Following the announcement that Apple was shipping its new, 24-inch Cinema Display, the company quietly discontinued one of its old display models, namely the 23-inch SKU. Selling for US$899, the 24-incher is available for order from Apple's online store.

Back in 2005, Apple was announcing price cuts on its flat panel display line, comprising the 20-inch Cinema Display, the 23-inch Cinema HD Display, and the 30-inch Cinema HD Display.

The entire Display line was designed to work with DVI-equipped Power Mac G5 desktops, PowerBook G4 notebooks, as well as Windows-based computers, offering the widescreen design (16:10 ratio) coveted by creative professionals. The 23-inch Cinema HD Display had a 1920-by-1200 pixel resolution, and was “ideal for editing High Definition Television (HDTV) content,” according to Apple.

The 23-inch Apple Cinema Display also featured an all-aluminum design with a very thin bezel, suspended by an aluminum stand with an adjustable hinge that made tilting the display almost effortless.

These features are in place with the new models as well. However, Apple's old Cinema Display featured two FireWire 400 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, with support for the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting interface standard, whereas the new 24-inch display uses what Apple calls “the next-generation DisplayPort industry standard” - the new Mini DisplayPort. Three USB 2.0 ports can also be found on the new model. Apple's dropping FireWire in its products so soon is considered a rather rash choice.

The new 24-inch Cinema Display is “the first display made precisely for a notebook,” according to Apple. The display boasts a 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, and uses LED-backlit technology to provide instant full-screen brightness. It is also power-efficient. Furthermore, an iSight camera is built in the display, along with mic and speakers. Lastly, Apple's newest display is made with mercury-free LED technology, arsenic-free glass, and highly recyclable materials, helping the company rank a tad higher in the Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics.'