The 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (model M9179LL/A) is a stylish and well-designed monitor, so don't let its size fool you. It's not as heavy as you might expect (just 27.5 pounds), and it's not overly difficult to move. The L-shape base is stable and sturdy. The smooth-motion hinge allows you to adjust the display 5 degrees forward or up to 25 degrees backward with very little effort.

Despite its size, the display has a small footprint, although you can also mount it on a wall. This option requires the Cinema Display VESA Mount Adapter ($29) as well as a VESA mount kit.

The viewable area is 29-7/10 inches, with an optimal resolution of 2,560X1,600 and support for up to 16.7 million colors. The viewing angle of 170 degrees horizontal and vertical means you can view the display off-axis without distorting the image. The pixel response time of 16 milliseconds is impressive, particularly for a display of this size, with little ghosting or blurring of fast-moving images. The Cinema HD Display is a good choice for playing 3-D games or viewing DVD.

Power and brightness controls are tucked out of sight, so they don't spoil the appearance of the brushed aluminum bezel. A single cable houses all input types (FireWire 400, USB 2.0, DVI, and power), which helps reduce desktop clutter.

This Cinema HD Display includes two FireWire 400 ports, a Kensington security port, and a two-port, self-powered USB 2.0 hub, so you can connect a variety of peripherals, including a digital camera, scanner, camcorder, iPod dock, or iSight webcam. It also includes a DVI connector for hooking up to a Mac or a PC. Unlike some modern displays, the Cinema HD Display only supports one input, so you can't share it between two computers.

The large, bright screen of the Apple Cinema HD Display can be a little overwhelming at first, not unlike sitting in the front row at a movie theater. However, it won't take long to adjust to the display's size or revel in its sharp images, vivid colors, rich blacks, and crisp text.

Pro: Extremely high-resolution display. Bright, sharp images. Consistent color from edge to edge and corner to corner. Rich blacks and crisp text, even at small type sizes.
Con: Very expensive. Requires a dual-link DVI-capable graphics card. Only supports one input.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010
http://www.apple.com

Warranty
1 year