Apple Cinema HD Display Repair

Author: Brett Hartt (and 13 other contributors)

Create a Guide

I Have This

Guides

Tools

These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.

On June 28, 2004, Apple introduced a series of three LCD monitors: the 20-inch Cinema Display, the 23-inch Cinema HD Display, and the 30-inch Cinema HD Display. This page applies only to the 20-inch, 23-inch, and 30-inch monitors with aluminum frames and matte screens. The aluminum design introduced in 2004 replaced the previous plastic “easel-style“ Cinema Displays.

All three displays use a DVI connection for video, but the 30-inch model—with its larger 2560x1600 pixel resolution—requires dual-link DVI. The 20-inch and 23-inch displays (at 1680x1050 and 1920x1200 respectively) only use single-link DVI. You can still connect these displays to modern computers using a DVI adapter; see this article for more details.

Note: If you're using a DVI single-link cable on the 30-inch model, you're limited to 1280x800.

Each monitor has a single large cable attached to the back which breaks out into a power cable, a DVI cable, a USB cable, and a FireWire 400 cable. The power cable is fed by an external AC adapter, and the USB and FireWire cables can be plugged into your computer to enable the built-in USB and FireWire hubs on the back of the monitor. You can adjust the brightness using the capacitive buttons of the right side of the monitor.

The 23-inch model was discontinued in 2008 and replaced with the 24-inch LED Cinema Display which featured a glossy screen and an LED backlight, as well as a built-in webcam and microphone. It also had a MagSafe charging cable for use with Apple notebook computers. The 20-inch model was discontinued in 2009 and not replaced. The 30-inch model was discontinued in July of 2010, being replaced by the 27-inch LED Cinema Display which, other than size, was identical in features to the earlier 24-inch model.

In late 2005, Apple silently updated the LCD panels on all three displays, but didn't change product names or even model numbers. The updated 30-inch model had an increased brightness of 400 cd/m² and contrast ratio of 700:1.

You can identify these monitors by finding the model number written on the bottom of the elevated screen.

The 20-inch is model A1081.

The 23-inch is model A1082.

The 30-inch is model A1083.

Screen