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Apple Cinema Display 30" vs Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"

Apple Cinema Display 30" Monitor
Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27" Monitor
Available colors
Editiorial reviews
2
2 editorial reviews
Spread your virtual elbows over the biggest Mac desktop screen everRead more
Even Wintel PCs can now use the beautiful (and beautifully performing) Apple 23-inch Cinema Display.Read more
Read editorial reviews
16
3.9 out of 5
10 user ratings
5 stars
20 %
4 stars
60 %
3 stars
10 %
2 stars
10 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews
User rating
42
4.2 out of 5
42 user ratings
5 stars
40 %
4 stars
40 %
3 stars
16 %
2 stars
2 %
1 stars
0 %
45
4.0 out of 5
45 user ratings
5 stars
33 %
4 stars
33 %
3 stars
33 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %

Full Comparison

General

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
Screen size30.0 in27.0 in
Brightness400.0 cd/m²375.0 cd/m²
Aspect ratio16:1016:9

Design

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
Colour of productSilver
  • Black,White
  • White
Built-in USB hubyesyes
Touchscreennono
Built-in cameranoyes
Screen surfaceMatteGloss
Built-in speakersnoyes

Dimensions

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
Height (min-max)< 543< 491
Depth (with stand)8.46 in0.81 in
Width (with stand)27.09 in25.59 in
Weight440.92 oz38.1 oz

Connectivity

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
USB connectors (total)23
Number of component inputs00
Number of composite inputs00
DisplayPortnono
DVI Portyesno
HDCPnono
HDMInono
Headphone outputnono
Number of s-video inputs00
Thunderboltnoyes
USB for videonono
VGA innono

Image properties

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
Maximum resolution2560 x 1600 px2560 x 1440 px
Colour depth (per channel)8.0 bit8.0 bit
Contrast ratio700:11000:1
Display technologyLCDLCD
BacklightCCFLLED
Panel typeS-IPSS-IPS
Response time14.0 ms12.0 ms
Picture-in-Picture (PIP)nono
Pixel size0.01 in0.01 in
Viewing angle (horizontal)178.0 °178.0 °
Viewing angle (vertical)178.0 °178.0 °

Features

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
Ascendable and submersiblenono
Pivot functionnono
Swivelnono
Tiltableyesyes
Memory card readernono

Compatibility

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
3D support (3D-Ready)nono
HDRnono
VESA mountyesyes

Eco-labelling

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
EnergyStaryesyes
EPEATSilverGold
TCO-labellingTCO'03TCO'05

Power

Apple Cinema Display 30"Apple Cinema Display 30"
Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"
Connecting 9V/12V/14VNoneNone
Operational power consumption< 150105 - 250
Power consumption (standby)3.0 W2.0 W

Pros & Cons

Pros
      Cons

          Apple Cinema Display 30" vs Apple Thunderbolt Display 27" - User Opinions

          • javier
            over 1 year ago
            macrumors 68030 That said, their practical difference is that the TB one has additional Thunderbolt, FireWire and Ethernet ports in addition to 3 USB ports, i have both of them and their picture rendition is 99% identical, they have a very slightly different colour profile but nothing that stands out.Jan 10, 2021
          • teresa.kling
            over 1 year ago
            cinema display has 3 USB 2.0 ports on the back, the thunderbolt display has 3 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800, an additional Thunderbolt port and an ethernet port. apart from that, they look identical, have the same screen resolution and cost exactly the same.
          • winifred.heidenreich
            almost 2 years ago
            The differences between the two are: Cinema display needs 3 connections to work, Thunderbolt display uses 2. Cinema display works with Mini Display port, Thunderbolt display only works with Thunderbolt port.
          • What's the difference between products? Share your opinion.

          Often compared with Apple Cinema Display 30"

          Often compared with Apple Thunderbolt Display 27"