Is a 30" apple display still worth buying?

[orph]

Hay just noticed a 30" apple display going locally for an ok price, kind of tempting (even comes with box lol).

but is it still worth getting a 30" display these days?
it must be getting old now do they fail or fade with age?
anything to check for if i go to view it?

am i better of getting a new display it's the same price as a good 24" 1080p display.

Thanks

 

[ProjectManager101]

No way, get the 30". I am typing on mine now. In my office many people have the 30". There are two versions, look in Google, the first one was a bit dark and the second one is the one, very bright. For some reason people think they need to be replaced but guess what? You can get even 3 of them, each at $300 and in perfect condition.

The resolution is 2560 x 2048 = 4,096,000 = 4K

And yes, some are losing brightness but they still way better option than many out there. And the brightness would be a problem if you are working in a place with too much sunlight. But it is a good thing to buy if is in a good shape.

 

[orph]

Thanks for the reply, ill ask what revision it is.

Iv had some displays fade/fail over time (I have a vewsonic on last legs plugged in to a macbook pro, the laptops displays back light having failed) so not shore if I need to be wary of that.

The thing that makes me pause is that for a bit less than being asked i can get something like a Benq BL240pt/BL2710PT which has 100% srgb coverage + warranty etc or maybe even a display with a LUT if i do some looking around.

my main interests are getting a second display for video editing (bigger than 1080P by a tad is nice but not on a small panel).
Srgb coverage and calibration at 100-120 lumen etc for stills

(& it's a long drive to pick up, but looks pristine with original box so hoping it was a kind owner)

 

[cupcakes2000]

The resolution is 2560 x 2048 = 4,096,000 = 4K

View attachment 585678

Can't comment on the monitor, but this statement is not true. 4K is not measured by whatever method you used there, but is denoted by the amount of thousands in the horizontal resolution.
4K = 4096 x 2160
5K = 5120 x 2280

As opposed to the old system whereby the vertical is measured instead
1080p = 1920 x 1080 etc..

the old way (measured in the new way) would be 2160p,
and the new way (measured in the old way) would be 2K, if you know what I mean..

 

[orph]

yep i think there old school 19:10 ratio so it's more like a taller 1440p display.
im not sold on 4k yet, to meany pixels , just not needed for me.

ill keep thinking about it but might be better to get a display with LUT or better srgb coverage, the prices have droped since last time i looked.

 

[pastrychef]

As great as the old 30" Cinema Display was, I would recommend you have a look at some of the new 4K monitors out there. Image quality of my Dell 27" 4K monitor is stunning. Brighter and sharper than anything I've ever used before.

 

[c8rlo]

As great as the old 30" Cinema Display was, I would recommend you have a look at some of the new 4K monitors out there. Image quality of my Dell 27" 4K monitor is stunning. Brighter and sharper than anything I've ever used before.

the prices of 4k monitors have gone down ALOT, i would snag one myself but i have to get rid of my dual monitor setup...

 

[juanm]

Is it worth buying? Only if it's a very good price.
Is it worth keeping it, if you own one? Yes!

I recently sold mine, but only because I didn't really use it. It still ran great.

 

[pastrychef]

I think I recently saw the Dell P2715Q for $450. Personally, I would take this over the 30" Cinema Display any day.

 

[orph]

I think i might skip it, it's a 3 hour drive to pick up (each way) & the price is good v other apple 30" displays but all apple products sell for more than there worth used.
if it was in the next city id jump on it and be able to drop by and check it's as advertised.

had a quick look on amazon uk and found a BenQ BL2700ht for under £200 (27" 1080p) and a BenQ BL2410PT for about £160 (24" 1080p & looks like it calibrates well)

thanks for all the advice.

ps if i ever see one close to me i might brake and grab one, still think it's a better looking display than the new apple ones and almost any other display i can think of

 

[h9826790]

Monitor is the same as other computer component. The newer one usually has better technology and spec. I prefer to go for the new display unless the old 30" ACD is really cheap and fit exactly what you need.

 

[ProjectManager101]

Monitor is the same as other computer component. The newer one usually has better technology and spec. I prefer to go for the new display unless the old 30" ACD is really cheap and fit exactly what you need.

If is cheap is a deal. I wouldn't pay more than $300 for one. It is an awesome option but today monitors are brighter and more accurate.

 

[orph]

found a Eizo S2231W a 22" 1680x1050 rez on ebay it's a 8bit panel with a 10 bit LUT (i think?). 99% sRGB & 90% aRGB coverage according to http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2008/review-eizo-s2231w-part10.html
it's a model from 2008/9 so about the same age.

vary cheep £75 with postage, might be fun to get, not quite 30" but next to my 24" display i think it'll fit well.

I only relay need a second display to get some more room but if this display has aged well it might eand up being a good proofing screen for when i do color work

what do you think?

 

[james-jones]

it must be getting old now do they fail or fade with age?

The 30" Cinema Display used CCFL backlighting, which does fade noticeably - especially at this age. It is also harder on the eyes than a nice LED backlight without that flicker...

 

[mBox]

The 30" Cinema Display used CCFL backlighting, which does fade noticeably - especially at this age. It is also harder on the eyes than a nice LED backlight without that flicker...

Ive had over 12 in my years in day job production dept.

They do fade, blemish and some have just died.

I finally picked one up personally for $300 US used.

I love em compared to my Dell U2711 and LG 31MU97 31" 4K LCDs.

Only cause Im so used to the desktop resolution (2K).

The 4K makes them icons too tiny and Dells just come under sized in screen space for me.

If I can find another Apple Cinema 30" for under $300 USD I would be happy for a few more years.

I work mainly on 4K and up film production at home.

 

[jdiamond]

I'd say this monitor would easily be worth $500 if in decent shape. I made the mistake of trying a 32" VA panel monitor based on reviews that claimed it was nearly as good as IPS panels. It is nothing like IPS panels - it's like taking an IPS panel and looking at it through a sheet of tracing paper. 27" 16:9 monitors are really cheap, but they have substantially less area, and if you're used to a 30" monitor, it will be hard to adjust.

One caveat: I picket up a ZR30W a couple of years ago used for $550, and it only lasted 14 months! At that price/month, I could have afforded a U3014 or similar.

4K monitors are cool, but none of our computers in the house can drive them yet.

 

[jdiamond]

BL2700ht

That's a downgrade on two fronts: Size and panel type. If you have the time, please share with us how you feel it compares to the 30" IPS monitors.

 

[mBox]

4K monitors are cool, but none of our computers in the house can drive them yet.

Its all cool that my nMP can drive the LG 31MU97 but those icons are way too small to deal with on a daily basis.
So for now I use it as a 4K display for a REDRAY which is REDs 4K defunct player.