Apple Cinema HD Display (30-inch, DVI) vs Dell UltraSharp U2711

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Cinema HD Display (30-inch, DVI) compared with UltraSharp U2711
AppleCinema HD Display (30-inch, DVI)DellUltraSharp U2711
Overview
ReleasedOctober 20042010
Display
Screen size29.7″27″
Resolution2560 × 1600 (WQXGA) (better)2560 × 1440 (QHD)
Sharpness102 pixels per inch109 pixels per inch (better)
PanelIPS (TFT active-matrix LCD (Apple June 2004 Technology Overview); S-IPS identification from PRAD’s exact aluminium 30-inch datasheet. Main brightness and contrast describe the original published generation.)IPS (CCFL-backlit wide-gamut IPS.)
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Response time (grey to grey)–6 ms
Brightness (typical)270 nits350 nits (better)
Contrast ratio400:11,000:1
Colour range–100% sRGB; 96% Adobe RGB
Colour accuracy (Delta E)–Below 5
Screen finishMatteMatte
ShapeFlatFlat
Colour depthUp to 16.7 million colours; Apple does not specify panel bit depthUp to 1.07 billion colours with 12-bit internal processing, according to Dell.
sRGB coverage–100% typical, according to Dell.
Adobe RGB coverage–96% typical, according to Dell.
Colour accuracy–Factory-calibrated sRGB and Adobe RGB presets to average Delta E below 5 on a new unit, according to Dell.
Colour modes–Includes sRGB, Adobe RGB and a six-axis Custom Color mode.
Response time detailOriginal June 2004 Apple Technology Overview specifies typical 16 ms without identifying grey-to-grey transitions, so main grey-to-grey response is omitted. Original brightness is 270 cd/m² and contrast 400:1. Archived support table later gives 400 cd/m² and 400:1; Japanese specifications give 400 cd/m², 700:1 and 14 ms. These later figures are not substituted into the original main fields.6 ms grey-to-grey or 12 ms black-to-white, typical.
Viewing anglesOriginal archived Apple specifications give 170° horizontally and vertically; a later Japanese sheet gives 178°.178° horizontal and vertical, typical.
Pixel pitch0.250 mm0.2331 mm.
Connections
Video inputsDVIHDMI, DisplayPort
USB-C chargingNoneNone
USB ports2 × USB-A4 × USB-A
Speakers–No
HDMI detail–One HDMI input; Dell lists up to 1080p video modes in its manual.
DisplayPort detail–One DisplayPort input; also two dual-link DVI-D inputs, VGA, composite and component video.
Other connectionsCaptive DVI, USB 2.0, FireWire 400 and DC power cables; two downstream FireWire 400 ports and Kensington security slot–
USB hub detailTwo-port self-powered USB 2.0 hub; upstream USB cable must connect to computerFour downstream USB 2.0 ports and one upstream port; integrated multi-format card reader.
Picture by picture–Picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes with a second video source.
Audio out–Audio line out for external speakers; optional Dell soundbar support.
Design
Stand adjustsTiltHeight, tilt, swivel (better)
VESA mountYesYes
Weight with stand12.5 kg7.72 kg
Height adjustment–90 mm vertical extension, according to Dell.
VESA patternOptional Cinema Display VESA Mount Adapter Kit; VESA FDMI MIS-D 100 C100 × 100 mm.
Size with stand688 × 543 × 215 mm (width × height × depth), from Apple's archived technical specifications646.71 × 199.95 × 427.83–517.83 mm (width × depth × height).
Size without stand–646.71 × 93 × 385.67 mm (width × depth × height).
Weight without stand–7.72 kg without cables.
ControlsSide power and brightness buttons; resolution and colour settings through Mac OS X Displays preferencesCapacitive touch controls at the front right.
ColoursAluminium enclosure–
Power and support
Power useMaximum 150 W; energy saver mode 3 W or less113 W typical, according to Dell's manual.
Power supplyExternal A1098 150 W adaptor; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 24.5 V DC output100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.
SoftwareApple's June 2004 UK press release promised August sale, but delivery slipped into autumn (Computerworld/Macworld). Main release month follows MacRumors' October 2004 shipping report. At launch Apple specified Power Mac G5 with NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL for native resolution; a dual-link DVI graphics connection is required. Original manual explicitly specifies 2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz and 29.7-inch viewable diagonal. Main weight follows June 2004 maker Technology Overview (12.5 kg); original manual gives 12.31 kg and archived support table 12.47 kg. No basis for the discrepancies is stated.–
In the boxDisplay with captive connection cables, power adaptor, AC cord and cleaning clothMonitor and stand, power, VGA, DVI, DisplayPort and USB upstream cables, documentation and factory colour report.

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