Apple Display vs. Dell - so, why the price difference?

[oriol]

when i was taking about the cars i was refering about STYLE, i wasn't taking about performence if u look the specs of course a DELL monitor is better but why people get Apples monitors???;STYLE. why get a BMW; STYLE. if i just want performence just get a SRT-4 , STYLE i don't think so it stills a Neon.

 

[Tamer Brad]

when i was taking about the cars i was refering about STYLE, i wasn't taking about performence if u look the specs of course a DELL monitor is better but why people get Apples monitors???;STYLE. why get a BMW; STYLE. if i just want performence just get a SRT-4 , STYLE i don't think so it stills a Neon.

You're not making any sense. Parially because your point is nonsensical, and partially because so is your sentence structure. >_>

 

[oriol]

You're not making any sense. Parially because your point is nonsensical, and partially because so is your sentence structure. >_>

ok english teacher wut u don't undertand? do u speak another language i speak 4 so let me know how can we communicate.

 

[Tamer Brad]

ok english teacher wut u don't undertand? do u speak another language i speak 4 so let me know how can we communicate.

English teacher? I'm only sixteen.

Well, for one thing, it should "don't you" not "u don't". And you should've spelled out "four" instead of the number 4 (though that's debatable).

Getting a BMW is not just for style. It is a high performance machine. You are paying the premium for PERFORMANCE AND AESTHETICS (like with Apples), not just aesthetics. The Dell display is less good looking but higher quality (IMO) and wayyyy cheaper.

Your argument is moot.

 

[punkbass25]

um, you both just said the same thing...

 

[csubear]

All apple displays come with a free serving of Apple Cult Kool-Aid.... Thats why I have mine

 

[Abulia]

why get a BMW; STYLE.

That's not why I bought one.

Freaking awesome driving experience. Don't think I'll ever drive another type of car again. They're that good.

 

[Maedus]

That's not why I bought one.

Freaking awesome driving experience. Don't think I'll ever drive another type of car again. They're that good.

[Sarcasm]Nuh uh! Everybody tells me that their $500 new super-stripped down and ultra tiny car gets them from point A to point B just as good as any BMW on the market and that perfect 50/50 front to rear weight distribution means nothing to the driving experience![/Sarcasm]

Yeah, my friend's Dad had a BMW back when I was in high school and it was a treat to get to ride around in that on the very rare and limited occasions.

And I think a proper comparison would have to be a luxury car such as a top of the line Ford (or any other car company that has released a feature-packed luxury car for relatively cheap) compared to a BMW and then asking why you payed extra to get a BMW. This is because both vehicles would be well built and top of the line; just like the monitors in question.

 

[MontyZ]

Some of you are putting style over substance. I agree the ACDs are beautifully designed and look great, but, I'm more interested in the actual image it displays, and that's where the ACDs fall down. I'm talking specifically about the 23" model, which is riddled with defects.

Then there's the measly 1 year warranty, and if you don't buy the display with a computer, AppleCare will not cover it. So, if the thing goes BOOM in 1 year and 4 days, you're screwed.

I love Apple computers and software, but I've had the worse luck with Apple displays. The Apple 21" Colorsync CRT display I owned about five years ago literally caught on fire and started smoking inside! Even though it was past the short warranty period, Apple was more than happy to refund the entire price and quickly take back the "evidence" because I was in contact with the Consumer Protection agency, otherwise they would have continued to ignore me.

The two 23" ACDs I bought were full of defects, all mentioned by many others on Apple's own boards (the ones not deleted yet). Rather than wait for them to also meltdown, I returned them for a refund after Apple once again decided to ignore instead of fix the problems.

So, I have NO loyalty to Apple whatsoever when it comes to displays. In fact, at this point I'm wary of buying any more displays from Apple. I'll probably get the Dell 24" because it performs better than Apple's displays even though the enclosure might not be as cool as Apple's. But I plan to use the display as a display, not a conversation piece.

 

[cube]

I think that buying from Dell is wrong, but I really couldn't stand paying more for an underfeatured alternative.
All things being equal, I would pay a couple of hundred more just not to support Dell.

Fortunately, I'm not looking to buy a new monitor now, but those Dell prices really make it tempting.

