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Dell UltraSharp U2711 vs Apple Thunderbolt Display
- Thread starter Tsuchiya
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Update: I am not using my Lenovo X201 at work anymore... so I switched to an ACD. I would have preferred an ATD... but this ACD was already owned by my my company and was not currently being used... hence "free". Now i use my MBA/ACD at work... and MBA/ATD at home.
Also... at home... my ATD is also used as a secondary display to my 2012 iMac.
I like this setup a lot.
/Jim
I spent months wrestling with Apple's TBD and Dell's U2713H (replacement for the 2711). I can't count the number of times I went into the Apple Store and viewed the TBD. I finally decided that I would save $300 and buy the 2713H. I couldn't be happier either. I am so happy with it I'm waiting for FEDEX to deliver a second one today.
I think what made the decision difficult on which display to purchase was the fact I have the 15" rMBP. Every display, including the TBD, were pale in comparison. But once I realized no display would rate with a retina, my decision was an easy one.
I'm an old guy so illuminating the keyboard at night becomes a glare issue. No need to fret. The thin antiglare coating on the 2713H eliminates all the glare but does not distort the images nor the text. I'm a very happy camper.
I've got the Dell U2713H and could not be happier. Cannot stand a glossy screen for more than ten minutes before my eyes start to hurt something awful. Must be something that comes with age or otherwise having used computers far too long.
Don't forget to check on the monitor that the setting is for Mac otherwise the colors are off.
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2711 = cfl, 2713 = led
Don't forget to check on the monitor that the setting is for Mac otherwise the colors are off.
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2711 = cfl, 2713 = led
I can't speak to the difference between the two monitors having not used nor observed the U2711 in person, but a chief complaint of others who have used it is the Anti-Glare coating is to heavy. This could present a problem for some during photo editing. The U2713H comes with more connection options and has 4 USB 3.0 ports and a SD card reader.
Received my second unit. On inspection, it says revision A02, manufacture date February 13, 2013. My first unit is revision A01, manufacture late December 12, 2012. There is a revision A00. Not sure what changes were made being the 2713H has only been on the market since late 2012.
The U2713H is a very bright display. Both of my units brightness were set at 50%. I tone it back to 21% and for me that is perfect.
The only other thing I would add is the U2713H can be daisy chained if your Mac is display port 1.2 compatible. My mid-2012 rMBP is compatible.
"The only other thing I would add is the U2713H can be daisy chained if your Mac is display port 1.2 compatible. My mid-2012 rMBP is compatible."
Slightly off-topic, but wondering
How does one ascertain if the DisplayPort on the Mac is 1.2 compatible?
Can this info be found in System Profiler?
Slightly off-topic, but wondering
How does one ascertain if the DisplayPort on the Mac is 1.2 compatible?
Can this info be found in System Profiler?
My eyes are opposite, any hint of AG they start complaining loudly. And you can't beat a glossy screen for critical photo and video work. Both the U2713 and 27EA83 models have very little AG on their screens, so they seem to be OK. The MacOS 27EA83 and TBD profiles are good to go out of the box, no fiddling, and the LG's PIP is nice for catching that game or concert while doing a little work without taking up space for a second monitor or TV. If you work a lot with text, setting the third party display font smoothing to 3 helps a bit as well as applying just a bit of zoom. The TBD seems to be good out of the box.
For text, nothing really compares that well with the MBP 15 inch retina screen, however.
The 3.0 hubs in both 3rd party displays are nothing to be excited about. They perform poorly with most USB3 hard drive enclosures. They work well for printers, mice, keyboards, cameras, but these are mostly 2.0 devices anyway. If you really need the 3.0 hub function for a Mac, get a Belkin USB3 hub ($50). Its taken whatever I thrown at it and doesn't seem to interfere with the Mac sleep function.
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I can't give you a scholarly answer but I researched the issue and tried it and it worked on my machine at least. There is a discussion on Apple Discussion Forum here.
