Customer Reviews
Awesome display 
2007-03-13
This is an amazing display. The only reason why I give it 4 stars is because of the price. I think that its definitely worth it though. I could've gotten a display for less but I wanted it to match my macbook pro. The amount of real estate on it is incredible. It's also extremely bright, my eyes are still having to adjust to that when the display is on. All in all, apple does it again. The only thing is I hope they don't update it soon cuz i Just got it.
Use a PC? Beware. Apple's attempt to 'reach out' is non-existent 
2007-01-07
I know this monitor is top of the line. (Another big name brand also uses the same high quality S-IPS panel... but that brand seems to have far more complaints of defects despite being half the price... electronics aren't the same as the actual panel...) Back to the panel itself: The panel used is a drool-worthy .0258 dot pitch, true 8-bit, terrific viewing radius, and perfect for graphics uses (though colors should not look like they're 3D as some reviewers on 'net sites claim, that's an unwanted distortion and graphics designers usually want consistency and accuracy. So do their customers. This leads into my gripe I shall now adumbrate upon:)
My big gripe is the purported PC support, of which it gets 4 stars knocked off.
I pre-ordered one of these and then did some research as I had to wait a day for it to arrive. Glad I had, and I truly wish I could have kept the monitor; I was floored by its quality and specs.
The USB ports won't work on a PC. Fine by me, I don't care about USB ports on a monitor. Some will, so that's a caveat if you use a PC.
What I am bothered with is the lack of a Windows ICM and INF driver. That's outrageous. Especially for the price and PC compatibility claims Apple makes. This means some extra color calibration is going to have to be done and the end result is going to be an approximation (beware if anyone says the colors almost seem 3D. That's not always a plus...). Apple ought to know better than this; anyone in mid-end (or higher) professional graphics can not settle for "approximations".
Indeed, because Apple has nothing on its website and attitudes from folks on their own discussion forum that make Linux zealots come across as heavenly angels by comparison, one has to resort to freeware (that's currently at version 0.4!) to use the monitor as there aren't any settings to be found on Apple's casing, except brightness and power. Yawn. Another toy.
I would have expected even a token Windows driver, but when many reviewers have said "Get the freeware, there is no Windows driver provided", that's enough for me to avoid it.
Now some Apple fans might say "Ha ha Windoze user, PC product vendors have been doing this to us for ages so get used to it." I say in return "Well, those device drivers aren't covering every nuance like the PC equivalent does, but at least they grant you base functionality and a driver when they say it's Mac compatible! Apple's own actions are showing the contrary as there is no Windows driver at all." Touche.
So I returned it. I did not want to pay a 15% open-box restock fee for something I'd have to tinker with and may or may not be satisfied with in the end.
And, no, I can't afford the cost of a new Mac whose specs would match my current PC (that cost me less than half as much for the same amount of power, especially when it's only repurchasing Intel components, that's ridiculous.)
Sorry to be so negative as there is a lot to LOVE about this monitor, but those not in the majority position would do better to win converts by truly reaching out to them.
If you're a Mac user, go for it. Apple knows how to make terrific monitors. If you're a PC user, it will work - just don't expect instant gratification, USB ports, or Windows telling you what the brand of monitor is. Be satisfied with "unknown monitor on ___________ video card" using default VESA color settings. That's a bit risky and even Mac users on that Apple forum said to be wary for such an expensive item... and that's good enough for me.
I will add this: A 1 year warranty is unacceptable, regardless of brand. I always advocate purchasing an extended warranty, but a 1 year warranty is the manufacturer's way of telling the consumer "We lack faith in our product" and/or "If there's a problem, we want you to pony up for our bad design".
Best of the best 
2006-12-08
This monitor is of the best. If you are trying to decide between and Apple Cinema Display and something else, go with the ACD. It is a beautiful monitor and you won't be disappointed.
Beautiful Display 2006-06-07
Apple displays are synonymous with quality. This high quality LCD display is really just about everything you could ever want in an LCD monitor.
Now if only Apple would put down the crack pipe and lower the prices a bit....
updated from a 17" CRT and wanted something to match iMac 20" 2006-04-04
when I bought my Intel iMac w/20" LCD suddenly everything else looked dull in comparison. This Apple 20" is very close in spec to my iMac 20" screen. Stores like Best Buy do not have good quality 20+" LCDs in yet. You want the 16x9 profile also, the regular square LCDs look dorky in comparison and typically have lower brightness and contrast ratios. The newer stuff is very bright and clear. It is obvious when you go to a store and look at the LCD screens. The cheap $200 LCDs just don't look good in comparison to the new stuff.
