24'' Apple Cinema LED Display alternatives?

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Marc Dwonn

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Oct 15, 2009
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Hello,

I just discovered this forum and searched a bit, but have not really found satisfying answers yet. The picture the 24'' ACD produces is great. And since it's an IPS panel that's supposedly used in other brands too, i wonder what other monitors can deliver the same picture quality like the ACD? :confused:

The glossy surface is one of the things that would not suit me well, i think, so that's one of the reasons against the Apple unit.

Any suggestions from those in the know?
 
What's with all the people repeatedly asking pretty much the same question and opening different thread title.
Ctrl+F "24" on the main Displays page and you will find the top three usual suspects from NEC/Dell/HP. The pros and cons of each monitor are detailed described in their respective thread.
 
The NEC 2490wuxi (yes, the expensive one) would be the only other standard gamut 24" IPS monitor available for any price. If wide gamut doesn't bother you, then the Dell U2410 and HP LP2475 are worth looking at.

Another issue with the ACD 24" is that it does not have DVI, HDMI or Displayport connections - it uses instead the miniDisplayport connector, which, as far as I know, is a challenge to connect to a PC.
 
There are a few MiniDP --> (common video input) adapters around, at least on the apple website.
 
Thanks evilsofa, i hoped there are other options i've overlooked. So, as i want to avoid wide gamut, the 2490 NEC seems like the only option, right?

How does it compare to the Apple unit? Does it have inferior quality or does it match?

My questions are specific, i hope that someone has seen these displays "in the flesh" and can comment on picture quality in comparison to each other, something i cannot find in the threads pointed out by user Airey. ;)

@p4gs: Yeah i know, but there are other issues, for example the limited ergonomics (no up-down adjustment, no buttons on the front etc.)
 
p4gs said:
There are a few MiniDP --> (common video input) adapters around, at least on the apple website.
Click to expand...

The cables Apple has are all male Mini DP to whatever. That is so you can connect display devices with other inputs into a Mac that has a Mini DP. I only know of two companies making a female Mini DP to male DP cable and that will allow you to connect it to a DP. At least it is supposed to work. (Read below.)

http://estore.circuitassembly.com/p...Female-to-Displayport-Male-Adapter-Cable.html

http://www.cpustuff.com/Mini-Displayport-Female-to-Displayport-Male-p-16245.html

I have the 24" Apple Cinema Display and am trying to use it with a XFX Radeon 5850 and the Circuit Assembly cable but the setup doesn't work for me. I'm still in the process of troubleshooting it to find out what is wrong but ATI and XFX are unable to help me. My next step is to replace the card with a different brand and see if it works.

Another choice is to use the converter from Atlona, which costs $180. It is the only such converter currently shipping, thought others have been announced.

http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-DVI-to-Mini-DisplayPort-Converter-p-17859.html

This has been an ordeal for me but I asked myself the same question as the OP, what is an alternative, and the answer I arrived at was there isn't really an alternative. If you want an LED IPS display the Apple is all there is. I also have a 24" iMac which uses the same panel as the NEC, and it doesn't even begin to compare. I've not seen the NEC in person, but unless their backlight makes a huge difference, I would rather spend the $180 on the converter and stick with the Apple Cinema Display. I bought a refurb for $599, and they still have them on the Apple Store online.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB382LL/A?mco=MTA4MjcwOTc
 
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Marc Dwonn said:
@p4gs: Yeah i know, but there are other issues, for example the limited ergonomics (no up-down adjustment, no buttons on the front etc.)
Click to expand...

The ergonomics seem fine to me, but my desk and chair put me at the right spot so I don't need adjustments for the height.

But as far as on screen controls that is true. You won't be able to adjust brightness or anything else. I've only used mine on a Mac so far and haven't felt the need to adjust anything, but I can't comment on what it is like using it with a PC since I've not been successful at that yet.

As far as comparisons, the only displays I can compare to are the 24" iMac, which I commented on in my last post, and the new LED Samsung XL2370, which is nice but not as bright as the ACD. Also it is a TN panel and I've had some issues with it, though others have told me I just have a bad unit.
 
Sorry I came across so harsh, but your question is pretty subjective.

