Used 20" Cinema Display vs. New LCD/LED Monitor

[HungryWolf]

Just received my refurb Mac Mini and I want to replace my old 17" LCD monitor.

I'm looking into spending about $150-200 on a 20-23" LCD or LED monitor. My current options are buying a used A1081 Cinema Display or I can keep an eye out on a deal on a brand name monitor within the next month.

I guess I'm more curious if Apple's technology from years ago is still better than the low-mid range monitors that are available now. I've also read that there are sometimes compatibility issues with non-Apple monitors and that's the last thing I want to deal with.

I'm currently leaning towards the Cinema Display because I've always been a fan of Apple's hardware quality and workmanship. I'm also not going to lie, it looks cool.

I appreciate any opinions.

 

[mcb001982]

I would go new, the tech is better and you're getting a warranty also for basically the equivalent quality display. Granted in its time the ACD was kick ass and nothing could really touch it in the same price range but that was years ago now...

 

[MultiFinder17]

The 20" Cinema Display is still a stunningly beautiful display - I use one as the primary display on my mini, and although mine is six years old now, it is still clear and sharp with no dead pixels and beautiful color. I'm sure there are more advanced displays out there today, but for a combination of quality, looks, and integration with your Mac, the Cinema Display can't be beat.

 

[powerbook911]

The ACDs are amazing displays.

It's not a bad idea. I still have a 20-inch, and it beats up on any display I try.

However, it is too small for my main use, so it's just a second display off to the side now.

I'm considering getting a used 23-inch ACD to pair with it. The best alternative display I could find just isn't an ACD!

 

[HungryWolf]

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Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to pick up a 20" ACD and maybe upgrade to a 23" ACD when they are a little more reasonable. I really don't feel like risking a monitor not working well and having to ship it back and all that jazz.

Now I wish I had access to the for sale forums. Kind of sucks that I get dinged for reading 99% of the time and not post whoring.

 

[powerbook911]

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Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to pick up a 20" ACD and maybe upgrade to a 23" ACD when they are a little more reasonable. I really don't feel like risking a monitor not working well and having to ship it back and all that jazz.

Now I wish I had access to the for sale forums. Kind of sucks that I get dinged for reading 99% of the time and not post whoring.

I haven't seen any listed there the past weeks. However, once you get access to it, you can post a "want," ad and hope.

I'm sure you can find some threads and help people answer some questions or give some advice/experience and get the requirements pretty quick!

 

[MultiFinder17]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to pick up a 20" ACD and maybe upgrade to a 23" ACD when they are a little more reasonable. I really don't feel like risking a monitor not working well and having to ship it back and all that jazz.

Now I wish I had access to the for sale forums. Kind of sucks that I get dinged for reading 99% of the time and not post whoring.

Good to hear mate - believe me, you won't be disappointed by it. The ACDs are absolutely stunningly beautiful displays.

 

[elliotn]

I last bought a 20" Cinema Display five years ago. I replaced it (under Applecare) just before it's third birthday because the peripheral areas of the screen had become blotchy. The replacement suffered from uneven colour casts (green/magenta, left/right), and so did the following three replacements. I struck lucky with the fifth one, which is still looking good two years later. I also have a 24" HP ZR24w, which I'd recommend over the 20" ACD, and a very expensive Eizo, which is great, but possibly overpriced.

If you're using the monitor for colour critical applications (photography, graphics, video etc), I think the 20" ACD is not the best choice, unless you're lucky enough to get a really good one.

If you just want a monitor that looks cool - well, there's nothing that comes close.

 

[powerbook911]

I also have a 24" HP ZR24w

This is a great product. The 21.5-inch is also good in that it has nearly the same resolution as the 24-inch model. These are really quite nice displays, thought I still love the ACDs.

 

[HungryWolf]

I got lucky and found someone down on campus that was selling one alongside her G5 tower. Talked her into selling the ACD to me for $175, which is reasonable.

I will probably start dropping hints on a Stand by MI V2 to go along with the ACD and Mac Mini for Xmas. Kind of pricey but I'm okay with it as a gift!