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JayTi · Oct 12, 2002, 04:54 PM

I know formac doesn't have the best reputation...but from the people I've talked to, their products are good. Apparently they don't ship out monitors with more than 2 dead pixels, however on a $1700 display-I wouldn't want even one. I'll post back when it ships (ordered through MacMall, knock on wood) with a full review. Until then, Cheers!

MisterRogers · Oct 12, 2002, 07:18 PM

Yea, me too. I really wrestled with either going with this display, or a Cinema 22. Came down to saving $500 giving up 2 inches. Hope it proves to be a good choice.

ajprice · Oct 13, 2002, 09:15 AM

JayTi, you might have lost a couple of inches, but you gained some pixels, Cinema Display resolution is 1600x1024, the Formac's resolution is 1600x1200.

JayTi · Oct 13, 2002, 11:46 AM

Yah, its not widescreen like the cinema, but I don't think thats all that bad. Anyone know if it has just simple "On/Off" button? Sometimes I just like to turn my monitor off and not sleep my computer...

MisterRogers · Oct 25, 2002, 05:40 PM

I got my 2010 today. Simply awesome. I've never seen an LCD so bright, sharp, and quick at the pixel response. Not a single bad pixel. Study frame (others may complain, but I think it's plenty solid). flawless color, no dark spots, but the brightness... Man. I almost have to turn down the contrast/brightness. it does have an on/off button on the front, and brightness controls. The FDC (both ADC and DVI) connector didn't make it into this early version, but the DVI/Power/USB design is pretty good. Not sure what else to say. Runs cool. Considering the tradeoffs between the 2010 and the CD displays, I'm happy with my purchase. The viewing angle is incredible, and the color accuracy at extreme angles is very good. Let me know if have any specific questions.

JayTi · Oct 25, 2002, 07:31 PM

Thanks for the report Mister. I actually cancelled my order because they told me I wouldn't get it until November 3rd (after being juggled around 10 times on various ship dates) so I just plunked down the cash for a 23", and I'm more than happy with it.

Justin W. Williams · Oct 25, 2002, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by JayTi:
Thanks for the report Mister. I actually cancelled my order because they told me I wouldn't get it until November 3rd (after being juggled around 10 times on various ship dates) so I just plunked down the cash for a 23", and I'm more than happy with it.

Gonna update that picture w/ 4 displays now in the Powermac thread?

KidRed · Oct 28, 2002, 01:05 PM

mister- have you been on a CD? Just wondering your comparison between the two. Because it;s not widescreen, does that mean it's taller then the CD? Or the CD size without the few inches on the side to widen it?

JayTi- So you never got your 2010, the one stated in your topic? lol How is the HDCD? Much difference between that and the CD? Other then the inch?

rm199 · Oct 28, 2002, 03:25 PM

I know its not the best place to compare but a store I visited on the weekend had the HD next to the 2010. The quality of the 2010 was just fantastic in comparison especially when I had the guy run a video on both...

I'm definitely torn between the HD or a Samsung SM241MP or a 2010. Well I was... when the DVI 2010 is in stock thats the one!

RM

MisterRogers · Oct 28, 2002, 04:45 PM

I've spent some time on both the 22 and 23 CD - and the 2010 beats them both on brightness, contrast and sharpness (not side by side, just from memory, but I do spend too much time at the Apple store :-). Also, the 2010 handles games and video with no ghosting that I can perceive. This display really is a delight to use. It is roughly taller than a 22, and proportionally not as wide. The pixels seem finer, which gives the display a conventional form compared to the CD. Honestly, while I do like the form of the CD, I would not trade the strengths of this display for it. Also, now that I've given it a closer eyeball construction wise, it isn't really as tightly constructed as a CD. No matter. The warranty is good, and the electronics are top-notch.

JayTi · Oct 28, 2002, 08:47 PM

I love the HD Cinema display. In all honesty I like widescreen. I really do, and that was the other aspect of why I wanted the cinema display. Apple's engineers did it right, I've talked to them and they give truely compelling reasoning why they made their LCDs widescreen (yes, a 19" is coming and it will be widescreen, the 15" has already been discontinued, as most people know) We humans have peripheral vision...why not make a monitor that makes the most use out of it? Anywho, I'm a graphic designer/programmer by heart, and even though the formac specs beat the cinema display on paper, the widescreen aspect, and the quality of Apple's displays really do shine--on paper and in my eyes.

coolmac · Nov 17, 2002, 06:46 PM

I'm going to see the Sony 23" wide screen display tomorrow, its going to be between it and the Formac 2010.

