Best monitor for Mac Pro?

[w00tini]

did you really just say that you prefer the Dell logo over the Apple logo?



Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, glad you're liking the Dell, they look nice. I dont have windows behind my setup so gloss and reflection are not a problem for my room. but if I had to get a matte screen the Dell would probably be my first choice.

 

[fensterbme]

As A Photographer The Best Monitor Choice isn't Offered by Apple

as a professional photographer, I lean towards IPS panels....so I'm quite excited about the 27"...any day now.... getting two and going side by side...

So as a professional photographer how do you plan to print match and proof images with a Glossy Display?

For me as a photographer the glossy display was a non-starter... I have the glossy display on my MacBookPro and while I personally enjoy looking at images on it, I know that I can't proof images and be assured of what prints will look like. The glare bugs me somewhat on the MacBookPro but it wouldn't be such an issue with a desktop monitor in my office.

Another thing that I find really annoying as a photographer is that ALL 27" monitors have a 16x9 aspect ratio that I find quite a bit more annoying to edit with than a 16x10 monitor when it comes to editing 4x3 images, it feels too 'chopped' off the top.

So for me I went with the 30" NEC LCD3090W-BK-SV, I can't think of a better monitor on the market and it's crazy simple and easy to use calibration system puts it way over the top. It easily bests any monitor Apple has ever produced, but then again it should, it costs well over double the price of the Apple 27" display.

I plan on getting another 24" NEC Specraview monitor next spring for some additional screen space.

 

[johnnymg]

snip............
So for me I went with the 30" NEC LCD3090W-BK-SV, I can't think of a better monitor on the market and it's crazy simple and easy to use calibration system puts it way over the top. It easily bests any monitor Apple has ever produced, but then again it should, it costs well over double the price of the Apple 27" display.

Yikes......... that monitor cost more than my MP. It must be a beauty!

If you have a web site for your photog biz perhaps you could link it in your profile.
cheers
JohnG

 

[RebootD]

Yikes......... that monitor cost more than my MP. It must be a beauty!
JohnG

The NEC professional monitors have hardware color calibration (and generally come with a puck and software) which makes the price skyrocket compared to Dells/Apple screens of the same size.

 

[Honumaui]

The NEC professional monitors have hardware color calibration (and generally come with a puck and software) which makes the price skyrocket compared to Dells/Apple screens of the same size.

just to clarify the SV models come with the Puck and Software called SpectraView
the regular models do not ?
but this is only adds a bit to the cost and can be purchased separate

the cost is in the monitor itself !

a IPS panel is not the end all ? it has to be driven even a same panel from a dif company will have totally dif output results !

imagine Ferrari made a engine and Porsche bought it and built a car around it ! then Kia bought it and built a car around it !

which one is going to perform better

so what makes a NEC a NEC ? the Backlight and how its controlled the electronics that drive and control the panel itself and the technology they use to let the end user control that monitor

also NEC has many monitors ! and buying any NEC does not give you the output of the new PA series or older 90 series that are being replaced with the PA

like Audi from the R8 to the A3

but just cause you buy a Audi does not mean you are going to be getting a R8 performance so for NEC you really want the PA series these days

if its not color critical companies like Dell and HP and even the Apple have nice monitors that might work better for a daily user since some will have speakers and cameras and other inputs etc..

so while I am in the Photography color retouching business does not mean I think everyone should have NEC but if you are in the photography or a color critical business they are worth having


hope that helps some who read this


edited to say Eizo and NEC are both top electronics
Lacie just brings over monitors from NEC or Eizo and rebrands them

 

[cluthz]

If you want reviews for monitors for graphical use, I'd suggest heading to www.prad.de (its a german site, but there is an english section).


A bit offtopic:

I have an Eizo, which is three years old now, and I've gotten quite a few dead pixels in the upper left corner.
I talked with Eizo support a month ago and they promised to exchange it free of charge, shipping me a new one and pick the old one up later! The tech support was very friendly, but now a MONTH later they still haven't got me a new one!

You pay huge premium for the best hardware AND service, so I'd expect more.
To be honest I haven't called them yet and asked why things are delaying, but unless I hear something the next few days I really have to do that.

Here's pic showing my issue.

 

[strausd]

If you want reviews for monitors for graphical use, I'd suggest heading to www.prad.de (its a german site, but there is an english section).


A bit offtopic:

I have an Eizo, which is three years old now, and I've gotten quite a few dead pixels in the upper left corner.
I talked with Eizo support a month ago and they promised to exchange it free of charge, shipping me a new one and pick the old one up later! The tech support was very friendly, but now a MONTH later they still haven't got me a new one!

