There are some interesting variations with this rumor, that together suggest a strategy shift.
1) DVI;
2) Physical controls on the monitor;
3) Full adjustability.
Why would you do all this? Because Apple has noticed that enough PC users are snapping up their Cinema Displays that they're going to liberate the display line from its current role as a value-add for PowerMacs.
DVI makes it usable with everything. Physical controls allow the monitor to be configured without a Mac (control on the Mac will still be better integrated, but currently no configuration is possible unless you have one). Full adjustability hugely increases the desirability of the monitors generally — the only monitors with similar adjustability either cost a fortune or require cumbersome and expensive mounts.
I have been debating this for some time. It doesnt make sense to offer an exceptional display that is astheticlly beautiful and then say that only works with ADC. So someone who doesnt have ADC capabilities and wants a particular Apple display then has to shell out additional funds for the ADC to DVI converter. I think it makes much more sense to offer a monitor that is DVI to expand the monitor sales to different markets. This also offers people who use PC's every day a taste of the Apple experience (in terms of their product design and elegance). This may not generate huge sales numbers but it should certainly increase the numbers to a more palatable level then where they currently reside.
When do folks think we can expect to see these new displays? Apple's $500-off-23"-with-G5 Brilliant Savings promo runs until the 26th of June, which is two days before WWDC starts...
Will Apple release them before the promo is over if inventory is sufficently low?
When do folks think we can expect to see these new displays? Apple's $500-off-23"-with-G5 Brilliant Savings promo runs until the 26th of June, which is two days before WWDC starts...
Will Apple release them before the promo is over if inventory is sufficently low?
I've got a feeling that's one thing that we'll definitely see released at WWDC. Steve J. is gonna want to demo the new G5 with one of those giant 30" displays we've heard about. I can imagine the bake off now.
...DVI makes it usable with everything. Physical controls allow the monitor to be configured without a Mac (control on the Mac will still be better integrated, but currently no configuration is possible unless you have one). Full adjustability hugely increases the desirability of the monitors generally — the only monitors with similar adjustability either cost a fortune or require cumbersome and expensive mounts.
If the display acts as a FW or USB hub couldn't they have "hardware" controls for the monitor via USB with a driver to control it through software. That way all they need is to write the windows or Linux software so the monitor could be used by any computer.
Personally I think that the display presented in the rumor is absolutely pedestrian, I expect better from Apple's design team, but then again what do I know?
I find it hard to believe Apple would so abruptly abandon the ADC connection. It's the only thing out there like it, and works great for properly equipped Mac users. I also think that Apple has been getting closer and closer with the PC market. Apple is no longer offering products exclusively to Mac users - i.e. QuickTime, iTunes, iPod, AirPort Express, ETC. Not all PC users will make the hardware/OS switch, but many need good multimedia players, wireless networking products and even good LCD monitors. Apple is known for high quality, very cool looking products and to offer a competitively priced monitor that PC users could also use would be smart business.
I use both a Mac & PC side by side. I love DVI/VGA & VGA/Composite monitors because I can have dual screens on either machine with a flip of a switch on each monitor. The main reason I don't own an Apple display is that they only have a single input. If the new displays offer a dual input of ADC and DVI I'll buy one the day they're released!
I reviewed the pinouts of ADC and DVI connectors and it appears they are near identical with the exception of the higher voltage and addition of USB on the ADC.
If they are functional equivalent video-wise, couldn?t Apple support both ADC and DVI on their new line of displays and thereby satisfy everyone?
For example, if Apple added separate power and USB input ports on the back of the display, all that would be needed is an inexpensive, passive ADC to DVI video adapter. Those who had Macs and preferred the uncluttered elegance of ADC would continue to use only the ADC cable. If, however, one owned a PC without ADC support, they could plug in a standard power cable, USB cable and attach the DVI video adapter to the end of the ADC cable.
I?m sure there are additional complications (like switching power chains) but is it feasible?
If, however, one owned a PC without ADC support, they could plug in a standard power cable, USB cable and attach the DVI video adapter to the end of the ADC cable.
I?m sure there are additional complications (like switching power chains) but is it feasible?
When (if?) Apple does drop ADC, I hope very muchly that they'll implement a smart cable design that tries to replicate some of the added anti-clutter comfort of ADC without ADC.
For example, they can still have a single cable emerging from the back of the monitor that splits into DVI, USB, FireWire and power towards the end...
When (if?) Apple does drop ADC, I hope very muchly that they'll implement a smart cable design that tries to replicate some of the added anti-clutter comfort of ADC without ADC.
For example, they can still have a single cable emerging from the back of the monitor that splits into DVI, USB, FireWire and power towards the end...
I suggested this in a similar thread a month or two ago. The power can still optionally be provided by a PowerMac either through some new "Power Out" port or an ADC adapter (recombining power, video, and USB).
Comments
Originally posted by zpapasmurf
Rid of the G5s that use ADC in order to start selling the ones that rely on DVI only.
But the new G5s still have ADC. Same video boards, in fact (memory bump I believe is the only difference).
Originally posted by kim kap sol
You don't know anything about Apple upcoming products unless your name is Steven P. Jobs.
"This time next year we will be at 3GHz."
So it looks like nobody knows anything about Apple's upcoming products.
