Dell 2005FPW or Apple 20" Cinema Display

[Lovah]

Hi everybody,
I'm a new member, my first topic here aswell!

I am about to purchase a new LCD Monitor as my old acer 17" TFT is beginning to show its wear.

I have closed down to two models.
- Dell 2005 FPW : 588Euro
- Apple 20" Cinema Display : 760Euro (Education store)

After reading some reviews, I was going to purchase the Dell. Why?
- Cheaper
- More inputs, wich I need as I will be using the screen as mainscreen for my Desktop (PC) and extended secudary display for my Powerbook (Apple).

But on a few other forums I read some bad experiences with the Dell screen. Some claim that it has serious problems with backlight leakage.

I know this is common fault in a LCD, but normally its a "even" line at the sides of the screen. But with this screen it seems to be a few irregular sports.

Now offcourse I'm very worried. It is alot of money we are talking about. I am afterall just a student.

Now I really love apple Products. They are built to perfection and so design. But the reason I'm steering towards Dell on this one, is the Inputs. The Apple only has one Input (DVI). And I need to use this monitor on 2 computers. Plus I would have loved the SVIDEO and Composite video inputs.

So, what are your opinions in this?
There isn't such a price difference..

So should I play it safe and buy the Apple, and just a get DVI - Switchbox, to switch between computers. Or should I take a risk and go for the Dell Screen?

All opinions are very welcome.
Please state if you own either, or bouth, of these screens.

Thank you very much,
Michiel
L

PS: No way I can afford a 2405FPW as they cost 1700Euro in Belgium. Yes 1700Euro. Outrageous I know.

PS2: No Apple bashing allowed, lol. They make good products and offer a good service. (to my experience).

 

[bjc112]

The new A02 rev. of the 2005fp seems to have absolutely no problems..

My A01 has zero dead pixels and damn near zero backlight issues..

Aside from the frame of the Cinema Display, save your money, get some extra inputs and get a good screen with the Dell!

 

[ryanv12]

Well you can't input your powerbook and your computer into the same display at the same time, so consider that. I have a notebook that I tried that with, and it gave me the windows "blue screen of death" until I disconnected it. Either way you're going to have to use a DVI box. I have a 2005FPW Rev. A02 and it has some fairly bad backlight bleeding. This was supposed to be fixed in this revision, but it hasn't, so it's going back to Dell tommorow. The other thing to keep in mind is that you can send your 2005FPW back to dell within 21 days for a refund or exchange for any reason (at least in the US, but I dont think it would be any different in Europe). I would say try the Dell first since it's cheaper and has more connections, and if you get a defect you don't like, get it refunded and go buy the Apple.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Samsung Syncmaster 243t or Syncmaster 213t. Enjoy.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
Samsung Syncmaster 243t or Syncmaster 213t. Enjoy.

Ya we all love 25ms response times..

 

[dfloyd]

Well considering the fact that they are using the same panel I would honestly argue for the cheaper priced one.

I have the 2005 FPW and its a great monitor. Tons of adjustability, great picture, and just all around a great monitor.

So the 2005 FPW gets my vote.

Edit: And I have the Rev A02 version and it has zero backlight issues. I cannot say all will look this nice, but it is my understanding that the Rev A02 of this monitor has fixed the backlighting issue. Looking at mine I would say that they have.

But good luck with your choice.

Also remember that Dell has a amazing return policy. For 21 days you can return the monitor for a refund or exchange for just about anything. So say you dont like the panel after getting it, np, just send it back and get a full refund. That imo is a huge bonus, especially with LCDs which can have dead pixel, back light, response time issues.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
Samsung Syncmaster 243t or Syncmaster 213t. Enjoy.

Ya we all love 25ms response times..

I didn't see him say he was going to be playing FPS games on it so it may not be an issue.

 

[Lovah]

Well you can't input your powerbook and your computer into the same display at the same time, so consider that. I have a notebook that I tried that with, and it gave me the windows "blue screen of death" until I disconnected it. Either way you're going to have to use a DVI box...

What are you talking about?

