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Dell UltraSharp U2711 vs Apple Thunderbolt Display
- Thread starter Tsuchiya
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About £550-ish with no vouchers/coupons used. Apparently retail on this was initially in the £700-range
Either way it's closer to £500 on Amazon now.
Okay, let's consider a couple of situations:
1. The room you are in is not completely, totally, pitch-dark. The Apple display loses because of glare.
2. You will ever, under any circumstances, want to use a computer that has dual-link DVI or HDMI output but not DisplayPort. The Apple display loses because of ports.
The reason I'm bothering to reply is your use of the word "toolset". Toolset implies a thing that is a tool -- a device you can use to solve problems. The Thunderbolt display, as is, is not really a general-purpose display; it's a very narrowly-focused display with key shortcomings that make it ill-suited to a lot of peoples' use cases.
I just got my Dell U2711. It's very large. My mini display port to display port hasn't arrived it the mail yet, so I'm running it at a smaller resolution till it does come. It's a nice monitor. The colors are a bit over-saturated for example the icons in the doc, but the color depth is amazing. I used SuperCal to calibrate the color profile and it does a very good job. I read a lot of reviews and the Dell uses the older back lighting, not LED which means it has better RGB coverage over the LED technology, but it takes a moment to warm up and uses more power and thus produces more heat. The Dell is more deep in dimension than the Apple, probably due to the heat. The anti-glare is interesting. I don't like the glossy screens as the reflection distracts me. I've had several Dell anti-glare monitors before and this one has a slightly more 'pixel grain' than others. Meaning, I do see the anti-glare slightly more than on my other monitors, but I do not see any reflection which is the point. I picked it up for $800. The Dell comes with a 3 year warranty. The ATD costs $999 plus you will want the $99 Applecare, so it's considerably more, and I couldn't justify that extra cost for a nice dock, camera, and speakers. One other consideration is that you can daisy chain the ATD and run two monitors off the 2011 Macbook pros, which is awesome, but more than my budget. The newest Macbooks now have more ports and a built in HDMI port, so that might not make as big a difference.
Thanks to all the previous posters who helped me make an informed decision.
Thanks to all the previous posters who helped me make an informed decision.
Another good point for the Dell over the Apple TBD is Dell's "No bright pixel" policy whereas Apple is stuck in the stone age of LCD panel garantees.
http://accessories.dell.com/sna/sna.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~topic=premium_panel#faq3
http://accessories.dell.com/sna/sna.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~topic=premium_panel#faq3
Not only that but even if you had two Thunderbolt macs you can't quickly switch sources between them w/ the display, it picks whichever is plugged into the primary one wired into the monitor first, and switches to the other source only if you turn off or suspend or unplug the primary.
The cable length is 1m for the wired in one, and 2m max if you buy your own TB cable, so your source has to stay fairly close to the monitor..
In bootcamp, there is no hot plugging, must be plugged in at boot. There is no daisy chaining displays in bootcamp, so only 1 display max in bootcamp. Also, because of no hot plugging, that disables suspend in bootcamp.
I sold one of my TB Displays recently and ordered a U2711, it will arrive Friday.... will in all likelihood have it side by side w/ the remaining TB display I have for a direct comparison... will probably Youtube it.
Right now Thunderbolt Display is special since it's the only monitor with Thunderbolt docking available.
Other needs to catch up, especially Dell as its closest contender. I don't know about you, but once Dell make a jump to Thunderbolt connectivity (it's available in a handful of PC now, so it shouldn't take long before other follows), I'd jump the wagon too.
I would go with U3011, it's bigger, better, a wide @ss 16:10 with 2560x1600 for true workstation and once it has Thunderbolt, Apple should cry BIG TIME.
I believe it would have plethora of connectivity, so I can connect MBA and my future gaming tower, and then some .. and have tons of USB 3.0 hub and a "magic switch" to turn the display on/off normally, as in human normal. You hear that, Apple?
Oh, and it comes with 3 years warranty for free.
True .. Except you don't need to scout refurb store to get a $700 Dell monitor. It's brand new in box, not a white plain box.
Oh, and like I said, you get 3 years warranty for free on Dell. Don't need to tie it up with AppleCare.
