Apple LED Cinema Display (24-inch)
Manufacturer: Apple Part number: MB382LL/A
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- While performance is excellent, the Apple LED Cinema Display's one connection option paints it into a small corner that is welcoming only to newer MacBook owners.
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CNET editors' review
Apple LED Cinema Display (24-inch) price range: $753.02 - $899.00
- Reviewed by: Eric Franklin
- Edited by: Lindsey Turrentine
- Reviewed on: 12/18/2008
The good: Incredible performance in DisplayMate tests; games and movies look great; clean design; good viewing angle; built-in camera and mic; phenomenal sound from built-in speaker.
The bad: Complete lack of connection options that would allow you to connect to a PC or older Mac; dearth of ergonomic features.
The bottom line: While performance is excellent, the Apple LED Cinema Display's one connection option paints it into a small corner that is welcoming only to newer MacBook owners.
The market for the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display is limited. Until third-party adapters are released, the display is only compatible with MacBooks that have Mini DisplayPort connections. And even if you have that, you will pay $900 for a display that can't be used with other devices. It has a beautiful and clean design, great performance with movies and games, phenomenal sound, and a good viewing angle, but the monitor's lack of versatility makes it a product we are reluctant to recommend, even to its target (and only) market. It's a good display to be sure, but until those third-party adapters are released, it's more of a fancy docking station with an excellent-quality screen. If that appeals to you, and if you're an owner of a compatible MacBook, and if $900 seems reasonable, then go for it. For the rest of us, there are many more high-quality monitors out there that are not nearly as limiting in their compatibility. The best of these are the $516
You can adjust the backlight luminance by going through system preferences. There, you'll also have access to the display's color-temperature settings, where you can adjust it from 4,500K up to 9,300K. Unfortunately, there are no contrast controls.
- Manufacturer's specifications:
- Resolution: 1,920x1,200
- Pixel-response rate: 6ms
- Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
- Brightness: 330cd/m2
- Connectivity: Mini DisplayPort
- HDCP compliant? Yes
- Included video cables? Mini DisplayPort
Performance
We tested the Apple LED Cinema Display via its Mini DisplayPort connection, which connected to a 15-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, 4GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce 9400M/9600M GT graphics adapter with 512MB of video memory. With this configuration we are unable to give the display an actual DisplayMate score, as our DisplayMate score is based on a DVI-specific PC configuration with which the Apple LED Cinema Display was not compatible. Also, we used Boot Camp to install Windows XP Pro on the MacBook, because DisplayMate is not compatible with Mac OS. Given the different configurations, it would be unfair to make direct DisplayMate comparisons with the other tested displays, but we can at least discuss the results we got from the tests. Please keep in mind that DisplayPort has a higher video bandwidth than DVI.
The Apple LED Cinema Display impressed us the most in its color reproduction and contrast results. In our Extreme Grayscale Bars and Intensity and Grayscale tests, the display scored higher than any previous display we've tested. In these tests, the display was able to produce pure white as well as very light grays--a challenging feat for most displays, but the Cinema Display does it nearly perfectly. On the same token, it was able to display near true black while showing very dark grays. Also, it reproduced the grayscale (the shades of gray between black and white) accurately without any signs of other colors. This indicates that it does not have any color-tracking errors.
The display performed perfectly in most of our color tests, as well. Apple LED Cinema Display was able to scale dark shades of specific colors into lighter shades of the same color without compressing the shades in between. This indicates a very accurate representation of color all around.
The display continued to impress in our Uniformity and Screen tests, stumbling only in our Dark Screen test. During this test, we noticed that backlight bleed through is very apparent along the bottom and top edges of the screen on a dark screen showing all black.
We tried out our usual test movie, Kill Bill Vol. 1, and saw deep blacks and full colors. The yellow in the bride's jumpsuit was particularly impressive, with an accurate and deep yellow that did not bleed or show signs of other colors. World of Warcraft looked as good as we've ever seen it on any display, with vibrant colors and an impressive contrast ratio that makes the polygonal characters look full and three dimensional. We found that the display was best for movies and games when its color temperature was set to 6,500K and its brightness was set at 75 percent of its maximum.
