I have just ordered a new MP G4 PowerMac and am now deciding between the Apple 15 inch LCD Display and the 17 inch Studio Display as the monitor to go with it. I would like to have an LCD display, but am a bit worried about the size. Currently, I have a B&W G3 with the B&W 17 inch Studio Display and have noticed that it, like the new 17 inch one, has a 16 inch viewable area. I have also noticed that the "actual" desktop area, and by this I mean the area covered by the desktop picture when the "fill screen" option is chosen in the appearace control panel, only covers a 15 inch area diagonally. There is a good quarter inch around each side of the desktop where the monitor is active, but colored in black. I guess what I'm asking is if LCD displays are a little different? At a 15 inch diagonal area of view, will it (the 15 inch LCD) have this same quarter inch black area around each side, or will the "actual" desktop go out to the far edges of the LCD screen? If anyone has a 15 inch Apple LCD display, I'd love to hear answers to these questions. If the desktop does go out to the far edges, then it would seem that the 15 inch LCD and the 17 inch Studio Display are actually the same size.

[JohnM15141]

I got a chance to look at the New 17" display and the 15" LCD Studio display side by side. The LCD display does not have the black border like the CRT has and using the "Naked-Eye" it 's difficult to see any difference in viewable area! The one thing that stands out most is the LCD is much more brilliant than the CRT. The LCD and the CRT where both running at 1074X768.

As a personal testimonial: After seeing the 17" CRT and the 15" LCD side by side, I was so taken by how good the Studio Display looked that I ordered one!

[mac freak]

You can use the Geometry section of the Monitors control panel to stretch the screen so that it fill the entire viewable area.

Just thought I'd mention it

[zappy]

I would love to get the 15 inch LCD Display. I do not think that the difference in size is noticeable to me. But what about the refresh rate of the LCD? Is it fast enough to play an occasional round of Quake?

[Veerle]

The Cinema Displays are fast enough to play some serious games like Unreal or Quake. It looks at lot better then on a CRT monitor. They are a true gift for the eye.

[MacOS761]

I hope I will never go back to a CRT! I have the *old* gray 15 incher LCD, and it's great. It does fill up the whole screen, and it refreshes fast enough for a furious game of Pod Racer! Not only that, but it doesn't flicker like CRT's, so it won't hurt your eyes after staring at it for a few hours. The only down side is that the colors shift when you are not looking at it straight on, so position it appropriately. If you can find the cash, go for it!

[luap82]

i know this isnt really an answer to your question, but i was in a similar situation that you are in. I was going to buy the apple 21" studio CRT, and suddenly it hit me that i could save myself 700 bucks by getting a non-apple display. I know it doesnt look as cool but it is a heck of a lot cheaper and another problem, it takes a long time to get the new apple displays shipped...a LONG time. anyway, stick with the apple displays if you want, they sure are pretty but just consider if its worth the price.
-LUAP