2x23" or 1x30"

[KSB]

Hey Users

my workplace is currently in the progress of replacing all our monitors with new apple HD screens, and my boss was wondering if he should buy me 1 30" hd screen or dual 23" hd screen. I work mostly with video ads in apple's production suite, but also other graphics works with adobe Creative suite.

we already have 4 23" hd screens at work which I think are awsome and big in size, but I was just wondering how big is the 30" ? and is it worth it to buy one 30" or just take dual 23".

what do you recommend?

 

[Ryan T.]

Hey Users

my workplace is currently in the progress of replacing all our monitors with new apple HD screens, and my boss was wondering if he should buy me 1 30" hd screen or dual 23" hd screen. I work mostly with video ads in apple's production suite, but also other graphics works with adobe Creative suite.

we already have 4 23" hd screens at work which I think are awsome and big in size, but I was just wondering how big is the 30" ? and is it worth it to buy one 30" or just take dual 23".

what do you recommend?

In my opinion, 1 big monitor is almost always better than 2 smaller ones. That being said, noone in their right mind would qualify the 23" Cinema's as "small". I use a 24" Dell, and can't imagine needing anything bigger, but if I had to chose, I'd do the single 30". Just make sure your video card can drive it.

 

[quidire]

Hey Users

my workplace is currently in the progress of replacing all our monitors with new apple HD screens, and my boss was wondering if he should buy me 1 30" hd screen or dual 23" hd screen. I work mostly with video ads in apple's production suite, but also other graphics works with adobe Creative suite.

we already have 4 23" hd screens at work which I think are awsome and big in size, but I was just wondering how big is the 30" ? and is it worth it to buy one 30" or just take dual 23".

what do you recommend?

Well do you need vertical height or total pixel space. I had to choose between 2x20 or 1x23 and went with the latter. Do you need a lot of screen space for one app, or want to be able to have a "view" monitor and a "work" monitor?

All I can say is that you are lucky.

-RS

 

[javiercr]

but I was just wondering how big is the 30" ?

about 30"

 

[KSB]

Well do you need vertical height or total pixel space. I had to choose between 2x20 or 1x23 and went with the latter. Do you need a lot of screen space for one app, or want to be able to have a "view" monitor and a "work" monitor?

All I can say is that you are lucky.

-RS

well when I work with video I would love to have a long timeline so dual 23" would be better, but I just dont know if the 30" would do for that

my current setup is one 21" sony CRT and 19" LCD dell, which run on each own resolution and well don't fit with height

 

[MrSugar]

I have written replies to this very question several times. I would suggest the search feature. that said, here is my previous post ---


As a user of a Dual 23" Apple display setup I feel I should input my view.

The Apple 23" is an extremely nice monitor. Its major benefits are the Aluminum casing and the sleek sturdy design. The monitor itself does have a very high dot pitch, and is very clear. However, I won't kid you, the 23" Apple has some real problems.

First, it is known to cast a pink hue, something I have dealt with on both of my displays. I even had to send one of my displays in to Apple 4 times until they replaced it with a new product. Even once they did that I can still not calibrate my monitors to be perfect. Second, they only have one plug in, no Svideo, and no multi DVI plugs. Due to this the DVI cable is permanently attached, therefore, if it ever needs replacing it would be extremely expensive. Last, the color contrast across the screen is not accurate. On some parts of the displays contrast is perfect but on the sides it starts to wash out. I don't know how other high end monitors handle this, but it can be annoying if you are dealing with a program such as itunes. This is because itunes has a very minute color difference from one row to the next.

I used to own Viewsonic 17" pro monitors, each one was beautiful as far as the screen, but the casing was a cheap plastic that became very frustrating.

I found that the monitors would constantly wobble, and due to their rotation capabilities they had even more problems. When I started to look into new displays I wanted something that was sturdy and very solid. This is where the Apple monitor really shines. The casing is beautiful but is also very elegant and sturdy. My displays never wobble, and they are constantly perfectly positioned next to each other. Besides this the touch buttons are a great way to control the monitors. The Apple display really had a great feel to it.

Overall, I would have to say that if you are looking specifically for 23" or 24" that you should avoid the Apple if you want great color consistency and don't want a high price. However, if you are flexible, the Apple 20" and 30" are absolutely stunning and still have the benefits of the Apple casing and look.

I hope this helps in your decision.

 

[emw]

MrSugar touched on a very important point - we've found the 23" ACDs to be extremely variable in color temperature across the screen, varying in some cases by as much as 500K, which is tremendous. You may find when putting them together you get a strange color break from the right edge of left monitor to the left edge of the right monitor, which could be very annoying.

 

[Platform]

30" all the way.........

