Monitors

You could do better with a Dell 30" WFP unless you need the Apple branding

As a monitor it isn't bad, just a bit pricey.

 

Dell has price going for it ($799 for the 3007 at dell.com/outlet) as well as the huge range of connectivty options. The quality differences are minimal compared to the Apple Cinema Display.

You have a few groups of 30" displays.

Those using older S-IPS panels (some newer revisions than others):
Apple, Dell, DoubleSight (Hazro in the UK), HP, LG. Only the Dell 3008 has a scaler out of those which causes input lag and so the 3007WFP-HC is preferable if its only going to be used for a computer monitor.

Those using H-IPS panels:
Just the NEC LCD3090WQXi here as far as I know, better quality than all the S-IPS based displays. Also has a scaler so not ideal for gamers.

Those using S-PVA panels
Samsung 305T - The S-IPS displays are a better option, unless you get a great deal on price.
Samsung XL30 - LED Backlit and $3,500, has some use in the professional market.
Eizo - Most site and user reviews put it on a par with the NEC and most people would rather have an IPS panel.

 

I have the HP LP3065. I am extremely pleased with it.

The HP LP3065 gets slightly better reviews than Dell's 3007WFP-HC.
You are correct about Dell having the best price at $799 for a refurbished.
I would have gone with Dell but I found the LP3065 at an extremely great price.

This is what AnandTech had to say, "All other things being equal - and in our testing we would have to say that the Dell 3007WFP and HP LP3065 are in a dead heat - price and features are going to usually be the determining factors on what LCD people want to buy. In the features department, we definitely give the edge to HP, but this will really only matter to people who plan on using more than one computer with the display. Otherwise, you could basically purchase either of these LCDs and be happy."

Retrevo.com found 28 expert reviews of the Dell 3007WFP.
They say that those reviews add up to a 79% approval rating.

Retrevo.com found 22 expert reviews of the HP LP3065.
They say that those reviews add up to a 85% approval rating.
.

 

I have a 30" Apple display at work for HD video editing running in its highest resolution, 2560x1600. When I'm not editing I feel like everything is so small since the OS isn't vector based that either:

1) I have to zoom in with control + the mouse wheel
2) Lower the resolution, defeating the point of going for the 30" screen

At home I want a 24" but I hate the damn gloss.

 

well I have the older 23 ACD and obviously I cannot comment on the 30, I can only say the 23 has been great and if it's equal to or better you will love it.

the 24 has been the best monitor I have ever used by a mile and I have been through a lot at work as a data analyst

 

I've seen some negative comments about the mini displayport. Maybe a problem with NVIDIA cards?

Kellen in one post said, "People need the female DVI to MDP. Its DVI only out from nVidia, there isn't a DVI to MDP connector."

 

I just got my 24" Apple Display yesterday and it's bloody awesome

I mainly use my Pro for music production and damn Ableton Live looks so sexy. I never thought a display would inspire me to write music, lol. Oh and I love the gloss, don't know why people hate it.

Been running some of Call of Duty 4 with the 4870 card to test the machine and it looks too friggin awesome. Then again, I'm not a hardcore gamer.