Other needs to catch up, especially Dell as its closest contender. I don't know about you, but once Dell make a jump to Thunderbolt connectivity (it's available in a handful of PC now, so it shouldn't take long before other follows), I'd jump the wagon too.
I would go with U3011, it's bigger, better, a wide @ss 16:10 with 2560x1600 for true workstation and once it has Thunderbolt, Apple should cry BIG TIME.
I believe it would have plethora of connectivity, so I can connect MBA and my future gaming tower, and then some .. and have tons of USB 3.0 hub and a "magic switch" to turn the display on/off normally, as in human normal. You hear that, Apple?
Oh, and it comes with 3 years warranty for free.
True .. Except you don't need to scout refurb store to get a $700 Dell monitor. It's brand new in box, not a white plain box.
Oh, and like I said, you get 3 years warranty for free on Dell. Don't need to tie it up with AppleCare.
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Hi Guys,
I have U2711 at home and connecting MBP to it. I've got my 'big' pc connect to it as well so TBD is not practical now for me.
Although TBD looks amazing the U2711 specs it out and on lower price. DELL has wider Adobe RGB gamut, better connectivity and longer warranty (next business day). I had to apply for it soon after I bought my monitor secondhand and it was no brainer. Without any question after on day waiting I could continue with my work.
You can read trough the article and compare the measurements for yourself (http://www.anandtech.com/show/4832/the-apple-thunderbolt-display-review/5).
Btw: If colours look strange e.g. oversaturated you can check whether sRGB or AdobeRGB mode is set. For normal work sRGB is better. When you work with Photoshop or other programs where wider gamut is advantage then you can switch to AdobeRGB.
So as usual it is about your preferences value for money or great look and docking For me it is DELL so far (but Apple one is tempting
I have U2711 at home and connecting MBP to it. I've got my 'big' pc connect to it as well so TBD is not practical now for me.
Although TBD looks amazing the U2711 specs it out and on lower price. DELL has wider Adobe RGB gamut, better connectivity and longer warranty (next business day). I had to apply for it soon after I bought my monitor secondhand and it was no brainer. Without any question after on day waiting I could continue with my work.
You can read trough the article and compare the measurements for yourself (http://www.anandtech.com/show/4832/the-apple-thunderbolt-display-review/5).
Btw: If colours look strange e.g. oversaturated you can check whether sRGB or AdobeRGB mode is set. For normal work sRGB is better. When you work with Photoshop or other programs where wider gamut is advantage then you can switch to AdobeRGB.
So as usual it is about your preferences value for money or great look and docking For me it is DELL so far (but Apple one is tempting
Do keep in mind that only the Retina MBPs have the HDMI port, the non retinas do not. Also, HDMI is limited to 1920 x 1200 resolution, whereas the U2711 is 2560 x 1440.
I am pretty sure that the rMBP has HDMI 1.4, which can do 4K resolution. But the ports on the Dell monitor are not 1.4 so it can only do accept up to 1920x1200.
I sure hope we start to see more ultra-thin bezels soon.
The LG IPS7 looks pretty good, but is only 1080p.
The Dell Ultrasharps just look so bad with the chunky bezel. Very 90's looking.
The LG IPS7 looks pretty good, but is only 1080p.
The Dell Ultrasharps just look so bad with the chunky bezel. Very 90's looking.
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I'm not happy at the moment with the DELL U2711
I picked up a new DELL U2711 on Friday. And its text is grey. As I type this, its just grey, not at all as good as an old 24" iMac.
I have tried all sorts of settings but the screen doesn't seem good at all for browsing and word processing. It looked fine for photographic work I think ... but I am thinking I'll have to take a re-stocking fee and buy an Apple one.
Its a shame ... I think for a Mac Pro, paying a Thunderbolt price for a non Thunderbolt screen is crazy. But this brand new Dell sucks. Unless there is something I can do to improve it.
I've tried to increase the contrast, lower the brightness; gone to an Apple mode; changed various other settings too; but I'm not at all happy. It should look better than an old 24" iMac, but it looks much worse. At the moment at least.
I picked up a new DELL U2711 on Friday. And its text is grey. As I type this, its just grey, not at all as good as an old 24" iMac.
