Dell Monitor vs. Apple Monitor

Both Dell and Apple are companies that have earned themselves a very positive reputation in the computer manufacturing industry. Dell and Apple also produce some of the most popular monitors on the market. Many Apple computer users like to add an additional monitor to their computer setups. For Mac users, purchasing an Apple monitor only seems natural. However, Dell has a much wider selection to choose from, which makes this a hard decision. Alternatively, if you are a PC user, there is some information that you should know if you are thinking about purchasing an Apple monitor. Both brands have their pros and cons.

Selection

Selection is the biggest factor separating Dell and Apple monitors. Dell offers one of the widest selections of monitors on the market. With more than 150 different monitors to choose from, listed on their website, any computer user is likely to find a Dell monitor to suit her needs. Apple on the other hand, currently only offers two different types of monitors to choose from. The first is a 24-inch LED Cinema Display, and the second is a 30-inch LCD Cinema Display.

Design Appeal

Apple's first monitor, the 24-inch Cinema Display features a stunning design. The front of the display is a glossy piano-black color and the rear of the display is a metallic silver color. The 30-inch Apple Cinema Display is one of the only monitors on the market that features an all-aluminum casing. This makes the 30-inch stand out from other monitors as well as compliment the overall design.

Dell monitor designs come in a variety of forms as Dell has so many monitors to choose from. For the most part, Dell does not have a cutting edge styling as Apple. However, their monitors do look sleek, modern and somewhat stylish. A Dell monitor overall will look just as good as any other standard monitor on the market.

Connectivity Options

The majority of Dell monitors have an option for connection via DVI and VGA. This makes them very versatile when working well with computers both old and new. Some newer Dell monitors have an HDMI input as well. This allows them to be connected to a computer with full high-definition capabilities.

Apple's 24-inch LED Cinema Display is only recommended for use with Apple laptops. This pretty much eliminates using the 24-inch with any PCs. The 24-inch Cinema Display connects to Apple laptops via a built-in Mini Displayport connection. Apple's 30-inch LCD Cinema Display is a bit more versatile. The 30-inch can connect to computers by way of a DVI connection. The majority of computers are compatible with a DVI connection.

Specs

Because there are so many Dell monitors to choose from, there is obviously a wide range of specs. For the most part, Dell monitors are a great deal. The majority of newer Dell monitors feature full HD capability as well as above average resolutions.

The Apple 24-inch LED Display has a 1920 x 1200 native resolution. This makes it ideal for syncing with new MacBook Pros. Apple's 30-inch Cinema Display has a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600. This is not the best deal on the market for a 30-inch monitor. However, 2560 x 1600 should be more than powerful enough for most computer users and even graphic designers.

Price

If you are a bargain shopper, or on any type of a budget, it is best to stay away from Apple's displays. The 24-inch LED Cinema display retails for $899 plus tax. The 30-inch LCD Cinema display retails for a whopping $1,799 plus tax.

Most Dell monitors are priced very competitively. You can pick up a Dell monitor for as low as $89 and spend up to $1,800. When comparing a similar Dell monitor and a similar Apple monitor, you can expect to pay around $500 more for the Apple.

References

• Apple 24-inch Cinema Display
• Apple 30-inch Cinema Display
• Dell Computer Monitors