Best monitor for Mac Pro?

[strausd]

Hey, I was wondering what the best monitor for a Mac Pro would be. I would like for it to be 24 inch, either 1920 X 1080 or 1920 X 1200. Also, I would like an LED display instead of an LCD. It would be nice if it was under $400 but my budget can stretch a little. Anyone have any suggestions? Links are definitely welcome

 

[Mackilroy]

Best really depends on what you need. If you don't need color fidelity (not a photographer or professional w/Photoshop or whatever), you might try the G2410H.

 

[strausd]

I do a lot of Photoshop, Illustrator, Maya, Mudbox, and ZBrush so color is pretty important.

 

[eemzah]

Dell U2410?

 

[strausd]

Is the color good on it?

 

[-Ryan-]

Is the color good on it?

I don't have this exact monitor, but in my experience the UltraSharp range are excellent.

 

[Mackilroy]

I thought about mentioning that, but the U2410 is $599, which is quite a bit over his budget. I don't use any color-critical applications, so I don't really know of any PVA or IPS monitors under $400, sorry.

I've also heard mixed reviews about the U2410 – while it's generally an excellent monitor, there are people who complain about it. Of course, you get that with all tech products. And you could probably find it cheaper on eBay.

 

[strausd]

I have looked at those but the price is a little high. What do you think about the samsung sync master? The one I am looking at now is only a 23 inch but it has the same resolution as a 24 inch I would buy and its LED.

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/...ZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=features

 

[Transporteur]

I do a lot of Photoshop, Illustrator, Maya, Mudbox, and ZBrush so color is pretty important.

If colour is really important to you, don't even look at cheap displays in the $400 range. ALL of those displays use TN panels, regardless of their backlighting. TN panels are crap, especially for colour critical work. Even the slightest movement of your head will change the colours dramatically due to the very poor viewing angle of TN panels.

Do yourself a favour and buy a IPS or PVA panel. Believe me, they are worth it.

 

[peejack]

Yeh buy an Apple IPS panel monitor then you can scrap the yellow button, you will never need it

 

[codymac]

I thought about mentioning that, but the U2410 is $599, which is quite a bit over his budget. I don't use any color-critical applications, so I don't really know of any PVA or IPS monitors under $400, sorry.

I've also heard mixed reviews about the U2410 – while it's generally an excellent monitor, there are people who complain about it. Of course, you get that with all tech products. And you could probably find it cheaper on eBay.

A member of my staff just got a U2410 and I'm considering replacing two aging Dells I have with a couple of U2410s. From what I've seen, and his reports, it's a very nice (IPS) panel for the money.

I've had the same reservations based on the reviews I've seen, but from seeing it firsthand, I think I'd be happy with it.

It's over the OP's budget, but they are listed at $499 on Dell's site at the moment. Of course, it's also not LED.

 

[Raytrace]

HP LP2475w can be had for around $500 if you look hard enough. Not an LED display but it is IPS.

 

[strausd]

Is IPS better than PVA?

 

[nanofrog]

Is IPS better than PVA?

Generally speaking, that tends to be the case. But there's more to it than just the panels.

For example, take a look at what Eizo Nanao can do with PVA; exceptional images, but it comes at quite a premium.

But I'd expect better results from say the HP L2475W (IPS) vs. say some of the Samsung's 24" PVA offerings. Quite a difference in it's market position, performance (primarily color accuracy), and cost from professional units such as Eizo Nanao's (some are PVA, others IPS) or NEC's IPS based units.

 

[strausd]

If I had to chose between IPS and LED, which would be the better choice?

 

[nanofrog]

If I had to chose between IPS and LED, which would be the better choice?

IPS = panel type
LED = backlight type

So they're not the same. Designers can take an LCD Panel (any type; TN, PV, IPS) and either mate it with CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting) or LED (Light Emitting Diode). LED's are more energy efficient, and can offer more gradation control (depending on the implementation).

 

[Icaras]

Best really depends on what you need. If you don't need color fidelity (not a photographer or professional w/Photoshop or whatever), you might try the G2410H.

This looks like a pretty nice monitor. It looks like a new model too. Thanks for sharing this! Now I'll have to check out some reviews on this...

 

[strausd]

Do they make monitors that are both LED and IPS?

 

[Icaras]

Do they make monitors that are both LED and IPS?

Yea, the LED is just the type of backlighting. The 24" Apple Cinema Display is a perfect example of a display that IPS that uses LED back lighting. So are the new iMacs too.

 

[Icaras]

I thought about mentioning that, but the U2410 is $599, which is quite a bit over his budget. I don't use any color-critical applications, so I don't really know of any PVA or IPS monitors under $400, sorry.