While other displays, such as the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP, use cold-cathode florescent tube-based backlights, the Apple LED Cinema Display uses a light-emitting diode backlight. So instead of having several florescent tubes stretched horizontally across the screen, there are many individual LEDs all over the screen that can each be turned off or on. This gives LED displays more precise control over the amount of light coming through the screen. Other advantages include better energy efficiency, more accurate and precise color reproduction, a potentially thinner panel design, and a higher potential brightness level.
When viewing the monitor from above, below, or the side of its optimal viewing angle, we noticed gamma problems in the form of shadows along the bottom of the screen. The gamma problems are not as bad as on the Lenovo ThinkVision L2440x, where details on the screen can almost not be seen when viewed from the wrong angle, but Apple's panel's performance was not as good as the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP, which lacked any gamma problems from off angles.
We were very impressed by the built-in speakers; the sound was loud when taken up to its maximum output, and showed no signs of distortion. The bass is deep and the quality is clear and full. These are some of the best speakers we've ever heard on a monitor.
Service and support
Apple continues with its frustratingly strange customer support. It backs the 24-inch LED Cinema Display with a one-year limited warranty that covers the backlight, but only includes 90 days of toll-free telephone support. With the purchase of a $249 AppleCare package, the warranty is extended to three years from the date the display was purchased, which seems almost like a necessity given the proprietary nature of the display.
User reviews
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Great advancement... but no matte screen kills it
by mdntcallr on January 5, 2009
Pros: webcam built in
extra connectors
speakers are goodCons: No matte screen is horrible. sorry but the Glossy just isn't what many consumers want.
Summary: While Apple made some nice advancements, their designers chose to look "cool" over function and for this reason it is a monitor to AVOID.
Summary: While Apple made some nice advancements, their designers chose to look "cool" over function and for this reason it is a monitor to AVOID.
6 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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bright and sharp, superb image quality,stylish.
by dez76 on January 10, 2009
Pros: bright and sharp screen , outstanding image quality, great sound, the most stylish display I have seen!
Cons: The Cinema Display is not cheap, maybe for this price Apple should have made it 26"...
Summary: I love my Apple Cinema display...at first I had mixed feeling, I found it a bit expensive for a 24", I could almost get a Hazro 30" for the ...
Summary: I love my Apple Cinema display...at first I had mixed feeling, I found it a bit expensive for a 24", I could almost get a Hazro 30" for the same amount of money...almost cancel my order and then I saw it in action and I got it. Both in terms of the image quality and the aesthetics of its design the Apple Led Cinema Display shines, it looks great in my room and gives me what I need, a bright and sharp screen , outstanding image quality and great sound. It is a joy working with it, I am a multimedia designer and I use a lot of Illustrator, Flash, Photoshop and video softwares, and I can't fault this screen...it's a beauty to work with...
And finally, it doubles as something of a docking station for the new macbooks, it was made for the new and future generations of macbooks and, since this is its intended purpose, people should consider this before write their reviews and based their judgments on the quality of its display and its build.
and then last but not least....goodbye cheap nasty plastic and welcome alluminium and glass...
Updated on Jan 10, 20093 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Useless without a new MacBook or MacBook Pro
by oakie51 on December 22, 2008
Pros: Requisite Apple design features matched to a beautiful panel with LED backlighting, surprisingly good integrated speakers with room filling bass response, a perfect dock for my MacBook.
Cons: Mini Display Port and only Mini Display Port, silly location for USB ports, exorbitantly high price.
Summary: I bought this display when I bought my 2008 MacBook just so they could work together to provide me with a complete desktop solution for image processing. This is my ...
Summary: I bought this display when I bought my 2008 MacBook just so they could work together to provide me with a complete desktop solution for image processing. This is my first Mac, and when I considered the quality of the display's output as well as the surprisingly good sound output, I decided to just give it a go rather than buy an iMac. I did go a bit over budget but I considered a high quality display for photo editing plus a good set of speakers combined would cost me around $700 so I figured the extra money went into Apple's beautiful industrial design. Granted I'll never see much of the back of the monitor, but that's ok.
My next complaint aside from price is the goofy location of the USB ports. They belong on the side not only for easier access, but it would have prevented marring the smooth, sterile aluminum backplate on the display.
