Why did you choose an ACD over the other guys? Visa-versa

[quruli]

Just wondering why those of you who have a Cinema Display, choose it over the other players out there.

To those of you who bought from the other players, why did you choose those over the ACD.

I hope this doesnt turn into a battle including "OMG the Apple Displays are so over-priced!!!".

I know that is a reason, but let's not bicker. Just give your reasons. And have a friendly discussion.

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

I got a 2005FPW because it was on major sale from Dell. Cheaper and the same panel really got me. With the new lowering of prices from ACD's, I'd probably buy the 23" since it's getting just as cheap as other displays.

 

[hal0n]

"exact same panel" means what exactly... when you consider that they don't have identical specs?

I bought the ACD, because I liked it (i've got the updated one). I didn't have the chance to use a dell. I'm not big on buying sight-unseen. And I feel comfortable that apple will resolve any problems that I may have with it.

 

[risc]

I sold my 2 AL ACDs when I got rid of my Power Mac G5 but I had them because they matched the computer. At the time if I had of known about the Dells I would of bought Dell instead, but with the new Apple pricing the ACD would be my first choice.

 

[eva01]

Got a Dell display because it is cheaper and i run my Xbox and GC off of it as well as my Powermac. And if need it i can connect my Powerbook as well

 

[iGary]

Because no one else made one that big at the time and I'm a size queen.

 

[shecky]

i got a viewsonic 20" flat panel widescreen because it was 40% of the price of a cinema display with better specs.

 

[stoid]

I got the Apple display because it physically matches my PowerBook. Also, as I will only be using it with my PowerBook, the additional ports of the Dell did not matter, but having the FireWire hub was very nice. Also, I read that Apple's ColorSync technology means that the display will automatically calibrate itself and since I am into graphic design and photography, having a well calibrated display is important to me.

Yes I could have saved money on the Dell, yes it would have served my needs, but the monitor is the primary way that my computer communicates with me and I felt that it was worth the premium (got the edu discount after the recent price drop so $899) for a display that looked must nicer to me.

 

[slooksterPSV]

I agree with the previous poster, I like the Firewire and USB Ports on the ACD, I know Dell and a couple other companies are just barely adopting the USB on Display. I love that idea.

Other than that, Mac stuff goes with Mac stuff. Same with Dell goes with Dell.

 

[NYmacAttack]

The ACD's just look amazing. The new prices and specs make them an excellent deal. IMO the Dell versions look cheap...

 

[kered22]

I got my Dell 2005FPW because of the lower price, that it used the same panel as the ACD 20" and finally the fact that it had so many inputs. DVI, VGA, S-video and RCA Composite (plus the 4 port USB hub). My CRT TV uses a LOT of watts and once I saw the impact on the powerbill (I live in Southern California), I realized I could just use the Dell as a TV too. Been doing so for about... 7 or 8 months now, haven't looked back once.

 

[quruli]

I got my Dell 2005FPW because of the lower price, that it used the same panel as the ACD 20" and finally the fact that it had so many inputs. DVI, VGA, S-video and RCA Composite (plus the 4 port USB hub). My CRT TV uses a LOT of watts and once I saw the impact on the powerbill (I live in Southern California), I realized I could just use the Dell as a TV too. Been doing so for about... 7 or 8 months now, haven't looked back once.

I think the 20" ACD is definetly a rip, when the Dell panel goes for close to $300. I am looking at the 23" as I get Apple style for not much more than the Dell Panel.

 

[bradc]

Right now I'm sitting in front of two 23" ACD's, why I bought them? Well, I like the industrial design, simplicity, the big aluminium base (I'm an engineer, I like metal!), and they make a statement. It's sort of like clothes, sure a shirt is a shirt, but, one makes a better statement

 

[macenforcer]

Right now I'm sitting in front of two 23" ACD's, why I bought them? Well, I like the industrial design, simplicity, the big aluminium base (I'm an engineer, I like metal!), and they make a statement. It's sort of like clothes, sure a shirt is a shirt, but, one makes a better statement

Gotcha shallow Hal.

