27" iMac + 24" ACD = Worth it?

[Obsidian6]

I'm pretty much set on selling my mac pro at this point, for a number of reasons,

mainly:

1- I'm not into "hacking" or "modding" computers and I don't want to resort to that to really squeeze the performance out of the 2006 Mac Pro.

2- My workspace supports a mac pro for now, but if I move in the future I may become limited on space again.

3- The new quad-core iMacs will be better performing than what I have now.

4- Most importantly, my needs do not "Require" a Mac Pro. I do professional photography (Mostly Lightroom / Photoshop CS4) and I'm now getting into Final Cut Studio. But Final Cut is not my priority workload.


So back to my Title question.

My mac pro has 2 24" displays currently, which I do greatly enjoy. Seeing as how the new iMac will be a 27" display, and arguably the same resolution as the 30" display, is it still worth getting a secondary monitor if you have that much screen real-estate?

I've never owned a 30" or any display with a resolution greater than 1920x1200 so I can't speak from experience if the higher resolution will be "enough"

If I'm not mistaken, the 24" ACD has an IPS panel (as all recent and past Apple displays have had) which means it should match up pretty well (color wise, once calibrated) with the 27" IPS display of the new iMac.

Does anyone have any opinions, or information that would help me figure out the right move?

(I like the flexibility of two displays, but it's mostly been out of necessity, if I had enough screen resolution that it wasn't "required" I may be comfortable with just 1.)

 

[katyoshi]

It'll be worth it as it is a new mac. I have an 24 ACD which i will give to my sister and I'll buy myself a new 27" imac. I have a new late 2009 MBP but I still want a desktop computer for completeness and it is convenient for me to read stuff and sit at the computer for long periods on a desktop than on a laptop at home.

 

[Obsidian6]

Well my real question is about utilizing the 27" iMac display AND the 24" Apple Cinema Display together (extended desktop) I'm kind of thinking I actually don't need to buy the secondary display, but I suppose I will have to wait until I actually use the iMac to determine this.

 

[MacKiddyWiddy]

unless your getting discount for getting both at once, get the 27 and see how it goes, if you need more real estate get an ACD... but i reckon you should definately get the 27.... such a good mac

 

[Obsidian6]

I can still get a discount later on.

I think that's a good idea. I'll get the 27" use it for a while, see if I feel the additional space is actually necessary or not.


I'm also thinking about selling my macbook pro and just getting the new macbook. (or a refurb 13" MBP)

 

[2contagious]

Aren't you guys annoyed by the 24" ACD's and the iMac's glossy screen? (especially for photography?) I really can't make up my mind... the 30" ACD just simply looks better (crisper and more natural) to me...

 

[Arcadie]

Aren't you guys annoyed by the 24" ACD's and the iMac's glossy screen? (especially for photography?) I really can't make up my mind... the 30" ACD just simply looks better (crisper and more natural) to me...

Actually just the opposite, im annoyed by the matte screen.. maybe its just me

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

I can still get a discount later on.

I think that's a good idea. I'll get the 27" use it for a while, see if I feel the additional space is actually necessary or not.


I'm also thinking about selling my macbook pro and just getting the new macbook. (or a refurb 13" MBP)

Didn't you say that you have two 24" displays already? Why not just hook up one of those to the new 27" iMac (once you get it) and not spend the money on a new ACD?

 

[Obsidian6]

Didn't you say that you have two 24" displays already? Why not just hook up one of those to the new 27" iMac (once you get it) and not spend the money on a new ACD?

You are correct, I do have 2 24" displays, and yes that was my first thought. Here's why I don't want to do that.

1 - The iMac display is an IPS panel, and also glossy. My displays are SPVA panels and matte. I don't want to be looking at a matte and glossy screen together.

2- The color will be different between IPS and PVA so I want both displays to be the same type.

 

[Obsidian6]

Here's a twister.

Let's say hypothetically my mac pro crashes and Apple Replaces it with a new model. Would you stick with the mac pro because its obviously the better computer, or sell it to buy the iMac because its not entirely needed?