I have tried all sorts of settings but the screen doesn't seem good at all for browsing and word processing. It looked fine for photographic work I think ... but I am thinking I'll have to take a re-stocking fee and buy an Apple one.
Its a shame ... I think for a Mac Pro, paying a Thunderbolt price for a non Thunderbolt screen is crazy. But this brand new Dell sucks. Unless there is something I can do to improve it.
I've tried to increase the contrast, lower the brightness; gone to an Apple mode; changed various other settings too; but I'm not at all happy. It should look better than an old 24" iMac, but it looks much worse. At the moment at least.
Glare
I signed up just to reply about the glare. Glare is HORRIBLE!!! I love the Apple display and don't care about the connections but the glare is a deal breaker. I think I should sign up to be an eye doctor and mass email all the apple users to contact me when their vision gets seriously messed up from the glare. This is seriously bad for the eyes!!!!!
I signed up just to reply about the glare. Glare is HORRIBLE!!! I love the Apple display and don't care about the connections but the glare is a deal breaker. I think I should sign up to be an eye doctor and mass email all the apple users to contact me when their vision gets seriously messed up from the glare. This is seriously bad for the eyes!!!!!
There's new kid in town, Dell U2713HM 27" white led, AH-IPS panel and a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. Lets fight!
Looks very promising.
Looks very promising.
Urgh, that horrible chunky bezel is making my eyes vom!
Hmmm and actually it looks like the specs are lower than the U2711.....
I'm holding off now now. I think we will see some very nice monitors coming out in the next couple of years.
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I signed up just to reply about the glare. Glare is HORRIBLE!!! I love the Apple display and don't care about the connections but the glare is a deal breaker. I think I should sign up to be an eye doctor and mass email all the apple users to contact me when their vision gets seriously messed up from the glare. This is seriously bad for the eyes!!!!!
I think the reflection impact has a lot to do with the work environment though. For example, if there was a window directly behind me, pointing right at my Cinema Display, I would have to switch to a Dell or something else for sure. But I'm fortunate enough for that to be a non-issue.
It would be nice if Apple made a matte option for people who really needed it.
Matte is a No-No for me
I tried some matte displays for my photographic work; but the Dell u2711's "sparkle" effect is very real, with muddied blacks even after calibrating/profiling with a Spyder3 hardware & its software.
I have zero issues with reflections or glare with my 27" ACD, but then I do not have a window or othr lightsource directly behind me.
Installing a small low-watt energy saver behind the display does help with eye-strain, but then you should do that whether your display is matte, glossy or coated with hemp-based icing sugar
However if any ACD/TB/iMac display users are looking for a matte option, I found this via a web search:
Matte frame for Apple Displays
A solution for 27" Cinema and 27" Thunderbolt Displays seems to be in the works.
(no, I am not affiliated in any way)
Regards,
JF
I tried some matte displays for my photographic work; but the Dell u2711's "sparkle" effect is very real, with muddied blacks even after calibrating/profiling with a Spyder3 hardware & its software.
I have zero issues with reflections or glare with my 27" ACD, but then I do not have a window or othr lightsource directly behind me.
Installing a small low-watt energy saver behind the display does help with eye-strain, but then you should do that whether your display is matte, glossy or coated with hemp-based icing sugar
However if any ACD/TB/iMac display users are looking for a matte option, I found this via a web search:
Matte frame for Apple Displays
A solution for 27" Cinema and 27" Thunderbolt Displays seems to be in the works.
(no, I am not affiliated in any way)
Regards,
JF
Urgh, that horrible chunky bezel is making my eyes vom!
Hmmm and actually it looks like the specs are lower than the U2711.....
I'm holding off now now. I think we will see some very nice monitors coming out in the next couple of years.
Apparently this is the "budget" 27" display that will slot in below the 2711 in terms of price.
Is there any indication (based on past Dell releases) when the U2713 may show up in their US store?
Still debating between a Dell and ATD, so if this is less expensive, I'm interested in taking a look.
Still debating between a Dell and ATD, so if this is less expensive, I'm interested in taking a look.
