Formac Intros $999 20" LCD


Formac has announced a 20.1" flat-screen monitor, retailing for $999, aiming squarely at Apple's recently-introduced 20" Cinema Display, which carries a street price of around $1,290.

Formac also offers the 1740 LCD, a 17.4" LCD for $499. Apple's 17" LCD was recently reduced to $699.

Formac's site lists the following specifications:

- Interface: Formac Display Connector (DVI and ADC) / Cable: 5' and 1"
- Size: 20,1 inch diagonal (viewable) / Screen: W: 16.3" H: 12"
- Technology: 24-bit ColorProof VA active matrix (16.7 million colors)
- Resolutions: 1,600 by 1,200, 1,024 by 768, 800 by 600
- Dot pitch: 0.255 mm
- Viewing Angle: 170 degrees horizontal / 170 degrees vertical / 160 degrees conical
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2
- Contrast Ratio: 600:1
- Pixel Response: 15ms average (10ms rise, 25 ms fall)
- Scan Range: Horizontal: 72 Hz, Vertical: 60 Hz
- Screen Treatment: Anti-glare coat
- User Controls: 3 touch-sensitive buttons: Power, +/- Brightness
- Connectivity: Built-in two-port USB hub
- Electrical Requirements: Input voltage: 12.7 V DC +/- 3%
- Consumption: 3W (energy saver mode), 60W (max)
- Operating Condition: 50 to 95 degree Fahrenheit (10 to 35 degree Celsius) 20% to 80% (no condensation)
- Package contains: FWD2010-1: Gallery 2010 display, power supply, USB cable, user's Guide / FGD2010-1: same content plus ADC-to-DVI cable

- System Requirements: Macintosh - One of the following systems:

a) Power Mac G4 with NVIDIA* GeForce2 MX, GeForce3, GeForce4 MX, or GeForce4 Ti graphics card, or ATI Radeon 7500 graphics card; and Mac OS X v10.1.3 or Mac OS 9.2.2
b) Power Mac G4 with DVI port (via an NVIDIA* GeForce4 Ti graphics card*)
c) PowerBook G4 with DVI port

PC - IBM compatible:

1,600x1,200 non-interlaced, DVI interface *with NVidia 3.0 Extensions

The prices on these Formac displays are available only through April 15, 2003.

Analysis: These are exceptionally aggressive prices, and Formac is clearly aiming at Apple with this introductory offer. Given that LCD prices have been falling, Apple has reduced - but not heavily cut - LCD prices, which continue to provide healthy profit margins.