Q: Can I drive a Apple LED Cinema Display with a Dell laptop?

You need a DisplayPort on the Dell. Please also see  LED Cinema Display (27-inch) - Technical Specifications .

What is the Windows version on the Dell?

If you see this sign above a generally rectangular port with 2 curved sides on the bottom, it's Mini Display Port.

If you see this sign above a generally rectangular port with 2 curved sides on the bottom, it's Thunderbolt, but I, personally have never seen a Thunderbolt port on a PC.

If you see this port, it's DVI and the LED Cinema Display can't be used with it.

If you see this port, it's VGA and the LED Cinema Display can't be used with it.

If you see this port, it's Regular Display port (NOT MINI) and the LED Cinema Display can't be used with it.

If you see this port, it's HDMI and the LED Cinema Display can't be used with it.

Basically, you need a Mini Display port or a Thunderbolt port to use the 24" LED Cinema Display.

Hope i'm not over-complicating things, and it helps!

-Geotrax

The Thunderbolt and Displayport ports are described in Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) - Apple Support .

What is the model of your Dell laptop?

Based on your description, you have a Dual-mode DisplayPort. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort ).

You need appropriate cable to connect the DP++ to the Cinema display. You may need to reboot the Laptop to detect the display. The drivers would be provided by Dell.

Geotrax wrote:

 

... it's Thunderbolt, but I, personally have never seen a Thunderbolt port on a PC.

 

Quite a few Dell monitors (U2711, U2417) have a regular DisplayPorts.

Current (and partial) list of Laptops that have Thunderbolt ports are listed in http://www.ultrabookreview.com/10579-laptops-thunderbolt-3/ .