I was buying the dells. I got the 2405fpw which is a great monitor and it has all the ports for any application like tv, xbox whatever. I got the 30" cinema display to go next to it becuase its just as cheap as the dell and the dell doesn't have the inputs like its smaller brothers so might as well go apple. Side by side the apple 30" is brighter and cleaner looking than the 24" dell but they are close enough to love them both. Dell has great deals on the 24" on down but the 30" rarely goes on sale.

 

[KingYaba]

Some people like name brand, apple, others dont' care so much.

 

[topgunn]

2007wfp because it has multiple inputs and it is 1/2 the cost.

 

[quruli]

Some people like name brand, apple, others dont' care so much.

Dell isn't a name brand?

 

[kainjow]

The ACD's just look amazing. The new prices and specs make them an excellent deal. IMO the Dell versions look cheap...

I agree. I just sold my PowerMac G5 and used the money to buy a 23" ACD (the new ones) for my MacBook. Beautifully designed, made by Apple so I know good quality (3 year support with AppleCare too!), 2 USB and 2 FW ports, all add up to made a great display. I was considering a Dell but couldn't put myself up to staring at that Dull logo all day long.

 

[slooksterPSV]

kainjow - does the MacBook do mirroring or does it actually do dual - iBooks you have to hack to do dual screens.

 

[kainjow]

kainjow - does the MacBook do mirroring or does it actually do dual - iBooks you have to hack to do dual screens.

The MacBook does mirroring and extended desktop, but I am using the ACD with my MacBook closed (also using InsomniaX to keep it from sleeping). Works nicely.

 

[slooksterPSV]

The MacBook does mirroring and extended desktop, but I am using the ACD with my MacBook closed (also using InsomniaX to keep it from sleeping). Works nicely.

Awesome, I hack my iBook when I have a 2nd monitor available. Being a developer with a small screen sucks. You ahve too many items open. I need like 4 30" ACD's. Not that my iB can support them, but it'd be nice.

 

[kainjow]

Awesome, I hack my iBook when I have a 2nd monitor available. Being a developer with a small screen sucks. You ahve too many items open. I need like 4 30" ACD's. Not that my iB can support them, but it'd be nice.

Yep I'm a developer too, and when I'm working I have tons of windows and stuff open and need mass space to manage everything

 

[cabasner]

I haven't bought either an ACD or an alternate yet, but when I DO get my Mac Pro, I'll be going with an Eizo or a LaCie LCD monitor. Why? Image quality. I use the computer primarily for PhotoShop and other imaging related stuff, so I want/need the highest quality image I can get. I understand the ACDs are pretty decent monitors, but not the BEST for critical work.

 

[hayduke]

The ADC height can't be adjusted without a *freakin'* phone book. I know they like sleek designs, but come on. No vertical adjustment? Just tilting? Sure, I could buy a $$$ VESA arm mount, but that just adds to the cost.

The Dell's look fine. They have a relatively small border and are mostly plain black. Sure, ADCs look nicer, but the cost is still a bit high. The Dell's have better video inputs, they do have USB, and some have card readers. Overall they are just a better deal. The only reason to buy an ADC is the look.

 

[beg_ne]

I recently bought a Samsung 20" LCD(Syncmaster 204B) to use with my Macbook it seemed like a good price and had height adjustment and you could rotate the display 90 degrees. I also have the older style non-metal ACD to use with my PowerMac. I didn't want to pay $99 to get the ADC - DVI adaptor and figured I could use the Samsung for both and sell my ACD and get the price of the other display taken care of, $300.

Unfortunately when I got it home i was very disappointed, first it took me like an hour and a half to get it adjusted so the colors didn't look so washed out and ****ty. After I got it at least decent I played around with it for about 3 more hours. The quality of it was just horrible. The color wasn't consistent from top to bottom and basically anything on the top half was horrible and the "better" bottom part was barely passable.

The next day I took it back and bought the ADC-DVI adaptor and have been happy since then.

Its shocking, the Samsung probably had at least twice as good specs. Brighter, more contrast, much faster response time, etc.. But it still couldn't touch this 3 year old ACD. When i get rid of this display I'm going to stick with Apple. Lesson learned.