iMac 21.5" screen quality vs. Acer H233H 23" monitor

[skiltrip]

I'm thinking of getting a base model 21.5" iMac.

On my desk, I currently have a 23" Acer H233H monitor (around $250 a year or so ago). I use it with my 13" MacBook Pro.

I want a little more power, but I don't want to get rid of my 13" MBP, so I thought about adding an iMac.

My fear is that I'm going to miss the size of the 23" Acer. The resolution on the 21.5" iMac is the same, but everything will be a bit smaller. I just fear that I'm taking a step down in screen by going iMac.

Is the screen quality that much better on the iMac, that I shouldn't be worried about giving up the Acer? I am pretty pleased with the quality on my Acer actually. I don't think it's lacking anything, but I've never really spent any quality time on an iMac other than fiddling around with them at the Mac store for a few minutes a couple times I was in there.

And by the way using the Acer as a second monitor won't work, as my studio desk isn't big enough for both side by side with the other audio gear I have on it. Though that would be sweet. Just no way it's happening.

 

[josh1231]

I'm thinking of getting a base model 21.5" iMac.

On my desk, I currently have a 23" Acer H233H monitor (around $250 a year or so ago). I use it with my 13" MacBook Pro.

I want a little more power, but I don't want to get rid of my 13" MBP, so I thought about adding an iMac.

My fear is that I'm going to miss the size of the 23" Acer. The resolution on the 21.5" iMac is the same, but everything will be a bit smaller. I just fear that I'm taking a step down in screen by going iMac.

Is the screen quality that much better on the iMac, that I shouldn't be worried about giving up the Acer? I am pretty pleased with the quality on my Acer actually. I don't think it's lacking anything, but I've never really spent any quality time on an iMac other than fiddling around with them at the Mac store for a few minutes a couple times I was in there.

And by the way using the Acer as a second monitor won't work, as my studio desk isn't big enough for both side by side with the other audio gear I have on it. Though that would be sweet. Just no way it's happening.

I bought a 24" HP 1080p for a second monitor because I thought it looked really great in the store. However when I put it next to my Imac, it was amazing how washed out everything on the HP monitor looked when comparing it to the Mac. The screens are truly amazing, and I don't use the word lightly. It will be the difference between light and day.

That being said, why don't you just buy a one year old Imac with the I5 for only a few hundred more than a new 21.5". Then you'd have the best of both worlds, because the I5 Imac is significantly faster than the 21.5" and has the 27" screen.

 

[skiltrip]

I bought a 24" HP 1080p for a second monitor because I thought it looked really great in the store. However when I put it next to my Imac, it was amazing how washed out everything on the HP monitor looked when comparing it to the Mac. The screens are truly amazing, and I don't use the word lightly. It will be the difference between light and day.

That being said, why don't you just buy a one year old Imac with the I5 for only a few hundred more than a new 21.5". Then you'd have the best of both worlds, because the I5 Imac is significantly faster than the 21.5" and has the 27" screen.

Unfortunately, the 27" is a no-go on my studio desk. The monitor area is nestled between two studio equipment racks with my audio monitors on them. The 27" is simply too wide to fit.

 

[LiloThePleo]

I had an acer monitor before I bought my iMac a few weeks ago and trust me the screen quality on the iMac is absolutely stunning compared to it. The first thing you do when you switch on your Mac for the first time is just go wow at the screen, it is so clear and crisp.

 

[skiltrip]

I had an acer monitor before I bought my iMac a few weeks ago and trust me the screen quality on the iMac is absolutely stunning compared to it. The first thing you do when you switch on your Mac for the first time is just go wow at the screen, it is so clear and crisp.

I popped into the Apple Store today to check them out. And seriously, they are sweet. And the 27" makes it really hard to not want it.

That said, it doesn't make me like the Acer any less. I work on music, so and "good" monitor quality is good enough. It's not like I'm working on much visual stuff (video, photo) other than family videos and pictures.

I definitely don't have enough money for the 27" now though. Not without selling my MacBook Pro, and I really don't want to give up mobility. Maybe I'll just keep putting money away and revisit the whole thing during the summer after the refresh.