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iMac 20" 2.66 Ghz Screen Quality Question

A

Arganos0

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 24, 2008
55
0
Hey guys,

I am planning to buy my first iMac, the 20" 2.66 Ghz in a couple of days. However, I've read some reviews which say the screen quality may be below standard.

Has this already been fixed by Apple? I've looked briefly at the iMac's in the store here, and they looked alright. However I didn't get to examine it for a long time.

I'm an amateur webdesigner (just to earn some money) and use photoshop quite a lot for photos and images. Will they look good on the 20 inch screen? I don't want to go for the 24", since I think it's a bit too huge for my needs.

I'd really appreciate it if someone could give a thorough answer regarding the current screen quality of the 20" screen.

Thanks in advance!

Arganos
 
The screen is fantastic! The viewing angle is a bit tighter than the 24" but its nothing you will notice during normal usage.

I use mine for photo editing and image manipulation in photoshop and its great!

Go and use it at the Apple store and see for yourself, That's what I did and I ended up buying one there and then!
 
quit lying to the guy!

I own the 20 inch imac. the display sucks.

It has a top to bottom gradation from hell.

it is a TN display, and a bad one at that.

it uses software interpolation to "mimic" millions of colors, while only actually being able to show thousands of colors.

the 24 inch display is much, much better. the two (20 vrs 24 imac displays) are not even remotely similar.

If you are actually going to do any real image editing with accurate color you will need a second display if you get the 20 inch imac

I personally have an HP LP 2065 20 inch display attached to my imac, and acts as my main display, while the 20 inch imac's display has been relegated to my secondary display for photoshop pallets, email
 
Maybe you got a very bad screen, but mine is fine. I can only notice a slight gradient when doing stupid tests involving making two folders on a solid backgrounds.

I have to put ads into print everyday which evolves colour matching and they always come out perfect.
As I said before go and see it for yourself, as in the end it’s your opinion that matters. Whichever one you get, enjoy your purchase!

doug in albq said:
quit lying to the guy!

I own the 20 inch imac. the display sucks.

It has a top to bottom gradation from hell.

it is a TN display, and a bad one at that.

it uses software interpolation to "mimic" millions of colors, while only actually being able to show thousands of colors.

the 24 inch display is much, much better. the two (20 vrs 24 imac displays) are not even remotely similar.

If you are actually going to do any real image editing with accurate color you will need a second display if you get the 20 inch imac

I personally have an HP LP 2065 20 inch display attached to my imac, and acts as my main display, while the 20 inch imac's display has been relegated to my secondary display for photoshop pallets, email
Click to expand...
 
doug in albq said:
the 24 inch display is much, much better.
Click to expand...

Can someone confirm that the 24" version has an 8-bit panel? I'm facing the same problem right now - I absolutely can't afford a Mac pro (they start at 3500 CHF here in Switzerland, compared to 2000 for the iMac) but I need a desktop for semi-professional photo editing. I have tested the 20" version (we have one of those at work) and the screen SUCKS, mainly because the colors are off. They're probably fine for general usage but for photo editing, even for the web, they're not good enough, IMHO.

peter
 
Can just say I got it today, and I'm absolutely satisfied with the screen quality. What a wonderful computer a mac is!

Thanks a lot guys.
 
Arganos0 said:
Can just say I got it today, and I'm absolutely satisfied with the screen quality. What a wonderful computer a mac is!

Thanks a lot guys.
Click to expand...

Congrats! I have the exact same model and I have no complaints. You have to remember most people on this forum aren't your average consumers. Many are professionals and are picky. Also many forum members urge to bump the ram up to 4GB right away when 2GB is more than enough for regular day-to-day use and more.
I didn't even notice a difference when looking at a 20" and 24" at the Apple store until I read up on the forums which got me thinking - hm maybe the screen is actually bad, 24" is better, should I have gone for the 24"? But honestly I also find the 24" too big and my friends who aren't Mac lovers like me want to smack me when I go back to an Apple store or BB to double check the screens. Just to see the difference I went to BB and loaded the same picture on the 20" and 24" side by side to see the difference and literally got the weirdest looks.
For everyday use, basic photoshop, web design, video editing, and whatever you want as an average consumer, the 20" serves you well. It is the best screen I have had and would recommend it to anyone else interested.

Enjoy your iMac!
 
isx said:
Maybe you got a very bad screen, but mine is fine. I can only notice a slight gradient when doing stupid tests involving making two folders on a solid backgrounds.

I have to put ads into print everyday which evolves colour matching and they always come out perfect.
As I said before go and see it for yourself, as in the end it’s your opinion that matters. Whichever one you get, enjoy your purchase!
Click to expand...

___________________________________________________
No, actually my screen is very much just like all the other imac 20 inch displays!

do you even know the difference between TN and S-IPS?

Are you aware that when the 20 inch aluminum imac first came out last year very many people were very unhappy with the quality of the display? There are many, many long threads on this forum and on the Apple Support forums that can attest to the disappointment of the display.

This is an example of what upsets me about the mac rumors forum, which is all the seen-no-evil fanboys who, for lack of experience (or a paycheck), will stick up for Apple products even if means circumventing the truth.


bottom line, if you are a discerning professional image editor, or have aspirations and and the "eye" to be one in the future, and you need a great, color-accurate display, stay away from the imac 20 as your main display. If you get a 20 inch imac, you might want to attach an S-ips display to it.
 
Yes i know the difference between TN and S-IPS, I'd like to know how you have seen EVERY iMac in existence?

