Apple Cinema Display
Encyclopedia
The Apple Cinema Display was a line of flat panel computer monitors
introduced in September 1999 by Apple Inc. It was initially sold alongside the older line of Studio Displays
, but eventually replaced them. In July 2011, Apple replaced it with the Apple Thunderbolt Display
. Apple offered 20-, 22-, 23-, 24-, 27- and 30-inch sizes, with the last model being a 27-inch size with LED
backlighting.
There have been three designs for the Cinema Display, one featuring polycarbonate
plastic and two featuring anodized aluminum. The first displays were designed to match the colorful plastic of the Power Mac G3
and later the Power Mac G4
while the second revisions were designed to match the more professional aesthetics of the Power Mac G5
and PowerBook G4
. The last available design matched the unibody laptops released in October 2008. The newer Thunderbolt Display uses the same design as the 27-inch size Cinema LED Display.
and used DVI
for video input. It was enclosed in a high-density plastic
frame with an easel
-style stand and had a display resolution of 1600 × 1024. This model was upgraded in July 2000 with the Apple Display Connector
(ADC), which ran DVI, USB, and 25V
power through a single connector. It was eventually replaced by a 20-inch model on January 28, 2003 that sported a widescreen display with up to 1680 × 1050 resolution.
The 23-inch model, dubbed the "Cinema HD Display", was introduced on March 20, 2002 and supported full 1080p
resolution.
On June 28, 2004, Apple introduced a redesigned line of Cinema Displays, along with a new 30-inch model that, like the 23-inch model, carried the "Cinema HD Display" name. The new models had an anodized aluminum enclosure that matched Apple's high-end lines of professional products. An alternative stand or a wall mount could be used with a VESA
mount adapter kit that was sold separately. Though the display enclosures had not been redesigned for a long period of time, several "silent" improvements were made to the brightness levels and contrast ratios.
With the introduction of the 24-inch LED Cinema Display in October 2008, the 23-inch Cinema HD Display was discontinued. The 20-inch model was also discontinued in February 2009, leaving the 30-inch display as the only model left.
As of August 2010, the Mac Pro
is the only current Macintosh sold with a dual-link DVI adapter. However, all current Macs come with a Mini DisplayPort connector which can be used with a separately sold adapter to run the 30-inch display.
All Power Mac G5
, PowerBook G4
, and Mac Pro
models that were introduced after the 30-inch model was released are capable of supporting it without the use of any adapters. Discrete construction MacBook Pro
s are also capable of driving the 30-inch display, while all Macs released after October 2008 (with the exception of the Mac Pro) require an additional adapter. The 30-inch Cinema Display was introduced together with the GeForce 6800, which supports two DVI-DL ports. ATI's aftermarket AGP X800 Mac Edition, which is only compatible with the Power Mac G5, also supports dual-link DVI, but has only one port. The Radeon 9600 Mac/PC was another aftermarket graphics card that supported dual-link DVI and was also compatible with older AGP-based Power Macs.
If a computer with a single-link DVI port (such as a Mac laptop with a mini-DVI connector) is connected to the 30-inch display, it will only run at 1280 × 800, even if the computer is capable of supporting 1920 × 1200 over a single-link connection.
desktop computers on August 7, 2007, so Apple does not offer any desktop equipment with a matte, anti-glare screen. This has caused concern among a sizeable segment of users that need matte screens for their particular area of work, for example, graphic designers, photographers, and users that view their screens for many hours per day. A common complaint is that the reflections from the glossy screen can lead to eyestrain and headaches among a certain percentage of the population who are prone to eyestrain, known as Computer vision syndrome
. The Wall Street Journal
referred to Apple's removal of the matte screen as one of Apple's worst design decisions. Apple's decision to remove a matte, anti-glare screen option from its desktop product line seems at odds with polls which indicate that anywhere from 50-75% of users prefer matte screens. A report from the University of Queensland
in Australia
indicated that there could be long term adverse health effects from prolonged use of glossy screens on Apple computers. This has raised questions on the suitability of Apple desktop equipment for use for work in offices in the European Union
since there are E.U. regulations in place that specify that a computer "screen shall be free of reflective glare and reflections liable to cause discomfort to the user".
which had a similar appearance to the latest iMac, MacBook Pro and unibody MacBook designs. The display features a built-in iSight
camera, microphone, and dual speaker system. A MagSafe
cable runs from the back of the display for charging notebooks. It is the first Cinema Display to use LED backlighting and the Mini DisplayPort
for video input. This display is only officially compatible with Macs that have the Mini DisplayPort connector. A third-party converter must be used in order to use this display with older Macs.