Originally posted by Amorph
There are some interesting variations with this rumor, that together suggest a strategy shift.
1) DVI;
2) Physical controls on the monitor;
3) Full adjustability.
Why would you do all this? Because Apple has noticed that enough PC users are snapping up their Cinema Displays that they're going to liberate the display line from its current role as a value-add for PowerMacs.
DVI makes it usable with everything. Physical controls allow the monitor to be configured without a Mac (control on the Mac will still be better integrated, but currently no configuration is possible unless you have one). Full adjustability hugely increases the desirability of the monitors generally — the only monitors with similar adjustability either cost a fortune or require cumbersome and expensive mounts.
I have been debating this for some time. It doesnt make sense to offer an exceptional display that is astheticlly beautiful and then say that only works with ADC. So someone who doesnt have ADC capabilities and wants a particular Apple display then has to shell out additional funds for the ADC to DVI converter. I think it makes much more sense to offer a monitor that is DVI to expand the monitor sales to different markets. This also offers people who use PC's every day a taste of the Apple experience (in terms of their product design and elegance). This may not generate huge sales numbers but it should certainly increase the numbers to a more palatable level then where they currently reside.
Will Apple release them before the promo is over if inventory is sufficently low?
Originally posted by m01ety
When do folks think we can expect to see these new displays? Apple's $500-off-23"-with-G5 Brilliant Savings promo runs until the 26th of June, which is two days before WWDC starts...
Will Apple release them before the promo is over if inventory is sufficently low?
I've got a feeling that's one thing that we'll definitely see released at WWDC. Steve J. is gonna want to demo the new G5 with one of those giant 30" displays we've heard about. I can imagine the bake off now.
Originally posted by zpapasmurf
Rid of the G5s that use ADC in order to start selling the ones that rely on DVI only.
But then why do the new powermacs still come with ADC?
Originally posted by the cool gut
But then why do the new powermacs still come with ADC?
Simple... they need to clear the inventory of ADC video cards. Besides, there are some "old" Cinema displays that will need to be cleared as well.
Originally posted by m01ety
Simple... they need to clear the inventory of ADC video cards.
Which would explain why the new towers don't come with anything new or special in the way of video cards. ADC will soon be a thing of the past.
Originally posted by Amorph
...DVI makes it usable with everything. Physical controls allow the monitor to be configured without a Mac (control on the Mac will still be better integrated, but currently no configuration is possible unless you have one). Full adjustability hugely increases the desirability of the monitors generally — the only monitors with similar adjustability either cost a fortune or require cumbersome and expensive mounts.
If the display acts as a FW or USB hub couldn't they have "hardware" controls for the monitor via USB with a driver to control it through software. That way all they need is to write the windows or Linux software so the monitor could be used by any computer.
Personally I think that the display presented in the rumor is absolutely pedestrian, I expect better from Apple's design team, but then again what do I know?
If I buy a 2.5 G5 and an ADC display now, what are the limitations to upgrade the video card in the future (assuming a buy an ADC to DVI converter?).
In other words, what will the card specs have to be to be compatable?
I find it hard to believe Apple would so abruptly abandon the ADC connection. It's the only thing out there like it, and works great for properly equipped Mac users. I also think that Apple has been getting closer and closer with the PC market. Apple is no longer offering products exclusively to Mac users - i.e. QuickTime, iTunes, iPod, AirPort Express, ETC. Not all PC users will make the hardware/OS switch, but many need good multimedia players, wireless networking products and even good LCD monitors. Apple is known for high quality, very cool looking products and to offer a competitively priced monitor that PC users could also use would be smart business.
I use both a Mac & PC side by side. I love DVI/VGA & VGA/Composite monitors because I can have dual screens on either machine with a flip of a switch on each monitor. The main reason I don't own an Apple display is that they only have a single input. If the new displays offer a dual input of ADC and DVI I'll buy one the day they're released!
http://www.ati.com/support/faq/pinouts.html
If they are functional equivalent video-wise, couldn?t Apple support both ADC and DVI on their new line of displays and thereby satisfy everyone?
For example, if Apple added separate power and USB input ports on the back of the display, all that would be needed is an inexpensive, passive ADC to DVI video adapter. Those who had Macs and preferred the uncluttered elegance of ADC would continue to use only the ADC cable. If, however, one owned a PC without ADC support, they could plug in a standard power cable, USB cable and attach the DVI video adapter to the end of the ADC cable.
I?m sure there are additional complications (like switching power chains) but is it feasible?
Originally posted by YoMaMa
If, however, one owned a PC without ADC support, they could plug in a standard power cable, USB cable and attach the DVI video adapter to the end of the ADC cable.
I?m sure there are additional complications (like switching power chains) but is it feasible?
You mean like this?
For example, they can still have a single cable emerging from the back of the monitor that splits into DVI, USB, FireWire and power towards the end...
Originally posted by m01ety
When (if?) Apple does drop ADC, I hope very muchly that they'll implement a smart cable design that tries to replicate some of the added anti-clutter comfort of ADC without ADC.
For example, they can still have a single cable emerging from the back of the monitor that splits into DVI, USB, FireWire and power towards the end...
I suggested this in a similar thread a month or two ago. The power can still optionally be provided by a PowerMac either through some new "Power Out" port or an ADC adapter (recombining power, video, and USB).