Intel iMac screen:
1680x1050
280 cd/m2 (brightness in candle power)
800:1 Contrast ratio
Apple 20" LCD
1680x1050
250 cd/m2
400:1 Contrast
14ms response time (www.apple.com/displays/specs.html)
Other comparables:
Gateway 21" 1680x1050 $599
300 cd/m2 1000:1 contrast
Dell 24" 2405FPW $800
1920 x 1200
500 cd/m2
1000:1 contrast
You should be aiming for at least 300 cd/m2 on brightness and close to 1000:1 contrast. These Apple LCDs have been out for awhile and are starting to show their age in comparison to the brand new products that have just started to come out. If you are using your LCD for a TV you may need the brightness, but for computer work the Mac 20" LCD is just about right.
I paid a few $$$ more ($750 total price) for the Apple LCD, but I feel I made the correct purchase. I just didn't like the way the others looked and it had to look good against my iMac. I actually like this screen better than the one on my iMac and it seems just as bright even if the specs say that it is not. Amazon also boxes the shipment (besides the Apple box) so your screen should arrive undamaged.
Great Mac-like monitor 2008-06-16
I have purchased two of these and have not had a single problem from them. It is a beautiful monitor and rock solid in operation. Some of you might think it is expensive (and compared to others currently offered, it probably is), but if you already paid a lot of bucks for a mac you don't want a less than perfect monitor working along with it. You're going to be looking at it all day so you may as well get the coolest one you can find, and in my opinion, this is it. Expensive? Maybe. But in every other way, its about as perfect a product as you will find. ** One note - although it doesn't matter to me, the monitor uses a power brick which makes the power cable a little bulky. I just stuff it all behind the desk so no big deal but it could be to you.
I would not buy it again 
2008-01-16
I own two of these. First one for more than three years and another one is one year younger. Apple positions these as pro level monitor with superb tech specks and capable of great color accuracy. While the monitors are esthetically pleasing, the technical capacity is very low, color calibration is very difficult as two monitors exhibit very different color casts and brithness.
Even pro level calibration set could not eliminate it completely and it needs to be recalibrated very often.
The monitors are terribly SLOW with 14 ms times and not even in the league to compete in pro level status with today alternatives as fast as 2-4 ms.
The monitors are horribly overpriced, for the price of one you can buy TWO monitors of better quality and serviceability.
The monitors do not have VESA mount adapter (required for arm or wall mounting) and Apple wants to rob you of additional $30 for plain piece of metal. This mount is a standard feature of any, even cheapest, LCD monitors these days. And it makes the monitor even less attractive and more expensive.
If you were not fortunate to purchase monitor exchange warranty (highly recommended, Compusa, Staples other offer it) and if this thing in one year fails it will be cheaper to buy a new one than fix an old one.
Overall, my point is: it is a fine monitor for general computing and if you are willing to pay extra for its appearance it is fine. However if any color or movement sensitive considerations in the terms of pro-level work flow it is not one would put on my list.
For the money there are MUCH BETTER alternatives.
Bright and huge! 2007-12-01
This display is not only nice to look at but provides excellent picture quality. It provides a sharp picture with bright, rich colors. And it's 20" size is ample for what I do. I found no defects in mine. Though it could be cheaper, it's worth the $600 I spent on it.
Very Pleased 2007-09-21
This monitor is a perfect fit for my new MacPro 2.66GHz Computer.
I cannot find any missing pixels...brightness and color are great.
Only blemish is a small spot on the lower front of the aluminum frame
where the anodizing failed to cover the spot.
Gorgeous display now at a reduced price 2007-04-23
Recently, my wife and I each upgraded our venerable Sony Trinitron CRT displays to widescreen Viewsonic LCD displays. The major reason we bought new displays was their large size and widescreen aspect ratio which provides plenty of desktop space and obviates the need for scrolling when working with wide applications, which are becoming fairly common these days. When we chose our ViewSonic displays we both really wanted this 20" Apple display which had the best picture of all the displays we viewed. We didn't buy this Apple display because, at that time, it was too high priced for our budget. But now Apple has reduced the price of this outstanding display, and it now clearly is the best choice in a 20" widescreen LCD display. Maybe my wife and I should consider selling our very good ViewSonic displays and replacing them with this topnotch Apple model which we bother admire so thoroughly. If you are looking for a widescreen LCD display please check out this gorgeous Apple display whether you use a PC or a Mac.
