Studio Display or Formac Gallery?

Formac has faster refresh, better contrast, and is brighter. Guess that means it's better at everything.

 

A couple of days ago I first saw the Formac 17" (actually 17.4") and it was beautiful. The image was nice and crisp, and very bright. I think the better specs + the lower price make the Formac a better investment. And the design of the Formac also looks very cool, similar to something Apple would put out, so it's not like you're trading looks for quality.

My $.02

 

Formac

I went and visited the Formac guys while I was in SF for the Expo, and being a CRT user for the last 12 years or so, I had to admit they had the brightest & clearest display I've ever seen on a LCD. Also, I noticed the "ghosting" was nearly gone and wasn't as noticeable as the Apple Displays (IMHO).

They also told be about their warranty coverage and dead pixel policy. They beat Apple hands down in both areas. 3 year warranty standard (1 year Apple, I believe) without a service plan and a 3 dead pixel replacement policy (vs. 10 for Apple if memory serves correct).

I also asked about the new model they released "AX", I believe, and I guess that carries a 7 dead pixel replacement and I think a 1 year warranty, but you also save $100 or so with that model and about $300 from Apple's 17" offering.

I'll probably be sticking with my CRT for awhile longer, but when it comes time to start looking at LCD's - Formac is definitely going to be my display of choice.

Hope this helps!

 

Formac, with pretty much the same reasons that have been given already...higher contrast ratio, better brightness, better dead pixel policy, and lower cost.

 

Duff-Man says, if you don't *need* it right away wait just a little bit longer 'cause we all know new Apple displays are coming "soon" (whatever soon means) and that could change the picture (pun intended)....Oh Yeah!

 

Another thought is if you don't need the desk space don't get a LCD. Plain and simply CRTs still knock the pants off of LCDs in contrast, refresh(by large amounts), brightness(by large amounts, sharpness, pixel count, price, screen area, resolution. Am I repeating myself?

I've had many talks with many different Apple employees and all say that they use a CRT because they are better and LCDs are just the current fad. They will be the way to go some day but until that day comes. I would rather spend $2,000 on this rather then a HD display. It has a 2304x1440 resolution at 80Hz.

 

Good news for 12" Al PowerBook fans

Formac will start selling a VGA version 17.4" display in the next couple weeks (about the same time 12" Al books arrive).

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0301/21.formac.php

Price?

$699

Hmmm, I may go for the 12" PowerBook after all...