Mini Display Port. Arg. I'm considering a Mac mini for a true desktop computer... the iMac's all-in-one design scares me, as all AIO solutions do as they obviously cannot receive a display upgrade without buying a whole new setup. I'm hoping once Apple releases adapters to convert the mini display port plug they'll mail me one gratis. While I'm holding my breath for that, I'm hoping the Mac mini receives a refresh as rumored at MacWorld in July and that refresh sees all of the enhancements the MacBook received. Faster processors, DDR3 RAM, Nvidia 9600M graphics as an option or at least the integrated 9400M, but most of all, a mini display port so I can use this monitor with it.
All in all, it's a $900 dock for my MacBook. As of right now, I feel a bit cheated by letting my emotions take control of my wallet this time around as the display appealed to me viscerally; the display is all but useless without my laptop. But once the laptop is plugged in, the display fired up, and I'm mousing around in Photoshop, all seems right in the world.5 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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What's the Point?
by funyun2 on December 14, 2008
Pros: -Looks very good
-Good idea to have easy access to laptop
-ThinCons: -Only Works with New Macbooks
-Doesn't work with desktops.
-ExpensiveSummary: I think it's a decent idea for apple to do something like this, but restricting it to only the new macbooks is ridiculous. They're shooting themselves in the ...
Summary: I think it's a decent idea for apple to do something like this, but restricting it to only the new macbooks is ridiculous. They're shooting themselves in the foot because only people that have new macbooks and another $800 to plop down for this will buy it. It would also be great if they allowed people to connect this to mac pros, mac minis or even windows PCs, but they can't. Anyone with $100 can connect a laptop to a monitor, and although i think it's a good idea for apple to make it this easy, few people will have the opportunity or the money to do this.
10 out of 21 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Dell is gonna take a bite out of Apple Now
by aimeelynnw on January 7, 2009
Pros: I can't say cause I haven't bought one yet but i want one real bad.....see cons...
Cons: Why in the world would you not make this compatible with all. My guess is they are losing a ton of business from this choice of limiting it to one computer connector. Doh
Summary: I wish they would come out with a more compatible version for the sake of apple lovers around the world. What were you thinking? I really want to know?
Summary: I wish they would come out with a more compatible version for the sake of apple lovers around the world. What were you thinking? I really want to know?
3 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Expensive. But the quality is phenomenal.
by gregorysreid on December 18, 2008
Pros: o Beautiful picture and color
o LED provides the purest of white resolution
o A quality, well machined piece of equipment
o Very nice sound
o It just looks nice sitting on your desk!Cons: o Lengths of the MacBook connector cords are incorrect, causing me to have to wrap them around each other to get a correct length
o More than 3 USB ports would be nice
o ExpensiveSummary: This monitor is expensive. No doubt. You could buy two of the others. However, if price is not an issue, then this monitor won't disappoint. It is aluminum (not ...
Summary: This monitor is expensive. No doubt. You could buy two of the others. However, if price is not an issue, then this monitor won't disappoint. It is aluminum (not plastic). The picture is of a quality that I have never seen before. And it just looks stunning sitting on your desk. One could imagine having this thing 5 years from now and still being quite pleased.
The CNET editors noted that ergonomic adjustments were an issue. I have found this to be untrue. If it is sitting on the desk at the same height as the notebook, the level of the monitor is at a perfect height. I have no problem with a perfect line-of-site.
It will ONLY work with the new MacBooks, of which I have one. But it works perfectly. I am not sure that I would buy this to watch movies on (that's what a TV is for), but for computer monitor it works great.
I have had the monitor for about a month and I would purchase it again.5 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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CNET has been bought or drinking Apple Kool-aid
by jabberwolf on January 4, 2009
Pros: The 24inch is very nice.
But its not nicer than many other 24inch screens. In fact not as nice as other 24 inch with faster refresh rates,brighter, and better contrast.
Its a nice design.Cons: Its slower response rate than others.
It has less contrast ratio that competitors out there.
Connections, the least amount of any screeen I've seen out there!!
Double your price and buy apple with half the ability and quality.Summary: Sorry but What the hell CNET, did you compare this like we have to screens in the store? I'm getting so tired of CNET rating Apple products higher to ...
Summary: Sorry but What the hell CNET, did you compare this like we have to screens in the store? I'm getting so tired of CNET rating Apple products higher to get advertising revenue from them. This time is blatantly obvious that this is an inferior product when comparing price and ability to every monitor out there!
Do the comparison or better yet go to a store and sit the monitors side by side.
