Apple Cinema Updates Delayed?

[Dahl]

Originally posted by arn
I'd like to point out.... as rumors go.... LCD revisions are pretty far down the list in terms of "reliable" rumors.

People expect LCD revisions because they don't match the PowerMac G5s.

But there have been very few reliable rumors that LCDs are actually being revised.

arn

I guess they can't "force" price cuts, if it doesn't make sense. I believe ( hope ) they would introduce new designs, just so they match the G5's.
If they can't do anything about the price, they must be able to change the design a bit, a different stand and less border around the screen doesn't have to cost a lot. But Apple probably want to make a huge splash, so it's probably not enough changes to make ?

 

[ITR 81]

I believe the LCD's are ready they are just holding back thinking it would make bigger splash to release the new LCD's with next ver. of the G5's along with all the other cool stuff they will release at Macworld and at the CES show.

 

[macMaestro]

I'd say Macworld as a date.

Man, a 30" Apple G5-matching LCD would be sweet. If only I had a G5...

 

[MoparShaha]

I would love to see a 17" widescreen LCD, priced around $500. I think we'll be seeing new displays at Macworld.

 

[Dahl]

Originally posted by ITR 81
I believe the LCD's are ready they are just holding back thinking it would make bigger splash to release the new LCD's with next ver. of the G5's along with all the other cool stuff they will release at Macworld and at the CES show.

While I too believe they want to make a big splash, I don't think they would hold back LCD's or other products that are ready.
That just means lost sales to other companies.

 

[lha72]

Why wait for apple to get around to updating their monitors when you can buy another brand that is just as good or better. I like my Sony 23" SDM-P232W - multiple inputs, internal power supply, 1920X1200 display, both digital and analog, adjustible tilt, AND small bezel. Shopped around and got it for less than a 23" apple display would have cost me.

 

[Dahl]

If Apple sit on their hands too long, I might get another brand.
Got a link for the Sony monitor ?

 

[atomwork]

Addicts

Originally posted by lha72
Why wait for apple to get around to updating their monitors when you can buy another brand that is just as good or better. I like my Sony 23" SDM-P232W - multiple inputs, internal power supply, 1920X1200 display, both digital and analog, adjustible tilt, AND small bezel. Shopped around and got it for less than a 23" apple display would have cost me.

... hey, you're talking to mac addicts. I need my apple logo shining at me 24/7.

 

[lha72]

Yeah, I too like my Mac, but I figure as long as the box (CPU) is Apple, I can pick and choose the peripherals, such as Sony monitor, Harmon/Kardon speakers, Logitech Mx700 mouse, etc.

Did however make the mistake of getting the Harmon/Kardon speakers (sound sticks) from apple when I could have gotten similar speakers elsewhere. When I switched over to Panther, the speakers stopped working, so I called apple to use some of their apple care. Their reply - "Not our problem, you have to call the manufacturer." Wrong answer. I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm looking for peripherals.

The price on the Sony 23" varies from around $1900 to $2599, depending on dealer and time of year. I got the monitor this past summer after searching on line, studying the reviews, and finding a reputible retailer with a good reputation. Paid $2000 and change, including shipping. Couldn't match that with an apple display.

This is not meant to be a review or endorsement, but I find the Sony SDM-P232W to be very easy on the eyes. I use it for the standard applications - Photoshop, (and IPhoto), Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Safari for web research, etc. I don't do games, so I can't really say how it would be on game refresh. Believe if one were to do gaming, a CRT is probably better (and much cheaper) anyway.

I like the Sony, and if I had to do it again, I would still buy it.

Hope that helps.

 

[kangaroo]

When aapl came out with the whole translucent white/clear plastic look it was 'different', cool--it was Apple. It's starting to look dated, however, and it's time they move on. If they do have new displays which sport better technical specs and a new form factor--they should get'm out there so people can buy them--myself included.

 

[ZildjianKX]

Wow, I'm proud of you guys, I mean it. Most of you are talking about how much better it is to buy a non-Apple product... that shocks me. Its true, just buy an Apple computer, and the rest you're better off buying from some other company.

 

[prismfinder]

I can't believe no one has mentioned how badly the Apple displays are in need of higher contrast ratio and brightness. I don't mind the prices...I just expect a better display for that kind of money.

 

[bousozoku]

A month ago, I was reading some Taiwanese electronics weekly online that was saying the price of LCDs was going up again due to Christmas demand. The price of a 30 inch would be prohibitive anyway, so it's not surprising that, if Apple were to deliver such an item, they would wait until it was cost-effective.

By the way, what's the use of buying a 17 or 19 inch LCD that only has a resolution of 1280x1024, especially if it only has an analog VGA connector? Low prices aren't always a good deal, right?

 

[ksz]

Re: Addicts

Originally posted by atomwork
... hey, you're talking to mac addicts. I need my apple logo shining at me 24/7.

Yeah, it's like that!

If there's a model from Apple that fares very well against the competition, I'll choose the Apple brand. However, if Apple begins to suffer serious lapses in quality and reliability (or key product specifications) I will not waste my money.

 

[iPC]

pricing

More to Come


Hewlett-Packard, meanwhile, showed off a pair of new LCD monitors.


The company plans to introduce in February a 23-inch wide-aspect-ratio model, the 2335, priced at $1799. Also coming in February is 20-inch LCD, the 2035, which will cost $949. That model is a refresh of HP's existing model 2020, released last year.


NEC-Mitsubishi also is expanding its LCD lineup. The 20-inch NEC MultiSync LCD 2080UX+ will be available in January for $1499. Also expected in January is the 21-inch LCD2180UX, which will list for $1549. Both offer 1600-by-1200 resolution.


