Sony Artisan vs. New 23" Apple Cinema Display

I have been using a Sony GDM-F520 monitor for my Macintosh-based home digital darkroom and Photoshop skunkworks. Nice image most of the time, but it has occasional bouts where the synch goes funky and the image shakes. After three failed repair attempts, Sony is apparently considering other options for me. They may be preparing to offer me an exchange for a GDM-C520 Artisan monitor, or perhaps a cash settlement.
I know that the Artisan gets raves from many graphics pros. I have been using a Spyder/OptiCAL combo with the F520. The Artisan’s integrated calibration and profiling system is probably superior. But it is essentially a revision of the F520 hardware, so I am a bit worried about encountering more reliability problems.

If I take the cash, I would consider buying the new 23" Apple Cinema Display (brushed aluminum frame). I have worked on ACDs from the previous series (clear plastic frames), and they would probably be adequate for my needs. But I have no experience with the new ones. Has anyone made comparisons between the new and old ACDs, or between the new ACDs and the Artisan?

I would characterize myself as an intermediate-level amateur photographer. I know how to use color spaces, profiles, soft proofs, etc. But I will also be using this monitor for my real job (programming), plus websurfing, watching DVDs, etc.

Several months ago, I read some press releases about interesting new monitors from NEC-Mitsubishi. They claim to have CRTs with new phosphors that come close to covering the gamut of AdobeRGB. They also described a new wide-gamut flat screen technology, which use LEDs for illumination (this is not the thin-film OLED stuff). But it looks like I will have to choose my next monitor before these products are available.

I have been using a Sony GDM-F520 monitor for my Macintosh-based home digital darkroom and Photoshop skunkworks. Nice image most of the time, but it has occasional bouts where the synch goes funky and the image shakes. After three failed repair attempts, Sony is apparently considering other options for me. They may be preparing to offer me an exchange for a GDM-C520 Artisan monitor, or perhaps a cash settlement.
I know that the Artisan gets raves from many graphics pros. I have been using a Spyder/OptiCAL combo with the F520. The Artisan’s integrated calibration and profiling system is probably superior. But it is essentially a revision of the F520 hardware, so I am a bit worried about encountering more reliability problems.

If I take the cash, I would consider buying the new 23" Apple Cinema Display (brushed aluminum frame). I have worked on ACDs from the previous series (clear plastic frames), and they would probably be adequate for my needs. But I have no experience with the new ones. Has anyone made comparisons between the new and old ACDs, or between the new ACDs and the Artisan?

I would characterize myself as an intermediate-level amateur photographer. I know how to use color spaces, profiles, soft proofs, etc. But I will also be using this monitor for my real job (programming), plus websurfing, watching DVDs, etc.

Several months ago, I read some press releases about interesting new monitors from NEC-Mitsubishi. They claim to have CRTs with new phosphors that come close to covering the gamut of AdobeRGB. They also described a new wide-gamut flat screen technology, which use LEDs for illumination (this is not the thin-film OLED stuff). But it looks like I will have to choose my next monitor before these products are available.

—
Julian Vrieslander

There is a "rumor going around" that the Apple Cinema Display is actually

and available from them as the Sony "PREMIERPRO 23 Wide Flat Panel LCD"

SDM-P232W/B

See

There is a "rumor going around" that the Apple Cinema Display is actually

and available from them as the Sony "PREMIERPRO 23 Wide Flat Panel LCD"

SDM-P232W/B

See

"RSD99" wrote in message

There is a "rumor going around" that the Apple Cinema Display is actually

made by Sony …

and available from them as the Sony "PREMIERPRO 23 Wide Flat Panel LCD"

… Model

SDM-P232W/B

See

ormation-Start;sid=_wu_gvkupsa_o7g1uAG1ibY_mqylQpNq3k8=?Prod uctSKU=SDMP232W% 2fB

Let’s shorten that URL ‘for the rest of us’ to:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?C4A814809 🙂

In his public introduction of the new Cinema display, Steve Jobs said that one distinguishing characteristic of the screen is that Apple has a second round of QC checks before branding. Dunno.

There is a "rumor going around" that the Apple Cinema Display is actually made by Sony …
and available from them as the Sony "PREMIERPRO 23 Wide Flat Panel LCD" … Model SDM-P232W/B

See

In article <5JHSc.9223$>,
"RSD99" wrote:

There is a "rumor going around" that the Apple Cinema Display is

made by Sony …
and available from them as the Sony "PREMIERPRO 23 Wide Flat Panel LCD"

Model SDM-P232W/B

See

< http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store /en/-/USD/SY _DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=_wu_gvkupsa_o7g1uAG1ibY _mqylQpNq3k8= ?ProductSKU=SDMP232W%2fB>

The Sony model on that web page has different specs than the newest 23" ACD (from the series with brushed aluminum frames). Perhaps it uses the same screen as the previous 23" ACD (series with clear plastic frame).
Sony PremierPro 23:

Contrast ratio = 350:1
Luminance = 200 cd/m^2
Response time = 40 ms

Apple Cinema Display 23:

Contrast ratio = 400:1
Luminance = 270 cd/m^2
Response time = 16 ms

—
Julian Vrieslander