I have a 2G 20" cinema display and am looking to upgrade to a 23". I know the prices were dropped very recently, so it's unlikely more changes are coming. Does anyone expect there to be price drops, iSight integration, or a larger (25"? 27"?) display introduced around MWSF or immediately after, or should I buy now?
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23" display: buy or wait?
- Thread starter kay
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I've read that the 20 inch panel in the new iMac is better than the one in the 20 inch display and so that hints that the 20 inch panel at least will be updated soon. As such Apple's displays are due for an overhaul in specs, and it might be reasonable to assume that the drop in price was a measure to move the last of the displays before the new ones debut at MWSF.
I second that, and am also shopping for a 23" ACD, but am waiting till January 10th! The specs of the ACD are out of date, a response time of 16 mS, every competitor has 12 mS or lower nowadays, some even 4 mS. Also with the new generation of graphic cards in the new G5's, Apple will have to deliver faster, more responsive displays. And don't get me started on the contrast ratio 
. Also that the price dropped, has to mean clearing out inventory. The screens are still beautifull, and good enough for everyday use, but wait a month, for the same price you can buy a much better screen in a months time. If the price of the new ACD will go up, you can always buy an old one for the price they are sold now, there is always some "old" inventory.
. Also that the price dropped, has to mean clearing out inventory. The screens are still beautifull, and good enough for everyday use, but wait a month, for the same price you can buy a much better screen in a months time. If the price of the new ACD will go up, you can always buy an old one for the price they are sold now, there is always some "old" inventory.
I would wait. Apple does indeed have new displays, it's just a matter of when they will be releasing them. My guess would be sooner rather than later. I have been explaining throughout these Forums as of late that the new 20" iMac does indeed have a newer, better display in it than Apple's existing 20" display, so as I said, it's just a matter of time. If not MWSF, then soon after would be my guess.
Since making the switch to Apple I have always wondered about their monitors. My understanding a few years ago was that Apple made the very best monitors which would have explained the drastically higher prices of them. I guess this is a question/opinion post, but I really hope Apple either knocks our socks off with their next monitor update either in features or quality, b/c as it stands I would not pay the extra hundreds of dollars for a monitor that is even relatively similar let alone often disputed as being any better then a vastly cheaper Dell.
The thing that sucks about Dell is that they can't make at least approximately the same prices in different countries. In Austria (where I live) the 20" Dell is about 50 cheaper than the 20" ACD, far away from being "vastly cheaper". No way am I going to buy an ugly black plastic thing for almost the same price as the beautiful Apple display. Let's see what january brings, I've saved enough!
I got a 23" 2 weeks ago with a mac mini and applecare. It doesnt have any color problem, and the display itself is amazing. I do have one problem with it, there is a backlight problem (on of the lights in the monitor is dimmer) resulting in a darker line across the top of the screen. I called them and offered to replace it asap. People at apple care are realy friendly.
I will exchange it in january since I'm too busy to send it atm, and apple tech said it was no problem, I had 3 years with apple care.
So if they release a new one in jan. when I return my model I might get the new model.
But I dont realy care, latest revision of this monitor is amazing, just make sure you dont buy it in a store (as usualy they have been sitting there for months - so they have the old revisions problems).
The only thing is, when you get used to 23" after a week or 2, it starts to feel small... Next monitor I buy will be the 30"
Anyway, I realy love my monitor, and I realy woudnt see myself having a plastic dell instead. Alluminium make it feel as a much better quality monitor.
Edit: Apple care with monitor on a mac mini cost almost 200$ can$ less. So if your thinking about getting a mini, you can look at it like your saving on applecare (since the smaller mini is like 550$ student price, it drops it to like 350-400$ and you get a 3 year monitor protection ).
I will exchange it in january since I'm too busy to send it atm, and apple tech said it was no problem, I had 3 years with apple care.
So if they release a new one in jan. when I return my model I might get the new model.
But I dont realy care, latest revision of this monitor is amazing, just make sure you dont buy it in a store (as usualy they have been sitting there for months - so they have the old revisions problems).
The only thing is, when you get used to 23" after a week or 2, it starts to feel small... Next monitor I buy will be the 30"
Anyway, I realy love my monitor, and I realy woudnt see myself having a plastic dell instead. Alluminium make it feel as a much better quality monitor.
Edit: Apple care with monitor on a mac mini cost almost 200$ can$ less. So if your thinking about getting a mini, you can look at it like your saving on applecare (since the smaller mini is like 550$ student price, it drops it to like 350-400$ and you get a 3 year monitor protection
).