Questions on Apple studio displays

[Logan]

Has anyone here ever used an Apple flat-screen "Studio" Display recently? They look very cool, and despite the rather high price, look like they are excellent displays. More importantly, does anyone know if they're compatable with/adaptable to a Windows PC? I've realized its time for me to get a new monitor, and with the impending possibility of getting a Powerbook in a year or so, I thought it would be a good idea to get an Apple monitor. I only have a PC right now though, so its important that it can work with my comp. If you can't adapt it for PCs, do you all have any other suggestions?

[Ojnod]

I know you can use an adaptor to make it work on a PC because I have seen it done before, however I don't know what you need or where to get it.

[0x64657200 0x6A61636B616C00]

Apple sells the adapter, but if it's a DVI version of the cinema display and you have a DVI video card, no adapter needed.

As far as display recognition, most of the newer video card drivers have 16:10 aspect ratio resolution support in their drivers.

[Logan]

Excellent, thanks a lot. My card does have a DVI port, but the cinema displays im looking at all have that (apparently new) proprietary Apple port. Also, when I looked for the adaptor on the Appe website, I found this:

http://www.apple.com/displays/adapter.html

And I want to draw you're attention to here, where it says:

System Requirements
One of the following systems:
- PowerBook G4 computer with DVI port

- Power Mac G4 computer with DVI port (via an ATI or NVIDIA graphics card with DVI)

- Power Mac G5 computer with DVI port (via an ATI or NVIDIA graphics card with DVI)



There is no mention made of connecting to a PC. Further research hasn't found anything else, either. Then again, I know next to nothing about these things - could Apple moniters be simply incompatable with Windows? And also, what about the power cord/USB ports that seem to go through the comp into the moniter? Thanks again.

[0x64657200 0x6A61636B616C00]

Excellent, thanks a lot. My card does have a DVI port, but the cinema displays im looking at all have that (apparently new) proprietary Apple port. Also, when I looked for the adaptor on the Appe website, I found this:

http://www.apple.com/displays/adapter.html

And I want to draw you're attention to here, where it says:



There is no mention made of connecting to a PC. Further research hasn't found anything else, either. Then again, I know next to nothing about these things - could Apple moniters be simply incompatable with Windows? And also, what about the power cord/USB ports that seem to go through the comp into the moniter? Thanks again.

Fear not, (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=Apple+cinema+display+Windows+XP) many people have used this monitor w/ Windows (http://www.enotalone.com/electronics/B000067V08.html) with that very adapter. Apple is not prone to say "buy this for your Windows machine!", kind of defeats their "think different" philosophy. ;)

[Logan]

Excellent, I appreciate the help. Show's what a google search will do for me....last time I ask Jeeves, I'll tell you that much.

[Kalbrecht]

Yeah - what Apple says on it's site and what their employees say in real life have proven very different for me. :)

Hey Logan, mind if I borrow your new monitor when you get it? I'll...test...it for you.

[Ojnod]

I saw the 23" and the 20" today at compusa (we dont have those around here, this was the first one I have ever been to) and man were they sharp. I never saw them in real life, but even the pictures made me want them.

[Logan]

Haha, chances are I'll get the 17-incher. Even though it's the cheapest, $700 is about all I can justify spending on a monitor (even if it is a fantastic piece). I'm also hesistant about getting a wide-screen moniter. Add in the $100 adaptor, and I'm looking at a sizeable amount of money. I'd love to get the 23-inch though. Maybe someday.... I have no idea where the nearest Apple store is, but I'm definitely gonna look around now. I've heard of some issues with dead pixels, and there's no way I'm going to let them give me a bad $700 monitor.

Thanks again for all your help fellas.

[Kalbrecht]

Dead pixels these days are much less of an issue. Most companies have tightened their quality control, and quality is basically better all round, as is replacement of bad monitors. It's still a good idea to check the thing in the store, though. :)

The widescreen thing can be good, can be bad. I find personally that it slightly throws the perspective off (even with a resolution designed for widescreen), but it's pretty negligible unless you work a lot with graphics and design.