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Show me the reviews!Using a Dell 20.1" LCD on a G5
A review of the Dell UltraSharp 2001FP 20.1-inch LCD with a PowerMac G5
By Arthur Whalem
Looking for a 20 inch LCD
If you are like me you have wanted to own an Apple 20" LCD monitor or larger but never really had the $1299+ to dedicate to it. The new Apple 20" LCD has a new anodized aluminum case and is very elegant. Its optimum
resolution is 1680 by 1050 pixels and it is 16.1 inches high, 18.5 inches wide and 16.8 inches deep. Weight is 14.5 pounds and it uses 65 watts of power when operating. The Apple display comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. While this display is wonderful, it is hard for me to justify $1299 just for my PowerMac G5 monitor. (Even though I would like to.)Considering the Dell 2001FP 20.1-inch LCD
For the last 2 years I have used a Dell 17" LCD with great results on a PowerMac G4 and G5. Based on that experience I thought it might be interesting to look at using the Dell 2001FP 20.1 inch LCD on a PowerMac G5. The Dell 2201FP retails for $999 but I have seen them as low as $710 shipped using recent 25% off and $40 off coupons that can be combined. With this price available for those who are willing to wait, the Dell 2001FP 20.1 inch can be
more than $600 less than the Apple Cinema Display at $1299 retail plus tax. The 2001FP LCD has an optimum resolution of 1600 by 1200 on the PowerMac G5 but also works at 1280 by 1024, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600 and 640 by 480. You can easily change these resolutions using the Mac OS X display preferences and Mac OS X detects it as a Dell 2001FP. The monitor is 18.7 inches high and can be raised on its stand another 6 inches higher. It is 17.6 inches wide and while the LCD is only about 2.5 inches deep the stand requires 9.7 inches of depth. Weight is 18.7 pounds and it uses 90 watts of power when operating. The 2001FP has 8.8% more screen space or 156,000 more pixels. The Dell 2001FP is a 4:3 size versus the Apple 16:9 style. If the majority of what you do is watch or make 16:9 movies the Apple may fit your needs better. But if you would like some extra room at the bottom of your screen the Dell 2001FP has more screen real estate there.Dell 2001FP LCD Features
The Dell 2001FP has VGA, DVI, S-Video and composite connectors with a front panel switch to navigate through them. You could hook up a TV tuner, VCR or DVD player with an S-Video out and use the monitor for entertainment as well. You will still need separate speakers for audio as the 2001FP has no speakers. Many computer speakers have dual inputs for this type of purpose. The Dell 2001FP comes with PC software that allows you to rotate the screen for portrait use but I have not found a way to display video in portrait mode on the Macintosh yet. For now rotating the screen is a great way to see the inputs and install cables while using this LCD on a Macintosh. Both the Apple and the Dell have a built in USB hub but personally I would rather not have extra USB cables hanging off my monitor when I can use a stand-alone hub for that purpose hidden in the background. The Dell 2001FP has a power switch on the lower right side that I turn off when not using the monitor. As the Dell uses 90 watts vs the Apple 65 watts I like to turn it off when not in use. The 2001FP also has a 5.25" by 2.5 by 1" AC Adapter (power block) that runs warm to the touch. Keeping it well ventilated is a good idea.
Testing
The Dell 2001FP LCD was tested using the DVI cable that came with it and the DVI connector on the ATI 9600 video card. The LCD it bright, clear and performs well. The width of the LCD allows you to display two full AMUG web pages at once side by side with room left over using the 1600 by 1200 resolution. While the stand and the frame are not the matching anodized aluminum of the Apple Cinema Display, the Dell LCD itself is very clear and without any defects that I have been able to detect. It is nice to be able to rotate the LCD to install your cables and you can adjust the height of the LCD easily. The 2001FP LCD uses 38% more power than the Apple Cinema Display, is four pounds heavier and has 8.8% more pixels. Multiple input switching is a nice touch for multitasking your monitor. You could connect a VGA cable from one computer, a DVI from another computer and a VCR Tuner on the S-Video connector and manually switch between these devices by simply pushing a selector button on the front of the LCD. While most of us will just use an LCD for one computer, it is nice to have these switchable input options. The monitor is ENERGY STAR compliant with a wide viewing angle of 176° horizontal and vertical. Dell only lists the 2001FP as compatible with a PC. If you call Dell they will tell you the 2001FP does not work with a Macintosh. Dell does not provide support for Macintosh users in any way. If you need hand holding from your LCD manufacturer the Dell 2001FP may not be for you.
Pros
Can be purchased for as little as $710 shipped using coupons.
8.8% more pixels than the Apple 20" Cinema Display.
Provides inputs for VGA, DVI, S-Video and Composite with switching.
Adjustable height and rotating base.
Good value compared to alternatives.
4:3 video ratio provides more pixels.
As much as $500-$600 less than Apple 20" using coupon codes.
Easy access power switch.
Thin 3/4 inch by 1.25 inch deep frame around LCD panel.
16ms response time.
Limited 3 Year warranty.
Cons
Uses 38% more power than Apple Cinema Display (90 watts vs 65 watts).
Uses an AC adapter (power block).
No Mac support if you have a problem.
Portrait mode does not work on a Macintosh.
Lacks the anodized aluminum finish of the Apple 20".
Dell 2001FP gets 4 AMUGs out of 5!
If the Apple Cinema Displays are out of your reach financially there are other options. The Dell 2001FP discounted to $710 using coupons is one of the best 20" LCD panel bargains out there. Don't pay the $999 retail, wait for the 25% off deal which usually shows up several times a year. AMUG will alert members by email when these deals become available. If Dell could get the power usage down to 70 watts in a future model, that would be great. I am sure someone will come up with a hack to allow the portrait mode to work on a Macintosh and someone else will wrap the Dell 2001FP in aluminum foil for a close match with the PowerMac G5. If you want perfect, buy the Apple Cinema Display. If you want a good deal and a great looking LCD get the Dell 2001FP when its on sale. You can see a detailed technical review on the 2001FP at ZDnet and AnandTech.com
Copyright 2004
Arizona Macintosh Users Group, Inc. (AMUG)
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