Preparing For The “I Told You So’s”
Apple May 3rd, 2007
I think a wave of awe, despair, yet excitement has just shot down my spine - I’m actually considering purchasing Dell displays (yes, plural) instead of Apple’s Cinema Display offering.
I’m still a couple of months away from pulling the trigger on the setup of my dreams, as I’m still needed to save a little more cash and wait for our home renovations to finish so I can move into my new room, but I’ve been adding up figures and I’m quite surprised.
The 23″ Apple Cinema Display works out at $1450 NZD with my educational discount, the Dell 2407 display is just $1099 - a saving of almost $400 for a single panel.
My original plan was the Mac Pro with a single 23″ Apple Cinema Display, now I’m considering a Mac Pro with dual 24″ Dell displays. Dual displays is something I couldn’t afford to do with Apples offering, but something I can (and would) do with Dell’s.
Single 23″ Apple Cinema Display = $1450
Dual 24″ Dell displays = $2198
For the extra $600-700, I get an extra 2.3 million pixels, and a 48 inch wide workspace, perfect to lay out all the windows I need to reference to throughout the day.
Sure, I give away that “All Apple” sense of the workspace, but I get double the resolution, screens with non-glare casing, at a much cheaper price - and to tell the absolute truth, the new 2407 Dell displays don’t look too shabby at all. I’m especially looking forward till Derek, Matt, and Michael chip into the discussion below to give me their thoughts.
Now, back to the saving - $1500 USD and counting. Anyone want any work done? ;-) If anyone from Dell reads this and wants to send me a review unit to prove me right or wrong, feel free to contact me.
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I think it is a good idea, especially if you wall mount them.
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
you should check out the Samsung 22inch widescreen, its really nice. Its what I will be buying come fall. Apple displays are nice but way over priced.
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I’ve never seen a Samsung display I liked, but I myself own the 24″ Dell and couldn’t be happier.
5 inputs, a built in media card reader, 4 USB ports, and HDCP support …. beat that Apple.
Yes, a little style is sacrificed, but after taking a sharpie to the dell logo on the front of mine (seriously) :) I think I made the right decision.
May 3rd, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Wall mounting is definitely an option, I just need to decide on what desk to get to complement the setup. My current desk, a glass desk, or a desk with slightly darker wood.
The Samsung 22″ resolution is only 1680×1050, the Dell 24″ is 1920×1200. The resolution matters to me, hugely.
May 3rd, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Go for it, I’m absolutely in love with my new Dell monitor.
I haven’t had the opportunity to use Apple’s Cinema Display, however, cost was my main motivation for grabbing the Dell.
May 3rd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Sounds awesome! The only thing in my mind holding me back from being thrilled with the thought of Dual 24″ Dell’s is how they look, any chance of a picture of your setup? The displays do look very nice in pictures (still not as good as the ACD) - but do they look as good in real life as in pictures?
May 3rd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
I think the Dell displays are great. Just be sure to buy both monitors together. A friend of mine bought a second one 3 months later and found out the colour didn’t exactly match the first one.
Besides, I think the Dell stand looks smarter, and if you want to make if more “Apple” like, just paste an Apple sticker onto the stand. :P
May 3rd, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Hmmm. I wonder whose idea this was. You change your setup plans more than you change your socks I think.
May 3rd, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Haha, I do Michael. When I have the new setup think about how much extra free time I’ll have ;-)
May 3rd, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Sounds good - in the short term? I have done this before, compromised on a second choice for all kind of logical reasons when at the end of the day emotion meant I still hankered after the premium brand. You said this was to be the set up of your dreams and that you wanted it to last for years? Did your dreams include Dell? Or are you just thinking that this is a way to get 2 monitors now? Personally I would hold onto your dream and find a way to make it happen - you will be spending many years in front of these monitors - you don’t want every day to start with a “If only…..”
As for a desk I have a couple of glass worktops that I had cut to the specific size that I wanted. Mount them via a couple of trendy looking brackets and slide some drawers underneath and you are all set up. Very cost effective, very efficient and exactly the size and shape that you want.
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Chris, when I start to think about it I prefer the Dells. One of my main gripes using an imac is the reflection off the “trim”. I have a thing with light reflections and glare (a really bad thing), the Dell display with the black trimming should help me get over this and provide a non-glaring trim which disappears in the dark.
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Fair enough - although the iMac is very different from the ACD. I have both and have no issue with either to be fair, but I can understand what you mean about the iMac.
Either way - do what works for you :-)
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Why not get a 30″?
