Home >> Computer Add-Ons >> Monitors
Home >> Computer Add-Ons
Apple Cinema 30" HD Flat-Panel Display | List Price: $1,799.99
Discount Price: Too low to display
|
Brand: Apple
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - 2,560 x 1,600 optimal resolution, 16.7 million colors, Brightness 400cd/m2, Contrast ratio 700:1
- Industry-standard DVI connector
- Design complements the latest Power Macs and PowerBooks
- 2-port USB 2.0 hub, 2 FireWire 400 ports
- Requires NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL Card
Don't attempt to rationalize - Trust your instincts [Posted on 2007-11-29]
In all likelihood, you are reading this review with two separate goals in mind. First, you want to make sure that nothing is horribly wrong with the lyrically-beautiful, breathtakingly-enormous 30-inch Cinema Display. After all, it is only natural to worry that its intoxicating attractiveness is counterpoised by some hidden, yet devastating, flaw. Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief: it is flawless. Indeed, it represents the very essence of perfection in both function and form.
Second, you are reading this review in a desperate attempt to find some way to justify the purchase of a 30-inch Cinema Display. Perhaps you need to justify it to your thrifty spouse, and are trying to find a reasonable answer to that inevitable question, "but why do you NEED a 30-inch monitor?" Or perhaps you must justify the purchase to an emotionless manager, who is unable to appreciate the aesthetic beauty of this gargantuan monitor. Fortunately, previous reviewers have outlined a number of possible justifications that you might find helpful: a larger monitor improves work efficiency, reduces strain on your eyes, can double as a TV set, etc. Simply select the justification that will be most convincing to your target audience, and don't take no for an answer. I wish you luck.
However, never lose sight of this fact: you do not need to justify the purchase of a 30-inch Cinema Display to yourself. Even trying to do so is dangerous, since in all probability you will be unable to justify spending $1800 on an enormous monitor when you have a perfectly serviceable monitor already. Yes, I'm sure that some people have a genuine need for a 30-inch monitor, but (be honest with yourself) you are almost certainly not one of them.
And more to the point, any attempt at justification is irrelevant. This monitor is not about need, or utility, or functionality, or productivity, or other such tedious concepts. It is about sheer, unabashed, covetousness. You want it. You must possess it. You feel an inexplicable, unjustifiable compulsion to buy it. The vast expanse of the 29.7-inch viewable area haunts your waking thoughts, and appears in your dreams as a luminous vision of perfection that is always just out of reach.
Don't question it. Just buy it.
A year ago today, I did exactly that. Twice. Now, looking at both of my 30-inch monitors in front of me, I feel that I have come closer to true contentment than most people do in a lifetime. Is that shallow? Maybe. But I don't think so. And I'm willing to bet that you don't either. If you did, you would have stopped reading this review a long time ago.
productivity booster, well worth the price [Posted on 2008-03-05]
I bought mine used, it is definitely the best choice of a monitor I ever made.
I have to sit in front of the computer for hours on end - and this one is a really productivity booster. Despite the size and weight it is very easy to move around. It is a perfect fit to the MacBook Pro. I use the small screen for my email and things, and together with the large one I finally have all the space available to run three applications at once, plus all the references I need on the side. I work as a translator, and I need to research terms, have the source and target document open side by side, and google things at the same time. The 30 inch monitor is the only way to do this without having to go back and forth between programs. And besides, it looks wonderful on the desk, I always like coming back to it.
Stunning [Posted on 2008-03-30]
This is the very best monitor available. High quality digital photos take on a 3d look and it allows for several pages of text with room for tv in the corner.
I am running it with a Gateway DX440X which has a strong video card and it runs perfectly smoothly.
My photos from the national gallery are stunning. I didn't have any bad pixels that I can find...some have complained of that.
pc
Amazing view--but get the extended warranty [Posted on 2008-03-30]
I love my Apple Cinematic Display. It's the best monitor I've ever had and I've had several. The color's crisp, the text is easy to read. Both computer and TV images are sharp and beautifully rendered. The tilt is a useful feature that prevents strain looking straight on.
Note: You do need to get the extended warranty. My display is currently in for service and I'm VERY glad I made the investment on the AppleCare service.
My service plan called for the monitor to be sent away for repairs. I believe there is an option to upgrade your AppleCare and get in-home repairs. If you are buying a monitor today, look carefully at your warranty plan options and make sure you get one that will get your monitor back to you ASAP. Once you have one of these wonderful displays, it's VERY hard doing without them.
Stunning Picture on this Display, could use a refresh in some specs... [Posted on 2008-06-28]
Just got the 30" Apple Cinema Display, after agonizing for months on which brand/model to buy for a large desktop monitor. I've had this for 3 days now, hooked up to my 17" Mac Book Pro notebook, and my initial impression is that the picture is stunning, much better at home that when I've seen these on display at several other stores, including the Apple Store. The colors and brightness are amazing out of the box, and I still haven't had a chance to use a color calibration tool, waiting for a Huey Pro to arrive in the mail early next week.
After much agonizing, and A LOT of research on other brands/models, I recommend this monitor. A couple of items, this model could use a slight refresh in specs, no iSight camera, can't buy standalone anymore, there should be one integrated into the bezel, like the iMacs and notebook computers from Apple. Also, if there is going to be a hub for ports, add a couple of firewire 800 ports alongside the USB and FW 400 ones already on it. Other than that, I say go ahead a buy, you will not regret it!
Click here for more details and discount information...
|
){kind=link}