Whats the word on the Apple SD 17" LCD?

reynard · March 11, 2002 12:10AM

I posted a couple of weeks ago asking what I should get, an iMac or a 733 G4. The consenus, for my humble purposes was the iMac. I agreed. But now Im back to the G4. The education price is down another $50 and the basic iMac won't be available for, well, who knows? We seen this stuff from Apple before. They are like the airlines--"your flight will be a half hour late." Yeah, right.

So my question: Under the educator discount, If I buy any G4 (the 733MHz is $1202) I can get a 17" LCD Apple Studio Display for $659. In my original post I had said I that an LCD monitor was not a major factor; a CRT is ok. But at this price, its tempting. The only thing is that I havent read any reviews of the 17". The resolution is somewhat higher than the 15" Apple SD.

Can you steer me toward a review or do you have personal experience? I know this, my brother saw it at $700 on eBay and there was plenty of bidding time left.

Also, someone told me that the LCD gives you more viewing area than a CRT--above and beyond the fact that it has no border. In other words, the 17" LCD would actually show more than a theoretical 18" CRT with 17in viewable. Perhaps because of greater clarity at higher resolutions. Is that true? (Yes, Im rather novice here.)

Thank you for your time and patience. This time, I hope its a go!

ghost_user_name · March 11, 2002 6:45AM

The 17" Studio Display is nice. I've used one for a few hours, and it was a pleasure. There is another thread around here about the Formac LCD, which supposedly looks a little prettier. Then there is my recommendation about the SGI 17.3 widescreen LCD (look on ebay), but it may be out of your price range but a couple hundred.

If you can, buy an LCD. It's going to stay brighter and sharper longer than a CRT. It's going to reduce your eyestrain, and in five years, when the backlight is burning out, you need only replace that for a few hundred dollars to get more life out of the display. Yields on flawless LCDs are up quite high, which means you're probably not going to be getting a dead pixel.

My opinion :-)

francisg3 · March 11, 2002 8:15AM

I have a 17" Apple LCD, and I just love it! Before I sold my LaCie Electron Blue 22, I had these monitors side-by-side, and the LaCie looked blurry in comparison!!!

My LCD at 1280 resolution is much more pleasing on the eye than the 22, even though it's a few inches smaller. Much brighter, and did I mention that that LaCie monster weighed 75lbs, and took half my desk?

What a slam dunk. Get the LCD

serrano · March 11, 2002 10:39AM

the Formac is an uglier monitor, but side by side it has a slightly better image, slightly better colors, but with end edu + new computer discount the prices are the same. personally i'd go with the X174 from neovo-usa, but retail it's $999!!! you are getting a very good deal. i wouldn't pass it up <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

barvow · March 11, 2002 11:34AM

[quote]Originally posted by janitor:

<strong>the Formac is an uglier monitor...</strong><hr></blockquote>

I saw a Formac monitor in France in December, and it was great. I think I know what you mean by "uglier". It it different from the Apple SD,

but it's not UGLY ugly. The image was very good,

and it has 17.4" viewable as opposed to 17" for the Apple.

eman · March 11, 2002 2:09PM

My only experience with the 17" Apple display is at the Apple Store and it's great. Very bright and sharp.

ricrocket · March 11, 2002 2:23PM

I'm using the Apple 17" at work and it is an excellent display. Unfortunately the only other LCD I can compare it to is my tiBook's, but it is very bright and crisp. Provided I can afford it in the future, I'll not go back to CRTs ever again!

rr.

idave · March 11, 2002 7:19PM

I've been very happy with mine. It's better than the 15".

eugene · March 11, 2002 7:22PM

Every LCD I've seen still leaves ghost trails.

Try live dragging a window on a CRT. No trails...the images remains crisp. Try dragging a window on any Apple LCD...iMac screen, ASD, ACD...

Ghost trails!

reynard · March 11, 2002 10:41PM

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. Getting the LCD would be an extravagant purchase for me. But I feel like treating myself. Im going to just do it. The only negative comment was about the ghost trails. Its not enough of a negative to disuade me. LCDs (non-Apple) Ive sampled in the stores did not make a trails significant enough to register with me so I dont think it will be a problem. I was quite bothered by the ghosts on older LCDs, however.

I plan to go with the Apple monitor since the price and quality are competitive and, well, it matches the Power Mac! Thanks again.

rosettastoned · March 12, 2002 11:37AM

OR you could wait a few months and purchase Apple's new 19" Widescreen LCD Display.....

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RosettaStoned

reynard · March 12, 2002 9:39PM

Rosetta, I'm still justifying the decision to buy the G4/17" LCD combo over the iMac. Thats a 64 square inch and $600 difference. I'd better stop there or the kids will have no chance at going to college! But Im sure the 19" will be popular. Will help round out the line by filling the gap between the 17" and the 22" drive-in-movie screen.

satchmo · March 12, 2002 10:27PM

[quote]Originally posted by Eugene:

<strong>Every LCD I've seen still leaves ghost trails.

Try live dragging a window on a CRT. No trails...the images remains crisp. Try dragging a window on any Apple LCD...iMac screen, ASD, ACD...

Ghost trails!</strong><hr></blockquote>

I believe the Formac website has a demonstration on how their displays are designed to produce less ghost trails.

Still, I'd get the Apple one. The Formac design is a bit too garrish for my taste.

super · March 12, 2002 11:44PM

The Apple LCD's are outstanding.

Whats the word on the Apple SD 17" LCD?

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