For me, I used a mini display port cable to mini display cable and connected one end to my Mac thunderbolt slot and the other end to Dell's U2713H #1 thunderbolt or mini display port. Dell supplies a display port to HDMI adapter. I connected the display port end to Dell's U2713H #1 display port out connector and HDMI it to my Dell U2713H #2 HDMI In connector on the second monitor. Whether another connection combo will work I did not experiment.
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I made a similar decision today. I bought the newer U2713. I have a late 2011 13" MBP and am very tempted by the Thunderbolt Display. The Dell was $304 dollars less expensive and when I work from home on my work laptop, I'll be able to connect to it. I hope it works out ok.
I know the difference between calibrate and profile (I agree that it is poorly used in industry though!)..... But I think the Dell can only be calibrated with its own software, and that is PC only.... The mac can only be profiled of course. Still, I would get the Dell, colour, tone and brightness are all more accurate for colour work than the mac display, and you don't have to deal with the gloss....
I'm wondering what you mean by this. It's an Adobe RGB display. Does it look weird out of the box? I mean are you UI icons really saturated or something? Is it an issue of greenish greys? The more colors thing is commonly misunderstood. They're spread out more. OSX doesn't actually support full 10 bit displayport, so the issue is primarily addressed by dithering. If you're dealing with a lot of photo work, the Dell is probably better. Neither is that easy to "calibrate" (actually profile, but no one seems to get the difference). Anyway I prefer NEC if you get a good one, but if you're not using this for work, it's not really necessary.
I disagree that the Apple is betteror that it will hold its value. All displays degrade with use and drift over time. Some have better compensation for it than others, but this is just in the nature of the technology. You should buy electronics to use them, not on the hope of residual value. Dell actually dropped the price on that one as the panels became cheaper, so it's not that bad of a deal.
It's nice to feel like someone understands
. I highlight on that so frequently because I don't think some people get that there's only so much you can do running a profile measured from a single point on the screen.Excellent thread
Just wanted to say that this is an excellent thread. Have been reading all the posts.
I am working the same conundrum.
I have been leaning towards the Dell 2713HM due to the lower price or getting a similar priced, but used ATD.
But now I will probably just hold off until october, when I suspect Apple will bring out a new ATD, possibly with a tiny "r" in front of it.
That will bring the price down on the current ATD, which I think are completely overpriced and always have been. And that is a huge Apple fan saying that.
Thanks for a great thread.
Just wanted to say that this is an excellent thread. Have been reading all the posts.
I am working the same conundrum.
I have been leaning towards the Dell 2713HM due to the lower price or getting a similar priced, but used ATD.
But now I will probably just hold off until october, when I suspect Apple will bring out a new ATD, possibly with a tiny "r" in front of it.
That will bring the price down on the current ATD, which I think are completely overpriced and always have been. And that is a huge Apple fan saying that.
Thanks for a great thread.
2013 MBA with U2713HM
I'm trying to setup a home office - was considering the Apple TBD simply because I could plug in one cable, be all set. However, after reading through this thread, and the lower cost of the 2713 - I may switch. I'm still unclear if I can just plug in a mini display port cable into my 2013 MBA and have it work. I also have an Apple wireless mouse and and Apple USB keyboard that I want to use.
What about sound? The TBD has speakers in it - from my reading the 2713 does not.
I'd like to able able to take the MBA, plug in the display, USB keyboard, with the lid closed, just start working.
What would I need to make this work with the Dell U2713 HM?
I'm trying to setup a home office - was considering the Apple TBD simply because I could plug in one cable, be all set. However, after reading through this thread, and the lower cost of the 2713 - I may switch. I'm still unclear if I can just plug in a mini display port cable into my 2013 MBA and have it work. I also have an Apple wireless mouse and and Apple USB keyboard that I want to use.
What about sound? The TBD has speakers in it - from my reading the 2713 does not.
I'd like to able able to take the MBA, plug in the display, USB keyboard, with the lid closed, just start working.
What would I need to make this work with the Dell U2713 HM?
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Hi. Thanks for your reply. Sorry for the imbecility. But when you say "dock". What exactly are you referring to and what are the benefits?
Also, what do you mean by "monoprice"?
Thanks a lot.
I had a U2711 at my office and a ATD at home. I have since replaced the U2711 with an extra ACD that we had in the office.