"seeing these displays "in the flesh" most likely won't help because
1. in store, they're likely not calibrated
2. if one has multiple monitors, it'll be the same one
3. people upgraded overtime will share their experience in the thread

There's alot of professional reviews on this thread, and some people's eye are trained very well, thus they spot flaws that most of us will not notice if not ever told. Everyone has their favorite, based on different needs and money.

Plus the 4 most popular 24"ers have been out for awhile now, there are really detailed reviews if you open those thread and take the time to read them. People do compare one with each of the other three. People do take the time and write those reviews voluntarily, it doesn't take that long to click in and read them.
 
Lava Lamp Freak said:
The cables Apple has are all male Mini DP to whatever. That is so you can connect display devices with other inputs into a Mac that has a Mini DP. I only know of two companies making a female Mini DP to male DP cable and that will allow you to connect it to a DP. At least it is supposed to work. (Read below.)

http://estore.circuitassembly.com/p...Female-to-Displayport-Male-Adapter-Cable.html

http://www.cpustuff.com/Mini-Displayport-Female-to-Displayport-Male-p-16245.html

I have the 24" Apple Cinema Display and am trying to use it with a XFX Radeon 5850 and the Circuit Assembly cable but the setup doesn't work for me. I'm still in the process of troubleshooting it to find out what is wrong but ATI and XFX are unable to help me. My next step is to replace the card with a different brand and see if it works.
Click to expand...

Have you had any dialogue (forum posts, emails) with Circuit Assembly regarding that female to male cable you're trying to get working? They seem to be fairly active on their forums. I'm *very* interested in this setup (Apple 24" cinema display + ATI 5850/5870) as well and was actually eyeballing their cable....
 
Surly said:
Have you had any dialogue (forum posts, emails) with Circuit Assembly regarding that female to male cable you're trying to get working? They seem to be fairly active on their forums. I'm *very* interested in this setup (Apple 24" cinema display + ATI 5850/5870) as well and was actually eyeballing their cable....
Click to expand...

They replaced the cable and tested the replacement with an Apple Cinema Display in their office before sending it to me, and they said it worked. I've heard from a few people who are using the cable and they say it works, so at this point it seems to be an issue with the XFX 5850. I'm going to try to exchange my XFX for another brand and see if it works. I have been able to get it working with the Atlona converter, but since that box is an additional expense and the card should work on its own, I'm hoping a different brand will work so I can send this converter back. If all else fails I will keep it, but a DisplayPort card should power a DisplayPort monitor without a converter.
 
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Lava Lamp Freak said:
They replaced the cable and tested the replacement with an Apple Cinema Display in their office before sending it to me, and they said it worked. I've heard from a few people who are using the cable and they say it works, so at this point it seems to be an issue with the XFX 5850. I'm going to try to exchange my XFX for another brand and see if it works. I have been able to get it working with the Atlona converter, but since that box is an additional expense and the card should work on its own, I'm hoping a different brand will work so I can send this converter back. If all else fails I will keep it, but a DisplayPort card should power a DisplayPort monitor without a converter.
Click to expand...

Please keep the thread updated with whatever you find! :)
 
Lava Lamp Freak said:
This has been an ordeal for me but I asked myself the same question as the OP, what is an alternative, and the answer I arrived at was there isn't really an alternative. If you want an LED IPS display the Apple is all there is.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB382LL/A?mco=MTA4MjcwOTc
Click to expand...

Not true, the HP LP2480ZX is LED backlit IPS...

http://www.amazon.com/Sbuy-LP2480ZX...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255742484&sr=8-1

...but let me tell you, LED backlighting is no big deal, standard CCFL lighting is just as good if not better in many cases.
 
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vick1000 said:
Not true, the HP LP2480ZX is LED backlit IPS...

http://www.amazon.com/Sbuy-LP2480ZX...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255742484&sr=8-1

...but let me tell you, LED backlighting is no big deal, standard CCFL lighting is just as good if not better in many cases.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that one. But that one is a little out of my budget. Even the Apple refurb is expensive but isn't bad compared to that one.

The colors are much better on LED. Compare any LED next to a normal LCD and you can tell a difference. Even with the cheap ones I can see it.
 
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There's a HardOCP thread about the HP LP2480ZX here, and there's an interesting review of it here. Very nice, if you're earning money with it.
 
Surly said:
Please keep the thread updated with whatever you find! :)
Click to expand...

