Anyone using the Apple Thunderbolt display?

I've been very happy with the Mac Mini since November 2011. But I'm still using an Acer 21" LCD display (which I finally bought earlier that year to replace my CRT monitor).
The LCD is easier on the eyes than the old CRT. But still, eye fatigue sets in rather fast. $1000 is a lot of money to spend on a display. But if it makes a difference, it would be worth it.
If anyone owns and/or uses the Thunderbolt display regularly, would you recommend it? More importantly, is it really easy on the eyes compared to the LCD after spending a few hours a day with your DAW?

Thanks!

I'm getting a Mac Mini and have been researching displays, it's a complete can of worms. There's so many things that you could consider and it depends which type of site you are reading as to where the bias is (e.g. gamers need fast refresh times and great viewing angles, photographers need good calibration and wide gamut, etc). As with anything if you research it too much you end up unable to buy anything as there really is nothing perfect out there and get disabled with information overload.

1600 X 1080, or 1600 x 1000? IPS? If so, which IPS technology? 23, 24, or 27"? Matt or glossy?

I'm leaning towards one of the Dells, probably this one:

http://www.geek.com/deals-2/geek-deals- ... r-1578881/

24" seems to be the sweet spot, I feel 27" is too big.

Alternatively, I might just save some cash and go for the AOC

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AOC-I2367FH-Wid ... B00A46Y678

As for the Apple display, I read that apparently there's only 3 or 4 companies in the world making the actual display panels themselves (LG mostly apparently) and the one used in the Apple display is the same panel found in many common monitors, but for half the money. I'm already paying Apple tax on the Mac Mini, so will cut myself a break with the monitor and get something more fairly priced.

Thanks for the info Tutor. I'm gonna look more into those options and see how those displays work for me. Eventually I'll make a decision and buy a new monitor sometime this year.

MPC-Tutor wrote:I'm getting a Mac Mini

Looks like a refreshed model is coming out soon.


http://www.macrumors.com/2014/01/22/new ... -february/

Coz wrote:

MPC-Tutor wrote:I'm getting a Mac Mini

Looks like a refreshed model is coming out soon.
http://www.macrumors.com/2014/01/22/new ... -february/

Yeah I'm waiting it out, although I suspect my beloved firewire port will be gone on the new model and I need that for my audio interface (apparently the thunderbolt-to-firewire adapter sucks balls).

Then again, I could use the iconic USB interface from the Ren....

MPC-Tutor wrote:Then again, I could use the iconic USB interface from the Ren....

Nice.

I've heard that powered Firewire devices work pretty well with the adaptor but bus powered ones don't fare so well. It's the upgrade minefield.

I'm hoping for a major step up to a new Mac Pro this year, but it's a pretty huge step. I've also got to factor in a £200 upgrade for Cubase as version 6 is no longer supported.

I'd be interested in knowing what the fan noise is like under load on the next gen Mini…

Shouldn't the screen output be the same no matter what port you use? Im not using the thunderbolt on my mini just mini HDMI it comes with into LCD screen. Cant see how a different out will help at all. Good to see OP replaced CRT and that will help, but may I suggest you just calibrate the screen, for colour but also how bright it is. The really bright screen will fatigue your eyes no end and this might be a simple solution. I am interested to know if port out for vid is different but can't see why? please tell thanks

After so many years, the onset of eye fatigue comes a lot quicker. While looking at white backgrounds, text fields, and anything else on-screen, I'm sure it's the same all around. Even the iPhone will do the same, from what I've noticed. I'm getting old. That's what it is.

After spending more time observing a few things, I realize that I can still use a DAW without my eyes bleeding from my skull at the end of the night. But I know if I want to be able to enjoy using Reason more, I need a larger monitor. This monitor is too small.
I'm finding apps like GarageBand much easier to look at due to the grey background. I always noticed the same thing when I'm reading the forums, and I'm glad that Tutor kept the grey background a few years ago when he was experimenting with a new design.
Grey is so much easier, that it may be worth working with Logic Pro X or Reaper. So I'll experiment with that for a bit and see what works best.