WWDC: Apple unveils 30-inch Cinema HD display

Macworld - Apple today introduced a new 30-inch Apple Cinema HD display, a new flat panel screen that features 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution. Apple also introduced new 23-inch and 20-inch displays to replace their existing flat panel monitors.

The new displays all have the by-now familiar widescreen aspect ratio found across almost all of Apple's pro hardware line, and sport dual FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 ports, and use DVI to connect to video cards instead of Apple's vaunted ADC interface -- making the new monitors compatible out-of-the-box with Power Macs, PowerBooks, and PC-compatible computers as well.

The new monitors feature a new aluminum design created to complement the industrial look of Apple's pro hardware, consistent with the theme first introduced when the Power Mac G5 hit the stage a year ago. A thin bezel is suspended by an aluminum stand equipped with an adjustable hinge. What's more, the new displays can be mounted on walls or articulated stands that comply with the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting interface standard -- an optional Cinema Display VESA Mount Adapter kit is available.

The new 30-inch Cinema HD requires a $599 Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL graphics card and a Power Mac G5 in order to work. The card features two DVI connectors to enable two 30-inch Cinema HD displays to work side by side. The new card will be available as a build-to-order option in new Power Mac G5s beginning in August; an upgrade kit for existing G5s will also be available at that time.

The 23-inch Apple Cinema HD display retains its 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution and the 20-inch Apple Cinema Display remains at 1680 x 1050 pixel resolution. Both the 20-inch and 23-inch displays will be available in July for $1,299 and $1,999 respectively. The 30-inch display will be available in August for $3,299.