Dell U3011 vs Apple Thunderbolt = Bigger Screen & Value
I own every major product apple sells....I drink the KoolAid! However, I just couldn't bring myself to throw down the cash for the ATD when the Dell gives me more screen for virtually the same amount of money.
http://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-U3011-30-Monitor
I have read probably every review on here and was worried about getting the 3011 DELL. Sooo many went on and on about the aggressive Anti-Glare coating on the screen and the awful gray fuzzy text..
This monitor without a doubt is one of the most beautiful sites I have ever beheld. I am in 2560 x 1600 LOVE!
I didn't even have to calibrate it. I may adjust the red here shortly.
AS far as the anti-glare coated screen goes.... It is no more aggressive than my old Apple Cinema LCD in fact it may be less aggressive.
To think I almost went for the APPLE 27" over this....
AS far as the warranty issues I have read about on here concerning buying this monitor from a reseller rather straight from DELL I hope to never find out about that, BUT I did get the extended Amazon 4 year warranty and hope to never have to use it!
Many complained about the TEXT being GREY and fuzzy .. I dont see it! RAZOR sharp BLACK!
If you can afford this beast it comes highly recommended by this digital artist!
I own every major product apple sells....I drink the KoolAid! However, I just couldn't bring myself to throw down the cash for the ATD when the Dell gives me more screen for virtually the same amount of money.
http://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-U3011-30-Monitor
I have read probably every review on here and was worried about getting the 3011 DELL. Sooo many went on and on about the aggressive Anti-Glare coating on the screen and the awful gray fuzzy text..
This monitor without a doubt is one of the most beautiful sites I have ever beheld. I am in 2560 x 1600 LOVE!
I didn't even have to calibrate it. I may adjust the red here shortly.
AS far as the anti-glare coated screen goes.... It is no more aggressive than my old Apple Cinema LCD in fact it may be less aggressive.
To think I almost went for the APPLE 27" over this....
AS far as the warranty issues I have read about on here concerning buying this monitor from a reseller rather straight from DELL I hope to never find out about that, BUT I did get the extended Amazon 4 year warranty and hope to never have to use it!
Many complained about the TEXT being GREY and fuzzy .. I dont see it! RAZOR sharp BLACK!
If you can afford this beast it comes highly recommended by this digital artist!
A huge selling point, and the reason why I want an ATD, is that it's a docking station for MacBooks. With the drop of ethernet and firewire on newer MacBooks this is even more true. I'd love to be able to connect power and thunderbolt to my MBP and have all my peripherals (listed below) connected automatically!
-FireWire audio interface
-wired keyboard
-wired mouse
-gigabit ethernet
-MIDI USB controller
-FireWire audio interface
-wired keyboard
-wired mouse
-gigabit ethernet
-MIDI USB controller
I just spent the first day with the U2711 connected to my retina macbook. It's nice. I spent the last few years with a 27' iMac.
If the 27 iMac uses the same display as the ATD, then I'd prefer the Apple display over the dell.
It mainly has to do with the "sparkle" shimmy effect of the anti-display coating. It's a shame because you can tell the underlying display on the Dell is outstanding, but it goes through this weird sparkle filter coating and the text detail gets muddled, 1px lines become difficult to look at.
If you don't do a lot of pixel-perfect design work, then the Dell will be wonderful. In fact, I prefer anti-glare over glass.
But, in this case I'd go with the ATD.
On a side-note: The retina macbook can drive two U2711s at full res using two displayport cables, plus the built-in at the same time. It's a pretty awesome 3-headed resolution monster!
If the 27 iMac uses the same display as the ATD, then I'd prefer the Apple display over the dell.
It mainly has to do with the "sparkle" shimmy effect of the anti-display coating. It's a shame because you can tell the underlying display on the Dell is outstanding, but it goes through this weird sparkle filter coating and the text detail gets muddled, 1px lines become difficult to look at.
If you don't do a lot of pixel-perfect design work, then the Dell will be wonderful. In fact, I prefer anti-glare over glass.
But, in this case I'd go with the ATD.
On a side-note: The retina macbook can drive two U2711s at full res using two displayport cables, plus the built-in at the same time. It's a pretty awesome 3-headed resolution monster!
U2713M anyone? They're 30% off here in Australia (that makes it $559). Just need to find me a cheap mDP to DP cable.