Collins launches Mini DisplayPort screens
The Collins CinemaView range of Mini DisplayPort-equipped monitors borrows from Apple's own displays.
As reported over on Electronista, Collins America has launched a range of LCD displays dubbed CinemaView – no relation to Apple's own range of Cinema Displays, of course – and in doing so has become one of the select few manufacturers beside Apple to adopt the Mini DisplayPort.
“Borrowing” design cues from the official Apple range of monitors, the CinemaView models are unlikely to offend anyone's aesthetic sensibilities. The displays use cheaper – and, unsurprisingly, lower-quality – panels compared to Apple's own range, but for the buyer on a budget it's a reasonable alternative to procuring a standard PC monitor: furthermore, it means that the native Mini DisplayPort output found on modern Macs can be used without needing an extra adaptor.
The range is broken in to three models: a 19” version with a 1440x900 resolution which will retail at $299, a 20” running at a 1680x1050 resolution for $399, and a top-end 1920x1080 full-HD 24” panel rounds the range off at $499. All the monitors are equipped with Mini DisplayPort, audio input, and three USB ports.
The pricing is certainly competitive when compared with original Apple equipment: the $499 24” model competes directly with the 24” Apple LED Cinema Display at a whopping $899. While the Apple version gets you some added bonuses – including higher quality panel, MagSafe power connector, and a 1920x1200 resolution – many will be wondering if it's really worth the extra.
The range is due to go live online – at a site, incidentally, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Apple Store – at the end of August this year, customers in the US and EU being offered a pre-order bonus of free shipping.
Any Mac users tempted into a cheap Mini DisplayPort equipped extra monitor, or are these displays nothing but cheap and nasty rip-offs of original Apple designs? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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11 Comments
Discuss in the forums ReplyI don't know how much difference there is in cost when compaired to a similarly spec'd Apple display but I'm sure the Elitist's won't be buying them.
They look cool, but I bet they are incredibly tacky feeling. If apple gets one thing right with their products, it's how solid they all feel.
DisplayPort isn't Apple's invention, but MiniDisplayPort is. They've opened up the license so anybody can make MDP equipment without paying a royalty, so it's actually quite useful for providing tiny tiny display ports on such things as laptops.
The big difference between these cheap TN+ screens and Apple's S/H-IPS panels is exactly that, the panels. Oh, and the LED backlight on the Apple, which also ramps the price up over a CCFL. Apple's 24" ACD is expensive, but compared to other LED, IPS screens it is actually competitive.
If you own a newer apple laptop that uses the miniport you don't have to pay apple to get an adapter to use every other monitor in the world. You do still have to buy one if you want to use a projector though.