[Skypat]

Hi

Simple question : I currently own a Apple 17" studio display and I am thinking of upgrading to a 20". How bigger would this be ? Would it make a big difference of space on the screen ?

Thanks

[saturnbill]

I purchased the 20 inch display last year after careful consideration of the two you asked about, plus looking at many of the aftermarket monitors out there. The 20 inch offers a much greater screen real estate due to it's size alone, but the great thing about it is the landscape format it presents. If you do any page layout work, or work in any of the Adobe software applications, eg Photoshop, it can't be beat. You will gain, in actual pixels, 400 pixels horizontally, but only 26 vertically by going to the 20" Cinema. It also has the most beautiful picture of anything I have seen. Apple used the newest technology on the Cinema -vs- the 17 inch and it shows. But you have to ask yourself the question as to if you can justify the increase in cost. I did since I do Web/Graphics/Ad work. Easy choice. It may not be for you. But it is an incredible monitor and I have not been unhappy with my decision since I bought it. The best Mac-buying decision in my 8 years as a Mac Owner.

[Skypat]

Thank you for your encouraging report Saturn Actually I use more and more "horizontal" programs like iMovie, Garageband, FCP, LiveType, etc and the timelines must be much more comfortable to use with a 16:10 ratio monitor ... I don't use my Mac for work though, so I think I'll wait until the price goes down a little bit, and maybe a new enclosure (even if I like the present one).

I was asking the question because it terms of size, the screen itself is just 10 cm (sorry I can't convert in your system) and I didn't feel it was a lot.

Thanks.

[Vader’s Pinch of Death]

It is a huge difference because it is much wider. I highly recommend it.

[CJM]

here's a little diagram of the usable screen space difference between the 3 apple lcd's

[Immortal K-Mart Employee]

Originally posted by CJM:
here's a little diagram of the usable screen space difference between the 3 apple lcd's

That is just physical size and not resolutions though right?

[CJM]

Originally posted by Immortal K-Mart Employee:
That is just physical size and not resolutions though right?

no that is resolution only, with no regard to physical size. 1280 x 1024, 1680 x 1050, and 1920 x 1200.

[djohnson]

This helps some for me b/c I am debating 17" vs. 20" as well. As it stands, I want the 20" but may have to settle for the 17"...unless I get a few more bucks that is! It may be running parttime as a tv though, so looking better is a plus for me.

[Kenneth]

How about a dual 17" studio display?

I am using the 17" studio display off my PowerMac now. I have a TV card inside the PowerMac.. it would be sweet to one display for watching TV at full screen and the other one for other work.

I bet Apple will phase out the 17" display on the next update.

[iDaver]

Originally posted by Kenneth:
I bet Apple will phase out the 17" display on the next update.

I'd be very surprised if they do. It would make perfect sense for Apple to use the displays used for the 17" PowerBook and the 17" iMac (not sure if they're exactly the same panels) in a stand alone unit. However, Apple may not think there is enough money in smaller displays anymore with all the low-cost competition out there. I think we'll find out sometime in the next two weeks.

[grovberg]

I'll also put my vote in for two 17" instead of a 20". You get more screen space than the 20" for less money. Plus, I actually value having to distinct work areas. It encourages you to organize your work area better.

The downside is the loss of "wow". The 20" definitely is more impressive. And if you buy right now, you have to contend with the incredibly large bezel between the two monitors (though most rumor sites agree that if Apple ever gets around to updating it's monitors, they will have much smaller bezels).

Just my $0.02.
-Grover

EDIT:
Okay, so I just went the apple store, and the prices have changed since I bought my displays. It actually would cost $100 more to get two 17". Ooops. Sorry. I'd still stand by my preference though.