ViewSonic's new DigitalMedia VG series of LCD monitors with built-in speakers includes the 19.1-inch VG910, due in December priced at $749. The VG910 features 1280-by-1024 resolution and is available with either silver or black bezels.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,113561,00.asp

vs.

http://store.apple.com/

 

[wiz7dome]

Re: Re: G5 design LCDs are already available

Originally posted by coolfactor
I'm really surprised that very few companies can get a design "just right". Sony and Apple do, and then there are all the take-offs. But those Samsungs just look weird.

I switched to Mac's last year and one of the things that attracted me to the Apple Store (section to some) is the LCD display. I did like the fact that it matched the G4's case, however, on its own it still looks good. It does not look like a-typical computer hardware. I can stick the tower under a desk with no issue, but the screen I'd love to show off. Can someone please explane the need for an all new design to match the G5?

 

[Cooknn]

Originally posted by arn
People expect LCD revisions because they don't match the PowerMac G5s.

Then again, neither do the new BT Mouse or Keyboard.

BTW - if you want a desk that works very well visually with the new G5, check out the Z-Line Eclipse Mobile Computer Workstation http://tinyurl.com/9kit. You can get one at Staples for about $150. It's got the same design as the G5 - interestingly enough the pic above shows a "plastic" Mac

 

[snapjax]

My take is widescreen 17-inch entry-level display at $599, price drops to $899 for the 20-inch and $1599 for the 23-inch, and a new 30-inch display with a resolution of about 2500x1400 for $2499.
Trouble is I think it will be AFTER Macworld when they announce them.

 

[Cooknn]

Re: Re: G5 design LCDs are already available

Originally posted by ebow
Well they're also missing digital input (the Samsung site claims analog only) for whatever that's worth (I imagine it's significant but don't know for sure). And there are no USB connectors... whether bundled together in and ADC cable or separate. On the whole though, those displays look great.

I bet the base on those Samsung LCD's are made of plastic

 

[jumanji]

$599 for a 17" is ridiculous

I am sorry, but there is no way a 17" monitor is worth $599. That's the going rate for 19" LCD displays now and you can get very good ones for less that that.

right now, you can get pc world's top recommendation, a Dell 1901FP for $550. Its got 1280 x 1024 and its got 4 usb ports on it and it includes a 3yr warranty.

I called my apple rep yesterday and told him that he had to do something about the price of the monitors. I am planning on buying 6 of them...but I can't justify spending more for less just for looks.

the 17" should not be more than $399. Apple is counting on loyalty to make people pay extra for a similar product. a widescreen would be cool for an extra $100.

I also think they should come out with a 19" monitor - make that one $599 to compare with the dell, samsung, and sony monitors.

he said he'd get back to me - i do expect a small discount, but if its not significant, I will be forced to buy the dell 19" ones.

 

[snapjax]

$599 for 17" is high but we are talking about Apple. Plus it will be widescreen, all Apple displays will be widescreen from now on IMHO.

 

[ksz]

Apple's price for the 23" is very competitive at $1999, if not lower than many others. There's no reason they should not be competitive at the low end of the line as well. If you want to drive the last nail into the coffin of the CRT, you will have to compete on the low end right thru to the high. Frankly, image quality and pixel response on LCDs is getting better, but still falls short of quality flat-screen CRTs which are cheaper than equivalent-size LCDs. If I want convenience of space and lower power consumption, I can justify the higher price of LCDs, but if image quality, contrast, brightness, complete absence of dead pixels, and pixel response (refresh) rate is more important (as it is for me), CRT is the answer. Going back and forth between a friend's 23" Cinema display and my Mitsubishi flat-screen CRT, I am always surprised by the better image quality on the (much) lower-cost CRT.

LCD contrast, pixel density, response time, gamma correction, and other specs are continuing to improve. I expect to see LCD displays within 18 months that will meet my criteria for image quality. However, I am eager to see the specs of Apple's new models.

 

[Cooknn]

Originally posted by ksz
I am always surprised by the better image quality on the (much) lower-cost CRT

After dead/stuck pixel problems on two new 20" ACD's I went back to my 22" Viewsonic P225fb Flat Screen CRT. Excellent monitor. Especially when you factor in the cost at $750 less than the Apple Cinema Display...

 

[ksz]

Agreed. Consumers are being lulled into believing that 3-4 (sometimes more) dead/stuck pixels is an okay thing in LCD displays. I don't think so. A defect is a defect. It is not okay; it is at best tolerable -- particularly if the stuck-on color is not obtrusive and if the dead pixels lie along the edges of the display.

But think about it...for convenience of space and reduced power consumption, we are offering huge compromises:

1. We are accepting dead/stuck pixels. In fact, we just hope we'll get a monitor with few or no dead pixels. There is no certainty it will be defect-free. It's a gamble: we don't know what hand we will be dealt.
2. We are accepting relatively poor contrast ratios.
3. We are accepting the screen-door effect (low pixel densities).
4. We are accepting slow pixel response times.

and...

5. We are paying through the nose for these compromises.

Space and power are good to economize, but not like this. Granted, many people are very happy with LCD image quality. They suffer no dead pixels and enjoy the convenience. But if image quality is an overriding factor, LCDs aren't quite there yet.

 

[dongmin]

Originally posted by ksz
5. We are paying through the nose for these compromises.

I agree that the 17" is overpriced, but Apple's 20" and 23" are priced below the market average for monitors of comparable resolutions. The 17" should go below $500 and it should go wide-screen. It'd also be psychologically huge to lower the 20" to below a grand, $999.

The 23" could use a 20-30% drop too of course, but right now the 23" with its resolution (HD) is the most competitive in the market. (The Sony that a previous poster mentioned runs $2300-2500, not $1900.) Finally, it'd be amazing if Apple released a 30" HD with a TV tuner for $2500.