Anything magical about Apple displays? recommendations?

kenreau · « **on:** 31 Mar 2010, 10:08 pm »

I just picked up a mac mini (only) and need to marry it to a display. I choked when I saw the price tags on the Apple display monitors.

My intneded use is just for home office/net surfing use. No desire for videophile caliber tv / movie / gaming - only as by product. Desired size is anything 20" to 24".

Is there really anything special about an Apple display to justify the 2~3X $$ expense? I can get an apparently similar LCD monitor at BB or Costco for +/-$200. There is a 2 yr old used 20" Cinema display on Craigslist for $350 that was $700 new. I don't mind buying preowned provided the pixels are good, but a 2 yr old used is still apparently 50% more $$ than a new commodity monitor.

Any advice/recommendations out there?

Thx,
Kenreau

low.pfile · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 10:31 pm »

Kenreau,
There is no performance magic that I know with the Apple displays. Special? Yes. They are Apple displays!

They do have a high price tag, which some can tolerate for having the Apple design which matches the computer. The LCD panels are shared with other manufacturer, backlights vary, as does firmware. But, you can save lots by going with other brands, especially for rudimentary web browsing and office applications.

there are tons of areas of displays that can become factors on choice: resolution, color depth, response time, etc. But this is of course, is more appropriate for production environment or serious photo/video enthusiasts which you mention you are not.

I've always thought I would only own Apple displays because they are the most visually appealing, to me, but due to less than optimal color performance, I now have a clunky looking NEC (photo editing focused). This was just as expensive as the Cinema Display, but beats it in many areas.

K Shep · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 10:41 pm »

Quote from: kenreau on 31 Mar 2010, 10:08 pm

I just picked up a mac mini (only) and need to marry it to a display. I choked when I saw the price tags on the Apple display monitors.

My intneded use is just for home office/net surfing use. No desire for videophile caliber tv / movie / gaming - only as by product. Desired size is anything 20" to 24".

Is there really anything special about an Apple display to justify the 2~3X $$ expense? I can get an apparently similar LCD monitor at BB or Costco for +/-$200. There is a 2 yr old used 20" Cinema display on Craigslist for $350 that was $700 new. I don't mind buying preowned provided the pixels are good, but a 2 yr old used is still apparently 50% more $$ than a new commodity monitor.

Any advice/recommendations out there?

Thx,
Kenreau

Congratulations on your purchase! Gobble up that cinema display before I do.

Doublej · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 12:39 am »

Of course it is magical. Everything sold by Apple is magical, especially the price.

I believe the current 24" Apple Display is an IPS panel which has great color at the expense of motion, is glossy, has a built in camera and a charging port for a Macbook.

If I were you I'd decide:

glossy or matte screen,
fixed or adjustable height,
tilt or no tilt,
aspect ratio,
native resolution desired

and then browse Amazon for reviews of Dell, Samsung and LG screens. Depending upon size and resolution you should be able to get a really good one for $150-$250.

skunark · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 01:48 am »

The HP LP2475w is an IPS display and IMO a very good monitor for the money, but if you want the glass screen then it's back to Apple's CD...

baldrick · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 02:38 am »

Check the pixel resolution carefully. Most "commodity" monitors as you put it sacrifice colour depth for pixel speed. They're fine for watching moving pictures and movies, but suck for colour accuracy.

You choice of monitor depends on what you're purpose is. If all you want is to listen to iTunes, surf the web and watch movies with the occasional use of Office software then any old DVI monitor will do.

If you're into photography and like to view and edit photos (and edit movies for that matter and colour accuracy matters to you then you will need at minimum 12 bit colour depth. Apple's monitors are 12 bit monitors.

There are some fantastic monitors with even higher colour depth that are very accurate, but their pixel speed will suffer and will not display movies at high framerates. However they are very good for photo editing.

Check the specifications carefully.

For the record, I have a 23" cinema display (the fluorescent backlight model, not the LED backlight model) and I like it very much. I used it 8 hours a day at work, I'm happy that I bought it, and know that it will last at least as long as my mac.

