Breakdown: New LED Apple Cinema Display

Apple line of displays have always been the neglected child of product updates with their last refresh occurring over a year ago. Sure price cuts came and went but it was little to entice would be buyers which was further magnified as competitors started offering cheaper alternatives that had the same panel Apple used but offering more connectivity options and other perks. The latest update while impressive for the Cinema Display line, received a resounding ‘meh’ from Bloggers.

The newest addition to Apple’s LCDs comes with a 24 inch LED lit screen and is positioned more as an accessory for the newest MacBooks rather than a somewhat viable option in the high quality display market. The reasoning is Apple’s lack of care for Macs and PCs that aren’t blessed with the newest video output spec, DisplayPort. The only Macs to contain the latest tech is the newly revamped MacBook and MacBook Pro and no option exists to take advantage of the new display unless an adapter is used. Even then, the full potential of the new screen is limited by the bandwidth DVI can muster which is less than Display Port.

The real specs of the screen aren’t much to write home about but offer perks other manufacturers have yet to incorporate into their displays. Besides the typical 3 USB ports on the back, the Cinema Display now sports an integrated iSight, glossy display and Magsafe power adapter that is compatible with the entire line of MacBooks past and present but video output is limited to the most recently updated notebooks. All that’s really missing is a dock for your ‘Book. However, the removal of Firewire 400 connectivity isn’t shocking considering Apple is marketing this display as made especially for the newest MacBooks and fits into another segment of screens since Apple has chosen to keep the older Cinema Displays available.

Following suite with the MacBooks not only in looks and compatibility but also environmental protection. These new displays contain Arsenic free glass which along with the Aluminum is highly recyclable and void of any flame retardants, Mercury and Polyvinyl Chloride.