Apple LED Cinema Display review

This 24in screen is Apple's first LED-equipped Cinema Display, and it comes with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, which is the same as an equivalent-sized iMac.

Designed specifically for the latest range of MacBooks, the screen sports a number of features that are intended to make getting started a breeze.

A single cable runs from the back of the display to your MacBook, but it actually carries three individual cables inside. These are tightly wrapped together for the sake of neatness and are split into three connectors at the end.

The first is a MagSafe connector, which carries power from the Cinema Display to your MacBook, so you can leave the power supply in your bag or at home. There's also a Mini DisplayPort connector to feed the display with video. It's easy to appreciate why Apple designed its own slimmed-down connector for its notebooks, as it's even smaller than a USB plug. Right now, the display can only be used with the latest portables, but Apple will use this connector on future hardware.

Finally, there's a USB plug that fulfils several functions. This carries audio from the display's microphone to the MacBook, and it also feeds the notebook's audio output to the display's built-in speakers, which are situated at the bottom of the display. Your MacBook will automatically switch to the built-in microphone, speakers and iSight camera, although you have the option to switch back. This means that unless your work demands specific audio requirements, you won't need to connect external speakers to your MacBook.

On the rear of the display are three USB ports. These allow it to act as a hub, so you won't have to repeatedly detach peripherals from your MacBook. You can hook up an external keyboard and mouse, a hard drive for your Time Machine backups, a graphics tablet or any other hardware that's a regular fixture of your desk-based work.

The benefit of the hub depends on which MacBook model you own. If it's the Air, then the number of ports is significant, and even on the other models the extra port reduces the likelihood of having to unplug devices.

Automatically switching to use the display's built-in components is a useful feature, but the inclusion of a USB hub isn't unique. Other displays include such ports, and some even feature one on top to connect a webcam, although that's far less elegant than the built-in iSight. As we've come to expect of Apple, the thought that has gone into neatness - both of the display and your environment - is a genuinely pleasant attribute of the hardware.

Even if that's a low priority, the MagSafe connector is still a big temptation, especially if you regularly stretch to reach a vacant socket to power your MacBook.

The display follows Apple's current MacBook and iMac designs, with a thick black border around the screen and a thin silver trim around the outer edge. It's rather like an iMac with the large silver bottom removed and it looks nothing short of stunning. Just like the 24in iMac, text is sharp and colours are vivid - place it next to your MacBook and you'll immediately notice its superior rendition.

Depending on the tasks thrown at your Mac, the main problem you'll encounter is reflectiveness. If you're already accustomed to the glossy screen on your notebook, then it's of little consequence, particularly when it comes to everyday tasks such as browsing the web and reading email. However, editing photos in an office with bright overhead lights revealed reflections of people moving around behind us, concentrated in areas of black and among dark colours, too. These reflections were all the more noticeable on static content, although they were still apparent on movies, too. This is far less of an issue when working with photos, video and other graphics with an abundance of bright colours. In this respect, the Cinema Display serves just as well as an iMac for editing personal photos and movies.