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:56 pm
I thought about this as it’d the same price, but I would feel better having two workspaces where I can spread things out. With the large 30″ display, I’d find myself simply resizing windows to fit the screen, not really making the most of having a large canvas.
As Adam Betts put it, “I get headache very easily if I don’t have two displays. It’s like putting every furniture, bed, electronics, etc. all in one large room when it’s easier to organize them in two slightly smaller rooms.”
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Glenn I think it’s a great idea. Apple displays haven’t been that ’special’ for a while and Dell have just suddenly caught up. However LED displays will be coming soon (Jobs says) so I don’t know what that will do for price/quality
May 3rd, 2007 at 10:01 pm
If it brings the Apple Cinema Display price down count me in (I’m waiting till after WWDC). If not, Dell is where I’m heading.
May 3rd, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I know where you’re coming from. In a few months (July most likely) I’ll be upgrading my display at home and I’m looking for 2 20+ inchers. My main issue is just how infereior the ACDs are in terms of contrast ratios and refresh rates.
But then the ACDs are just so damn sexy. I’m hoping WWDC brings updated screens so that they’re at least competitive feature-wise with the Dells. If not, I’ll be heading to Dell too.
May 3rd, 2007 at 11:51 pm
As far as I know, education discounts from Apple only apply to grade school faculty and college facult/students
May 4th, 2007 at 12:09 am
This opens up an interesting question. I wonder if the people with one large screen use it primarily to just have a bigger window open, or to have more windows open on the desktop? I have a suspicion that the majority primarily just like to have a big iTunes open (for example). It is tempting I know, especially if your previous screen size limited you to only one open window at a time. It takes some getting used to having a number of smaller windows open at the same time.
May 4th, 2007 at 1:11 am
I agree. I’ve been this way all along, but I’m going for a 20 inch dells. Some of the things that make it better are the price, and the inputs. With the monitor you are going to buy, I’m pretty sure there are a ton of inputs for things like Wiis and Xbox 360’s.
You and Adam Betts are the same way, and I would rather have two smaller monitors then one big one. To quote, he said: “I get headache very easily if I don’t have two displays. It’s like putting every furniture, bed, electronics, etc. all in one large room when it’s easier to organize them in two slightly smaller rooms.”.
I can’t buy two, but I hope to get some money over the summer to buy a nice one.
May 4th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Great idea on the displays, but I still think you are over purchasing your needs with the Mac Pro.
May 4th, 2007 at 4:31 am
Glen, I was also apprehensive about making the purchase because of the look. True, it doesn’t quite fit with the Apple style, however, they are actually great looking monitors when you see them in the flesh. I can’t provide any pictures right now, but if you want to see some other people’s setups, search flickr for “2407WFP” or something similar.
Be sure to let me know when you do get your monitor, and how it turns out :)
May 4th, 2007 at 4:54 am
Save money for VESA mounts.. having those displays sit high will get annoying as I don’t think they can go completely flush with the desk. I like my displays low, but that’s just me.
May 4th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Wow, I have been waiting for the Apple displays to be updated and this makes me want to check out what Dell is offering. Thanks!
May 4th, 2007 at 7:54 am
You know what? I know I’m over purchasing my needs in terms of processing power. But you tell me what Mac I should get which I can make last 4 years or longer, put huge drives in for media, and hook dual displays up to?..None.
I want to buy a machine which will last me a long time which I wont need to replace for years.
Yeah, this is something I’ll look into. Though it wont be on an arm, just flesh mounted on the wall if I go with this option (cords inside wall).
May 4th, 2007 at 8:04 am
two words, glenn: flip. flop.
still wish i had as much money as you do. hope that my new gadgetell job helps.
May 4th, 2007 at 10:21 am
May 4th, 2007 at 10:49 am
The Dell monitors are definitely great. My uncle has 2 of them with a Mac Pro at his job, and they are looking really great.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Joe: I see what you mean though, I’ve made my current iMac last for more than 2 years - now I feel the need to move onto something which will last me longer than 2 years. In the long run it should save me money, as much as I love Apple I dont want to have to shell out on a new setup every 2 years, with the Mac Pro I can simply upgrade what I need more of when I need it :-)
How far away is College for you?
May 4th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I’m getting so sick of reading about your new setup on your blog and on twitter. Everybody gets new setups, we don’t need to know about every single decision or thought you have about it.
May 4th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
You know what Dustin, so I am - I’m sick of writing about this topic, I’ll take a break from it. I dedicate next week to blogging about Media and a couple of new applications I’ve stumbled across recently. I also want to work on some more articles with blogging tips (One tip I can come up with from this is..don’t ramble). Your wish is my command.
