Apple Cinema 20-inch Flat-Panel Display

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review




This display includes two USB 2.0, and two FireWire 400 ports , March 8, 2009
By Philscbx (Mpls, Minnesota)
This display is probably the only one that includes two-port, self-powered USB 2.0 hub, two FireWire 400 ports and a Kensington security.

Obviously if you are editing images, and using an inferior monitor, mistakes in the settings will show up down the line.

The brightness value is ten to one of any laptop.
For comparison, set the laptop to full brightness.
Now set the monitor to lowest setting.
The monitor will still be twice as bright.

I have this 20" and 23".
I use the 20" on the PowerBook, and the 23" with the MacPro Tower.

Cable Management/
This monitor just does it all.
With the rear ports taking care of all other component devices, there is no longer the nonsense of cables getting into view or in your way.

The lead from the Cinema Display is ganged with all 3 cables as one that attaches to your computer.

You show up with the laptop, plug in the monitors leads, and now everything from the Bose sound system, printers, Firewire card reader, and PDA, cell phone are all connected.

Lets see any other screen do that.
But it even gets better.

With the wireless keyboard, you have complete control over screen's brightness, or flash between screens using 'Spaces' feature.

This allows having two to four totally different screens as one.
I can have video conversion going on with all that's necessary on one screen, and browsing the internet on the other screen, or in another screen doing my photo editing, or watching a movie in the other screen.

The simple 'Option/Arrow' toggles through them.

I sure hope someone can come up with just one sample of screen that can out feature these. And I'll buy it.

IT's Not about the Money, because at the time, when these were new, $900 was average out the door.

As of to date, the 20" is no longer being made.
So check details at Apple before jumping in.



Apple's best valued display, January 21, 2009
By Mutulu1 (Brooklyn, NYC)
After deciding not to splurge the $900 for the new 24" display, I decided to purchase this existing 20" display and pair it w/ my mbp. I personally prefer the solid aluminum styling over the black bezzeled frame. I know Apple is eventually replacing this monitor, however, after test driving the 24", I visually didn't see a difference between the 2 displays. Furthermore, the review on this display has been satisfactory at best, and for $900, I need a display with a solid reputation. It would have been nice for Apple to update this display during the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2008. 1680 x 1050 display resolution could be a bit higher at this price, then again, very few displays compare with this one. Highly recommend to pair w/ current or previous gen mbp.



Great Mac-like monitor, June 16, 2008
By Jamey Key (Dallas, TX USA)
I have purchased two of these and have not had a single problem from them. It is a beautiful monitor and rock solid in operation. Some of you might think it is expensive (and compared to others currently offered, it probably is), but if you already paid a lot of bucks for a mac you don't want a less than perfect monitor working along with it. You're going to be looking at it all day so you may as well get the coolest one you can find, and in my opinion, this is it. Expensive? Maybe. But in every other way, its about as perfect a product as you will find. ** One note - although it doesn't matter to me, the monitor uses a power brick which makes the power cable a little bulky. I just stuff it all behind the desk so no big deal but it could be to you.



I would not buy it again, January 16, 2008
By Alex Vox (Winnetka, IL)
I own two of these. First one for more than three years and another one is one year younger. Apple positions these as pro level monitor with superb tech specks and capable of great color accuracy. While the monitors are esthetically pleasing, the technical capacity is very low, color calibration is very difficult as two monitors exhibit very different color casts and brithness.
Even pro level calibration set could not eliminate it completely and it needs to be recalibrated very often.
The monitors are terribly SLOW with 14 ms times and not even in the league to compete in pro level status with today alternatives as fast as 2-4 ms.
The monitors are horribly overpriced, for the price of one you can buy TWO monitors of better quality and serviceability.
The monitors do not have VESA mount adapter (required for arm or wall mounting) and Apple wants to rob you of additional $30 for plain piece of metal. This mount is a standard feature of any, even cheapest, LCD monitors these days. And it makes the monitor even less attractive and more expensive.
If you were not fortunate to purchase monitor exchange warranty (highly recommended, Compusa, Staples other offer it) and if this thing in one year fails it will be cheaper to buy a new one than fix an old one.
Overall, my point is: it is a fine monitor for general computing and if you are willing to pay extra for its appearance it is fine. However if any color or movement sensitive considerations in the terms of pro-level work flow it is not one would put on my list.
For the money there are MUCH BETTER alternatives.



Bright and huge!, December 1, 2007
By Kenneth Chen (Los Angeles, CA)
This display is not only nice to look at but provides excellent picture quality. It provides a sharp picture with bright, rich colors. And it's 20" size is ample for what I do. I found no defects in mine. Though it could be cheaper, it's worth the $600 I spent on it.