Apple Cinema Display (20-inch, ADC) vs Apple Thunderbolt Display

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

Cinema Display (20-inch, ADC) compared with Thunderbolt Display

	AppleCinema Display (20-inch, ADC)	AppleThunderbolt Display
Overview
Released
Released	January 2003	September 2011
Display
Screen size
Screen size	20″	27″
Resolution
Resolution	1680 × 1050	2560 × 1440 (QHD) (better)
Sharpness
Sharpness	99 pixels per inch	109 pixels per inch (better)
Panel
Panel	IPS (TFT active-matrix LCD (Apple); S-IPS identification from PRAD's exact ADC model datasheet)	IPS
Refresh rate
Refresh rate	–	60 Hz
Brightness (typical)
Brightness (typical)	230 nits	375 nits (better)
Contrast ratio
Contrast ratio	350:1	1,000:1
Screen finish
Screen finish	Matte	Glossy
Shape
Shape	Flat	Flat
Colour depth
Colour depth	Up to 16.7 million colours; Apple does not specify panel bit depth	Up to 16.7 million colours; Apple does not specify panel bit depth
Response time detail
Response time detail	–	Apple specifies 12 ms without identifying the transition; omitted from the grey-to-grey row
Viewing angles
Viewing angles	170° horizontally and vertically	178° horizontally and vertically
Eye care
Eye care	–	Ambient light sensor automatically adjusts brightness
Pixel pitch
Pixel pitch	0.258 mm	–
Connections
Video inputs
Video inputs	Apple Display Connector	Thunderbolt
USB-C charging
USB-C charging	None	None
USB ports
USB ports	2 × USB-A	3 × USB-A
Ethernet
Ethernet	–	Yes
Speakers
Speakers	No	Yes
Webcam
Webcam	–	FaceTime HD camera with microphone
Thunderbolt detail
Thunderbolt detail	–	Captive first-generation Thunderbolt input cable; two bidirectional 10 Gbps channels. Requires a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac, not a Mini DisplayPort-only Mac.
Other connections
Other connections	Captive ADC connector carries digital video, USB data and power; no separate power cord for an ADC-equipped Mac	Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000Base-T), FireWire 800 with up to 7 W power, downstream Thunderbolt port and Kensington security slot
Daisy chaining
Daisy chaining	–	Downstream Thunderbolt supports compatible devices and a second Thunderbolt Display where the Mac permits it. The port does not directly support Mini DisplayPort, DVI or VGA displays or adapters.
USB hub detail
USB hub detail	Two-port self-powered USB hub	Three powered USB 2.0 Type-A ports; device charging can work without a host attached
Speaker detail
Speaker detail	–	Built-in 2.1 speaker system with 49 W output
Webcam detail
Webcam detail	–	FaceTime HD camera and microphone; Apple does not publish a megapixel figure in the specifications
Design
Stand adjusts
Stand adjusts	Tilt	Tilt
VESA mount
VESA mount	No	Yes
Weight with stand
Weight with stand	8.6 kg	10.8 kg
Tilt
Tilt	–	Tilt adjustment only; no height, swivel or pivot adjustment (Macworld)
VESA pattern
VESA pattern	–	Requires the separately sold Apple VESA Mount Adapter Kit
Size with stand
Size with stand	542 × 439 × 176 mm minimum depth; maximum depth 265 mm (width × height × depth)	Current UK support specifications give 650 × 491 × 207 mm (width × height × depth). The original manual gives 651.7 × 488.1 × 208.13 mm and 10.7 kg rather than the support page's 10.8 kg.
Controls
Controls	System power, sleep and wake; display preferences launch button and software brightness control	Brightness and colour profile through macOS Displays preferences; no on-screen menu or physical image controls (Macworld)
Colours
Colours	Crystal-clear acrylic enclosure with silver bezel	Aluminium enclosure with black glass bezel
Power and support
Power use
Power use	Maximum 60 W when operating; energy saver mode 3 W or less	Maximum 250 W while charging a MacBook Pro; energy saver 2 W or less. Apple environmental report at 230 V gives 108 W on at full brightness, 1.9 W sleep and 0.75 W off.
Power supply
Power supply	24.5–28 V DC through ADC	Internal power supply; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz
Laptop charging
Laptop charging	–	Captive Universal MagSafe connector supplies up to 85 W separately from the Thunderbolt cable; no USB-C power delivery
Software
Software	Mac OS X 10.2 or later; specified Power Mac G4 graphics cards, or DVI-equipped PowerBook G4 with Apple DVI to ADC Adapter. Apple UK confirms immediate availability on 28 January 2003. Native refresh is not specified in the read original Apple documentation; PRAD lists 60 Hz, not promoted into the main row.	Original requirement OS X 10.6.8 or later and a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac. Announced 20 July 2011 with availability within 60 days; September sale month follows contemporary MacRumors reports of customer shipments, rather than the announcement date.
Certifications
Certifications	–	ENERGY STAR 5.1; EPEAT Gold in the US and Canada
Warranty
Warranty	–	One-year limited warranty and 90 days of telephone support
In the box
In the box	–	Thunderbolt Display, AC power cord and printed documentation