Apple 24-inch Cinema Display on the way, again
Call me fickle, call me what you will (just be nice). I have an Apple 24-inch LED Cinema Display on the way again that will be here at Mobile Tech Manor tomorrow. I am certainly fickle as you know if you’ve been following my ordering of one of these babies and my subsequent canceling of the order. So why did I break down and order one again? The answer is simple and it’s a two-word answer- Apple Store.
I had a few hours free a couple of days ago in San Francisco and I headed out to do some shopping near my hotel. I was quite surprised to see an Apple Store just a block from the hotel so like any true geek I headed in to kill some time. The SF store was like every other Apple Store I’ve visited and I walked around for a bit before heading back to the table where the displays lived.
I spent a fair bit of time playing with the 24-inch display and checking out how good the display looked and all the cables and such. I was feeling the tug of geekdom telling me I still wanted one but was fighting it off when the Apple rep stopped by. I explained how I had ordered one and canceled it because I couldn’t justify the high price for the convenience it offered paired with my MacBook.
The rep listened to my tale, really listened, and then asked if my MacBook was in my backpack. Of course it was, I take my gear everywhere so once he confirmed that he told me to take it out and hook it up to the display. This is what sets Apple apart from other companies when it comes to their stores. If the customer needs to see how their gear works, let them hook it up and see for themselves.
So that’s what I did. I pulled the MacBook out and hooked up the cables from the monitor and played with it for a good 30 minutes. I got to see first-hand how it would serve as an external monitor with my own setup and I also got to see how easy it is to disconnect to take my MacBook mobile. I did that several times to see how well the big monitor was connected to the MacBook as it would be back at Mobile Tech Manor and also how seamlessly the disconnect process worked. In a word- flawlessly. So I pulled out my credit card and ordered one on the spot for delivery which will be tomorrow.
Yes, color me fickle maybe but color Apple very good at what they do. Make impressive hardware and provide an in-store experience second to none.
I don’t know if that is a feel good story because you got good service or a depressing tale since you so rarely do see truly first class service in many stores.
Regardless, it is always great when you get that truly gold plated level of service. Once you do it is always easier to part with your hard-earned cash.
OK, you’re fickle!
Lovely display but still hard to justify the cost I feel. I’m using a Dell SP2309W at 2048*1152, built in stereo mic, Dell speaker bar, webcam and trulife display with my Mac Mini and as an extended display for my desktop, for the princely sum of £185 delivered. This is less than a third of the cost of the 24″ Apple display.
It’s hard to say no though when you’re in the store looking at a lovely bit of kit!
Oh, the Dell is actually quite attractive too, glossy black finish with really nice feather touch controls that light up when you move your hand towards them.
So connecting and disconnecting an external monitor is a big deal on Apple’s?
Sitecharts, the Apple has displayport which means it’s a bit easier, bit like plugging and unplugging a usb cable. Not a huge benefit but certainly nicer. Not enough to justify the extra cost in my opinion but will be a good new standard for the future.
nice!! you will never regret your purchase eva!
well, atleast i have never regretted buying my Dell 24″ two years ago. i still consider it THE best upgrade EVER to my setup.
its like shoes; why don’t people buy nice, good shoes? we are on our feet every day just as we are looking at our screens every day! your eyes and geekQ will thank you
Fickle? If so, then join the club!
I re-ordered mine after nothing compelling was released during MacWorld. I have had it about a week, and I love it.
One thing that has never been mentioned because it is probably an unusual case, but it is extremely portable for a 24″ monitor. Depending on the project, I may work from the office or from the house. I can just unplug the display from the wall outlet and take it with me. It has everything I need to connect and power my MacBook.
As for the $899 price tag, it is a little high, but if you consider all the variables in the purchase (IPS panel, LED backlighting, great design, built-in power for the MacBook, iSight camera, speakers), it is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be.
One final note, two of my co-workers have a Dell 24″ UltraSharp display, and they are both jealous.
Sometime it’s better to go with “want” over the specs.
@Lance.
I’d still rather have 3 Dells in a triple monitor setup on my desk for the same price.
No doubt though, it’s a fine monitor being IPS, and if you can justify the cost then you won’t find better.
I love that monitors this size are so light! I used to have a 21″ CRT and have never fully recovered from my injuries lugging that thing about!
James,
I think you’ll be thrilled with your decision. One thing, though: This is the second time you’ve posted about the Apple display, and you’re almost apologetic about it in each case. Why?
It seems to me you’re trying to fend off being labeled an Apple “fanboi”, or appear tainted with a lack of objectivity. The truth is, Apple-bashers will label you a fanboi regardless, trying to be pro-active on it won’t help you there.
Two Words: Mac Fanboy
What happened to Tablet PC MVP James Kendrick?
He has been consumed by the Mac Cult.
Just Kidding. Whatever works. He has changed professions from a highly mobile worker that needed to write notes for a living, to a Professional blogger. I gues the best tool for the job? Mobile with the productive Macbook when out and about, then at Home Highly productive with the 24″ Monitor. Quick connect docking. If there is one thing about James Kindrick it is the right tool for the job philosphy. Maybe James can do some more reviews of mobile tech including video, since he is not JK ON The Run anymore, but JK the Professional Blogger. I have been a fan of this site before Kevin 2.0 was introduced and James was a mobile worker. I really like the article about palm, windows mobile, Tablet PC, about new features or howtos. Plus the reviews of devices I could never afford, at least not at the rate that devices are introduced. I like to look back at the old articles about the HP TC1100 and the sony viao, but I disgress. Keep up the good work Kevin & James. I would like to keep following your site.
Tom Reestman, I’m not apologetic at all. Like JHall says I always opt for the best tool for the job and I’ve decided this display is that tool. Apple charges a higher premium for products like this so it takes longer to make that final decision and the hands-on test pushed me over the edge.
JHall, my work has changed but I’m actually traveling more since the change than I did before so I’m still a mobile guy. We’ll continue to cover the cool mobile stuff, don’t worry.
Haha! This why I now avoid shopping at the SF Apple Store
Too tempting…
Just kidding. I actually walked there right after meeting with you for coffee Friday evening, but the store was closing.
I was recently shopping for a 24″ display and picked up an HP w2408h on sale but its quality is disappointing.
I have a Dell 2408wfp (with VGA, 2x DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort) arriving Tuesday to replace the HP. Hopefully, I can still return the HP that evening… (I got it as Cicuit City – oops!)
Anyway, I looked at the Apple 24″ LED display, but I don’t have any devices with DisplayPort yet, and the price is still too high, IMO.
I for one splurged last Christmas (not this one) for an HP 30 inch screen and it really was worth the rather exorbitant cost. Though, for full productivity adding even more screens on the side helps. I’ve forgotten how to use ALT-TAB these days – I can see all of my windows at almost any time when working on the desktop computer and that is really something that has to be experienced to be believed.
20 or 24 inches isn’t really that important to me, it is all about pixels. The more the merrier, and frankly I’d rather have two 20-inch screens than one 24 – the productivity on the dual screen setup will be much greater for just about any type of work.
Of course, if a single display output is all that is available as it is on most mobile gear, going for the bigger screen is the only option.
“I was feeling the tug of geekdom telling me I still wanted one but was fighting it off when the Apple rep stopped by. I explained how I had ordered one and canceled it because I couldn’t justify the high price for the convenience it offered paired with my MacBook.”
Traitor!!