New Displays at MacWorld?

[JackAxe]

And suckers often buy first gen Macs. *I KID*

I'll gladly pay a bit more for Apple's displays, since they offer OS X integration, things like Firewire ports, and overall better quality. Most competitors like Dell as an example, generally cut corners and wrap their products in cheap plastic to reach a lower price point. Dell makes some creaky displays.

I wouldn't complain if Apple did offer some of Dell's features though, like HDMI and component inputs, but the camera would be dated to soon, so I wouldn't want it.

<]=)

 

[elppa]

I can't see what all the fuss is about.

This move was an obvious step as soon as Steve announced that Photo Booth would be part of Leopard, along with the additional features for iChat video.

They wouldn't want their pro/mini customers missing out on the fun.

I bet plenty of other display manufacturers putting cameras in their displays within a year if Apple does.

I don't see how the quality of the camera is going to age any quicker than the quality of the display.

Plus you can just ignore the camera if you so choose.

I don't even notice the camera on my MacBook most of the time.

The only thing I would like is for them to make it easy to service, so if something goes wrong with the camera, you can just slide a new one in, without having to replace the display unit.

 

[Analog Kid]

Wow, I'm surprised by how negative the reaction is to this... It seems like such a little thing.

Personally, I've been waiting for iSight integration... It looks to me like Apple is really trying to press their advantage in video conferencing and this would certainly help. I know we'd use it at home when one of us is traveling. I use an outboard iSight at work sometimes and it's great. At home, I don't really want the extra stuff stuck to my monitor.

I've also been kind of hoping that all of this resolution-independent UI stuff for a future with high density displays might mean these higher density displays were coming sooner rather than later...

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Wow, I'm surprised by how negative the reaction is to this... It seems like such a little thing.

Personally, I've been waiting for iSight integration... It looks to me like Apple is really trying to press their advantage in video conferencing and this would certainly help. I know we'd use it at home when one of us is traveling. I use an outboard iSight at work sometimes and it's great. At home, I don't really want the extra stuff stuck to my monitor.

I've also been kind of hoping that all of this resolution-independent UI stuff for a future with high density displays might mean these higher density displays were coming sooner rather than later...

The negative reactions are probably due to a) many people on here owning or having recently bought the expensive ACDs and so will be upset if they become 'old' models in a few weeks time, b) many people really like the stand alone iSight and if anything would prefer an HD variant instead of integrated, c) goverments, banks and even universities do not like webcams and as such would shy away from displays with intergrated isights.
Personally I fit in the first two groups listed above as I made clear earlier, I made a point of buying my ACD at the same time I bought my Mac Pro so that it could be covered by the 3 year Applecare. Many people have done the same, many people waited for the Mac Pro and then bought an ACD with it at the same time. A slightly faster machine is one thing or a slightly brighter display is another, a completely different look means it looks like 'old' technology which you don't really want with a setup just a couple of months old. I'd have expected the displays to stay the way they are until at least WWDC '07.

One thing that people often don't realise too is that a built in webcam into a large display is kind of stupid since people sit differently in front of them. Sometimes I slouch, sometimes I lean back, sometimes I lean forwards. With a seperate iSight I can tilt it depending on how I want to sit whilst in conversation. With an inbuilt iSight I'd have to move the entire display, something I'd rather not do on a regular basis.

 

[davepoint]

All I ask is that they give the specs a proper update so that the taste of paying well over the odds for a display with worse specs than cheaper displays is not so bitter..

 

[WildPalms]

I agree, unless the new displays come at much lower prices (which is a possiblity, maybe? a nice $200, 15" display?) There's definitely a market for it.

You're forgetting what the target of the mini is....BYOKVM

 

[DHagan4755]

Forget about iSights in Cinema Displays for a moment. Do you think this would be the time to start using LED backlighting?

 

[Xtremehkr]

Oh good, this is usually accompanied by a price drop. I hope that the price of the 30" goes down another $500. It's almost time for Apple to announce the next size up. I wonder if it will be a 37", 40", or 42".

 

[AidenShaw]

Bigger?

It's almost time for Apple to announce the next size up. I wonder if it will be a 37", 40", or 42".

For desktop use, the 30" is already almost too big - the corners are so far away from the center that you get off-axis effects.