 

[Lancetx]

I've been quite happy with the Dell 2005FPW that I bought last month. I certainly don't much care for Dell as a company and this happened to be the first Dell product I've ever purchased in my life. However, I just couldn't justify paying over $400 more for the 20" ACD when the display quality is pretty much the same. I personally don't think you can go wrong with either one and if spending the extra for the ACD makes since to you, then you should go for it. I just couldn't personally justify the difference myself, that's basically why I went with the Dell.

 

[MontyZ]

I've been quite happy with the Dell 2005FPW that I bought last month.

Does the Dell monitor have USB and/or Firewire ports in the back like the Apple ones do? That's the only thing holding me back from buying the Dell. I need more USB ports.

 

[mcsenerd]

My feelings are pretty much like this:

All companies make dogs every now and then. All companies hit home runs every now and then. Some companies hit more home runs than they make dogs. Some vice versa. Regardless of brand loyalties, OS ideology, or even subscribed economic ideologies...Dell is a strong company, and so is Apple. Dell has had some serious flops...I can remember a few massive recalls not so long ago. Apple has had some massive flops as well...I don't think we need to get into that. Both displays would easily be the most beautiful slice of monitor technology I've ever personally owned in my entire life. I too give the Apple the nod for asthetics. It would match quite well with my furniture and my mini. The Dell, I hate to say, gets my nod for flexibility. The multiple inputs are a nice feature and one I'd surely use (I actually do use it). And then there's price...Look, I'm sure like many around here...I'd have gotten the Apple if this amount of money was not a big deal in my budget...but with two small children...it's a big deal. I was doing good to swing the Dell. I say if you can afford the Apple and you can justify the price to yourself...congratulations! You're the proud new owner of a fine Apple display! Now go home and enjoy it for all the reasons you purchased it for, and don't feel sad for the fact that you could have saved money to purchase a fairly similar product from Dell. If you can't afford the Apple, or can't stomach paying for the Apple, or you need more flexibility from your monitor...congratulations! You're the proud new owner of a fine Dell display! Now go home and enjoy it for the reasons you purchased it for and don't feel sad because you didn't get the Apple looks.

I have personally enjoyed the 2005FPW. It's a fine monitor and no less capable than the Apple IMHO. I would have purchased the Apple had money been no object however strictly based on how it would look with my furnishings and my computer.

 

[mcsenerd]

Does the Dell monitor have USB and/or Firewire ports in the back like the Apple ones do? That's the only thing holding me back from buying the Dell. I need more USB ports.

The Dell has a 4-Port USB 2.0 hub integrated...it just doesn't have Firewire.

 

[Sun Baked]

Dell = WalMart -- lot's of volume, king of low prices, low quality stuff, loss leaders get you into the store to buy the stuff they make money on, but not usually a place you want to be seen shopping in

Apple = KMart -- Look's more upscale, higher prices, doesn't know where it fits into the market, occasional empty shelves or shelves with ancient stock, lower volume, and the vultures are sitting on top of the store

 

[MontyZ]

The Dell has a 4-Port USB 2.0 hub integrated...it just doesn't have Firewire.

That's great! I need USB more than Firewire, so, I think this dude will be getting a Dell. Apple's loss, they had my money for a while, but, inferior quality display doesn't make up for sleek, beautiful exterior.

 

[Maxiseller]

Form or Function

These are the only two words prevalent in this debate.

This forum is for Apple fans. It is therefore only logical to assume that we are all in support of Apple products. I don't think it's fair to start calling us all "sheep" to quote a post just because you disagree with a particular purchase that fundamentally, is a private transaction.

My personal views are that the Apple displays are indeed overpriced. However, when my new purchase is logged in a couple of month’s time, I will of course be ordering a 20" Apple display rather than a Dell display. For me, the Apple image is indeed "Form" relevant. That is, it needs to look good. I've brought into the Apple name, and while some may say that I’ve overspent, I say "But what about the clients walking into my office; they see a professional" - that kind of image pays for itself in dividends.

Apple has long been about design. Whether people disagree with me or not, the general consensus about the company is that it offers a higher level of computing experience. It comes from the OS, the Software, the interaction, the hardware components and of course the design. To me, to destroy this image by placing a great black monstrosity in front of my shiny new Power Mac is pure evil.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

I'm a "form" person too...that's not my only reason for preferring the Apple display over the Dell. The Dell display has features that I would never use; the Apple display has FireWire ports, which I would make extensive use of. Too bad I don't have a PowerMac...

