Gosh I'm in a pickle... (monitor advice)

[MattyMac]

They have the same panel but still differ in a few major areas. Read this:

http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2400

or make yours look like this:

nice....very nice

 

[MattyMac]

So I decided I want an external monitor for my PowerBook, and I've also decided that a 23" is just too danmed expesive.

So I've narrowed it down to either an apple 20" or a dell 20".

The apple is just so sexy, but the dell is sooooo much cheaper.

Any advice? Is the apple monitor worth an extra €356???????

Dell - €473

Apple - €829

ps: Try not to be biased because of picture size! It's all I could find.

That is a huge difference in price....if I had the money, I would definitely go for the apple, HOWEVER I would wait until they released a new design for them since they have been out for sooo long. Other than that, just go for the dell and paint it to match...haha

 

[sushi]

Are you sure about that? The panels are supposed to be exactly the same model from the same manufacturer. I know they're spec'ed differently but I think its just different forms of marketing treachery -- really its the same panel underneath it all. They probably even use the same controller. There's some differences with the backlight or something, so the brightness might not be the same on each, but constrast, viewing angle, etc. should be the same.

In my original post, I just did a spec comparison from each company's web site.

Viewing angle is listed differently. Granted it is a small difference. Not sure why the difference if it is the same panel. Maybe a different surface coating or the way the panel is mounted in the frame.

As for contrast and brightness it could be different mounting/controller/backlighting/etc.

If I had an option, I would go with the Apple because I prefer their mounting vice the Dells. Also, I like the single cable out the back to the computer with the separate connectors for FW, USB and DVI. But that's just me.

 

[chaosbunny]

In the end it is really up to you to decide if the price difference is worth the good looks of the apple display. I don't know where your setup stands in your home/office. If you use your system for work and spend 8+ hours a day in front of it it might be worth the extra money to stare at something that is more beautiful. Some people care for these things, others do not. Don't know what kind of person you are, but I think you will have either display for some years. If you look at it each day in the morning and think damn that looks so cool for 3+ years I say the price difference is worth it. For example I'm still very happy with my 5 year old cube. I don't use it very much now and its main purpose is to look good on my desk, which it fulfills extremely well.

Just some random thoughts, I'm sure you'll be happy with either purchase.

 

[iGary]

No true apple zealot would ever consider anything other than something from apple.

 

[kallaway1]

Might be a stupid question, but can you buy Dell displays in white like that? Or do you have to remove the panels and paint everything yourself?

 

[munckee]

Might be a stupid question, but can you buy Dell displays in white like that? Or do you have to remove the panels and paint everything yourself?

You can't buy them like that. You have to either DIY or maybe there's someone who will do it for a fee.

Anyone know what's involved with taking the Dell apart? I'd assume it voids the warranty as well.

 

[matticus008]

- The Dell has more video connectors including analog. Apple is bascially DVI. So the Dell is easier to connect to other computers. I also believe the Dell includes switching circuity so you can connect it to two computers -- one via DVI and the other via Analog and switch between them. Someone who has one please correct me if I am wrong on this.

Just thought I'd clarify this gotcha for everyone, since it took me by surprise. You CAN use the VGA and DVI inputs, but you can't use Picture in Picture or Picture by Picture with VGA and DVI--only one or the other.

You can switch inputs between them, in other words, but watching TV on one computer while working on another can't happen on the PC inputs (just composite and S-video).

 

[sushi]

Just thought I'd clarify this gotcha for everyone, since it took me by surprise. You CAN use the VGA and DVI inputs, but you can't use Picture in Picture or Picture by Picture with VGA and DVI--only one or the other.

You can switch inputs between them, in other words, but watching TV on one computer while working on another can't happen on the PC inputs (just composite and S-video).

Confused by your comment.

Was I correct in saying that you can connect two computers and switch between them -- like a monitor only KVM switch?

I know other Dell monitors can do this as I have done it. Just didn't know about the 20 and assumed that it would be as well.

 

[matticus008]

Confused by your comment.

Was I correct in saying that you can connect two computers and switch between them -- like a monitor only KVM switch?

I know other Dell monitors can do this as I have done it. Just didn't know about the 20 and assumed that it would be as well.

Yeah, it's very confusing. You can use the monitor like a video switch without problems. You cannot, however, take advantage of picture-in-picture (PIP) or picture-by-picture (PBP) features using the inputs.

For example, when I bought a Dell monitor, I had planned on using PBP to display both VGA and DVI inputs on screen at the same time, as the monitor is large and wide (and I use Synergy to share the keyboard and mouse), allowing me to work in Linux and Windows at the same time on my PCs. However, the PBP feature only works with either VGA *or* DVI.

In other words, combinations include:
VGA+composite
VGA+S-video
DVI+composite
DVI+S-video

but NOT DVI + VGA.

However, if you only want one desktop to appear on the monitor at any given time, there's no trouble at all.

 

[sushi]

Yeah, it's very confusing. You can use the monitor like a video switch without problems. You cannot, however, take advantage of picture-in-picture (PIP) or picture-by-picture (PBP) features using the inputs.

For example, when I bought a Dell monitor, I had planned on using PBP to display both VGA and DVI inputs on screen at the same time, as the monitor is large and wide (and I use Synergy to share the keyboard and mouse), allowing me to work in Linux and Windows at the same time on my PCs. However, the PBP feature only works with either VGA *or* DVI.

In other words, combinations include:
VGA+composite
VGA+S-video
DVI+composite
DVI+S-video

but NOT DVI + VGA.

However, if you only want one desktop to appear on the monitor at any given time, there's no trouble at all.

Now I see what you were saying. Neat capabilities if you need/want them.

Thanks!