On July 26, 2010, the 24-inch and 30-inch Cinema Displays were replaced by a 27-inch model that supports up to 2560 × 1440 resolution, making it the only Cinema Display currently in production.
On July 20, 2011, the Cinema Display line stopped being marketed by Apple in their stores. It was superseded by the Apple Thunderbolt Display
. However, it is still sold online via the Apple Store's Website
Computer display
A monitor or display is an electronic visual display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry, and an enclosure...
introduced in September 1999 by Apple Inc. It was initially sold alongside the older line of Studio Displays
Apple Studio Display
The Apple Studio Displays were a series of displays manufactured by Apple Computer Inc. that both used LCD and CRT as their displays. The Apple Studio Displays used DB-15, VGA, DVI, and ADC as their display output...
, but eventually replaced them. In July 2011, Apple replaced it with the Apple Thunderbolt Display
Apple Thunderbolt Display
The Apple Thunderbolt Display is the current flat panel computer monitor sold by Apple Inc. Introduced on July 20, 2011, it immediately replaced the LED Cinema Display, continuing with the same form factor and technical specification for the display portion of the product...
. Apple offered 20-, 22-, 23-, 24-, 27- and 30-inch sizes, with the last model being a 27-inch size with LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
backlighting.
There have been three designs for the Cinema Display, one featuring polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
PolycarbonatePhysical PropertiesDensity 1.20–1.22 g/cm3Abbe number 34.0Refractive index 1.584–1.586FlammabilityV0-V2Limiting oxygen index25–27%Water absorption – Equilibrium0.16–0.35%Water absorption – over 24 hours0.1%...
plastic and two featuring anodized aluminum. The first displays were designed to match the colorful plastic of the Power Mac G3
Power Macintosh G3 (Blue & White)
The Power Macintosh G3 series was a series of personal computers designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer Inc. as part of their Power Macintosh line...
and later the Power Mac G4
Power Mac G4
The Power Mac G4 was a series of personal computers that was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple between 1999 and 2004. They used the PowerPC G4 series of microprocessors. They were heralded by Apple to be the first personal supercomputers, reaching speeds of 4 to 20 Gigaflops...
while the second revisions were designed to match the more professional aesthetics of the Power Mac G5
Power Mac G5
The Power Mac G5 is Apple's marketing name for models of the Power Macintosh that contains the IBM PowerPC G5 CPU. The professional-grade computer was the most powerful in Apple's lineup when it was introduced, widely hailed as the first 64-bit PC, and was touted by Apple as the fastest personal...
and PowerBook G4
PowerBook G4
The PowerBook G4 are a series of notebook computers that were manufactured, marketed, and sold by Apple, Inc. between 2001 and 2006 as part of its PowerBook line. It uses the PowerPC G4 processor, initially produced by Motorola and later by Freescale, after Motorola spun off its semiconductor...
. The last available design matched the unibody laptops released in October 2008. The newer Thunderbolt Display uses the same design as the 27-inch size Cinema LED Display.
Early Cinema Displays
The first model—the 22-inch Apple Cinema Display—was introduced in September 1999 alongside the Power Mac G4Power Mac G4
The Power Mac G4 was a series of personal computers that was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple between 1999 and 2004. They used the PowerPC G4 series of microprocessors. They were heralded by Apple to be the first personal supercomputers, reaching speeds of 4 to 20 Gigaflops...
and used DVI
Digital Visual Interface
The Digital Visual Interface is a video interface standard covering the transmission of video between a source device and a display device. The DVI standard has achieved widespread acceptance in the PC industry, both in desktop PCs and monitors...
for video input. It was enclosed in a high-density plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
frame with an easel
Easel
An easel is an upright support used for displaying and/or fixing something resting upon it.-Etymology:The word is an old Germanic synonym for donkey...
