Apple LED Cinema Display Review

Apple finally updated the Cinema Display line and introduced a spanking new 24-inch LED Cinema Display. The cinema line had been long ignored by Apple but Apple decided to give it a new lease of life. The new display looks all good except for the MiniDisplay Port that is the only connector present on the display.

Apple LED Cinema 24-inch Display specifications :

• Dimensions : 22.6″ x 7.8″ x 18.8″
• Weight : 20.9 lbs
• Diagonal size : 24-inch
• Aspect ratio : 16:10
• Contrast Ratio : 1000:1
• Viewing angle : 178 degrees
• Resolution : 1920 x 1200
• Color support : 24-bit
• Response time : 14ms
• Input : MiniDisplay Port
• Warranty : 1-year
• Approx. price : $899

The 24-inch LED Cinema display comes with the MiniDisplay Port which as of now is supported by the Late 2008 Macbooks. This puts the display at a disadvantage until adapters are release by either Apple or third-party vendors for the other standard ports. However, the good news is that a lot of big companies have thrown their weight behind the standard and you can expect the port to become standard on a lot of devices in the coming months.

The core design of the cinema display hasn’t changed but its previous version but it has got a cosmetic change in line with the updated Macbooks. The bezel is all black now like the new Macbooks. At the bottom of the display is the grill behind which are hidden the 2.1 speakers inbuilt into the display. The base is very sturdy and does not wobble when adjusting the tilt. The base puts the Cinema displays in a class of its own.

The display can not be swiveled nor can its height be adjusted, one of the biggest drawbacks of the design. It can only be tilted forward and backward, which you will set once when you place it on the desk. The flexibility is lost when you want to view movies on it from a distance requiring you to swivel it or adjust its height. You can however remove the base and mount it on a VESA compatible arm if you like. The display attracts dust particles like a magnet, so keep a micro-fiber cloth handy at all times to enjoy the display at its full glory.

There is a single cord that emerges from the back and splits into a USB plug, Magsafe adapter and the MiniDisplay Port. The Magsafe adapter can be used to charge your Macbook if the display is plugged in. Also there is a recessed port for AC adapter at the back. There is of course the big shiny Apple logo on the back of the display. The Kensington security lock slot is also present along with three USB 2.0 ports. Sadly, Apple has omitted all standard display ports uptil now and gone in with the new MiniDisplay Port for the dashing new Cinema LED display.

Sound isn’t great on displays but the Apple Cinema LED Display is an exception. The display has inbuilt 2.1 speakers that deliver great sound you normally wouldn’t expect from speakers integrated into the display. Also there is no need to connect an audio input as it is delivered through the USB port. The volume is pretty high and can be used to enjoy movies from a distance too. The speakers produce a surround effect leading to a nice sound experience. This certainly is a major strong point of the display.

When you turn on the display, you are left gasping for breath. The quality of the display is exceptional and images appear crisp and brightly lit. The glossy nature of the display helps in producing great images along with glaring reflections. Yes, the bad reflections are a part and parcel of glossy displays and this one is no different. Infact, when turned off you can use it as a mirror to spy on people watching you from the back! The LED technology really helps in delivering brighter images and also leads to instant turn on of the display. The display is similar to the ones found on the newly released Macbooks and Macbook Pros.

The display is thinner than the older Cinema displays. The MagSafe adapter that comes built in to the single cord is an excellent addition. As this is currently compatible with new Macbooks, you can easily move along with the display and not worry about carrying your AC adapter with the notebook. Also you can leave your AC adapter in office and use this one while at home. The MiniDisplay Port is very easy to connect due to its magnetic nature and snaps into place without any hassle. Also you can connect the display even when the lid of the Macbook is closed, pretty neat.

Performance is the main motive of this display apart from looking good. The color reproduction of the display is truly amazing and it beats it counterparts hands down. Also due to the LED technology used, it has better brightness than others. The LED technology offers better energy efficiency and occupies less space leading to thinner displays. It has a great viewing angle of 178 degrees, allowing your family to view movies sitting all round it without any distortion. The display also has inbuilt speakers which do the job perfectly. Although they are inbuilt but still they produce impressive sound with good bass and have high volume too. Overall it is an excellent performer.

Pros :

• Great design
• Excellent performance
• Great inbuilt speakers
• Inbuilt webcam and mic
• Good viewing angle

Cons  :

• Mini DisplayPort only connector
• Bit expensive
• Reflections due to glossy nature

Final Thoughts

The Apple Cinema 24-inch LED Display is a great addition to the Apple Cinema display line. It has looks similar to the new updated Macbooks. It has stellar performance and great inbuilt speakers, viewing angle is phenomenal. Speakers are exceptional and churn out great sound at high levels of volume too. It does almost everything right except for having MiniDisplay port as its only input. The glossy nature helps in producing “pop” effect but the reflections are the bad part. Buy it if you own one of those shiny new Macbooks or else wait for the adapters to become available.

Rating : 4.25/5