Hey guys,
So I recently snagged up a prototype apple Cinema Display. The one with the adc connection. Well it comes with a couple typical and unique changes than the production model. The typical prototype stamp is on it with the illegal to sell or lease before fix approval etc.... But the unique part is it has a black grommet on the front of the display, who knows why I can't test to see if it is a button until the adc adapter gets here later this afternoon. The stand on the back is different than the production model, instead of it curving and screwing into a metal post on the back of the display, it is more of a rounded rectangle. That screws into a see thru plastic handle. Well that's the question... It was broken and repaired, it appears to have been a repair Apple did, it is very clean and strong. Possibly changing apples idea of going with a see their plastic handle into metal. Just wondering if anyone out there, being a long shot, has any information on it.
Thanks
Sam
Have you any pictures?
I can post pictures in a little while. Would you like them with a cinema display as reference?
Sam
So I guess I just not forum savvy. So I uploaded the pictures to my website... Here they are...
Proto Pic 1
Proto Pic 2
Proto Pic 3
Proto Pic 4
Proto Pic 5
Production Pic 1
Production Pic 2
So as you can see the prototype has a couple different differences... Starting off there is a square stand on it... with a clear plastic handle connecting it to the unit, which was broken and repaired not a professional job but not an amateur job either. There is a random rubber piece on the front that I have no idea what it does... I tried to stick my nail under it just to see if it was surface level and it didn't seem to be. and other than the prototype markings there doesn't seem to be any visual difference between it and the production one. But on the production one the stand is on a metal handle. and instead of a square stand, it is now curved. But I believe I have seen production models with a square stand... Can anyone shed some light on this? If you need more pictures or have any questions I check the forums *almost* daily.
Thanks!
Sam
The stand in Proto pic 5 looks more like the production stands and the one in production pic 2 looks not like production at all.
I would take a bright light and try to see whether the black rubber is just a random foot accidentally clued to the front or whether it actually goes to the inside though the bezel. Maybe it was used before they switched to sensor Buttons in production units.
I tried to get a flashlight on it and it didn't seem like it went anywhere... I am half temped to take off the back and see if it is different in the inside. The stand on the production one I have is definitely meant to be there... maybe it was a prototype too!? That would be crazy... Are you sure there wasn't a difference in the stands between a cinema display and a cinema display HD?
Thanks
Sam
I've been offline for a while, but I'll see that I post photos. I have several of those displays.
You have several prototypes? I have a matching 23" model.
Sorry, I was probably not clear enough. I have all sizes that the display was shipping in. If I remember correctly, the feet were similar To the one in proto pic 5
I also collect prototypes, but mostly computers (some clear ones and a few systems that never shipped), only one display, I think.
So then what makes me wonder. How come this production model has a unique stand, unlike the prototype?
There are at least two possible reasons.
First: someone exchanged the two stands between the two units.
Second: I have seen many stands of such displays being broken off due to bad transport (without original packaging). The stand in your picture is much easier to recreate than the original one. Difficult to judge from the picture, but it might even be acrylic instead of polycarbonate.
So maybe it is just a repair without access to original spare parts.
Makes sense. It is very hard to tell what went on without knowing the history.