30" ACD or 24" LED Display?

[Nugget]

...I don't want to purchase the current outdated 30 inch Cinema display HD and I don't know how many years it's been sense the last update...

It's not like display technology has really leapt forwards over the past four or five years. 2560x1600 is still a lot of pixels, even if they've been selling them since the original Mac Pro. If Apple does release an LED backlit 30" it's not going to be a dramatic improvement over the old ones. It's unlikely a refresh is going to bring more pixels.

You can never have too many pixels or too much RAM.

 

[Grimace]

30" LED panels are still WAY too much money. If you want something crazy bright, go for the 24". If you want great color rendition and very large - go with the 30" -- it's an awesome monitor, and I've enjoyed mine for 5 years now!

 

[Macinposh]

Ok.. Well no I am leaning more towards the 24" LED ACD. I wish Apple would just hurry up and update the 30".

Now you are not giving a very professional picture of yourself...


The 24" is a ****** display to work with in the field of photography and pre print. Period.
Even in a very well controlled room (lighting wise) you get a lot of unwanted reflections that messes up you photoshopping. You end up bobbing around in the chair like a jack-in-a-box, checking out if it is a reflection on the screen or something in the picture. It is very stressfull if you do it for work.
And that is in a very well controlled room.
In a normal room with ambient light and different fixtures...well...I rather put a angry weasel in my pants than work in those surroundings.


And jjahshik32,you are one unlucky mofo..
During the last years we have (or had) about 15 acd´s (+ eizo,and lacie) displays at studio.
We have sent back one (1) Acd because of it´s colour flaws.

 

[Dreamail]

My biggest worry was not the old screen tech - I'm fine with that (although black levels could be a tad bit more black) but rather the old connector tech.

DVI in the 30" Apple Cinema Display does not support DRM. DVI in general can support encryption technology, but not the version Apple uses in the 30" display.

What does this mean?

If you ever plan to rent or buy HD movies from the iTunes store (maybe in 3 years?) and want to watch them on your lovely big display - Nope. Not going to work as the movie industry requires DRM for HD movies. At least currently.

Same applies when/if Apple should introduce an OS that supports Blu-Ray drives. Not going to play Blu-Ray movies ever in Mac OS. At least legally.

Now MiniDisplayPort, DisplayPort and HDMI all support the required DRM.
At least one of these will likely be in the next revision of the 30" ACD.

Being a movie fan, this lack of HD movie viewing support was my biggest concern re future usability.


In the end though the sheer number of pixels won me over. And neither the glossy, smaller 24" ACD nor third-party wobbly (and IMHO ugly) 30" plastic casings got my vote.


Yet what I did do was purchase the 30" ACD refurbished.
As has been reported by others before, and was the case with mine too, refurbished doesn't mean you will have dead pixels or crap backlighting.
My refurb 30" ACD is flawless. No uneven backlighting (visible with plain black screens), nor any dead pixel.
And best of all, it was a few hundred $$ cheaper! Almost the same price as cheap plastic third-party ones.


I'd go for a refurb 30" ACD anytime again. Nice, solid silver metal casing.
And if I really must have DRM support in a year or two at least I already saved some money for that next purchase.

 

[xandermitch]

I would definitely add a vote for the 30" ACD. My wife (a photographer) uses two of these on her Mac Pro. They are awesome screens and once you get used to the extra screen real estate you would never go back down to a 24" screen in my opinion. It would feel a bit like going back to a PC after moving to a Mac.

I agree that the 30" ACD has been around for a long time - one of my wife's screens must be at least 5 years old - but the image quality is superb for image editing when properly calibrated.

I would agree with the earlier posts about ignoring dimming of the backlight. Our screens are set up with a calibrator and both are set below half brightness.

Reading through this thread I get the impression that most people who have used a 30" ACD are avid fans. Understandably, people who haven't owned one don't understand how awesome the extra resolution is. Everyone refers to their screen being a desktop but it's only when you have a genuinely big screen that the analogy begins to make sense. Suddenly you have room to lay everything out without all the windows overlapping, like laying out papers on a real desk. It really makes you more productive. Also, they are great for clients - particularly sorting through images using software such as aperture with dual screens.

The only problem with the 30" ACD - if you have a neutral grey background it's really easy to lose the mouse pointer because the screen is so big!

 

[Dreamail]

I should add that I had owned an original Apple 23" Cinema Display previously for the last 6 years.

At the time I felt 1920x1200 was huge and I was very happy with it.
But the more you work with Photoshop or 3D applications, even when writing just a Word document researching through web pages on the side, 1920x1200 quickly didn't seem all that huge anymore.

Today 1920x1200 to me is just 'alright'. But more would be nicer.

My new 30" on the other hand is definitely amazing. So much more space! Two full web pages side by side and still extra space to spare!


I am very happy that I decided to get a 30" resolution and didn't opt to get another 1920x1200 screen.

More is definitely better with screen resolution. Much better.

After having used 2560x1600 for a few weeks, I'd never ever consider 1920x1200.
And I can certainly see why people use two 30" monitors side by side.