Personally, I like the ATD/ACD better than the U2711... because of the docking function (especially the ATD).
I originally got the U2711 at the office because at the time, I needed dual connections. My MBA and also my Lenovo X201 PC. IMHO... the big advantage of the U2711 was the ability to support multiple connections.
Once I ditched the PC, then I was able to replace the U2711 with the ACD that was going unused. I like the Apple displays better.
The docking functions that I use the most are the integrated speakers, the isight camera (for conferencing), and the USB hub. For the ATD, I additionally use the Gb Ethernet connection... which allows my MBA to use the more reliable and faster wired Ethernet, without plugging in/removing wires each time I dock.
Hence... if you are only using this with a Mac, then I would recommend that ATD.
One caution with the ATD... I would not recommend keeping a HDD permanently attached. If you undock your laptop without first ejecting the HDD, you will get a surprise removal event. It is easy to *THINK* that you will remember to do it every time... but it is way too easy to forget. Eventually you will end up with data corruption... unless you are more disciplined than the rest of the human race.
/Jim
I can recommend the Mac app "Jettison". It automatically ejects all/some (as per your instructions) volumes each time you sleep the Mac.
Thanks for your insight. I'm still split between the two. But the docking functions you mention, I do definitely see a need.
One more thing that I should mention.
If you ever foresee having an iMac... then having the ATD is a great option to have... because it can be "dual purposed".
In my home office... I typically have my ATD connected to my iMac, giving me dual 2560X1440 displays. Using the "hi-rise dock" (twelve south)... they perfectly line up. The dual display is very nice when you want to spread out your work (ex: building a web site with your page on one display... and your media sources on the second display. It is also very nice when you use apps that support dual displays, such as Aperture.
When I work on a project for work... I will disconnect the Thunderbolt cable from my iMac, and move it to my MBA (which is the only computer that I have which will connect to my corporate network). I then have essentially the same environment at home, that I have in the office. High productivity.
/Jim
Thanks - you more or less echoed my concerns and feelings - just trying to justify the extra cost of the ATD
Bob
Thanks - you more or less echoed my concerns and feelings - just trying to justify the extra cost of the ATD
Bob
We all have different financial situations. I tend to be on the "price-insensitive" side of the spectrum... and focus on having "few fantastic things" vs "tons of junk". I quickly forget how much something costs... and instead enjoy the premium experience continuously.
As I said... I used the Dell U2711 when my needs were dual platform support. When that changed to "Mac only"... I went ATD/ACD.
/Jim
Longevity of ATD/ACD
Thanks again for your thougts, Jim.
I am leaning more and more towards an Apple screen. Also, because I know that I will just be happier with an ecosystem product in the end.
But I will probably have to buy it used (mostly due to a refresh in the fall).
So, I am wondering how long, in terms of hours, the ATD/ACD lasts?
They have been on the market for some time, so there must be some indications already in terms of longevity.
Also, what is the major difference between the ATD and ACD? They cost the same, but is there any sense in going for either over the other?
Thanks again
Thanks again for your thougts, Jim.
I am leaning more and more towards an Apple screen. Also, because I know that I will just be happier with an ecosystem product in the end.
But I will probably have to buy it used (mostly due to a refresh in the fall).
So, I am wondering how long, in terms of hours, the ATD/ACD lasts?
They have been on the market for some time, so there must be some indications already in terms of longevity.
Also, what is the major difference between the ATD and ACD? They cost the same, but is there any sense in going for either over the other?
Thanks again
If you have a Thunderbolt Mac... then the obvious choice is a ATD. The only reason I have an ACD at work, is because it was a monitor that was otherwise going unused. They are close enough in form/function not to worry much about it.
The ACD has:
- MagSafe power
- Mini-display port input (compatible w/ TB)
- USB connector
- USB hub (3 port)
- Audio speakers
- iSight Camera
- TB connector (instead of Mini DisplayPort)
- TB daisy chain port
- Gb Ethernet
- Firewire 800 port
- No USB pigtale (not needed since USB is generated in the ATD)
/Jim