-style stand and had a display resolution of 1600 × 1024. This model was upgraded in July 2000 with the Apple Display Connector
Apple Display Connector
The Apple Display Connector is a proprietary modification of the DVI connector that combines analog and digital video signals, USB, and power all in one cable...
(ADC), which ran DVI, USB, and 25V
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
power through a single connector. It was eventually replaced by a 20-inch model on January 28, 2003 that sported a widescreen display with up to 1680 × 1050 resolution.
The 23-inch model, dubbed the "Cinema HD Display", was introduced on March 20, 2002 and supported full 1080p
1080p
1080p is the shorthand identification for a set of HDTV high-definition video modes that are characterized by 1080 horizontal lines of resolution and progressive scan, meaning the image is not interlaced as is the case with the 1080i display standard....
resolution.
On June 28, 2004, Apple introduced a redesigned line of Cinema Displays, along with a new 30-inch model that, like the 23-inch model, carried the "Cinema HD Display" name. The new models had an anodized aluminum enclosure that matched Apple's high-end lines of professional products. An alternative stand or a wall mount could be used with a VESA
VESA
VESA is an international standards body for computer graphics founded in 1989 by NEC Home Electronics and eight other video display adapter manufacturers.VESA's initial goal was to produce a standard for 800×600 SVGA resolution video displays...
mount adapter kit that was sold separately. Though the display enclosures had not been redesigned for a long period of time, several "silent" improvements were made to the brightness levels and contrast ratios.
With the introduction of the 24-inch LED Cinema Display in October 2008, the 23-inch Cinema HD Display was discontinued. The 20-inch model was also discontinued in February 2009, leaving the 30-inch display as the only model left.
30-inch model compatibility
Due to the large number of pixels (2560 × 1600), the 30-inch model requires a dual-link DVI capable graphics card.As of August 2010, the Mac Pro
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro is a workstation computer manufactured by Apple Inc. The machines are based on Xeon microprocessors, but are similar to the Power Mac G5 they replaced in terms of outward appearance and expansion capabilities...
is the only current Macintosh sold with a dual-link DVI adapter. However, all current Macs come with a Mini DisplayPort connector which can be used with a separately sold adapter to run the 30-inch display.
All Power Mac G5
Power Mac G5
The Power Mac G5 is Apple's marketing name for models of the Power Macintosh that contains the IBM PowerPC G5 CPU. The professional-grade computer was the most powerful in Apple's lineup when it was introduced, widely hailed as the first 64-bit PC, and was touted by Apple as the fastest personal...
, PowerBook G4
PowerBook G4
The PowerBook G4 are a series of notebook computers that were manufactured, marketed, and sold by Apple, Inc. between 2001 and 2006 as part of its PowerBook line. It uses the PowerPC G4 processor, initially produced by Motorola and later by Freescale, after Motorola spun off its semiconductor...
, and Mac Pro
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro is a workstation computer manufactured by Apple Inc. The machines are based on Xeon microprocessors, but are similar to the Power Mac G5 they replaced in terms of outward appearance and expansion capabilities...
models that were introduced after the 30-inch model was released are capable of supporting it without the use of any adapters. Discrete construction MacBook Pro
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is a line of Macintosh portable computers introduced in January 2006 by Apple. It replaced the PowerBook G4 and was the second model, after the iMac, to be announced in the Apple–Intel transition...
s are also capable of driving the 30-inch display, while all Macs released after October 2008 (with the exception of the Mac Pro) require an additional adapter. The 30-inch Cinema Display was introduced together with the GeForce 6800, which supports two DVI-DL ports. ATI's aftermarket AGP X800 Mac Edition, which is only compatible with the Power Mac G5, also supports dual-link DVI, but has only one port. The Radeon 9600 Mac/PC was another aftermarket graphics card that supported dual-link DVI and was also compatible with older AGP-based Power Macs.