The Sony's specs are at least as good as the Apple HD 23" display, same resolution, etc..

I know the Formac has a great panel but the reviews of the frame being flimsy concerns me, though I really like the way the Formac looks.

I'd love to see the Formac in person to decide for myself but I don't know of any retailer in NY that carries it.

Were any of you Formac 2010 owners actually able to see the display before purchasing it?

It's hard to believe I can't see this monitor anywhere before making the plunge.

MisterRogers · Nov 17, 2002, 07:00 PM

My purchase was blind. The specs where good, and the 1740 had excellent reviews re: LCD sharpness, color accuracy, brightness, etc. I'm typing this viewing the 2010, watching the Lions get wupped again on my Formac Studio TVDV, and I still can't believe how sharp and bright this display is. Absolutely no regrets. Really, I haven't seen another LCD (I work in the industry, and I've seen mucho) that has a screen as sharp and bright as this. LCD's seem to be more affordable now (meaning, there are cheaper screens out), but you really do get what you pay for. Anyway, Good luck on your choice.

Mister

FlammableYurt · Nov 17, 2002, 07:30 PM

will the formac 2010 work with a 16 MB ATI Rage card?

MisterRogers · Nov 18, 2002, 08:54 AM

Sorry FlammableYurt; don't know the answer for sure. I imagine it should. The issue is, at what resolution, and whether in multi-monitor mode. If the 2010 is used alone, and at 16bit res, should work fine. You can do the math - to verify for sure, but I avoid math at all costs :-). You may not be able to run at the native res. with millions of colors, but 16 bit should work.

Mister

rm199 · Nov 18, 2002, 11:08 AM

i love my 2010 and will buy a second one when i finally get a desktop mac. only issue so far is my first one seems to 'trickle' the brightness down to minumum once its heated up. every 5 mins the brightness drops a notch until its at minimum after a half hour. dont know what it is yet but hey...

RM

KidRed · Nov 18, 2002, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by rm199:
i love my 2010 and will buy a second one when i finally get a desktop mac. only issue so far is my first one seems to 'trickle' the brightness down to minumum once its heated up. every 5 mins the brightness drops a notch until its at minimum after a half hour. dont know what it is yet but hey...

RM

That a feature or bug?

rm199 · Nov 18, 2002, 04:04 PM

only reason i havent done anything about it is i cant bear to be without it while it gets replaced etc...

RM

Eotku · Nov 20, 2002, 12:16 PM

I have a question for you all.
The Formac 2010 uses Fujitsu�s (MVA) TFT screen. It also looks like Viewsonic's VX2000 also uses the same screen. Also Planar's PL210M has the same specs and might use the same screen as well.

If they use the same screens would the monitors have the same picture quality? Or is there more to an LCD monitor than just the screen? And or has anyone compared the Formac with the Viewsonic or Planar?

rm199 · Nov 20, 2002, 02:53 PM

Honestly I would go and look for yourself. I know you might not find all three together but if you like any one of them go for it. I wont hesitate to buy a second 2010 the day I get a powermac that can drive them both.

Yes its an assumption that the same panel will look the same between vendors.

RM

Eotku · Nov 20, 2002, 03:09 PM

rm199

What type of work do you do with your system? I do 2-D Illustration for print and photo manupulation and some graphic design. I want the LCD that I get to be as accurate as possible.I have always worked with highend CRT's but now I want to move to an LCD display.

rm199 · Nov 20, 2002, 04:12 PM

Mainly work with text documents in office type applications and also visio (VPC). I dont require the type of colour accuracy you would!

The reason i bought LCD was for size, this 20.1 inch LCD sits on a desk just mildly deeper than the apple keyboard. As a bonus its bright and razor sharp.

Downside is if you wish to run multiple resolutions, outside of the native LCDs are poor.

RM