Pez · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 02:53 am »

Jeez, buncha cynical people here. The Mac Monitors are amazing. They have very accurate color (which is what you're paying for with a Mac video editors and photogs love it for that reason) the price is high, but that's what you pay for greatness.

Levi · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 03:09 am »

+1

They are accurate out-of-the-box! If you do lots of post processing, it is the way to go. The Apple display is a bargain compared to other professional caliber displays.

If money is not an object, I would get an Apple display to match your Mac Mini.

Quote from: Pez on 1 Apr 2010, 02:53 am

Jeez, buncha cynical people here. The Mac Monitors are amazing. They have very accurate color (which is what you're paying for with a Mac video editors and photogs love it for that reason) the price is high, but that's what you pay for greatness.

macrojack · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 03:17 am »

It is a mistake to pronounce a product overpriced simply because a cheaply made, compromised alternative exists. There are two sides to every equation - what you get and what you pay. Usually I find less value in the lower priced item - not always.
I'm looking at two monitors on my desk right now. One is the 20 inch IMac and the other is a 24 inch Acer I bought for $169. The Mac is definitely easier on my old eyes.

WGH · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 03:33 am »

Maximum PC likes the Viewsonic VP2365wb (reviewed in the current April '10 issue). The 23" VP2365wb also uses an IPS panel with a street price around $300.

An easy to read primer explains the three most common technologies: Twisted Nematic (TN), In-plane Switching (IPS), and Vertical Alignment (VA). Discover what separates the IPS and VA LCD monitors from inferior TN models here:
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/white_paper_lcd_technologies_compared

Wayne

TONEPUB · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 04:21 am »

If you aren't using it for critical color, get the best deal you can at Costco or Best Buy... And unless it's from a friend, don't buy a used one. If it wasn't damaged being shipped to the original owner, chances are high it will get damaged being shipped to you!

Most of the 20" monitors are about $200 and most of the 24" monitors are about $300. If you've got the desk space a 24 is a nice compromise. (you know what my desk looks like!)

As a hardcore Apple devotee, I say don't waste the money on an Apple monitor for the application you are talking about....

jqp · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 04:41 am »

I would look at the Dell monitors - they are usually among the highest rated, and the current ones do have the newest technology such as 2 x DVI with HDCP support, HDMI, DisplayPort.

Here is a good article (even though it is from mid-2008) that looks at many 24" monitors - obviously prices are lower now

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2518

If you want just a good 22" monitor, a Samsung is good, and can be had for as little more than $200

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 05:39 am »

I recently picked up this HP model....and I'm VERY happy with it....great price...excellent quality.

Perfect for what your looking for....

http://www.jr.com/hp/pe/HP_2009M/

TONEPUB · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 05:45 am »

I second HP and Dell, I've had great luck with both.

srb · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 05:49 am »

I would give some thought to the glossy versus matte screen mentioned earlier. Although the glossy screen is more vivid for color photo work, etc., I prefer a matte screen for general computer use.

Steve

timztunz · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 10:44 am »

I have my Mac Mini hooked up to an LG 27" monitor ($380) and it's absolutely stunning in quality.

Crimson · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 12:38 pm »

I know two pro photographers that use Apple's displays exclusively. They do, however, complain about the lack of a matte screen in the current lineup. For what you intend to use the screen for, I'd agree with other posters recommendations about looking elsewhere.

jtwrace · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 12:40 pm »

This may interest you http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79564.0

kenreau · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Apr 2010, 02:15 pm »

Wow, thanks to all for the valuable advice and feedback guys! Great information all around. This is what I really appreciate at this AC forum.

This went so well, I have another I will post re: NAS storage

Thanks again
Kenreau

dB Cooper · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Apr 2010, 08:49 pm »

Quote from: Crimson on 1 Apr 2010, 12:38 pm

I know two pro photographers that use Apple's displays exclusively. They do, however, complain about the lack of a matte screen in the current lineup. For what you intend to use the screen for, I'd agree with other posters recommendations about looking elsewhere.

There is a matte screen in the current lineup (if you call two models a "lineup"). Problem is, not everybody has the $$$ or the space for a 30".