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samslaves · Oct 13, 2003, 05:59 AM

I've ordered a dual thru the ADC Student discount and it is in a "being assembled" status right now. The monitor is an Apple 20". Now, I've seen the 23". Two question to all the 20" and 23" owners: Which is better? Can I replace the item while the order is not being shipped yet (but already paid)?

Thanks
Sam

ebuddy · Oct 13, 2003, 08:28 AM

It's my understanding that the "middle" offer is generally the best deal. I just received my G5 w/ new 20" Cinema Display and am quite impressed. I'm looking at my deskspace and believe a 23" monitor would've been overkill.

voyageur · Oct 13, 2003, 08:43 AM

Sam,
I've got both of these. Since you've seen the 23", I can tell you that the 20" is a little bit "brighter": it has a higher contrast ratio than the 23", so whites look whiter, and colors a little more vivid.

However, the 23" is still very nice. If you are going to view wide-screen DVDs, the 23" will almost fill the entire screen without the black bands.

Whether you can change your order now, I don't know. Call right away is my advice if you decide to change.

fishguy · Oct 13, 2003, 07:29 PM

What will you use this computer for? If it involves color critical work (digital darkroom or video) you will want to calibrate the monitor. In most cases you will be turning the brightness down on the monitor to properly calibrate. Both the 20 and the 23 can be calibrated with tools such as Monaco's Spyder or Gretag Macbeth's Display One. The added real estate of the 23 can be very useful. I'm lusting after the 23 right now and since I don't "need" it this second am waiting to see if Apple updates the lineup.

Cadaver · Oct 13, 2003, 08:50 PM

I've got one of the older 22" cinema displays and love it. I would, however, be more than happy to trade it for a 23" display. I'm also waiting to see if the displays are updated. If they are, I may buy a 23" and take my 22" to work. Eh, who am I kidding - update or not, I may do it anyway

samslaves · Oct 14, 2003, 04:20 AM

Originally posted by fishguy:
What will you use this computer for? If it involves color critical work (digital darkroom or video) you will want to calibrate the monitor. In most cases you will be turning the brightness down on the monitor to properly calibrate. Both the 20 and the 23 can be calibrated with tools such as Monaco's Spyder or Gretag Macbeth's Display One. The added real estate of the 23 can be very useful. I'm lusting after the 23 right now and since I don't "need" it this second am waiting to see if Apple updates the lineup.

Development, Final Cut Express, DVD and Web content creation.

Sam

frownyfrank · Oct 14, 2003, 07:28 AM

I was thinking about the same thing. I also do web work, video work, photoshop, etc. Previously at my work I had used two 17" ACDs. Overall, 2x17 is more pixels, but their aren't useful in the same way as one display. But that wasn't your question. :]

For myself, I chose the 23" because:

1) I need a good display _now_, and I can't wait for Apple to potentially reduce the bevel size to increase usability of multiple displays.

2) I am going to be using this as my TV and DVD watching screen, so I can integrate the cost of a TV into this display.

3) In five years, after Apple has probably introduced a 30" display or something, I'm still not going to feel bad about this purchase. Plenty of room to grow, and, like the dual-G5 it will be connected to, pretty future-proof. I can't predict, but beyond bigger and incrementally better, what more is to be had?

4) Everyone who wants the 20", really wants the 23" deep down.

Change your order and don't look back.

D'Espice · Oct 14, 2003, 12:07 PM

Moved to Peripherals since this is anything but a PowerMac question

apple monster · Oct 15, 2003, 07:34 AM

I have the 20" purely because I couldnt afford the 23" and I didnt think the 23" would really fit on my desk. I cant remember the exact details but I'm pretty sure the 20" has a faster reponse time and is a bit brighter.

However if you have the money go for the 23" without a shadow of a doubt. I'd kill for that extra 3inches now (the 20" isnt that tall in terms of screen real estate 1050pixels is only just over a 17" for a 4:3 monitor). I think you might always wish you had the gone for the 23", whichever you buy it will start to feel a normal size and will never be big enough (maybe duals 20 or 23s would be)

or maybe thats just me.

fraeone · Oct 15, 2003, 04:00 PM

If you've got the bucks for the 23" go for it, it's amazing. I guess it's worth mentioning that those pesky rumors of the 30" have come back up. I had a CompUSA employee tell me the other day that a 30" was en route too.

That being said, you could buy a 23" now, and then when they get cheaper when(and if) the 30" comes out, you could just buy another 23". 2x23" would be far better than 1x30" I was playing with a dual 23" setup at the Apple Store the other day and I felt like I was in Minority Report.

Have Fun

osxisfun · Oct 15, 2003, 04:14 PM

20"

go to an apple store and see the difference...

dgbatchelor · Nov 12, 2003, 02:30 AM

For screen real estate, bigger is better. If your budget supports it, get the 23"... You'll only be disappointed if a 30" display comes out right after you get the 23" for the same price... (Yeah, right!)

IMHO, you just can't have too many pixels for all of the menus/widgets/windows...

///Milien · Nov 12, 2003, 07:30 AM

I have both the 20 and 23 ACD, at the office and home respectively. While both are nice, I prefer the 23 - the sheer size of the screen is so worth it.