I just heard from someone else who has an Asus 5850 and he says the Apple Cinema Display won't work on his either. I got a Sapphire 4890 with DisplayPort today and hooked it up and the Apple Cinema Display works fine on it. So, I'm going to attempt to RMA the XFX 5850 back to New Egg.

So, if you choose to go with the Apple Cinema Display, keep in mind that it doesn't appear to work when connected via DisplayPort on the 5800 series.
 
I WANT a glossy screen in this size, either IPS or PVA/MVA, and this seems to be my only option. But its expensive, and the connector is ridiculous, as I have a PC.
 
Airey said:
What's with all the people repeatedly asking pretty much the same question and opening different thread title.
Click to expand...

This is a TERRIBLE problem of this forum that makes it look like this:

center-camp-message-board.jpg



This place requires mopping 24/7.
 
I have NO problem with multiple posts on this. Maybe some of these ignorant companies will finally take notice on what their customers actually WANT!
 
ElektroDragon said:
I have NO problem with multiple posts on this. Maybe some of these ignorant companies will finally take notice on what their customers actually WANT!
Click to expand...
1) I doubt many of the management at these "ignorant companies" frequent the Display subforum on [H].
2) If you poll computer enthusiasts whether they prefer matte or glossy screens, I'm betting the majority will prefer matte.
 
ElektroDragon said:
I have NO problem with multiple posts on this. Maybe some of these ignorant companies will finally take notice on what their customers actually WANT!
Click to expand...

There is an extreme disconnect in communication between the monitor manufacturers and customers. There seems to be no mechanism by which the customer can send feedback about what they want. Even sales is a mystery; I've never seen anything that reported what monitors are best-sellers and which aren't, so I have no idea how (or even if!) manufacturers base their decisions on sales. My suspicion is that individual consumer sales are ignored and they only cater to the big OEMs (Dell, HP, etc); and we all know how dysfunctional some of those OEMs are.

One of the most mysterious and disruptive things I've seen them do was the sudden unilateral and universal shift to wide gamut. Nobody asked them to do that, and nobody was prepared for it. Microsoft, web browsers and most application writers are still struggling to make their stuff color aware. Even the version of Internet Explorer that ships with Win7 is not color aware.
 
I'm also one of the people who have been waiting for the 24" led IPS to come from someone other than Apple. Many of us do not like Apple's silly design and mini display port. They even call it an extension of there macbook and it seems they went out of there way to make it hard to use with a PC. I spend a lot of money upgrading my computer and it's frustrating feeling like nobody caters to the high end needs of PC users. If I spend more money upgrading my graphics card then both consoles put together but don't have a display that competes with the best TV then what's the point. Many of us do use our computers for pure entertainment ( Gaming, Movies, HTPC ) why should we not deserve the same high end tech that's in TV's with there high end LED backlit panels, insane contrast, 24p support, local dimming? If I'm going to spend lots of money upgrading my computer with high end components why can't I find a monitor that will show this off? Sorry about the rant but I'm sick of my friends telling me they think there PS3 has better graphics then my computer because they have a nice TV.
 
ElektroDragon said:
I have NO problem with multiple posts on this.
Click to expand...

I've just had a look at another monitor forum.
A poster has had penalty points for starting a clone thread and his new thread is closed.
While starting a new thread, users have to sign something like this: "I have used this forum search engine and to the best of my knowleadge there are no existing threads on this topic".

If you brake this rule, you get points and the garbage thread is closed immediately.
 
OK, it's been a few months now. Has ANYONE introduced a glossy 24" LED IPS monitor to compete with the Apple display?! You know, for PC users?! This is getting ridiculous! Did Apple patent the combination of glossy, LED, and IPS used at the same time in a monitor?!
 
Lava Lamp Freak said:
The colors are much better on LED. Compare any LED next to a normal LCD and you can tell a difference. Even with the cheap ones I can see it.
Click to expand...

No they are not.
LED often have wider gamut but, but in practice that means two things for us that do not work with print.
1. Everything is oversaturated.
2. Loss in precision when working in a color-aware environment (though that might not be that much of a deal for most not working with photography or something).

The benefit of a LED backlight is power consumption and the thickness of the backlight. There is no real benefit with LED in terms of picture quality in the consumer displays.
For laptops though the benefit of LED can be huge but thats because everything in a laptop comes down to the power consumption.

