Apple Cinema Display A1083 30"

[JanetTheGreat]

How would the Apple Cinema Display A1083 30" work for the M4 Mac Mini? I had another 27 Inch Apple Cinema Display a few years ago but it died suddenly so I had to get rid of it. I've had another Dell Display for a year or so and it died, and then for the past year I've been using a Philips 27 inch Monitor.

I do want to at some point get a 2000's Apple Cinema Display, how would connecting it up to the Mac Mini work out, etc?

 

[EugW]

How would the Apple Cinema Display A1083 30" work for the M4 Mac Mini? I had another 27 Inch Apple Cinema Display a few years ago but it died suddenly so I had to get rid of it. I've had another Dell Display for a year or so and it died, and then for the past year I've been using a Philips 27 inch Monitor.

I do want to at some point get a 2000's Apple Cinema Display, how would connecting it up to the Mac Mini work out, etc?

It requires an adapter but there are differences in behaviour in different 30” ACD models necessitating different adapters. Personally I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you are determined to get the 30” ACD, it can work. However, there can be some issues, and text quality is sub-par by today’s standards, which is why I wouldn’t recommend it.

 

[JanetTheGreat]

It requires an adapter but there are differences in behaviour in different 30” ACD models necessitating different adapters. Personally I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you are determined to get the 30” ACD, it can work. However, there can be some issues, and text quality is sub-par by today’s standards, which is why I wouldn’t recommend it.

What of the older mac displays would work better?

 

[avro707]

How would the Apple Cinema Display A1083 30" work for the M4 Mac Mini? I had another 27 Inch Apple Cinema Display a few years ago but it died suddenly so I had to get rid of it. I've had another Dell Display for a year or so and it died, and then for the past year I've been using a Philips 27 inch Monitor.

I do want to at some point get a 2000's Apple Cinema Display, how would connecting it up to the Mac Mini work out, etc?

It is just far too old and I wouldn’t recommend it. Using adapters is just tricky as well.

What about using the LG 32” 6K display? Yes more costly but just a simple, reliable option.

 

[EugW]

What of the older mac displays would work better?

Honestly I would recommend none of them. I would recommend a modern display. However, that's up to you.

 

[JanetTheGreat]

It is just far too old and I wouldn’t recommend it. Using adapters is just tricky as well.

What about using the LG 32” 6K display? Yes more costly but just a simple, reliable option.

Honestly I would recommend none of them. I would recommend a modern display. However, that's up to you.

Really it is just for nostalgia purposes. I did have a nice 27 inch 2011 Mac Display I bought used in mid 2023, and I used it until mid 2024 until it suddenly kept going black to the point it never turned back on again, so I put it out for free on the side of the road. Otherwise I would have kept that one.

 

[erihp]

a 5k imac screen conversion makes for a pretty nice option with that nostalgic feel as well as being a great display.

 

[avro707]

I bought used in mid 2023, and I used it until mid 2024 until it suddenly kept going black to the point it never turned back on again, so I put it out for free on the side of the road. Otherwise I would have kept that one.

That’s the problem with the A1083. I’ve used three of them over time (and still have the dual link DVI adapters here) - lovely when they work but I have also had them go blank then do flashing light issue (disconnect power then reconnect to resolve).

They are just too old and to be honest, 2560x1600 isn’t all that great nowadays.



If you want a screen for the wow factor then the Apple XDR is the modern equivalent but it is very very expensive!

I do have a mint condition LED Cinema Display 27” (2560x1440 I think it did for resolution). It was serviced by Apple with a new all in one cable not long before I stopped using it and put it back I the original box. I’d gladly sell it to you but the shipping costs would probably be more than the value screen depending on when you are. And you need to use a conversion from USB-C to Mini DisplayPort, that’s a pain.

I even have a working A1081 20” Cinema Display in original box as well. Again way too old.

Modern screens are just easier.

 

[EugW]

What about using the LG 32” 6K display? Yes more costly but just a simple, reliable option.

That LG UltraFine 31.5" 6K is what I have and I like it, but I got mine for just over US$1500 instead of the US$2000 list price.

