Author Topic: Slow Death of Apple Cinema Display... =( (Read 9023 times)

sunset · « **on:** January 18, 2008, 11:32:56 PM »

My 'almost 5 year old' 20" ACD's exhibiting the above symptoms. In addition, the upper half of the screen is dimmer than the bottom. I've done a lot of searching on the internet and have found that it can be the inverter board and/or the backlights.

At this point it is 'useable' but, according to others, it may not be for long. Have been agonizing over this for a few days now, mainly because I'm not ready to just 'toss' it and add to the proverbial electronic landfill. [Also, don't need a new computer. Love the iMacs but don't want to deal w/ Leopard. Much of the software I have would have to be replaced and I'm not ready to dish out that kind of $$$ when what I have serves me well. Thought about a refurb. but there's no way of knowing what OS has been installed--the 'store' can't/won't tell you...]

My question is this: has anyone dealt with this problem and found the two aforementioned parts at a reasonable cost on line and/or a schematic of the innards of the display so I'd know how many tubes to purchase for someone else to solder in place? Am not comfortable doing that myself and Apple charges $500+ to fix/replace it, almost the cost of a new one. They also do not allow Apple certified service centers to do that repair, at least as warranty work... go figure???!!!

If this is a rerun, I apologize. Tried doing a 'search' and came up empty-handed.

, in advance, for any thoughts/help you can think of!

Laurel

Paddy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2008, 09:02:47 AM »

Laurel, I doubt very much that you'll find it cheaper to repair this display than to replace it. I know...makes me mad too.

Generally labor alone in independent shops runs $80-$90 or more an hour IF you can find anyone willing or able to take the display apart. From what I've read, they're not really intended to be repaired; they're very difficult to take apart (without damage) and difficult to work on as well. I would check with an independent Apple dealer to be sure, but I think you're looking at more money than it's worth.

You can get very good non-Apple 19/20" displays that will probably be as good or better than your five-year-old display for just over $200. I have a Dell 24" monitor that I love - the 19" version of it is a mere $210 at Dell right now. I love the look of the Apple monitors, but there are some out there that are rated as highly or better than the Apple displays. Plus my Dell has very handy card slots on it which eliminates the need for a card reader - something I really appreciate!!

PC World rated these the top 5 in the 19" category:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,140989-page,1/article.html

CNET top 5 19" and 20" LCDs:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-3174_7-258-102.html?tag=lnav

Certainly you don't need a new computer if all you really need is a new monitor (unless you were thinking of going the iMac route and this is what's giving you pause over buying a new monitor). The monitor will always be useful...and if you do go the iMac route, you can always sell the monitor.

gunug · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:05:15 AM »

There is a place that I've deal with before that does flat-rate repair of such things and their rate on that display is about $200 + shipping and such. They would have the parts so they would probably be cheaper and better than other places. I think they only have a 90 warranty on repairs so to me this probably wouldn't be worth it!

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2008, 11:19:11 AM »

QUOTE

[Apple] also do not allow Apple certified service centers to do that repair, at least as warranty work.

So they can't tell the dealer not to do the repair. But that could still be more than a new, non-Apple monitor, anyway. The technology has improved in those five years and you might end up with a monitor that is even better than the crippled one ever was!

BTW, the newest iMacs can drive an external monitor as an extended Dektop up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on the digital side, and higher on the analog side. So you should still be able to use the new monitor even if you buy a new iMac in the next few years.

Gregg · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2008, 03:54:33 PM »

Hi Laurel. Sorry about your monitor problems. Even fixing it for the cost of a new Dell of course means that you'd be without a monitor while it was in transit and in someone's "shop". But, for less than the cost of a new ACD, you could buy a used Dell, and send yours off for repair. But I'm sure you thought of that. It's no fun having things break down. Good luck!

sunset · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2008, 06:00:14 PM »

Thank you all for your input--especially noting that this can be replaced with a non-Apple monitor for a lot less than what Steve has to offer. I hate to think what I actually paid for this at the time which was about twice what the same size costs today.