I've also heard mixed reviews about the U2410 – while it's generally an excellent monitor, there are people who complain about it. Of course, you get that with all tech products. And you could probably find it cheaper on eBay.

Oh, also I think worth mentioning is Dell frequently and constantly has sales on just about everything in their online store, including monitors. In fact, there was just a sale on the U2410 a few days ago for a $100 off, down to $499.

I think they have a sale so often that its about once a month that you'll see it dip below $500.

I also recall reading from one of Nanofrog's post in some random thread that if you call Dell you score a lower price over the phone, so thats a direct route if you're looking for one.

 

[nanofrog]

Do they make monitors that are both LED and IPS?

Yes, but they'll be over your budget range. As Icaras already mentioned, the 24" LED ACD is such a beast, but it's out of budget.

I think NEC's LED backlit models may use IPS panels, but I'd have to check to be sure. But those will be expensive as well, more than the ACD (professional units). And don't even bother looking at Eizo Nanao unless you can make a significant increase to your monitor budget (Color Edge line can exceed $5kUSD on 24" units last I checked).

I also recall reading from one of Nanofrog's post in some random thread that if you call Dell you score a lower price over the phone, so thats a direct route if you're looking for one.

They do, but the better pricing is typically associated with systems. I've not bothered to request quotes for just monitors, so I don't know what the discounts could be (if any beyond what's offered on the web pricing in this case).

Worth a shot though, and would be the same with HP as well.

 

[Mhaddy]

Another +1 for the UltraSharp range of monitors. I've got a 30" and a 20" before that and both were great for colour. Wait for sales and then call in to score another 5-10% off the sale price (may have to haggle a bit).

 

[Rizvi1]

I bought my Dell U2410 on April 18th from an Ebay seller who was selling for $449 + $19.99 shipping (here's a link to the auction if you want to check it out). I've already gotten a notice about the cashback which is at $35.92. I'm still waiting to hear about the mrrebates.com cashback of 3% which should have been able to be stacked. The big thing I Was worried about was of course warranty. So I shot the seller the following e-mail:

I saw your mention of the full 3 year warranty still. Does this mean you are an authorized Dell retailer? If not, Dell would still honor the full 3 year warranty? Would there be a way for me to check the serial post payment, pre shipping to verify? And if they say no, cancel my order, but if they say yes, go through with it? That's the only thing making me nervous about going the ebay route versus through Dell themselves

And they replied back with:

Hi, Thanks for your questions. Let me just first say I understand your concerns - it's a lot of money and I would be asking the same questions if I was in your shoes. We've been doing this for a long time and we have some rave reviews that I would invite you to check out. No one has had ANY issues invoking a warranty with a monitor from us, period.
That said, all the monitors we stock are purchased directly from Dell. Dell absolutely honors the 3 year warranty. All you need to invoke the warranty is provide Dell with the original order number and original purchaser's name and that's it. This information is confidential to protect our business and is typically given 7 days after you receive the monitor. During the first week we provide support/direct from Dell exchanges if there are any issues straight out of the box. It's a lot easier to let us be on hold and deal with Dell so this is a service we always provide for that first 7 days. After that time, if you would like, we will email you the information you will need to invoke the warranty. You may withhold your feedback until that time as you verify the warranty status. I promise you 100% that many people before you have done the same and have come back with 5-star positive feedback for us. We're here before, during and after the sale to help you in any way we can and we stand behind the products we sell - always.
Again, I totally understand the nervous feelings, but please rely on our 100% positive feedback, read thru some if you have the time, and let me know if there's anything else I can do to help as you make your decision.
Thanks for your interest and consideration.

Sincerely,
-Christina
P.S. Or consider picking up one of our u2711 monitors! We transfer the warranty on the spot into your name and information - this feature is available on the u2711 and 3008wfp that we stock.

If you go the ebay route, you might want to do the same thing and look for a similar response.

Will be using this with my recently ordered 2.52ghz Mac Mini. I need to figure out this whole calibration thing though - the colors look funny on the Dell 2408WFP (2408wfpb according to the back, rev 01) that I'm using w/ the 1.83ghz Mac Mini I left w/ my family.

 

[suselfunk]

I think NEC's LED backlit models may use IPS panels, but I'd have to check to be sure.

NEC EA231WMi seems like a viable option, even though it has CCFL and not LED backlight. It receives raves around the internet and the $340 price tag must be considered inexpensive for a IPS 23" 1920 x 1080 display. Any experiences out there?

tech specs.

 

[RebootD]

Sadly not an LED but the NEC 24/2690 wuxi2 line have hardware calibration and my (26in model) is the best screen I've ever owned.