Anyone have experience running an ADC display in Windows?

[AstroManLuca]

I may have an opportunity to pick up a 23" Cinema Display in exchange for my 20" Acer LCD. I figure the disadvantages ($100 for a DVI-ADC adapter, lack of VGA input, and the fact that it's an older monitor than my current one) are far outweighed by the advantages (higher resolution, IPS vs. TN, larger screen area).

I'm aware that DVI-ADC adapters work for Windows, I'm really just curious as to how well they work. I've heard you can't control brightness using the controls on the monitor itself. Is there software you can download that will do that? Does the power button work? Are there any other issues?

 

[Winterpool]

AstroMan, which generation Cinema Display is this? If it's the aluminium-bezel display from the last few years (before the 24-inch LED-lit model), then it should work natively through DVI (no adapter necessary).

You can't control brightness or much of anything else on the monitor housing, as it follows typical Apple minimalism (almost no buttons).

I've never used Apple displays with Windows computers, so I'm afraid I can't answer your questions. But if it's an older monitor, I strongly recommend you take a good look at it in various lighting scenarios, as the backlight dims over time (I think it's something like 40 or even 50 per cent dimming over five years of continuous usage?).

Check eBay / Craigslist for an idea how much older Cinema Displays are going for. How much did you pay for your Acer? I love IPS displays, but a much older monitor may not be worth it.

 

[AstroManLuca]

This is one of the acrylic ones. I just looked it up and they were sold from March 2002 through June 2004, and I'm pretty sure this was bought sometime closer to 2002 than 2004. So it's pretty old, yes. It should be worth it to buy that DVI-ADC adapter to use it; it's $100 new but I saw some selling on eBay for ~$60. And who could pass up on a 23" LCD for $60, even if it's starting to get a bit dim?

The Acer was a pretty cheap LCD. 20", 1680x1050, paid $190 new with free shipping a year ago.

If I do get it, I should have an opportunity to check it out at my grandfather's house at least one more time before I pick it up. Problem is I won't really be able to compare it to my current LCD side by side without buying that adapter.

On eBay, most of them include the DVI-ADC adapter. I saw completed listings that sold for between $275 and $425, with the adapter. But remember, there are a lot of people out there who will buy anything with the Apple logo on it.

 

[Winterpool]

I feel a little uncomfortable about such an old display, even if it's IPS, and Apple.

Obviously this is a lot more money than $60, but you may want to consider the Dell 2209WA: it's supposedly a 22-inch IPS panel selling for only $300. Some punters on Hard|Forum claim to have got it for $210 by ordering on the 'phone. The CNET Australia review is fantastic, though we have no other real reviews yet, nor confirmation by everyday geeks (it just became available in the US last week).

 

[AstroManLuca]

I don't need a new monitor and if I don't get the 23" Apple I will just stick with my current one. I've thought about moving up to a 24" but honestly I am not really unhappy with my current one, I just think it would be nice to have a larger, higher resolution screen. I'm definitely not buying a 22" (net cost > $200 after I sell my current 20") just for a quality increase at the exact same resolution.

If I feel like getting a 24" display at some point I'll just get something fairly cheap. I am not that picky about displays. Like I said, I'm happy with my current one and it is TN. I know some people here would probably have their eyes explode if they even thought about it but it does the job.