liked the 24" better. I wanted to try gaming on each, but didn't get the chance.
Click to expand...

The 30" ACD doesn't stand a chance in gaming. Slower refresh rates than the 24". Games tend to look better in glossy displays, not matte ones.
 
I've had both and like the 30" a bit more. The extra screen real estate is always noticeable any perceived quality differences are negligible - at least in my mind.
 
I got a 2009 Mac mini I'm thinking of the same dilemma because I wanted the 30" so long now I got a Mac that can utilize it the bummer is that it is not HDCP but 24" LED is. I use my Mac for everything so I want to be able to playback HD Movies & TV Shows, but do some serious Photography work. :confused:
 
I was debating about this for a while, and when I picked up my mbp I jumped into the 30" ACD. Yes, it is a beautiful monitor, and I really do enjoy the picture. However, I just heard about the NEC LCD3090, and I am starting to have second thoughts. There are a couple of negatives about the NEC. It has been out for at least a year, and it does cost a little more than the ACD. But the quality of the picture is amazing, and it is much better than apple's monitor.
 
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