Better to use one display than 2.......and later.......Dual 30"

 

[Moof1904]

I have the 30" and it's an amazing experience. While I recognize the larger pixel area supplied by two 23", I don't prefer dealing with a two monitor setup. I primarily use Apple's production suite and FCP has tons of room to play with 30".

My only complaint is that the screen is so large, I sometimes lose track of my cursor and have to hunt for it. That, as they say, is a good problem to have.

I've heard the color complaints about the 23 and that, along with the size of the 30, compelled me to spring for the extra $$$ and get the 30.

 

[iGary]

Get the 30. I had two twenties, and then a twenty and the thirty, and am now selling the twenty.

With Expose and such, it's nice to have some extra real estate, but I wanted extra desk space.

The 30-inch is MASSIVE.

 

[Lucky8]

1 X 30

 

[ebow]

This question again?

 

[iGary]

This question again?

The search in this place is not bulletproof.

Relax.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

This question again?

He's a newbie. Be nice, and relax as iGary said. It's a little different, anyway.

To answer your question, spring for the 30". That is what I would do if I had enough money.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

I'd go to a store that has the 30" on display and take a look at it if I were you. If you do a lot of video, you might like having the two screens - especially if you're using more than one app at a time.

It depends on personal preference, but I have a single dell24" and I'm probably going to get another one eventually - its better work flow and I've found the 30" to be too big to sit in front of, unless you sit a little farther from the screen. Dividing the working area into 2 screens allows you to focus on one at a time, yet easily move between the two.

D

 

[bodeh6]

If I were you I would spring for the 30". If there is a local Apple Store or even CompUSA, they have the 30" on display and you will just start to drool. So much freaking desktop real estate. I don't really see anybody needing more then the 30".

 

[Stampyhead]

Yes, if you can get the 30". I've got one at work and it's awesome. If you're near an Apple store go in and try out FCP on it. I think you'll like it. I've used it on mine and I had plenty of room. You will probably need to upgrade your video card, though, if you get the 30". We had to install the $600 Nvidea card to get it working here. There is another card it will work with (I can't remember which one), but this one supports dual 30" if you ever decide that one 30" isnt' enough (craziness)

 

[camomac]

You will probably need to upgrade your video card, though, if you get the 30". We had to install the $600 Nvidea card to get it working here. There is another card it will work with (I can't remember which one), but this one supports dual 30" if you ever decide that one 30" isnt' enough (craziness)

it is the x850 XT ATI card. (which supports one 30")
or the 6800 GT (which supports two 30"ers)

i have the 6800 ultra (which can support two 30"ers)

I've found the 30" to be too big to sit in front of, unless you sit a little farther from the screen.

i have heard that some people do not feel as comfortable in front of the 30", and other people, like myself have no problem. i would recommend going to the apple store and checking it out for yourself.


i have a 30" and i love it, i also like the looks from people when they come into my house nd notice it, they most often do a double take.

 

[robcts]

30" all the way. That thing is MASSIVE!

 

[Ryan T.]

it is the x850 XT ATI card. (which supports one 30")
or the 6800 GT (which supports two 30"ers)

i have the 6800 ultra (which can support two 30"ers)



i have heard that some people do not feel as comfortable in front of the 30", and other people, like myself have no problem. i would recommend going to the apple store and checking it out for yourself.


i have a 30" and i love it, i also like the looks from people when they come into my house nd notice it, they most often do a double take.

FYI, the Radeon 9650 256MB Apple is now offering will also support the 30" Cinema, and is a much more afforable option.

 

[Bear]

I think that for produciton ad type work, a 30" screen would be better so you could get more of the ad on the screen at one time.

Also, consider how much more physical disk space 2 of the 23" displays will take up over one 30".

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

FYI, the Radeon 9650 256MB Apple is now offering will also support the 30" Cinema, and is a much more afforable option.

I don't believe the ATi Radeon 9650 can do dual 30" displays. But they do support 1 30".

 

[Ryan T.]

I don't believe the ATi Radeon 9650 can do dual 30" displays. But they do support 1 30".

Yes, didn't mean to imply they supported 2.

 

[paulypants]

Def 1 30"...

 

[TENBLUE7™]

I've got 2 Samsung 21" S1100p CRT's.

Running of a 9800 Pro Se and a 7000 pci on a Dual 1.8 G5.

I've been running dual monitors for over 5 years and I love it, would never go back to one "larger" screen. Only problem is matching the colours as mentioned above, one ColorSync profile varies on both monitors, plans on upgrading the 7000 to a 9200 PCi may help.

I use two because I need all my palletes on the right monitor and my canvas, work page on the left. So in something like Flash, Final Cut, Freehand etc it's crucial to get as much screen space as possible without the clutter of palletes and menus everywhere.

Go for two it'll make your work space much more efficient and put a smile on your face.

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Grab of Photoshop CS2 running on my setup.