Did you know that there are at least two versions of the TN screen used in the 20" iMac? it seems revision in the latest manufactured models is a bit better that the first.

I have worked with way to many monitors in the past to mention but i have seen some truly bad panels and the 20" is excellent compared to them.

At the end of the day it was Arganos0 who wanted to buy it for his eyes and only he can make that decision. He went out saw them for himself and decided, end of story.

I am no fan-boy by any ones standard I own a Vista machine, a linux laptop and now an iMac so don't shoot your mouth off.

You mention paycheck there, if your so unhappy buy a 24" iMac or a Mac pro, Or if you're really pissed file a lawsuit (there has been a class action like this in the past that succeeded)

All in all your post is aggressive, you seem very immature, your advise was not helpful at all and not needed by ANY community.

You have been added to my ignore list because quite frankly your previous posts show a lack of intellect I can do without.

One last thing. Any DISCERNING professional image editor wouldn't use an LCD monitor, I work with 6 of the UK's top Advertising specialists and NONE of their artists use LCD's.

doug in albq said:
___________________________________________________
No, actually my screen is very much just like all the other imac 20 inch displays!

do you even know the difference between TN and S-IPS?

Are you aware that when the 20 inch aluminum imac first came out last year very many people were very unhappy with the quality of the display? There are many, many long threads on this forum and on the Apple Support forums that can attest to the disappointment of the display.

This is an example of what upsets me about the mac rumors forum, which is all the seen-no-evil fanboys who, for lack of experience (or a paycheck), will stick up for Apple products even if means circumventing the truth.


bottom line, if you are a discerning professional image editor, or have aspirations and and the "eye" to be one in the future, and you need a great, color-accurate display, stay away from the imac 20 as your main display. If you get a 20 inch imac, you might want to attach an S-ips display to it.
Click to expand...
 
Alright you two, chill. It's the OP's decision to buy whatever he wants. If he thinks the 20" is better, that's his personal choice. You can't interfere with that. Although the 24" might be a better quality display, not everyone needs it. Again, if the OP has no problem with it, then so be it.

But, isx is correct in saying no "discerning" pro image editor would use LCDs. My friend's dad does pro image editing and he uses a CRT monitor. LCDs were made to save desk space, not for better color accuracy.
 
the topic of this thread is the quality of the 20 inch aluminum Imac display.

the quality is sub par.

the older, white 20 inch imac had a vastly higher quality display.

the 24 inch aluminum imac has a vastly higher quality display.

fanboy-spin doctors need to stop changing the topic.

Hey spin doctors, did you read that I actually own the 20 inch imac, and I love the machine. BUT, that is not going to make me a glassy-eyed fanboy who tosses out logic and truth and says everything mac is great. You same lying fools most likely think the US economy is fine and just hitting speed bump. It is time for more truth in America.

(isx, you just joined this forum 2 days ago! You have made a total of 5 posts, seemingly all on this one particular thread. do you even own a 20 inch aluminum imac? Are you new to the mac world. Let me guess, just bought the machine and are still in that "its-my-brand-new-baby-phase?")

also, professional image editors use very expensive lcd's. They may sometimes also use a crt, but more times than not they use very high end and expensive lcd's.
 
kis said:
Can someone confirm that the 24" version has an 8-bit panel? I'm facing the same problem right now - I absolutely can't afford a Mac pro (they start at 3500 CHF here in Switzerland, compared to 2000 for the iMac) but I need a desktop for semi-professional photo editing. I have tested the 20" version (we have one of those at work) and the screen SUCKS, mainly because the colors are off. They're probably fine for general usage but for photo editing, even for the web, they're not good enough, IMHO.

peter
Click to expand...


yes, the 24 is 8 bit, and the 20 is 6 bit. any fanboy want to dispute this?
 
The viewing angle sucks and their is a grad from top the bottom. Fact.

However, photos look stunning and vibrant and the gloss looks fantastic.

I still love it, despite its foibles. And I use a white iMac all day at work.
 
doug in albq said:
the topic of this thread is the quality of the 20 inch aluminum Imac display.

the quality is sub par.

the older, white 20 inch imac had a vastly higher quality display.

the 24 inch aluminum imac has a vastly higher quality display.

fanboy-spin doctors need to stop changing the topic.

Hey spin doctors, did you read that I actually own the 20 inch imac, and I love the machine. BUT, that is not going to make me a glassy-eyed fanboy who tosses out logic and truth and says everything mac is great. You same lying fools most likely think the US economy is fine and just hitting speed bump. It is time for more truth in America.

(isx, you just joined this forum 2 days ago! You have made a total of 5 posts, seemingly all on this one particular thread. do you even own a 20 inch aluminum imac? Are you new to the mac world. Let me guess, just bought the machine and are still in that "its-my-brand-new-baby-phase?")

also, professional image editors use very expensive lcd's. They may sometimes also use a crt, but more times than not they use very high end and expensive lcd's.
Click to expand...

doug in albq said:
yes, the 24 is 8 bit, and the 20 is 6 bit. any fanboy want to dispute this?
Click to expand...

Calm down, dude. The last thread like this one got locked because people were fighting.

I use a 20 inch iMac. I am not a professional. It suits my needs. Did the OP say he used his iMac professionally? I agree with isx in that the iMac's screen is good; much better than the 3 year old 1280x1024 washed out screen I used with my last computer. I also agree with you; the 24 is indeed of a higher quality all around.

Even if isx has a few posts, his posts should not be immediately discredited.
 
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