May 4th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Looks like you’ve come to your senses.
And please, don’t put a reflection on every image you post.
May 4th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I’m a junior (17), so one year.
May 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Thats fair enough. I suppose when I looked at getting my new computer at the time the 30″ had such wow factor that I didn’t hesistate. In hindsight I can see that giving it more consideraiton may suit some people.
I have a 30″ and love it. I too really need the workspace and find for what I do - with my routine it works great. I continually chop and change depending on what I do in just a few applciations so the 1 display is a no brainer. I suppose if you want certain windows continually open it would make sense to have 2 displays. For me 1 canvas is all I need - unless I had the $$$$ for a 2nd 30″ ;)
Good luck saving and good idea getting the Dells - It really don’t matter in the long run as long as your needs are being met!
May 5th, 2007 at 4:47 am
Can I just ask why? You’re on a new Intel iMac right? And you’re obviously looking for some more power. Ok. But power to last for four years? In four years any premium rig is going to be aging much more than that iMac is now. The Dell displays sound like a good call though.
May 5th, 2007 at 10:53 am
You said it yourself. It doesn’t look too shabby. In fact, if it had an Apple logo on it, all the fanboys would be all “oo that is soo nice”. I have a 20″ Dell widescreen on my own Mac Pro, and I’m lovin’ it. It’s an older model, so it looks like crap compared to the latest ones. Quality wise however, you can’t beat it. Dell and Apple both make some pristine monitors. If that’s what you want, you know what to do. And forget about Samsung if you are serious about colors and something to use for design.
May 5th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
“The 23″ Apple Cinema Display works out at $1450 NZD with my educational discount, the Dell 2407 display is just $1099 - a saving of almost $400 for a single panel.”
But… but… they look nicer! They do! It’s super important!
Lol, just teasing ;)
I’d go with two displays if you’re willing to spend the money, I would imagine it makes a huge difference.
May 6th, 2007 at 1:43 am
Can’t wait to see how the new led Apple Displays will look.
your future-setup is making me envious, lol.
by the way, I’m with alej744, don’t use so much the reflection effect on your images ;)
cheers and good luck.
May 6th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
!!
everything i ever wanted to do was and always will remain possible on my 12′ powerbook!
!!
May 9th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Hey Glen
Nice blog. I ventured over here after you commented on one of my flickr shots.
Continuing the thread, I’ve never used the dell ones, but the ACD’s are very bright and I can feel the heat radiating from them as I work!
The ACDs are pretty massive.
On whether to use the extra cash for the ACDs or the processor, tt depends on what you are doing. We’re working with HDV and HD in a production environment. If we get 1/2 hour - 1 hour faster renders, the extra cores and hertz are justifiable. If you are on tight deadlines and time counts, the processors are important.
May 9th, 2007 at 7:39 am
"I told you so". Was that what you were waiting to hear from me. In all honesty, you may even be content with a single 24″ Dell. No joke. With the amount of money you save dropping the fantasy of owning Apple displays, you’ll be able to juice your computing hardware with a little more RAM, another hardrive, another disc drive.
On the topic of the ACD’s looking nicer, I don’t believe it. I think my Dell is just as clean looking at it offers far more ergonomic customization that the aluminum shrouded Apple’s. Sure, they look nice. But who are you trying to impress? Yourself? Visitors? The eye candy allure soon fades away just like letters on a heavily used keyboard. Grab a high contrast version and the only thing you’ll be focusing on is what’s on the screen, not what’s wrapped around it.
May 9th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
But here’s what I don’t get - why do you need dual displays? Doesn’t seem like you’re doing much that really requires more than one display here. As per not getting an ACD, good choice. I’m glad your manlove for Jobs didn’t take over on this decision in the end. The ACDs are kind of crappy anyway. Point being, you don’t need two displays, and as Derek said, if you get one, then you can spend the rest of the money on your sheep.
May 15th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I bought the 23″ ACD after testing the 20″ Dell for a week a couple years ago. I’m still really happy with my decision. For me, the aesthetics took a back seat to image quality. The Dells had good crisp text and desktop display, but colors seemed a little too bright and washed out. I messed with the settings for over an hour and still couldn’t get whites to look quite right. The clincher for me was testing DiVX on the Dell. It was terrible looking. Blocky, lots of tearing. The ACD for video was as close to CRT quality as I’d seen in an LCD. That’s DVD and .avi/mpg. Maybe the Dells are better now, but overall, from clarity, crispness of text to games and video playback, I’ve never regretted my Apple. I’m running it with Windows, btw.