 

[Maxiseller]

I would imagine that a lot of Mac users are Form people, thats not to say there aren't exeptions!

I can't wait for the powermac!! Then just to save for dual display (ahh think of it...the sheer beauty. Come on people, you can't tell me DELL has that beauty?)

 

[Bigheadache]

That's great! I need USB more than Firewire, so, I think this dude will be getting a Dell. Apple's loss, they had my money for a while, but, inferior quality display doesn't make up for sleek, beautiful exterior.

I know you were asking about the 2005 but the 2405 has a built in 7 in 1 media reader as well. Both are definitely a good deal compared to the Apple alternatives.

 

[YS2003]

The two 23" ACDs I bought were full of defects, all mentioned by many others on Apple's own boards (the ones not deleted yet). Rather than wait for them to also meltdown, I returned them for a refund after Apple once again decided to ignore instead of fix the problems.

I think the infamous 23" ACD ghosts have been taken care of by now. I just bought a 23" ACD and it is perfect as there is no dead/stuck pixel nor any tint on the screen. I have compared the 23" with my 20" ACD and there was not difference in the color (ie. pink tint issue). If you are concerned about the "initial" quality, buy it from CompUSA. They have 21 day return policy and they will exchange a defect screen with a new one (there is a limitation for a refund though if you opened the box).

 

[MontyZ]

Come on people, you can't tell me DELL has that beauty?)

I don't think anyone here is really saying the design of the Dell display is as good or better than the Apple display. They are saying it's better value for the money. Plus, it doesn't have the same defects the 23" ACDs do. Believe me, if the 23" ACD didn't have display defects, I'd have two of them sitting here in my studio. It was not easy to return them. They did look beautiful, but, I couldn't justify spending nearly $2,000 for a defective piece of equipment, no matter how good it looked when turned off.

 

[MontyZ]

I think the infamous 23" ACD ghosts have been taken care of by now. I just bought a 23" ACD and it is perfect as there is no dead/stuck pixel nor any tint on the screen. I have compared the 23" with my 20" ACD and there was not difference in the color (ie. pink tint issue).

Unfortunately, the pink cast and dead pixels are not the only defects that plague the 23" ACDs. The color consistency from left-to-right, banding and ghosting are also problems on every single one I've seen. Often these problems become more apparent (and get worse) over time.

 

[cmvsm]

That's great! I need USB more than Firewire, so, I think this dude will be getting a Dell. Apple's loss, they had my money for a while, but, inferior quality display doesn't make up for sleek, beautiful exterior.

Inferior quality? You forget that the display panels come from the same place. If the workmanship stopped at the display, you'd have a dead heat. Unfortunately, it does not.

If you read the same Anandtech article that compares the two, the Dell monitor scored lower than the Apple cinema in color scales and intensity. The article also went as far as saying that Dell overexaggerated their specs in terms of image quality, so the contrast and brightness comparison is out the window.

According to the article, one of the largest complaints received from consumers about the Dell 2005FPW that it had severe screen uniformity problems. This of course means that a sampling of monitors won't have the same performance. Anandtech stated that it was a troublesome complaint as it points to poor construction or poor handling while being constructed. The article went so far as stating that the quality control with Dell is inferior to Apple's. What do you expect from a mass produced, pc/monitor production mill?

The article also makes mention of low quality DVI video outputs and cables found in the monitor which has been causing image issues in terms of the monitor capturing and holding the DVI signal at 1680x1050 resolution.

Again, you get what you pay for. The quality does not stop at the display panel.

 

[MontyZ]

Inferior quality? You forget that the display panels come from the same place. If the workmanship stopped at the display, you'd have a dead heat. Unfortunately, it does not.

Don't know where you're getting your info, but, the LCD panels do not come from the same place. Apple's come from LG, Dell's come from Samsung. Two different companies, two different panels.

I've read a bunch of things written by owners of both the 23" ACD and the Dell 24", and the Dell gets pretty good marks. If the Dell display was worse than the 23" Apple display, don't you think it would have been mentioned by Apple users?

While you appear to be getting all of your info from a single source, I've been getting mine from several, including my own in-person experience with the 23" ACD.