Apple Cinema HD Display (30-inch)

The good: Beautiful image quality; stunning design; PC-compatible; integrated USB and FireWire ports.

The bad: A bit pricey; limited adjustability options; no home entertainment video inputs.

The bottom line: The Apple 23-inch Cinema Display is low on extras and high on price. Still, one look at this gorgeous LCD, and you'll kiss your practicality good-bye.

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Description: The Apple Cinema HD Display is a 30 in, flat panel computer monitor. Compared to other flat panel monitors on the market, it is expensive at around $1,750. Comes with a built-in FireWire hub and USB hub. This model features a 2560x1600 native resolution. Weighs 27.6 lbs.

Pros: Has 2560x1600 resolution, which is higher than some similarly priced monitors. Its wide viewing angle (178 degrees) is useful whenever the screen is being viewed by more than one person at the same time. Accepts DVI input, which allows for greater signal clarity than traditional VGA.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: Suited for those want a big display in a thin form factor.

Value: In general, this monitor's features are in line with its price. However, you would typically pay about 30% less to get a flat panel monitor having comparable viewable size. Still, typically, higher prices are easier to justify on monitors from Apple, as they tend to be of high quality.

Suggestions: (1) Before purchasing an LCD monitor, consider visiting your local store for a live demo to ensure that its overall image quality, color, and sharpness meets your expectation. (2) You can use the built-in USB hub to connect peripherals such as mice and keyboards, or a flash card reader. (4) For more help in deciding if this is the right monitor for you, visit the buying guide for monitors at CNET Reviews.