Brightness
Contrast
Connection options
Watch a game played on it
Watch action video played on it.
This is simply not worth the price.4 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great looking display. Still not worth the price.
by tcr071 on December 18, 2008
Pros: Display is gorgeous. Looks great in motion.
Cons: Way too expensive for what you are getting. Lack of connection options is beyond pathetic even for Apple.
Summary: While this monitor would look great on my desk I could never justify spending $900 on it. I checked it out several times at the Apple store and no matter ...
Summary: While this monitor would look great on my desk I could never justify spending $900 on it. I checked it out several times at the Apple store and no matter how great the display looked I could never convince myself that the price was worth it. I can literally buy a 32" - 37" high quality LCD Television with monitor inputs that looks just about as good for the same price. Sure you will sacrifice the "Apple Look" but I would much rather have a screen 8 - 13" larger than a more aesthetically appealing screen. Just can't justify $900 on a 24" screen.
The second qualm is with the lack of connection ports. I thought it must have been a mistake but, alas, it was not. For $900 this thing should come with every connector in existence along with adapters. I should be able to plug this thing any computer ever made right out of the box. It would work fine with my current machine but I have PC laptops that I might want to hook up and would need to go out and purchase adapters just to make it work. I expected a lot more in this department for the premium price you are paying.
All in all the display looks great but it is most definitely not worth the price. If you have your heart set on this display and have money to blow by all means go out and make a purchase and you won't be disappointed, however if you are in the market for a new monitor in the 24" range I just can't justify making this purchase. This monitor should be about $400 cheaper.6 out of 13 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not for photographers
by jeffrey9--2008 on December 8, 2008
Pros: It's beautiful
Cons: Talking to Apple's engineers (via phone business sales) I was told not to purchase this monitor for professional photography.
Summary: The color accuracy of this monitor has not been rated according to Apple sales and their advise was not to purchase this monitor if I needed color accuracy.
Summary: The color accuracy of this monitor has not been rated according to Apple sales and their advise was not to purchase this monitor if I needed color accuracy.
6 out of 13 users found this user opinion helpful.
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you got to be kidding me
by seventh_Axis on December 22, 2008
Pros: none, zero, goose egg
Cons: totally useless
Summary: so, "very good" for a monitor you can't even connect to the majority of apple machines, let alone any other, non-apple computer???
Summary: so, "very good" for a monitor you can't even connect to the majority of apple machines, let alone any other, non-apple computer???
7 out of 16 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Apple
- Part number: MB382LL/A
- Description: With the Apple LED Cinema Display, you can turn your MacBook into a desktop in three easy connections. The universal MagSafe connector charges your notebook. A Mini DisplayPort connector makes attaching an external display even easier and faster than before. And a USB connector provides access to three USB 2.0 ports. There's also a built-in iSight camera, microphone, and speaker system that provide a true desktop experience. Made of aluminum and glass, the LED Cinema Display is the perfect companion for the MacBook family.
General
- Display Type LCD display / TFT active matrix - LED Backlight technology
- Built-in Devices USB hub
- Width 22.6 in
- Depth 7.8 in
- Height 18.8 in
- Weight 20.9 lbs
Image
- Display (projector) image aspect ratio 16:10
- Image brightness 330 cd/m2
- Image Contrast Ratio 1000:1
- Max horizontal view angle 178
- Max vertical view angle 178
Display
- Diagonal Size 24 in - Widescreen
- Viewable Size 24 in
- Max Resolution 1920 x 1200
- Color Support 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
- Response Time 14 ms
- Video Output None
- Signal Input Mini DisplayPort
- Features Glossy, Aluminum enclosure
Audio Output
- Type Speakers with subwoofer - Stereo with subwoofer - Integrated
Input Device
- Type Camera, Microphone
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x - Apple mini-DisplayPort, 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x Mini DisplayPort / USB cable
- Features Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Power
- Voltage Required AC 120/230 V
- Operational power consumption 212 Watt
- Operational power consumption (standby) 1 Watt
Environmental Parameters
- Min operating temperature 50 °F
- Max operating temperature 95 °F
- Operating humidity range 20 - 80%
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year, Technical support - Phone consulting - 90 days
Sustainability
- EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes
Manufacturer info
- Apple
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Apple products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.apple.com
- Address:
One Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014 - Phone: 1-408-996-1010
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