Our son, a graphic designer, just got a new 22" NEC monitor to use with his G5 before the Holidays that he is extremely happy with so I know I need to do some looking. Will check out your links, Paddy, and see what they recommend. My computer is a G4 MDD dual 1.25 GHz tower, sporting 10.4.10 so it's as up-to-date as it can be, almost, w/o jumping into Leopard--[which I have still sitting in the box...]

Paddy, does your Dell have a glossy or matte screen? I'm concerned about the glossy screens because my MacBook has one and the colors aren't consistant from top to bottom. Doing a lot of photo work on a matte screen keeps the colors/hues the same throughout the panel. Not sure that'll be the case with a glossy screen???

Good thoughts, everyone--certainly more to think about than my original consideration.

Paddy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2008, 07:51:37 PM »

Laurel, it's matte. There don't seem to be a lot of glossy stand-alone LCDs. (Think they're more for the home entertainment set than anyone using them in a work or design setting) I think the glossy screens LOOK gorgeous, but worries about glare and reflection kept me from ordering the glossy screen on my MacBook Pro last year.

Interesting poll results here:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061018-8022.html

However, in this article and comments following, it appears that the glossy screen on a MacBook is a different kettle of fish from the glossy screen on an HP laptop (for instance) - Mac users seem to love theirs.

http://www.tuaw.com/2006/06/05/which-scree...lossy-or-matte/

Also, a key difference with the LCDs vs the laptop screens is that you don't get the really noticeable color/saturation shifts when the angle changes - or variations from top to bottom of the screen...at least not on my Dell!! I don't edit photos on my MacBook Pro if I can help it (apart from cropping etc.) and never intended to use it for that purpose.

MamaMoose · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2008, 09:32:54 PM »

Hi Laurel,

I am getting rid of my 4 year old 20" ADC Apple cinema Display (Bought a new Cinema Display 23" DVI ). It has been working like a charm. I would be very happy to sell it to you at a reasonable price. If you are not too far away, I'll even split the shipping cost. Send me a note on my Private E-Mail and we can discuss details.

My advice is do not pay for repairs. Even if it is fixed, another part could fail.

MamaMoose

Gregg · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2008, 01:59:06 PM »

Ok, I'm curious...

Is 2,103.84 miles "too far"?

sunset · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2008, 04:17:00 PM »

That's hilarious, Gregg--you've got a great sense of humor!!

It's about time for the BIG game!!!

Texas Mac Man · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2008, 07:08:48 PM »

Not good. See http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=51810

sunset · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2008, 10:54:06 PM »

QUOTE(Texas Mac Man @ Jan 20 2008, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not good. See http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=51810

Thanks, Tom, for the link. I hadn't seen that before and, since my original post, discovered that this problem is also addressed in my G4 manual. Apple technicians barely acknowledge the problem and of course, because my monitor is beyond warranty, they really aren't interested in discussing it.

After finding out what the flashing light was telling me, I found THIS THREAD on the Apple Discussions site and took it from there. Thankfully I can use this monitor until I decide what to do, unless it takes a nose dive... I hope not!

Gregg · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:18:59 AM »

QUOTE(sunset @ Jan 20 2008, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's about time for the BIG game!!!

They gave it a go.

Paddy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:37:00 AM »

Interesting thread on the Apple forums about DIY repair of the monitors. The only problem is not knowing (for sure) which of the failures is causing the symptom, though given the fact that the top half of the screen is dim, I'd start with the $44 solution if you're inclined to go that route. If that doesn't work, then I'd think twice about the inverter board - at $129 and a lot of work, you're more than half way to a new monitor. Obviously, by replacing both of these parts, you'd be spending almost as much as you would on a new - and probably better - monitor. Tough decision.

Meanwhile, it can't be easy to edit photos!!

sunset · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2008, 10:01:27 AM »

QUOTE(Gregg @ Jan 21 2008, 08:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE(sunset @ Jan 20 2008, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's about time for the BIG game!!!

They gave it a go.

I agree, Gregg. Can't imagine playing under those conditions let alone being able to hang on to a frozen ball. Have to give them credit for doing as well as they did. They were well matched... =(

News:

Author Topic: Slow Death of Apple Cinema Display... =( (Read 9023 times)

MamaMoose