Connecting Samsung SyncMaster P2450H to an iMac

[jmbill]

Hi,

At the moment I have a 24" iMac (early 2008 model) which has been a fantastic machine. But I would like to extend the screen size by plugging in either 1 or 2 extra monitors to spread my windows out. I'm a web designer now, doing things related to Wordpress, so it is useful to have all the applications open in front of me, without having to CMD + Tab between windows or use Spaces.

I asked at a local Apple reseller some time ago what options were available for pluging in an additional monitor. I was told it wasn't possible with the then newly launched Cinema display, but was told something might be possible using VGA and a third-party display.

I'm now thinking again about extending my display space. I note Apple state the 24" cinema display is now iMac compatible and I've since found various video's on YouTube showing multi-monitor configurations with the iMac. I've seen a Samsung SyncMaster P2450H (or very similar) in person and thought the picture quality was excellent. Online the SyncMaster P2450H picks up good reviews and is much cheaper than a Cinema display. So my questions are as follows:-

1) Would there be any compatiblity or other issues connecting the SyncMaster P2450H to an iMac?
2) What cables / adapters / splitters would be required for a single monitor or two monitor setup?

If anyone's got any experience of the SyncMaster P2450H or can suggest something better, I'd be interested to know.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hellhammer]

Apple 24" doesn't work as it uses Mini DisplayPort while your iMac has Mini-DVI, only 2009- iMacs work with it as they have MDP.

1. It will work fine

2. Depending on inputs the monitor have but Mini-DVI to DVI/VGA/HDMI. If you want to use more than one display, you need an USB video adapter

 

[jmbill]

Apple 24" doesn't work as it uses Mini DisplayPort while your iMac has Mini-DVI, only 2009- iMacs work with it as they have MDP.

1. It will work fine

2. Depending on inputs the monitor have but Mini-DVI to DVI/VGA/HDMI. If you want to use more than one display, you need an USB video adapter

Thanks for your quick response.

So connection of a 24" Cinema display to this iMac is not possible. That's not a problem really because this was not my first choice of monitor due to the price and the fact I don't need a second iSight, speakers or Magsafe charger.

I'm not 100% sure if the SyncMaster P2450H is available outside the UK / EU, but I can confirm it supports various inputs including VGA/DVI/HDMI.
This was the site I was going to get it from: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/174584

So if I was just going to hook-up one of these monitors, I'm assuming I need to get an Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter (M9321G/A). But for a multi-screen setup, a USB video adapter (as per your link) is required for each screen.

Excuse my ignorance - as you can tell I'm not much of a cable person!

 

[Hellhammer]

Thanks for your quick response.

So connection of a 24" Cinema display to this iMac is not possible. That's not a problem really because this was not my first choice of monitor due to the price and the fact I don't need a second iSight, speakers or Magsafe charger.

I'm not 100% sure if the SyncMaster P2450H is available outside the UK / EU, but I can confirm it supports various inputs including VGA/DVI/HDMI.
This was the site I was going to get it from: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/174584

So if I was just going to hook-up one of these monitors, I'm assuming I need to get an Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter (M9321G/A). But for a multi-screen setup, a USB video adapter (as per your link) is required for each screen.

Excuse my ignorance - as you can tell I'm not much of a cable person!

For one display, you need Mini-DVI to DVI adapter (or HDMI) (for cheaper prices, look at eBay link1 link2)

To run two of those monitors, you need this (OWC ships to UK)

 

[jmbill]

For one display, you need Mini-DVI to DVI adapter (or HDMI) (for cheaper prices, look at eBay link1 link2)

To run two of those monitors, you need this (OWC ships to UK)

Thanks for the information. I got all the 'bits' ordered over the weekend. Decided to just go for a single P2450H monitor for the time being using a Mini-DVI to HDMI adapter I got from eBay. See how this works out first. If budget and desk space permits, I can expand at a later date...

I went into a local PC World store last week and the Samsung, LG and Acer monitors all seem to deliver a more vivid picture quality compared to the rest. Not very scientific I know, but this seems to backup a lot of online reviews. I ordered the monitor from eBuyer - normally I would have gone straight to Amazon but they only have the rose-red bezel model in stock at the moment. Glossy black probably looks better next to an iMac and the blue buttons will match the blue glow in my Harmon Kardon subwoofer!

Hopefully it will all be up to expectations and work really well. Fingers crossed I've got all the right cables coming