Apple Cinema HD Display

In Progress Guides

Tools

These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.

On June 28, 2004, Apple introduced a series of three LCD monitors: the 20-inch Cinema Display, the 23-inch Cinema HD Display, and the 30-inch Cinema HD Display. This page applies only to the 20-inch, 23-inch, and 30-inch monitors with aluminum frames and matte screens. The aluminum design introduced in 2004 replaced the previous plastic “easel-style“ Cinema Displays.

All three displays use a DVI connection for video, but the 30-inch model—with its larger 2560x1600 pixel resolution—requires dual-link DVI. The 20-inch and 23-inch displays (at 1680x1050 and 1920x1200 respectively) only use single-link DVI. You can still connect these displays to modern computers using a DVI adapter; see this article for more details.

Note: If you're using a DVI single-link cable on the 30-inch model, you're limited to 1280x800.

Each monitor has a single large cable attached to the back which breaks out into a power cable, a DVI cable, a USB cable, and a FireWire 400 cable. The power cable is fed by an external AC adapter, and the USB and FireWire cables can be plugged into your computer to enable the built-in USB and FireWire hubs on the back of the monitor. You can adjust the brightness using the capacitive buttons of the right side of the monitor.

The 23-inch model was discontinued in 2008 and replaced with the 24-inch LED Cinema Display which featured a glossy screen and an LED backlight, as well as a built-in webcam and microphone. It also had a MagSafe charging cable for use with Apple notebook computers. The 20-inch model was discontinued in 2009 and not replaced. The 30-inch model was discontinued in July of 2010, being replaced by the 27-inch LED Cinema Display which, other than size, was identical in features to the earlier 24-inch model.

In late 2005, Apple silently updated the LCD panels on all three displays, but didn't change product names or even model numbers. The updated 30-inch model had an increased brightness of 400 cd/m² and contrast ratio of 700:1.

You can identify these monitors by finding the model number written on the bottom of the elevated screen.

The 20-inch is model A1081.

The 23-inch is model A1082.

The 30-inch is model A1083.

Screen