Collins launches Mini DisplayPort screens

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 15th April 2009

The Collins CinemaView range of Mini DisplayPort-equipped monitors borrows from Apple's own displays.

A third party manufacturer has finally taken up the challenge posed by adopting Apple's Mini DisplayPort specification with a range of monitors aimed firmly at the Mac user on a budget.

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.