Apple cinema or an alternative?

[Krisinu]

Looking for a display that is suitable for some design work and photo editing besides the other dare I say normal uses for business.

I have a 15.4" macbook pro right now, getting tired of multitasking with the though so I'm looking at an Apple Cinema (my dream choice) or I'd consider an alternative that would suit my uses well.

Anyone have an Apple Cinema display? Worth it?

 

[Devin]

I actually just went through the same decision. I have a 15" unibody macbook pro and was looking for a 24-30" monitor to gain some real-estate.

I had about $1800 set aside to be able to afford a nice monitor. With the student discount, I can get a 30" ACD for $1700 from apple - you can also pick it up from macmall for like $1775 shipped or something.

I ended up snagging a Dell 2008WFP 30" for $1400 (will only end up paying $1000 or so after discounts).

Primarily, my reason revolved around these reasons:
1) the dell monitor has built in flash card readers which is a huge plus for me
2) plethora of input connections including Display Port
3) did I mention it includes a Display Port?
4) something like 4 USB plugs built in...
5) IPS panel
6) I dont need, nor want, built in speakers
7) 3 year warranty

I think it is only a matter of time before I see a mini DP to DP cable - so my options were either to wait for new ACD displays to come out (which would inherently be lacking some features I want) or just get a Dell now and save a crap load of money (and get everything I wanted).

To directly answer your question though, if you have a unibody macbook/pro and want the new LED cinema display (and like/want the features it comes with) - people are raving about it, so go for it . If you are considering other Cinema Displays though, wait a month for Apple to refresh with new cinema displays.

 

[Krisinu]

do you mean apple will roll out with more of the newer cinema display like their current 24" model? Their student discount is 100 making the display 800 which is better than nothing. I can afford that but it's a lot of money so I must go back and forth about it. I figure a 22" is still big enough screen space and might be a bit cheaper, I'd be interested in that if they roll one out.

I'm going to look at those dells and my buddy said the PVA screen samsungs are good too.

 

[jedolley]

I ended up snagging a Dell 2008WFP 30" for $1400 (will only end up paying $1000 or so after discounts).

I assume you mean the 3008WFP. Can you explain where and how you got it for that price? Dell has it for $1999 and the 3007 model for $1399 and I haven't seen any coupons for either of them recently.

 

[Devin]

Yes, apple is expected to announce/release/refresh whatever you want to call it, the remainder of their cinema display line the first week of January...The LED Cinema Display is only the first of what we can expect. I would think though that the rest are geared more towards high end use - so if you are looking for a matte display, you might be in luck (but who knows?)

Yes, I meant the 3008wfp - you can find them on ebay for roughly $1500. I had some ebay coupon for $100 off and then a gift card for $200. But also, most of these are eligible for the microsoft fast cash.

ms fast cash says you cannot use discount coupons, but even after doing it, it said it was still elligible (last time they tried to take my discount away I just showed them the screenshot of my ebay cart and had it pushed through).

EDIT: here is one, NIB and sealed with 3 year dell advanced warranty for $1521