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LCD displays for graphics and photography?

A

andyjamesnelson

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 24, 2003
286
0
Jacob's house
Hello.

I am trying find a second display for my macbook.

I want to use the display for graphics and photography work.

The things that are important to me are true colour / viewing angle / picture quality.

I don't really care about response times for gaming etc. Though I do watch a lot of movie.

Some things I need help with - is it true that displays over 20inch have the same amount of pixels (but larger) and therefore the image appears less sharp?

How important is the type of panel used in the display? I hear some types of panels are much better then others for colour reproduction?

Are Apple displays much easier to work with i.e. configure - calibrate etc if your using a mac computer with them?

My macbook can support up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on a secondary display does that mean it can display HD media?

Does anyone have any suggestion for monitors that are around the £300 mark that would be good for my uses?

Please help if you can. Andy
 
While I dont have any answers to the questions, I recently got a 24" Dell Ultrasharp and I absolutely love it. The colors are amazing, the images sharp, and the features unbeatable. I believe they use the same panel as the ACD but are cheaper and have more features, such as USB ports, memory card readers, display inputs (Component, Composite, S-Video...)

I have nothing but great things to say about it... I wish I could answer your other questions.
 
I work in graphic design, and I can tell you the Apple displays outshine all others when it comes to color representation. Most other monitors make colors appear too saturated and intense, or too dark. It is true that the external displays technically have lower pixel density, but it's not really that noticeable. (compare 1680 x 1050 on a 20" display to 1440 x 960 on a 15" MBP screen). The only reason I would shy away from the apple displays is if budget is a concern - because the Apple displays can be a bit overpriced.
 
andyjamesnelson said:
Some things I need help with - is it true that displays over 20inch have the same amount of pixels (but larger) and therefore the image appears less sharp?

How important is the type of panel used in the display? I hear some types of panels are much better then others for colour reproduction?

Are Apple displays much easier to work with i.e. configure - calibrate etc if your using a mac computer with them?

My macbook can support up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on a secondary display does that mean it can display HD media?
Click to expand...

Some monitors that are close to 20" have the same number of pixels but certainly the 24" and 30" monitors have more pixles. You just have to read the specs.

Yes a 1920 by 1200 pixel LCD has more than enough resolution to display 1080p video.

The Apple "ACD" is a great monito that will do exactly what you want but it is also expensive. Some lower priced monitors do have the same exact LCD pannel inside. And yes, it's the pannel inside that counts Apple uses IPS type pannes in ther ACD. These cost more and use more power but have the best color. The Tn type is used in notebooks and newer iMacs and in cheaper grame and office monitors
 
Dell ultrasharp 2407-WFPHC. I have it, I recommend it.

As long as you use a digital connection, this display will deliver excellent performance (it has a weaker performance with an analog connection). This display is known for its exceptional colour quality when viewing graphics or photos.

Do a few searches and you will see that most give this monitor an 8.5-9/10 based on Performance/Features & Design/Value for Money.

If you are willing to shell out the $1000+ for an ACD, I suggest you also look at the LaCie 324 series, I have read a lot of good reviews on the LaCie as well as the Dell .
 
Why do people constantly say that Dell 24" displays use the same panels as the Apple Cinema Displays? Here's a hint: they are completely different panels. The 23" size versus 24" should be clue #1.

That said, Dell typically uses PVA panels in their higher-end 24" displays and TN panels in their low-end ones. TN panels are lousy for photographic color (only 6-bit, terrible viewing angles). PVAs are better in that regard, but are not as well suited to motion graphics and gaming due to input lag.

1080i/p is 1920 x 1200 by definition.

The best discussions on displays I've found are on [H]ard|Forum. There are pretty exhaustive and pretty technical threads on just about every popular display out there. I was going to buy a cheaper 24" PVA display myself, but reading that forum led me to "upsell" myself to a 26" Planar PX2611W which handles both color and motion extremely well.

http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78
 
I tested a Apple 23", Sony 23" and Dell 24" monitor side by side for a design group. The Apple did have the most accurate color out of the box. The Sony was easy to calibrate to make it look like the Apple and had a great case. The Dell case felt... well, like a Dell.
 
Can't beat the Apple Cinema Displays. Best ones I've used

If you can't go with them, then Dell comes second..
 
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