Ever noticed that people with two or more displays almost always have them placed at an angle so that the view from the chair is centered on the center of each display?

For non-desktop use (e.g. kiosks or info displays) the 1080p LCD televisions are already at 46" and up - no hole for Apple to fill there.

I suspect that Apple will go for higher resolution - say 3072x1920 or 4096x2304 - but stick close to 30" for the largest.

 

[Maccus Aurelius]

Integrated iSights sounds nice and all, but one shouldn't have to get it when purchasing the latest Apple display. Knowing apple, it will probably not be optional. But since larger, stand-alone units take higher quality pictures, Pro users that have any use for iSights will probably prefer to have the stand-alone over the integrated, which is more of a consumer-level gizmo that's fun for iChat use.

Content piracy is a very very poor reason to get rid of stand alone cameras. If that were the case camcorders and digital cameras with video capability would be outlawed. I'm sure Apple will just bring a revision to the iSight. Being unable to fully control the direction of the camera without moving the actual display around will make the lack of a stand alone a big hole in apple's lineup. People with PPC laptops who don't have iSights may end up wanting a stand alone iSight, and if the stand-alone is abolished, Apple would pretty much slap pre-macbook people in the face. Being so early in the game, there are too many PPC users out there to suddenly abandon. How many of them would REALLY sacrifice portability for a giant display because of an iSight? Considering the prices of displays, a drop in price would make infinitely more sense. People would most likely rather pay less for the display, then use some of that money saved to get the OPTIONAL iSight, but not be obligated to have an iSight.

 

[macintel4me]

... I suspect that Apple will go for higher resolution - say 3072x1920 or 4096x2304 - but stick close to 30" for the largest.

Exactly!!

 

[Livid]

The higher DPI displays will probably come after Leopard ships.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2168

 

[RichP]

It is ABSURD people complain about new stuff coming out. If Apple just stuck to the same products with no new features or integration, then the company would be out of business very quick.

I dont think we will see LED backlight anytime soon. NEC makes a screen with one, and it is VERY expensive, albeit the image quality is supposedly much better.

It would be great to have higher-resolution panels in the current sizes, along with Leopard resolution independence; however, I dont think anyone on the market is making desktop panels that are high dot-pitch (the Apple/Dell/Samsung 30" has some of the smallest pixels out there). I think resolution independence is going to be geared toward the laptop market for so than the desktop.

 

[Mr Ikasu]

Probably been mentioned earlier but does anyone think that with the rumour that they will have HDMI input it might mean these will be more 'living room' screen as opposed to desk screens. PCs and Macs don't really use HDMI in my experience, it tends to be AV components, games consoles etc.

With the launch of the iTV in January and Steve making quite a bit about the move into the living room this might make sense no?

 

[iDave]

There's a camera in my MacBook. While I've never used it, I'm glad it's there and I know it didn't cost more than about $10. I might want to use it someday.

My list of desired features for new displays, not necessarily in this order:

1) Higher resolution
2) More USB ports (on the side, not the back)
3) Thinner bezels
4) Built-in cameras
5) Faster response
6) Higher contrast
7) HDCP (to properly display protected HD content)
8) Better prices

I hope Apple's displays are updated soon. Otherwise I think I'm going to buy a Dell. Dell's displays are nice and they're inexpensive.

 

[Maccus Aurelius]

I have a macbook, and I often sell things on ebay, so the isight makes things so easy since I can snap pics of all my items for sale on my system without having to download files from a digital camera. Integrated iSights are great, but I think the stand alone is still needed because people who have PPC laptops and headless macs with non-apple displays would probably not want to pay for a whole new display just for the isight. It just makes sense to keep offering the isight as a separate unit.

Edit:A few people i've talked to don't like apple displays because of their relatively poor response time compared to other displays. This doesn't really make much a difference to any user that's not into desktop gaming, but for those that are it's a big deal. A faster response time would probably sell it better, and more ports would be great since it means even people with computers that have anemic peripheral connections, like my macbook, would be able to expand even further. What kept me from buying an Apple display so far has been the price. They're great displays, but I can't justify paying that much for them, since other manufacturers provide similar if not identical image quality for a much better price.