Offcourse I know you can't use them at the same time. But I can connect my computer permantly. And use the other input (VGA for example) and use that to connect my Powerbook. Then use the built in menu to select my input.

Unless I'm getting this totally wrong, I suggest you read the manual for your display.

The point is that I don't want to get on my knees every 10 minutes and disconnect the screen and connect it to my powerbook, and 10 minutes later go back.

I already have a VGA (D-Sub) switchbox. But If I want true DVI, I will have to get a DVI switchbox and that is rather expensive. So the Dell would save me that cost.

But, Back on subject:
Thank you for all help and advice.

FPS
I am a light gamer. Not a hard core one though. My current TFT is aswell 16ms. And I'm perfectly fine with that, I won't go for anything slower though.

I'm going to try to add a note to my order. Telling them that I wan't a screen without backlight leakage. If I find any irregular leakage, they will just get it back for a new one. Or worse I will go to another brand.

Its stupid that they just can't test there stuff. And give people working products. I know its a good policy that you can get a replacement or a refund. But I want the screen! But I want a proper working one. Living up to my expectations of 600Euro screen.

For reference I paid 200Euro for my 17" Acer TFT. Running at 1280x1024, 16ms. So I already think these screens are rather epensive. So I want something that at least lives up to expactations and to there specifications.

I want a screen with the specifications that they advertise on there website. And no dead pixels or irregular backlight leakage.


But thank you all for your help and advice. I will again concider the Dell screen. The thing I dislike a bit Is that I don't know anyone who owns one of these, or a place where I can go and see one in action. I made an appointment with an applestore to inspect there screens. As theoretically they seem to have the same LCD panel inside. But it seems Apple has gotten a better batch.

L

 

[nitromullet]

I own a Dell 2005FPW, a PC, and a PowerBook G4 12", and I personally think it's a great setup. I have the mac plugged into the DVI anf the PC into the D-sub and switch between the two with a USB KVM switch. For some reason the mac loses more quality on the D-sub than the mac, so that's how I set it up. The Apple 20" panel is nice, but not really worth the additional cost, plus having the manually switch the plugs would make me begin to dislike the Apple styling really quick. Go for the Dell... If you don't like it, send it back. Dell's customer service is not as easy to deal with as Apple's, but in the end they will usually take care of you.

 

[PhlashFoto]

I say go for the Dell 2005FPW. Unless the look of the Apple impresses you more for some odd reason. Same panel, and can find the Dell one cheaper usually.

 

[Lovah]

Hi,

Thanks for replys.
I would probably use that same setup as nitromullet.

My powerbook 1,5 G4 on the DVI input.
The PC on the VGA input.

And you use a USB swich? for keyboard etc?
I will look into that, I was thinking about just getting 2 keyboards and mouse. but that does seem like a waste of space then..

Thanks,
L

PS: I guess I will try the Dell and pray it dosn't have too much backlight leakage.

Thank you all so much

 

[nitromullet]

Yeah, I use a Belkin USB KVM switch, a Macally iKey keyboard, and a Logitech MX518 mouse. The KVM also includes audio, which is nice. The main difficulty with the KVM was finding USB peripherals I liked. I had gotten s standard Apple keyboard, which is just weird to type on but eventually I found the iKey. I used to use a Razer Viper mouse, which I really liked a lot, but the scroll function didn't work with the KVM, so I picked up the MX518 which has been pretty nice to use.

I think you'll be happy with the Dell. There is a bit of backlight leakage, but nothing that bothers me. Let's put it this way, when I go to the Apple store, I don't in anyway feel that I made the wrong monitor choice.

this is the swtich I use: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductP...on_Id=201725&pcount=&Product_Id=164060

I think I paid ~$50 US for it. I really hate cheap input devices, so for me, is less than the cost of an additional keyboard/mouse set.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
Samsung Syncmaster 243t or Syncmaster 213t. Enjoy.

Ya we all love 25ms response times..

I didn't see him say he was going to be playing FPS games on it so it may not be an issue.

Neither did I,

But he also said 2005fp vs. 20" Apple..

I believe the 213T and 243T are both priced higher as well..