You pay huge premium for the best hardware AND service, so I'd expect more.
To be honest I haven't called them yet and asked why things are delaying, but unless I hear something the next few days I really have to do that.

Here's pic showing my issue.

Wow, that looks awful. If I had that problem with one of my monitors I would be calling and complaining daily til I got a new one.

 

[cluthz]

Wow, that looks awful. If I had that problem with one of my monitors I would be calling and complaining daily til I got a new one.

I know, it doesn't look good, but it doesn't really interfere with my workflow either since it's only in the top left corner, but they have promised to replace it, I even have a comfirmation mail that they have acknowlegded my problem and will replace the monitor for free.
The monitor is awesome tho

I guess I'll be calling them on monday and see what's taking so long.

 

[RebootD]

too many references and confusing to really follow, but if you read any of my other points I swear by my NEC monitor for professional work and my post was only about one particular portion of the discussion.

just to clarify the SV models come with the Puck and Software called SpectraView
the regular models do not ?
but this is only adds a bit to the cost and can be purchased separate

the cost is in the monitor itself !

a IPS panel is not the end all ? it has to be driven even a same panel from a dif company will have totally dif output results !

 

[Honumaui]

too many references and confusing to really follow, but if you read any of my other points I swear by my NEC monitor for professional work and my post was only about one particular portion of the discussion.

no worries then I hear ya also figured if others saw it ?

 

[Ravich]

I got the replacement for my Dell 23'' ultrasharp, and it had exactly the same tinting in exactly the same place, so Dell called to check back with me and I explained the problem. They started to suggest that maybe it was an issue with the computer on my end and I wouldnt have any of it. I explained that this is a well known issue with the 23'' Ultrasharp monitors, and that Dell should know about this, etc etc. So they asked to check back with me after the weekend, which they did, and the rep offered me another 23'' monitor (TN panel), and I explained why I didnt want anything with a TN panel, only IPS (the rep didnt know what IPS was). He called back today, and explained that the ultrasharp monitors were the only models with IPS panels, and that I had 2 options:

1) Have them send me another 23'' ultrasharp to see if the problem persists

2) Have them send me a 24'' ultrasharp at no additional cost for the inconvenience.


I went with number 2



The replacement they sent me actually had no shipping label inside the box, so I got an extension on returning that, but yeah. Anyway, 24'' ultrasharp for 240$ and a few phone calls.

 

[strausd]

I got the replacement for my Dell 23'' ultrasharp, and it had exactly the same tinting in exactly the same place, so Dell called to check back with me and I explained the problem. They started to suggest that maybe it was an issue with the computer on my end and I wouldnt have any of it. I explained that this is a well known issue with the 23'' Ultrasharp monitors, and that Dell should know about this, etc etc. So they asked to check back with me after the weekend, which they did, and the rep offered me another 23'' monitor (TN panel), and I explained why I didnt want anything with a TN panel, only IPS (the rep didnt know what IPS was). He called back today, and explained that the ultrasharp monitors were the only models with IPS panels, and that I had 2 options:

1) Have them send me another 23'' ultrasharp to see if the problem persists

2) Have them send me a 24'' ultrasharp at no additional cost for the inconvenience.


I went with number 2



The replacement they sent me actually had no shipping label inside the box, so I got an extension on returning that, but yeah. Anyway, 24'' ultrasharp for 240$ and a few phone calls.

DANG!!!!!!!! thats awesome, maybe I should complain a lot to try and get that. Then id have matching res with my 24" ACD.

 

[Lucagfc]

Hi

I've just replaced my iMac 27" with SSD and i5 2,8 Ghz CPU with a Mac Pro. I want to buy a good monitor to use with the Mac Pro with IPS technology and a price of 700 $. excluded the yellow tint I love the 27" iMac monitor so i want to buy somenthing simila with no yellow problem! can anyone hel me? thanks!!

 

[strausd]

Hi

I've just replaced my iMac 27" with SSD and i5 2,8 Ghz CPU with a Mac Pro. I want to buy a good monitor to use with the Mac Pro with IPS technology and a price of 700 $. excluded the yellow tint I love the 27" iMac monitor so i want to buy somenthing simila with no yellow problem! can anyone hel me? thanks!!

What size are you lookin for?

 

[stix666]

Hi

I've just replaced my iMac 27" with SSD and i5 2,8 Ghz CPU with a Mac Pro. I want to buy a good monitor to use with the Mac Pro with IPS technology and a price of 700 $. excluded the yellow tint I love the 27" iMac monitor so i want to buy somenthing simila with no yellow problem! can anyone hel me? thanks!!