 

[iDave]

Probably been mentioned earlier but does anyone think that with the rumour that they will have HDMI input it might mean these will be more 'living room' screen as opposed to desk screens.

I wouldn't expect HDMI in Apple displays unless Apple goes into the TV business like Dell and Gateway. As others have mentioned, the only reason for HDMI is to combine video and audio in one cable.

Since Apple is preparing the "iTV" for release, it would almost make sense for them to sell a TV to go with it but I don't really expect them to. High resolution computer displays are too expensive to be used exclusively as TVs. So an Apple TV would have to be a different product with a cheaper panel, built in speakers and a tuner.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Better Display's cost more

I hope everyone that complains about Apple's Displays know that Dell and Viewsonic aren't leading the market when it comes to LCD tech. NEC, Panasonic and LaCie are pretty much the leaders with NEC crushing pretty much all other competitors.

Dell and Viewsonic specialize in selling consumer and low cost LCDs at a bargain price. NEC Apple and LaCie special in making monitors for the professional. No one is supposed to buy a Mac Mini with an ACD That is what the iMac is for.

If you are buying a MacPro and have already spent $3000 on it and can't afford the display of your dreams then...... that's life. There isn't anything wrong with Dells and Viewsonics... the market for those guys isn't the market Apple is after.

 

[iDave]

Dell and Viewsonic specialize in selling consumer and low cost LCDs at a bargain price. NEC Apple and LaCie special in making monitors for the professional. ...There isn't anything wrong with Dells and Viewsonics... the market for those guys isn't the market Apple is after.

Yebut, how much can an aluminum housing really cost? Except for that, the Apple and Dell displays are basically the same. They use the same panels (from LG, last I heard). Except for small differences in inputs/outputs, what's the difference? Dell actually has a new 30" coming out very soon (if it's not out already) that beats Apple specs at a lower price. Sure, the plastic housing appears cheaper but for so-called "pro" use, it's a better display.

 

[superleccy]

An output device (like a TV) supporting HDCP is a good thing. That means players that use HDCP will be able to DISPLAY CONTENT.

If the PLAYBACK DEVICE uses HDCP, it's crippled. If the monitor has HDCP, it's versatile.

I stand corrected - cheers.

SL

 

[AppliedVisual]

And this is a good thing for an honest consumer? What? Am I missing something? Lord. Sorry, when I buy a piece of content, I believe I should be able to do with it what I please, as LONG as I don't begin mass transmitting the product on a LARGE scale.

And HDCP doesn't stop you from doing just that... Even with HDCP, you can mass transmit and broadcast. I think you're missing the point of HDCP and why you would want it on a display. But beyond that, I don't want to drag this thread into an argument over intellectual property rights, especially since HDCP has little influence or bearing un such things.

 

[C.A.T.S. CEO]

I think its a great idea that Apple is putting iSights in displays. a detachable one would be the best. with Wi-Fi. so you could put it on a stand if you didn't have one of the new displays or use it as a hand-held video camera that is in direct contact with your Airport card (that would be really cool if you had a MB(P)

 

[AppliedVisual]

Forget about iSights in Cinema Displays for a moment. Do you think this would be the time to start using LED backlighting?

Yes. Samsung and others are... Well, it's really up to the panel manufacturers, not Apple as an OEM monitor integrator. They have to buy the panel systems from a supplier (Samsung, Hitachi, etc..) and those panels usually are paired with a backlight system. Haven't seen LED backlights much in the way of computer monitors, but it's starting to really emerge as a common tech with HDTV displays.

 

[Evangelion]

Expect to watch a lot of black pixels then - the people who own the content deserve to be able to control the conditions under which it can be displayed.

the case here is that the content-industry is telling us that "yes, you bought it, you paid for it, and it's legal to make copies of it. but we will still assume that you are a criminal, and we will deny you your fair-use rights".

no, they do not "deserve" to treat us like that. the content-industry has become nothing but arrogant bullies.

 

[iDave]

the case here is that the content-industry is telling us that "yes, you bought it, you paid for it, and it's legal to make copies of it. but we will still assume that you are a criminal, and we will deny you your fair-use rights".

no, they do not "deserve" to treat us like that. the content-industry has become nothing but arrogant bullies.

Then vote with your wallet and do not buy any DVDs, while writing to the studios to tell them why you don't.