If a computer with a single-link DVI port (such as a Mac laptop with a mini-DVI connector) is connected to the 30-inch display, it will only run at 1280 × 800, even if the computer is capable of supporting 1920 × 1200 over a single-link connection.
Matte vs glossy screen
Since the transition on October 14, 2008 to the Aluminum models, Apple removed the matte, anti-glare screen as an option for its Cinema Displays. As a consequence, the Cinema Displays have been available from Apple only with a glossy screen. Apple removed the matte screen option from its line of iMacIMac
The iMac is a range of all-in-one Macintosh desktop computers built by Apple. It has been the primary part of Apple's consumer desktop offerings since its introduction in 1998, and has evolved through five distinct forms....
desktop computers on August 7, 2007, so Apple does not offer any desktop equipment with a matte, anti-glare screen. This has caused concern among a sizeable segment of users that need matte screens for their particular area of work, for example, graphic designers, photographers, and users that view their screens for many hours per day. A common complaint is that the reflections from the glossy screen can lead to eyestrain and headaches among a certain percentage of the population who are prone to eyestrain, known as Computer vision syndrome
Computer vision syndrome
Computer vision syndrome is a temporary condition resulting from focusing the eyes on a computer display for protracted, uninterrupted periods of time. Some symptoms of CVS include headaches, blurred vision, neck pain, redness in the eyes, fatigue, eye strain, dry, irritated eyes, double vision,...
. The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
referred to Apple's removal of the matte screen as one of Apple's worst design decisions. Apple's decision to remove a matte, anti-glare screen option from its desktop product line seems at odds with polls which indicate that anywhere from 50-75% of users prefer matte screens. A report from the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
indicated that there could be long term adverse health effects from prolonged use of glossy screens on Apple computers. This has raised questions on the suitability of Apple desktop equipment for use for work in offices in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
since there are E.U. regulations in place that specify that a computer "screen shall be free of reflective glare and reflections liable to cause discomfort to the user".
Technical specifications
| Table of models | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Cold cathode Cold cathode A cold cathode is a cathode used within nixie tubes, gas discharge lamps, discharge tubes, and some types of vacuum tube which is not electrically heated by the circuit to which it is connected... fluorescent lamp Fluorescent lamp A fluorescent lamp or fluorescent tube is a gas-discharge lamp that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor. The excited mercury atoms produce short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor to fluoresce, producing visible light. A fluorescent lamp converts electrical power into useful... -backlit LCD |
||||||
| Model | Apple Cinema Display | Apple Cinema HD Display | Apple Cinema Display | Apple Cinema HD Display | |||
| Model number | M5662 | M8149 | M8536 | A1038 | A1081 | A1082 | A1083 |
| Apple Order Number | N/A | M8058ZM/A | M8537ZM/A | M8893ZM/A | M9177LL/A | M9178LL/A | M9179LL/A |
| Release date(s) | September 1, 1999 | July 19, 2000 | March 20, 2002 | January 28, 2003 | June 28, 2004 | ||
| Discontinued | July 19, 2000 | January 28, 2003 | June 28, 2004 | February 19, 2009 | November 17, 2008 | July 26, 2010 | |
| Display Display device A display device is an output device for presentation of information in visual or tactile form... (all widescreen unless otherwise stated) |
22", matte Matte Matte may refer to:In film:* Matte , filmmaking and video production technology* Matte painting, a process of creating sets used in film and video* Matte box, a camera accessory for controlling lens glare... , LCD, 1600 × 1024 (fullscreen) |
23", matte, LCD, 1920 × 1200 | 20", matte, LCD, 1680 × 1050 | 23", matte, LCD, 1920 × 1200 | 30", matte, LCD, 2560 × 1600 | ||
| 25:16 aspect ratio Aspect ratio The aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements,... |
16:10 aspect ratio | ||||||
| Pixel density (in pixels per inch) |
86.35 | 98.44 | 99.06 | 98.44 | 101.65 | ||
| Brightness | 180 cd/m2 | 180 cd/m2 | 200 cd/m2 | 230 cd/m2 | 250 cd/m2 | 270 cd/m2 | 270 cd/m2 |
| Response time | Unknown | 16 ms | 14 ms | ||||
| Power | 62-77W | 70W | 60W | 65W | 90W | 150W | |
| Material | Polycarbonate frame | Aluminum frame | |||||
| Input | DVI-D | Apple Display Connector Apple Display Connector The Apple Display Connector is a proprietary modification of the DVI connector that combines analog and digital video signals, USB, and power all in one cable... |
DVI-D | Dual-link DVI-D | |||
LED Cinema Display
On October 14, 2008, the 23-inch Cinema Display was replaced with a 24-inch model made with aluminium and glassGlass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
which had a similar appearance to the latest iMac, MacBook Pro and unibody MacBook designs. The display features a built-in iSight
ISight
iSight is a webcam, both external and internal, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. The external iSight was sold retail for US$149, connected to a computer via a FireWire cable, and came with a set of mounts to place it atop any then-current Apple display, laptop computer, all-in-one desktop...