 

[UltraNEO*]

I should add that I had owned an original Apple 23" Cinema Display previously for the last 6 years.

At the time I felt 1920x1200 was huge and I was very happy with it.
But the more you work with Photoshop or 3D applications, even when writing just a Word document researching through web pages on the side, 1920x1200 quickly didn't seem all that huge anymore.

Today 1920x1200 to me is just 'alright'. But more would be nicer.

My new 30" on the other hand is definitely amazing. So much more space! Two full web pages side by side and still extra space to spare!


I am very happy that I decided to get a 30" resolution and didn't opt to get another 1920x1200 screen.

More is definitely better with screen resolution. Much better.

After having used 2560x1600 for a few weeks, I'd never ever consider 1920x1200.
And I can certainly see why people use two 30" monitors side by side.

I know exactly how you mean...

I recently took a vacation, first in about two years. I know from my colleagues that going from a single 30" is difficult but leaving all of mine at home (2560x1600)x3 + 1 rented, made even my MBP17 feel cramped, but that beast is just way to heavy to travel with, especially in the summer.. so I took the MBP15 and man it's a pain in the arse!! Why can't Apple make a higher resolution offering of their 15 machine??

 

[Bubba Satori]

30 ACD all the way. Its matte, has huge screen real-estate and was designed to work seamlessly with your MP and match it's looks

Dell = crap

 

[jjahshik32]

Now you are not giving a very professional picture of yourself...


The 24" is a ****** display to work with in the field of photography and pre print. Period.
Even in a very well controlled room (lighting wise) you get a lot of unwanted reflections that messes up you photoshopping. You end up bobbing around in the chair like a jack-in-a-box, checking out if it is a reflection on the screen or something in the picture. It is very stressfull if you do it for work.
And that is in a very well controlled room.
In a normal room with ambient light and different fixtures...well...I rather put a angry weasel in my pants than work in those surroundings.


And jjahshik32,you are one unlucky mofo..
During the last years we have (or had) about 15 acd´s (+ eizo,and lacie) displays at studio.
We have sent back one (1) Acd because of it´s colour flaws.

I have to half disagree. I have my 24" ACD near right infront of 2 big windows and 99% of the time, well actually 99.999% of the time I dont see any reflections. I always forget that the 24" display is glossy.

Besides the super bright LED backlighting does away with the glare.

Dont get me wrong, I'd LOVE a 30" display but I want LED backlighting especially buying now. I wouldnt buy anything non LED backlit at this point. I dont mind paying nearly 2k for a 30" LED ACD (matte or glossy). Because to me the external main display is the most important factor in a computer setup since it outlasts every machine.

With this 24" LED, I can probably use it for 30+ years and have it still bright as the first day it was turned on, unlike a CCFL backlit monitor. Now if the 30" LED was released the same could be said about it as well.

 

[Macinposh]

I have my 24" ACD near right infront of 2 big windows and 99% of the time, well actually 99.999% of the time I dont see any reflections.....

Besides the super bright LED backlighting does away with the glare.....

Your honor,I rest my case.

 

[Grimace]

Your honor,I rest my case.

Well played!

 

[Transporteur]

Besides the super bright LED backlighting does away with the glare.

I really don't see the "super" brightness when looking at the 24" Cinema. It has just 330cd, which is everything but "super bright".

I had to buy a current MacBook Pro with the glossy screen. The image is really nice, but if you are turning on any lights or having any windows behind you, this thing really pisses me of!
Reflections anywhere, even if I turn on the brightness to it's highest level.
The 24" is definitely not brighter than the laptop displays, so I absolutely can't understand your statement that you don't see any reflections at all.

In a room with soft light and no direct sunlight, the glossy displays are nice, as they are slightly sharper than the matte ones, otherwise I highly recommend a matte screen.

Nevertheless the best way to decide for a display is to get in a store and review them oneself.

 

[slicecom]

I really don't see the "super" brightness when looking at the 24" Cinema. It has just 330cd, which is everything but "super bright".

I had to buy a current MacBook Pro with the glossy screen. The image is really nice, but if you are turning on any lights or having any windows behind you, this thing really pisses me of!
Reflections anywhere, even if I turn on the brightness to it's highest level.
The 24" is definitely not brighter than the laptop displays, so I absolutely can't understand your statement that you don't see any reflections at all.

In a room with soft light and no direct sunlight, the glossy displays are nice, as they are slightly sharper than the matte ones, otherwise I highly recommend a matte screen.

Nevertheless the best way to decide for a display is to get in a store and review them oneself.

Your honor,I rest my case.

 

[zmttoxics]

Some people are so picky with screens.

Anyways, I always go to the stores and look at them first hand. For me, TN panels still look good! I just got a 25.5" HP for half the cost of the 24" ACD. Ill admit the ACD is a much nicer screen, but the HP was perfect for what I need. It even has a lamp at the bottom for a reading light!

 

[slicecom]

Some people are so picky with screens.

