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PJ G4 · Feb 2, 2003, 08:44 PM

I currently own the Apple 17" and was thinking of upgrading. The comments on the new 20" seem positive. The only concern I have is that the comments on the 20" mention the brightness. What about the resolution and colors. How does the pixel density compare which relates to image detail and sharpness. What about the competition such as the Formac and Samsung. Have any of you who have seen the 20" in the stores care to comment. Thanks

Mac Zealot · Feb 2, 2003, 08:57 PM

Apparently one of the *big* things about cinema displays are the color depths they have, and what I mean by this is colors don't look 'washed out' like on some other LCD monitors.

There's also the fact the formac 20" is more expensive, displays only a little more, is ugly, and isn't 16:10. Think about some of the advantages

schalliol · Feb 2, 2003, 09:45 PM

I saw the 20 at an Apple Store and it is nice. The specs aren't that wonderful and it is VERY clear that the much more expensive Formac is the way to go.

However, at less than $720 the better spec'd Samsung 191t or Dell 1900FP seems much more cost effective, get a couple of them. It doesn't have the same resolution, but since it's not too wide it works better in a multimonitor config.

I know I post a lot about this, but it really seems like a much better deal.

davidski · Feb 2, 2003, 09:46 PM

Using the maximum resolution and measuring the size of the screen, I came up with about 99 pixels/inch. That's not bad at all, and well higher than the old standard of 72.

As for color, I got the 20" to replace my 21" Apple Studio Display CRT. Before carting off the CRT, I had both hooked up to my Mac and compared the same image on both. Once I turned down the brightness on the LCD, I was pleasantly surprised how very close the color was on the two monitors - darn near identical really. The biggest difference I saw was that the LCD had better, darker blacks.

schalliol · Feb 2, 2003, 09:55 PM

CRTs will be able to best emulate the real color spectrum, but the Formac should be really close.

The contrast ratio on the ACD 20 is pretty low.

iChristopher · Feb 3, 2003, 02:38 AM

If you are doing print work, buy a CRT. For everybody else, the colors on the 20" are freaking awesome.

iChristopher · Feb 3, 2003, 02:45 AM

Originally posted by schalliol:
I saw the 20 at an Apple Store and it is nice. The specs aren't that wonderful and it is VERY clear that the much more expensive Formac is the way to go.

What? It's VERY clear the more expensive Formac is the way to go? Why? The 20" looks incredible, it's one of the very best flat panels I've ever seen from any company at any size. It's much cheaper and for most folks would be a great solution, compared to the more expensive Formac.

Clear? Clear as mud.

Formac is going to have to drop the price on their display, if they want to move them. Then depending on the new price point, MAYBE it would be the clear winner - MAYBE.

motti · Feb 3, 2003, 11:46 AM

as far as i know, the new apple 20'' is manufactured by samsung.

schalliol · Feb 3, 2003, 12:19 PM

Have you seen the Formac in person? Also do the spec comparison (Formac does have a good fn on the site if you don't want to dig it up).

iChristopher · Feb 3, 2003, 01:12 PM

I just think saying it's the "clear" choice is going overboard a little bit. I'm sure it specs out better, but I have seen the 20" in person (I have one) and I know how awesome it looks. I really doubt the Formac could look so much better than this, that I would shell out the extra $400 for it.

Originally posted by schalliol:
Have you seen the Formac in person? Also do the spec comparison (Formac does have a good fn on the site if you don't want to dig it up).

schalliol · Feb 3, 2003, 01:29 PM

Sorry, if you're going to use it for publishing it would be the choice (esp. if using colors).