camera, microphone, and dual speaker system. A MagSafe
MagSafe
MagSafe is a proprietary magnetically-attached power connector introduced by Apple Inc. on January 10, 2006 in conjunction with the MacBook Pro at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco...
cable runs from the back of the display for charging notebooks. It is the first Cinema Display to use LED backlighting and the Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort
The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort digital audio-visual interface. Apple, Inc. announced the development in the fourth quarter of 2008, and now applies it in the LED Cinema Display and in all new Macintosh computers: MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini,...
for video input. This display is only officially compatible with Macs that have the Mini DisplayPort connector. A third-party converter must be used in order to use this display with older Macs.
On July 26, 2010, the 24-inch and 30-inch Cinema Displays were replaced by a 27-inch model that supports up to 2560 × 1440 resolution, making it the only Cinema Display currently in production.
On July 20, 2011, the Cinema Display line stopped being marketed by Apple in their stores. It was superseded by the Apple Thunderbolt Display
Apple Thunderbolt Display
The Apple Thunderbolt Display is the current flat panel computer monitor sold by Apple Inc. Introduced on July 20, 2011, it immediately replaced the LED Cinema Display, continuing with the same form factor and technical specification for the display portion of the product...
. However, it is still sold online via the Apple Store's Website
Technical specifications
| Table of models | ||
|---|---|---|
| Component | Light-emitting diode Light-emitting diode A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting... -backlit LCD |
|
| Model | LED Cinema Display | LED Cinema Display (27-Inch) |
| Model number | A1267 | A1316 |
| Order number | MB382LL/A | MC007LL/A |
| Release date | October 14, 2008 | July 27, 2010 |
| Discontinued Date | July 26, 2010 | July 20, 2011 |
| Display Display device A display device is an output device for presentation of information in visual or tactile form... (all widescreen) |
24", glossy glass covered screen, LCD, 1920 × 1200, with LED LEd LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product.... backlighting |
27", glossy glass covered screen, LCD, 2560 × 1440, with LED LEd LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product.... backlighting |
| 16:10 aspect ratio | 16:9 aspect ratio | |
| Built-in Camera | iSight | iSight |
| Brightness | 330 cd/m2 | 375 cd/m2 |
| Pixel density (in pixels per inch) |
94.3 | 109 |
| Response time | 14 ms | 12 ms |
| Power | Up to 212W (while charging a MacBook Pro) | Up to 250W (while charging a MacBook Pro) |
| Material | Aluminum frame and glass front | |
| Ports/Connectors | Mini DisplayPort Mini DisplayPort The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort digital audio-visual interface. Apple, Inc. announced the development in the fourth quarter of 2008, and now applies it in the LED Cinema Display and in all new Macintosh computers: MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini,... , 3 x USB 2.0 |
|
| Original Price | $899 | $999 |
External links
- Apple - LED Cinema Display
- Apple Cinema Display 20/23/30-inch User Manual
- Apple Matters - Collections
- Kubicki, Kristopher. "The 20 inch LCD shootout: Dell versus Apple", "AnandTech", 27 April 2005.
- Luepke, Lara. "Battle of the 30-inch monitors: Apple Cinema Display vs. Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP", "CNET prizefight", 22 March 2006.