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Anyone use a non Thunderbolt display?
- Thread starter Smileyboy
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I use the dell U2711 and I like it. Easy to connect through mini display to display port. You can easily add other things to it (ps3 or Xbox). Same res as apples display. And it's matte and can adjust tilt height erc more easily.
But it doesn't look anywhere near as good as the apple display. You need two cables - one for mini disp and other for USB hub. No speakers or camera. Though I use headphones always so don't need this.
The main reason I went for the dell was because I can attach both my ps3 and MBA on it
But it doesn't look anywhere near as good as the apple display. You need two cables - one for mini disp and other for USB hub. No speakers or camera. Though I use headphones always so don't need this.
The main reason I went for the dell was because I can attach both my ps3 and MBA on it
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Im using my dell display and sometimes my hdmi tv for watchin films
Im using my dell display and sometimes my hdmi tv for watchin films
If you have a MBA, the TBD is kind of a no brainer to me (for now). First off, it cost the same as the Cinema display and adds all the ports, so compared to the other Apple option, for the same price you get a lot more.
Pros:
- Gigabit Ethernet (no way to day to do that other than TBD)
- FW800 (no way to do that today other than TBD)
- HD camera
- USB ports that work with Superdrive (SD doesn't work with other USB hubs)
- Same price as Cinema but provides more stuff important to MBA
- Gorgeous on your desk
Cons:
- More expensive than some 3rd party displays, but factoring in the thunderbolt hub it is not
- In 2012, there should be some other 3rd party thunderbolt hubs
- Wish it had audio in and out... but not a huge deal because I added a cheap USB sound card that is connected to my USB hub
- Wish it was available in matte
My prior display was a Dell 30" that was a fine monitor, but no thunderbolt and Dell is just a horrible company so will never buy from them again. I was one of the unfortunate class action victims of their business practices that led to them being sued my many states. I got some of my loss reimbursed, but no where near as much as they took.
Pros:
- Gigabit Ethernet (no way to day to do that other than TBD)
- FW800 (no way to do that today other than TBD)
- HD camera
- USB ports that work with Superdrive (SD doesn't work with other USB hubs)
- Same price as Cinema but provides more stuff important to MBA
- Gorgeous on your desk
Cons:
- More expensive than some 3rd party displays, but factoring in the thunderbolt hub it is not
- In 2012, there should be some other 3rd party thunderbolt hubs
- Wish it had audio in and out... but not a huge deal because I added a cheap USB sound card that is connected to my USB hub
- Wish it was available in matte
My prior display was a Dell 30" that was a fine monitor, but no thunderbolt and Dell is just a horrible company so will never buy from them again. I was one of the unfortunate class action victims of their business practices that led to them being sued my many states. I got some of my loss reimbursed, but no where near as much as they took.
I bought an HP 27" off Newegg. It was $299. For $700, I can do with less resolution and less integration. (But I'd love to have that TB display).
I have the Apple LED Cinema. Personally owned and I think its fantastic. Its not even 5 months old yet. I didn't know about the Thunderbolt until last night. Thats when I decided to do some research and compare. My findings tell me that theres no difference in the display other than the added features--ethernet, etc. In my personal use, I hardly rely on those features and depend mostly on the screens' visual quality. With that said, I'm fine with the one I have.
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macrumors 65816
I would love to have a TB display but can't really justify it, bearing in mind less than 50% of my MBA's usage will be while docked. Instead, I'm looking at getting a 24" Dell IPS display (while praying Belkin get their Thunderbolt hub to market soon).
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.472933,-2.239388
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.472933,-2.239388
Mine gets plugged into a BenQ 24" and HP 30" monitor on a semi-regular basis. I use an adapter (Mini DP to DVI) and it works well on either monitor.
I'd love the Thunderbolt Display but I already have two big monitors plus the lack of connectivity options for other systems (it would be just a 27" MBA dock and nothing else) makes the TD a difficult choice to justify...
That's not to say I won't get one eventually, though!
I'd love the Thunderbolt Display but I already have two big monitors plus the lack of connectivity options for other systems (it would be just a 27" MBA dock and nothing else) makes the TD a difficult choice to justify...
That's not to say I won't get one eventually, though!
I picked up this one myself for $285 during Black Friday.
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&sku=320-2676
Dell 3008WEP no issues so far
Pros
- I like how it looks
- 2560x1600 resolution
- Matt 30 inch screen
- Lots of connection options
Cons
- It's not an apple product and does not fit as well in the whole apple theme(macbook air, iPhone, iPad) when compared to an apple cinema display.
All the best, hope you find the perfect screen to go with your macbook air.
Pros
- I like how it looks
- 2560x1600 resolution
- Matt 30 inch screen
- Lots of connection options
Cons
- It's not an apple product and does not fit as well in the whole apple theme(macbook air, iPhone, iPad) when compared to an apple cinema display.
All the best, hope you find the perfect screen to go with your macbook air.
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No way the HP display matches the Apple... I mean please!!!!
The poster for the HP display mentioned that its lower resolution, so its apples to oranges... no pun intended.
I found the TB display to be reasonable and competitively priced compared to 27" monitors with 2560 x 1440 resolution. Advantage of the TB versus something like the Dell is that it only takes two wires, that are already attached to the display for it to work, tied into Apple's ecosystem ( firmware updates happen quickly & everything just works), and the number of ports is fairly comparable to a Dell display.
Get the Thunderbolt Display, you'll enjoy it.
Get the Thunderbolt Display, you'll enjoy it.
The day Apple pull their finger out and make the TBD available in an anti-glare/silver bezel version is the day they get their grubby hands on my hard-earned cash. Not a day before.
They finally bent to pressure to provide the anti-glare option on the hi-res top spec MBPs (albeit at a in-principle annoying surcharge), so it's not as if "matte is dead" as many proclaim.
They finally bent to pressure to provide the anti-glare option on the hi-res top spec MBPs (albeit at a in-principle annoying surcharge), so it's not as if "matte is dead" as many proclaim.
Price out 2560 x 1440 27" IPS displays such as the Dell U2711, or NEC PA271W. Pricing not far off of the Apple Thunderbolt display.
If you don't need IPS or 2650x1440 resolution, then there are much cheaper ways to go.
I'd consider a Thunderbolt display, but I also need to connect to my work laptop which doesn't support thunderbolt.