I have your setup. I got the 27in apple led display. A bit more costly, but no yellow issues or dead pixels etc. V happy with it

 

[strausd]

You could go for that or a dell u2711. Another option would be two dell u2311h's, just throwin out some ideas.

 

[Lucagfc]

What size are you lookin for?

The problem is the budget: now I'm waiting for MAc Pro and I'm using the 27" of my iMac. Except for the yellow tint the display it' s great for resolution and dimension! the problem is that I can' t spend other 1000 € for an Apple Cinema Display. So I wan't to find something good with a cheaper price also if I need to get off of inches and resolution!

 

[Lucagfc]

You could go for that or a dell u2711. Another option would be two dell u2311h's, just throwin out some ideas.

The u2711 is too expensive! I founded the u2311h at 287 €! this is a really good price! is that a IPS monitor? how about color? has a good uniformity? thanks!

 

[Wild-Bill]

I was thinking about the U2711 to become my main monitor, and have my current Dell 2209WA in portrait to the side. However, since the 2209's resolution is 1680x1050 and the U2711 is 2560x1400, the pixel pitch between the two would probably drive me insane.

So I am now trying to decide on either the Dell U2410 or the HP ZR24W. The HP is cheaper and standard gamut. The Dell is wide gamut, more expensive, but more connectivity options. I can find both relatively cheap on eBay.

 

[SnoFlo]

^^ I have the same setup with the 2209WA set up vertically. I just ordered a u2711 direct from Dell online (specific for my country) for $675. It is shipping from Nashville to me in the Caribbean.

 

[Ravich]

Well, 24'' ultrasharp just arrived. I set it up, and while It's not exactly dark enough to tell yet, it seems to be completely void of tinting and backlight bleed. I didnt realize that this monitor was 16:10 and not 16:9, but oh well. I'd prefer the latter, but this is a significant upgrade at no charge, so I'll take it.


Any recommendations for how to go about calibration?

 

[alphaod]

Hi

I've just replaced my iMac 27" with SSD and i5 2,8 Ghz CPU with a Mac Pro. I want to buy a good monitor to use with the Mac Pro with IPS technology and a price of 700 $. excluded the yellow tint I love the 27" iMac monitor so i want to buy somenthing simila with no yellow problem! can anyone hel me? thanks!!

If you get a Dell Ultrasharp with a CCFL backlight, you won't have yellowing issues (because the LED backlight is source of that).

The u2711 is too expensive! I founded the u2311h at 287 €! this is a really good price! is that a IPS monitor? how about color? has a good uniformity? thanks!

Check the Dell outlet or check other sites for a refurbished Dell monitor. They look and work like new (except for a little sticker that says 'Factory Refurbished'); comes with the same warranty as a new monitor, but only half the price. That's how I picked up a Dell 3008WFP for $850.

 

[scottsjack]

So as a professional photographer how do you plan to print match and proof images with a Glossy Display?

For me as a photographer the glossy display was a non-starter... I have the glossy display on my MacBookPro and while I personally enjoy looking at images on it, I know that I can't proof images and be assured of what prints will look like. The glare bugs me somewhat on the MacBookPro but it wouldn't be such an issue with a desktop monitor in my office.

Another thing that I find really annoying as a photographer is that ALL 27" monitors have a 16x9 aspect ratio that I find quite a bit more annoying to edit with than a 16x10 monitor when it comes to editing 4x3 images, it feels too 'chopped' off the top.

Exactly, Exactly, Exactly. . .

Glossy displays suck for photography, especially when the shiny, reflective, smudged layer is on a closer focal plane to your eyes. At least the MBP reflections are very close to the display panel. And your correct, glossy screens are too sharp for print matching.

You're also correct on 16x10 vs 16x9. When a lot of the info stuff (or junk) is along the bottom of the screen 16x9 is obnoxious. Even if the Mac dock is hidden or moved Adobe Bridge and Aperture 3 really want to be tall. A3's tools are already stacked way too high (unlike Camera Raw). My favorite Bridge layout has two rows of vertical thumbnails on the right and the folders on the left under the preview panel. 16x9 just doesn't cut it (but looks great for TV sets).

 

[Wild-Bill]

I ended up ordering the Dell U3011. I want to get away from 16x9 resolution. So I'll have my 2209WA flanking the U3011 in portrait mode and will maybe sell or keep as a spare my old Samsung Syncmaster 191T

 

[strausd]

The u2711 is too expensive! I founded the u2311h at 287 €! this is a really good price! is that a IPS monitor? how about color? has a good uniformity? thanks!

Yes it is IPS, everything on mine has been perfect so far.