The high-end monitor scene saw some new players this summer. Apple wasn’t the only manufacturer to out an expensive monitor. It’s a good time to have access to your company’s expense account.

HP released the 30-inch ZR30w in June. This panel comes with a 2,560 x 1600 resolution and an equally-impressive $1,299 pricetag. Hot Hardware recently reviewed it and found it both exceptional and superb.

Then just today, Dell started shipping the 30-inch UltraSharp U3011. This 30-inch IPS panel sets itself apart from the rest with a good amount of inputs: two DVI-D and HDMI ports each and a single DisplayPort input. Those HDMI inputs will no doubt entice some buyers to opt for the Dell rather than the Mini DisplayPort only Cinema Display.

As you may have heard by now, Apple unveiled a whole range on new products today from new iMacs to new Mac Pros to a new Magic Trackpad product. Alongside those, Apple also unveiled a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display. I talked with Apple a bit this morning about the new products, and one thing that may not have been clear about the new monitor is that it will actually be the only one Apple offers going forward. Again, just this one 27-inch display.

Apple is discontinuing both the 24-inch LED Cinema Display as well as the older 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Displays they had been selling. When asked why, an Apple representative said this new 27-inch version was seen as “ideal for the uses we see most people having.” It was also noted that the 27-inch model features 60 percent more pixels than the 24-inch one, and because of its 16×9 ratio, it actually has the same number of pixels horizontally (2560) as the older 30-inch model (though slightly less vertically: 1600 versus 1440).

This latest display is also Apple’s first stand-alone display that uses the edge-to-edge glass now common in Apple’s iMac line (the previously 24-inch Cinema Display had a small silver bezel). The 27-inch also has a new, lower response time of 12ms.

And at $999, the 27-inch Cinema Display is also only $100 more than the 24-inch was previously. Apple says that it will continue to sell the 24-inch model at a slightly discounted $799 price until supplies run out. Previously, the 30-inch Cinema HD Display was selling for $1,799 and that will continue until it runs out of stock as well.

This move to one model is actually a move back to the way Apple originally sold its first Cinema Displays. When they first went on sale in 1999, there was one 22-inch model. It wasn’t until 2002 that a second, 23-inch model was introduced, and the following year brought a new 20-inch model (while the original 22-inch was discontinued). In June 2004, the 30-inch model was unveiled — basically the same one now being laid to rest. That monitor was always a bit tricky because it required a Dual Link DVI capable graphics card. These new LED Cinema Displays only need a Mini Display Port input.

I asked Apple if the discontinuation of all other monitors meant we might see new, larger displays down the line. Specifically, I was wondering about the possibility that Apple could enter the HD television market. Not surprisingly, Apple wouldn’t comment on future roadmaps. For now, all we have in the 27-inch model.

Everybody panic! Apple has pulled their 20-inch Cinema displays from the Apple Store and have labeled them “end of life’d” to resellers. What could it mean?! Are new ones on the way? Is there going to be a special event for a new Cinema display?! OMG. What are we going to do?!

Here’s what’s going to happen, people. Apple will quietly update this model, if they choose to do so, with an LED one. And that’s it. Now get on with your lives, fanboys, it’s getting old.

via Mac Rumors

Apple’s 24-inch LED Cinema Display now doubles as a touchscreen, thanks to Troll Touch. You put a little slip over the screen, and then plug the slip into a USB port. Voilà, you’ve got a touchscreen LED Cinema Display!

The luxury of using iTunes and Safari with your fingers will cost you, mind. Try $2,299 for a whole Troll Touch solution (that’s a Cinema Display plus the cost of the overlay). That, or you can pay $1,399 for Troll Touch to upgrade your existing Cinema Display.

Fire up Windows on your Mac then play Crayon Physics Deluxe with a touchscreen.

It’s been a while (10/14/08) since Apple first announced the next version of the Cinema Display but with the display now shipping, unboxing pics have surfaced. The LED-powered display looks just like it did when we first peeped it way back on October 14. The display hasn’t revealed any unannounced features but the lack of a power brick is a welcomed surprise. AppleInsider also notes that the pixels aren’t arranged in the iMac’s side-by-side layout but rather employs a diagonal pattern that’s visible when viewed closely. Overall though, it seems like it’s lived up to the Cinema Display pedigree. Full reviews are sure to roll in shortly.

The fancy LED Apple display is shipping now. Right now it only works when connected to a MacBook or MacBook Pro or MacBook Air as a result of it using the new mini DisplayPort interface.

Ars has one of those “unboxing” deals that the kids love so much these days, alongside its first impressions of the device.

Apple wants $899 for the display, which is just shy of Absolutely Insane for a 24-inch monitor.

via Cult of Mac

The 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display should be out any day now—Apple lists “November” as its release date—but at what cost? Well, at the cost of the 23-inch Cinema Display, which has been discontinued.

Note that that 20- and 30-inch models are still on sale at Apple’s Web site, so all is not lost for those of you who detest glossy displays. (The new LED display comes only with a glossy finish; matte is dying.)

Meanwhile, you can still find refurbished 23-inch Cinema Displays for $749 online. Get a good one.

via Ars Technica

You’re looking at the Elzo FlexScan S2432W-H, a 24-inch monitor that comes out in Japan next month. Crazy, right?

Maybe. The monitor is one of the first post-MacBook monitors to have a DisplayPort port. (Dell and HP released DisplayPort monitors earlier this year, mind you.)

The WUXGA (that’s 1920×1200 pixels) resolution monitor will cost around $940, which is about $40 more than what Apple wants for its own 24-own Cinema Display.

Good ‘ol Apple. The company announced brand-spanking new MacBook Pro and MacBook options today, but limited the new models to a single screen size each. Chances are, different screen size options will be announced during January’s MacWorld conference. More than likely the MacBook Pro line will receive the desktop replacement option of a 17-inch model while the MacBook line will gain a 15.3-inch option. 

No doubt these two laptops were announced to coincide with the holiday season and the other size options were not fully developed yet. However, there is a chance that Apple is dropping the other sizes all together, forcing potential buyers to choose screen size as well as performance when weighing what model they need. Only time will tell.

Come to think of it, this would also apply to the Cinema Display. Apple only announced an updated 24-inch model.

With the announcement of the expensive 8-core Mac Pro, Apple must have figured it needed a little spin to keep customers’ minds off of the high price. Now the Apple Cinema Displays have been given a price cut to make us feel all warm inside.

You’ll now be able to snag a 20-inch Cinema Display for $599, a 23-incher for $899, and the grand ol’ 30-inch behemoth for a mere $1799, down $200 from the previous price of $1999. If you’re going to buy one of those new Mac Pros, might as well go all out and pick up a discounted display while you’re at it.

Product Page [Apple]