apple definately, it just matches my G5 i can only imagine how it would look like with black screen! and i dont mind paying close to 24" dell screen for my 20" ACD.

interesting statement considering the apple shits all over the dell 24" inch quality wise.
the dell has got quite a few color issues

The 20" panels are 8 bit vargz. Check the Dell website and wait for a "special". They happen pretty regularly - every other week or so, it would seem.

macmate, I thoroughly agree with you that there is much more to picture quality than just the panel. But your comment said "the apples have a much better panel." I was simply pointing out that the panels are the same for the 20" wide models.

For colour critical work you'll want a very good crt. You can calibrate the dell or have it calibrated for you. There's $400 difference during the very regular dell specials, it is a significant mark-up for many, and given the drop in panel costs, i believe the original poster is right to note that Apple are lagging in their price policy.

I have both screens sitting on my desk and in my opinion only there is very little to choose from in output quality when you have properly adjusted and calibrated each. There were many reports on early batches of the dell that there were some significant display issues, but these do not seem to have been a problem for quite some time. Others may think otherwise. Perhaps you should go and have a look at them using some test images of your choice (if this is critical to you) before you decide.

As I said, I cannot comment on the difference between the Apple 23 and Dell 24 as I haven't seen them together. In the end designershub it is your choice.

I imagine we'll see redesigned and cheaper Apple Cinema Displays when the PowerMacs go Intel.

g5agogo - your correct i did state 'panel' but meant 'picture quality' having re-read my post it is easy to see where you may have misunderstood me(or where i may have mis communicated what i meant).

at the price of the dell i would have no hesitation buying the dell. i don't do graphics work all that much so it wouldnn't bother me

macmate, I own 2 Apple 20" screens. Next to each other with a single colour on the screen their images are noticably different. No amount of calibrating changes this. If I did any serious pro design I'd be buying CRT's I'm afraid.

Yep, I'd have to agree. Using an LCD for ultra accurate colour is fighting an uphill battle. You're going to have a tough time with either an Apple or a Dell. For those people still crying "Apple to the death!!!" - read this article:

http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2400

macmate,

No worries, just wanted to clear that point up for the original questioner. I've made so many typos that I know just how easily it happens.

I have to agree with Currawong, when I am editing a video, I try and plug in a CRT to get a better idea on the overall picture looks like etc....

Mind you I still think the Apple LCD's are better quality than the dell's!

i never said they were better than a CRT monitor for colour accuracy. heck i still sell some clients a good CRT for that sort of stuff.

if you want real colour accuracy then you have to have the same conditions in the room at all times ie you pains your room a different colour and your perception changes and technically you need to re calibrate. why do you think real colour calibration experts charge massive amounts to get it right. those auto calibrators are rubbish. on an overcast day you get different light to a sunny day etc etc. most or my clients that require colour accuracy work in a room with one light and make sure that they get globes the same strength and brand so that it doesn't charge.

the fact that your two 20" LCDs are different in colour is not at all unusual. in fact a properly calibrated screen looks like its lacking in colour and brightness., but is actually quite accurate to what you might get from a print out.

anyway i don't have time to get into this at work and i am sure this is off topic.

long weekend!!! yay!!!

Ric

I've been working as a retoucher for a while now, and done some fairly high end stuff (all ad work... some cars, trucks, etc etc). The simple fact is that you have to pay attention to the numbers using the eyedropper and know what you're doing. However! I've been using LCDs for a while now and I find them far less fatiguing and haven't had any colour issues at all. I did freak out for about a week to begin with, but now I'd never switch back to a CRT. If nothing else, they're really, really soft. That makes seeing detail difficult. Almost all the retouchers I've seen and have worked with are using LCDs now, or are going to soon.

Btw, I'm currently working in a music studio = almost no natural light. Works a treat for consistency!

Oh, and I'm with Hawker. Video is a different story. Most studios seem to have a large LCD for editing and a calibrated CRT for the preview (and maybe a Plasma for the client).