A cheaper alternative might be the US$1300 Asus ProArt 31.5" 6K.

 

[avro707]

That LG UltraFine 31.5" 6K is what I have and I like it, but I got mine for just over US$1500 instead of the US$2000 list price.

A cheaper alternative might be the US$1300 Asus ProArt 31.5" 6K.

My eyes are on that display as well to replace a Dell 4K (which is a fairly meh display). For the topic starter, that's the best option I think.

There is also the Kuycon 6K which has an Apple XDR-esque look, but I don't trust the support options for that screen.

 

[EugW]

My eyes are on that display as well to replace a Dell 4K (which is a fairly meh display). For the topic starter, that's the best option I think.

There is also the Kuycon 6K which has an Apple XDR-esque look, but I don't trust the support options for that screen.

For a Chinese monitor, I still wonder if anyone here is going to try the Tcolor 6K. It’s half the price of the Kuycon 6K but has the same chassis.

 

[avro707]

I thought it looked familiar. Hmm.

 

[JanetTheGreat]

That’s the problem with the A1083. I’ve used three of them over time (and still have the dual link DVI adapters here) - lovely when they work but I have also had them go blank then do flashing light issue (disconnect power then reconnect to resolve).

They are just too old and to be honest, 2560x1600 isn’t all that great nowadays.



If you want a screen for the wow factor then the Apple XDR is the modern equivalent but it is very very expensive!

I do have a mint condition LED Cinema Display 27” (2560x1440 I think it did for resolution). It was serviced by Apple with a new all in one cable not long before I stopped using it and put it back I the original box. I’d gladly sell it to you but the shipping costs would probably be more than the value screen depending on when you are. And you need to use a conversion from USB-C to Mini DisplayPort, that’s a pain.

I even have a working A1081 20” Cinema Display in original box as well. Again way too old.

Modern screens are just easier.

I was lucky to get the one I got in 2023 for around $120 USD which was a steal, shipping included. But given the prices and how everything has gone up these days it would probably be unrealistic to buy one of those due to the shipping costs unless I stumble across a rare steal like I did back then. I used one of those thunderbolt to lightning port display converter cables as well.

Has anyone actually tried putting the 2002 display on a modern computer just to see how it works from what you know?

 

[eyoungren]

I'm just going to put this right here…

2009 Mac Pro 5,1 (a 4,1 flashed to a 5,1) running Sonoma (via OCLP) with 56GB ram and 24TB of storage (between 6 drives).



All 10 displays are attached to the MP. And yes, the five on the bottom are all 30" Cinemas. The other two Cinema Displays, top left is a 27" and top right is a 20".

For at least three years two of those 30" Cinemas were shared to a work issued MBP via a KVM switch. In 2023 work issued an M2 Mac which I currently use (for work) and the Club adapters available on Amazon and a dock that my company purchased for me made sharing those two displays still functional.

Whatever your viewpoints on how good these displays aren't in the modern age, for me they work fine.

 

[CesarMacLCIII]

That LG UltraFine 31.5" 6K is what I have and I like it, but I got mine for just over US$1500 instead of the US$2000 list price.

A cheaper alternative might be the US$1300 Asus ProArt 31.5" 6K.

Happy New Year! I have been investigating about this LG Ultrafine 31.5" 6K although It is far from my current budget. I saw you in the Mateview Forum and I am still using it with my Mac mini M1 16gb with very decent performance and result. I hope you are keeping yours. Thanks for your always interesting posts and ideas.

 

[EugW]

Happy New Year! I have been investigating about this LG Ultrafine 31.5" 6K although It is far from my current budget. I saw you in the Mateview Forum and I am still using it with my Mac mini M1 16gb with very decent performance and result. I hope you are keeping yours. Thanks for your always interesting posts and ideas.

Happy New Year to you too! So far I am keeping my MateView since selling used non-Apple monitors doesn't get much money, and because I have a decent unit with no significant backlight bleed. However, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet as I am strictly using my 31.5" LG 6K now, and my other family members don't have a need for it either.

If the LG 6K is out of your current budget, you could consider other lower priced 6K monitors like the Asus or even the Tcolor.