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Apple 20 Inch Cinema HD Display (Old Model)

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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Step into a realm of precise visual clarity with the Apple 20 Inch Cinema HD Display, a vintage masterpiece that continues to inspire the creative minds of today. This old-school model, while categorized as "Uncategorized," proves to be a timeless tool for musicians and creatives seeking a reliable and spacious display. Its 20-inch wide-screen format provides an expansive canvas, ideal for digital audio workstations, video editing, or simply enhancing your everyday computing experience.

The display boasts an optimal resolution of 1680 by 1050 pixels, rendering your projects with stunning sharpness and vivid color accuracy. Thanks to its 16.7 million colors, your work will pop with true-to-life tones, while the anti-glare coating ensures a comfortable view even during long sessions. The Cinema HD Display's elegant aluminum frame complements any setup, adding both style and substance to your workspace.

Connectivity is seamless with this display, featuring a convenient DVI connection that bridges both Mac and PC worlds. Not only is it compatible with a variety of graphics cards, but it also supports VESA mounting, allowing for versatile placement that adapts to your needs. Dual USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 ports expand your connectivity options, making it easier than ever to integrate with your existing peripherals.

Key Features:

20-inch widescreen display with optimal 1680 by 1050 pixel resolution
Supports 16.7 million colors for vivid, accurate visuals
Anti-glare coating for comfortable viewing
DVI, USB 2.0, and FireWire 400 connectivity
Compatible with VESA mounting solutions
Dual display support with appropriate adapters

Videos

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6.11 Tactical

Apple 20'' Cinema Display: Unboxing & Setup

6.11 Tactical

Apple 20" Cinema Display | IMNC

ItsMyNaturalColour

Use a 20 Year Old Apple Cinema Display Today

Mark Holtze

20' Apple Cinema Display A1081 setup with 2015 Macbook Pro

Steven Natividad

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Apple 20 Inch Cinema HD Display (Old Model).

Software and compatibility

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Older Cinema Displays like the 20" require adapters that support DVI-I signals; many modern adapters only support DVI-D, causing compatibility issues.
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The 20" model lacks HDCP support, preventing the display of copy-protected content from services like Netflix on certain adapters.
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Some users found that not all USB-C to DVI adapters work, even if they seem compatible on paper; trial and error with brands may be necessary.
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Features and functionality

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The 20" Cinema Display has a native resolution of 1680x1050 and requires a 65W Apple power brick to function properly.
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The hinge design introduced in these displays is still used in current iMac and Studio Display models, showcasing its durability and timeless engineering.
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Setup and maintenance

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Severe ghosting on these displays is often linked to adapter issues; changing the adapter can resolve artifacts and ghosting problems.
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Connecting the USB from the monitor might not affect display issues, but it is necessary for controlling brightness directly from the computer.
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User experience

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Some owners report persistent ghosting issues that improve after prolonged use, suggesting potential degrading capacitors as a cause.
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Owners praise the external case design, considering it iconic and aesthetically pleasing enough to repurpose with newer display technology if needed.
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Comparisons

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Compared to the 23” and 30” models, some users find the 20” has less noticeable ghosting under regular use conditions.
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Value and pricing

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Enthusiasts often acquire post-revision models under $50, highlighting their perceived value despite age and potential issues.
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Critic Reviews

Apple Cinema Display 20-inch LCD review: Apple Cinema Display 20-inch LCD - CNET

cnet.com

Apple's 20-Inch Cinema HD Display offers a sleek design and excellent image quality, particularly for Power Mac users, with vibrant colors and crisp text. However, it's not without drawbacks, including limited compatibility with Windows PCs and a lack of extra features like speakers or VCR inputs. The display's brightness control can be inconsistent, and Apple's short warranty and costly support fees are disappointing. While it pairs well with the latest Mac OS for graphics professionals, its performance lags behind pricier competitors like the Formac Gallery 2010. Overall, a solid choice for Mac users prioritizing design and simplicity over versatility.

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Apple 20-inch Cinema review | TechRadar

techradar.com

The Apple 20-inch Cinema HD Display boasts Apple's signature minimalist design, with a sleek aluminium stand and bezel. However, it's held back by limited connectivity options, lacking modern HDMI ports, and a high price tag of £529. While the updated model offers improved brightness and contrast, the absence of an OSD and contrast adjustment may leave the image looking washed out. It's a stylish yet expensive choice that's not as versatile as one might hope.

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Apple 20-inch Cinema Display | Macworld

macworld.com

Apple's 20-inch Cinema Display impresses with its sleek aluminum design, wide viewing angles, and good text quality. Its widescreen format is ideal for movie watching and multitasking. However, the color vibrancy isn't as striking as some competitors, and the complex cabling setup, while reducing clutter, lacks the elegance of earlier models. Despite these trade-offs, its compatibility with standard connectors broadens its appeal beyond Mac users.

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Roger O'Donnell

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Cure

Verified via Joel Patterson

O'Donnell records these performances into Apple Logic (through a MOTU 828 into a MacIntosh computer) with a fairly sparse complement of controllers and peripherals: Mackie Control Surface, two 20" Apple Cinema displays, a Mackie Big Knob for monitoring, and Mackie 824 monitors.