Anyways, I always go to the stores and look at them first hand. For me, TN panels still look good! I just got a 25.5" HP for half the cost of the 24" ACD. Ill admit the ACD is a much nicer screen, but the HP was perfect for what I need. It even has a lamp at the bottom for a reading light!

Unless you're a graphic designer who needs accurate colour reproduction, a TN panel is fine. The average person would not be able to tell the difference between a TN panel and an S-IPS panel. The only real advantages are a slightly better viewing angle and a wider colour gamut eliminating the need for dithering to reproduce colours.

I always chuckle to myself when people spend $900 on an ACD to browse the web and check their email. If I wasn't a graphic designer and anal about colour accuracy, I wouldn't pay the premium for an S-IPS panel.

 

[mutsaers-vr.nl]

Will there every be a matte version of the 24" ACD ??????????????????????

 

[Dreamail]

Will there every be a matte version of the 24" ACD ??????????????????????

Not likely.

Unless Apple changes back to all-matte displays in general.

Their consumer products (iPod touch, MacBook Pro 13", and I add the 24" ACD since it is advertised by Apple to be 'made for' the 13" MBP) will remain glossy for a while.

Once Apple offers a matte option for the 13" MBP there might be hope for a matte 24" option at some point.
But I wouldn't expect it unless the 13" MBP is also available matte.

 

[smacman]

Now you are not giving a very professional picture of yourself...


The 24" is a ****** display to work with in the field of photography and pre print. Period.

Fair enough. I never claimed I was a "professional". Just a serious enthusiast that has been drooling over the Mac Pro and ACD for a long time. I always chuckle at guys like you that bring up this whole your not pro so buy an iMac argument. Do I need to be a race car driver to buy a sports car?

For everyone else, thank you very much for your insight and experience. This thread pretty much sums up the reason why this is not an easy choice. The more I think about it, the more I think I will start with the 24" LED display, and wait for either a great price on a 30" ACD, or a new revision. The 24" will always make a great second display.

Thanks again...

 

[noiceT]

Fair enough. I never claimed I was a "professional". Just a serious enthusiast that has been drooling over the Mac Pro and ACD for a long time. I always chuckle at guys like you that bring up this whole your not pro so buy an iMac argument. Do I need to be a race car driver to buy a sports car?

For everyone else, thank you very much for your insight and experience. This thread pretty much sums up the reason why this is not an easy choice. The more I think about it, the more I think I will start with the 24" LED display, and wait for either a great price on a 30" ACD, or a new revision. The 24" will always make a great second display.

Thanks again...

The 30" ACD is already at a really good price imo. Not new but refurb ^^
It's such a better deal, and the same thing... just no nice apple box.
Warranty is all the same, applecare can be bought, etc.

30" ACD (refurb) = $1299

Dell 3008WFP = $1699

 

[nightfly13]

For me, the 40% more pixels a 30" affords seals the deal. 4megapixel vs 2.3megapixel is a pretty huge difference. iPhoto slide shows (running from native iPhoto, too bad I can't export 'em high res - can iPhoto '09 do this?) are absolutely stunning.

I have an older Dell 30" and yes, the backlight uniformity is lacking - only perceptible when the screen is blacked out.

It should be noted that I'm a bit of a desktop/pixel junkie, with an 8.7 megapixel desktop. Still use Spaces from time to time

 

[Macinposh]

Fair enough. I never claimed I was a "professional". Just a serious enthusiast that has been drooling over the Mac Pro and ACD for a long time. I always chuckle at guys like you that bring up this whole your not pro so buy an iMac argument. Do I need to be a race car driver to buy a sports car?

For everyone else, thank you very much for your insight and experience. This thread pretty much sums up the reason why this is not an easy choice. The more I think about it, the more I think I will start with the 24" LED display, and wait for either a great price on a 30" ACD, or a new revision. The 24" will always make a great second display.

Thanks again...

Dude,you are pissing at the wrong tree.

I got the impression that you work or at least are a serious hobbyist that is intrested in having a optimal display for his/her job.
I just gave you my input based on 17 years experience sitting in front of photoshop.
If you are not intrested in it,that is just fine by me,but dont come and put words (the imac) in my mouth either.

 

[smacman]

Dude,you are pissing at the wrong tree.

I got the impression that you work or at least are a serious hobbyist that is intrested in having a optimal display for his/her job.
I just gave you my input based on 17 years experience sitting in front of photoshop.
If you are not intrested in it,that is just fine by me,but dont come and put words (the imac) in my mouth either.

Ok so maybe that was slightly misdirected. I do appreciate your input, as it is guys like you that know the most about these screens and their pros/cons. I just didn't appreciate the "professional" comment. In any case, you were right. I don't sell my work, so if the color accuracy is not 100% correct, it is not the end of the world. Having said that, I am getting more and more serious about my images, and I don't want to stare at a crappy monitor while I work on them. I also want to enjoy the display when doing other tasks (everyday computing). As is apparent from reading this thread, there is no simple answer to my question.

Thanks anyways..