And glossy displays are actually worse. If you care about the colors being correct. If you only care about how *good* it looks and not a care in the world if it actually is accurate - then it becomes subjective.
 
ElektroDragon said:
OK, it's been a few months now. Has ANYONE introduced a glossy 24" LED IPS monitor to compete with the Apple display?! You know, for PC users?! This is getting ridiculous! Did Apple patent the combination of glossy, LED, and IPS used at the same time in a monitor?!
Click to expand...

People will allways prefer matte, and this is why glossy screens are so scarce.
Most don't have a screen in a dark room, and as such there will be annoying reflections to deal with. Matte only gives a sparkling effect.

It's sad really, because a glossy screen will allways give a cleaner and more vibrant picture.
 
We have lived with glossy CRTs for decades, so stop acting like it's a problem all of a sudden.
 
Lol never understood this matte vs. glossy thing.

Glossy looks a million time better and also has the least disadvantages

The matte-crystal-ips coating looks so crappy compared to the nice clean glossy coating.

I too have a bright room, just role down the curtains WTF...

And what about my Pioneer krp500M. It's also glossy. No problem. It looks dead gorgeous :cool:
 
Yea I've never understood the anti-glossy crowd either. Unless you have no light control in your office (protip: get some blinds or curtains!) or do color critical work glossy is great....
 
People are anus about reflections, thats all.

Have anyone actually had success with using 24'' Apple Cinema LED on a ati 5850/5870 card?
 
Frameless said:
People are anus about reflections, thats all.

Have anyone actually had success with using 24'' Apple Cinema LED on a ati 5850/5870 card?
Click to expand...

I would like to know this also

And please remind me. Why is it that this adapter doesn't work for connecting a pc to the display ?

apple.jpg
 
Biosphere said:
And please remind me. Why is it that this adapter doesn't work for connecting a pc to the display ?
Click to expand...

You can easily convert mini-DP to DVI, but you cannot convert DVI to mini-DP without an expensive ($180+) signal converter. I'll quote vic1000's answer in an older thread:

There is no DVI to mini-Displyport adapter, as it is a different signal format and would require processing of some sort. There are mini-DP to DVI adapters becasue mini-DP does output a DVI compatable signal, they are for the Macbooks with miniDP output, so you can connect them to a DVI monitor.
Click to expand...

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1034698208&postcount=16
 
Biosphere said:
So what would the theoretical problem be in powering the cinema display with a HD5870 with miniport output? I guess they are called eyefinity editions.
Click to expand...

There should in theory be no problem with the 5870 Eyefinity 6 card running the 24" Apple Cinema Display. But I have not been able to find any report that anyone has even tried to do so, and until someone does, there's no way to know and I would not assume anything.
 
evilsofa said:
There should in theory be no problem with the 5870 Eyefinity 6 card running the 24" Apple Cinema Display. But I have not been able to find any report that anyone has even tried to do so, and until someone does, there's no way to know and I would not assume anything.
Click to expand...

I'm tempted but here in Denmark that would mean a 1800$ investment ;)
 
So....still no sign of a 24" S-IPS glossy monitor?

I don't even care if it's LED or not, I'd just like to find a glossy IPS monitor.
 
Lava Lamp Freak said:
The colors are much better on LED. Compare any LED next to a normal LCD and you can tell a difference. Even with the cheap ones I can see it.
Click to expand...

You do know that LED is a backlight right? Both LEDs and CCFLs are perfectly capable of outputting the required intensity and wavelengths of light for all types of LCDs.

Think of it this way, I have a 10 kW synchronous generator and an 8 kW induction generator. I want 2 kW. Do you really think one of them is less capable of providing me the required power?

There are WAY too many factors to simply eyeball two completely different LCDs and say LED is obviously better. EVEN IF you have the exact same panels in two different monitors, as we've seen with LG panels across many different brands, results vary. EVEN THEN, if you manage to get the same exact implementation of the same exact panel, calibration settings will still throw off results.

There's just too many variables to proclaim that you can magically see the difference.
 
Peat Moss said:
So....still no sign of a 24" S-IPS glossy monitor?

I don't even care if it's LED or not, I'd just like to find a glossy IPS monitor.
Click to expand...


You had your chance with the NEC GX2, but apparently to few people bought it for them to continue making glossy displays.
 
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