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Need Monitor for my Mac Pro!

C

cojo

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 23, 2013
15
3
I'm a graphic designer and have a new Mac Pro with AMD FirePro D300 and am running OSX 10.9.4. My 30" Apple Cinema Display is having problems and I think it's time for a new monitor.

I do a lot of print work for 8.5"x11" documents and really like to be able to view at close to the actual size so what I'm looking at onscreen is close to what the print piece will look like.

I'm sure the new 4K monitors are stunning but I don't really want to spend $3K on a monitor and I assume they're probably overkill for what I need.

Any advice on 30"/32" monitors??
 
cojo said:
I'm a graphic designer and have a new Mac Pro with AMD FirePro D300 and am running OSX 10.9.4. My 30" Apple Cinema Display is having problems and I think it's time for a new monitor.

I do a lot of print work for 8.5"x11" documents and really like to be able to view at close to the actual size so what I'm looking at onscreen is close to what the print piece will look like.

I'm sure the new 4K monitors are stunning but I don't really want to spend $3K on a monitor and I assume they're probably overkill for what I need.

Any advice on 30"/32" monitors??
Click to expand...

From this discussion HERE it's may be possible to still use your 30" display to the nMac Pro. You'll just need the proper adapter. If you do a lot of print graphics, the matte screen of the 30" ACD will be good. I also do some print work and I noticed the 30" display yields a closer color space simulation on the final printed material compared to the glossy LED Apple Display.
 
Macsonic said:
From this discussion HERE it's may be possible to still use your 30" display to the nMac Pro. You'll just need the proper adapter. If you do a lot of print graphics, the matte screen of the 30" ACD will be good. I also do some print work and I noticed the 30" display yields a closer color space simulation on the final printed material compared to the glossy LED Apple Display.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Just to clarify, I have been using my 30" Apple display but it's having issues on startup, lotsa ghosting, etc. I don't think it's worth fixing.
 
Mac Pro monitor

The "standard" for serious photographers has been Eizo, if you're rich, and NEC if you're not. I have a new Mac Pro and use an NEC 27" PA271. I think there's a newer model now. It provides superb color and dynamic range. I use the NEC Spectraview II software and their hardware profiling device which works flawlessly. Hard to beat for the price, unless you've got money to burn in which case get an Eizo. Check with Andrew Rodney (digitaldog.com, I think) on the photo websites. He's an expert, has lots of great information.
 
Agreed. NEC's professional series monitors are superb for the money. I have a PA272W and I absolutely love it.
 
doc4x5 said:
The "standard" for serious photographers has been Eizo, if you're rich, and NEC if you're not. I have a new Mac Pro and use an NEC 27" PA271. I think there's a newer model now. It provides superb color and dynamic range. I use the NEC Spectraview II software and their hardware profiling device which works flawlessly. Hard to beat for the price, unless you've got money to burn in which case get an Eizo. Check with Andrew Rodney (digitaldog.com, I think) on the photo websites. He's an expert, has lots of great information.
Click to expand...

We have Eizo and NEC at work and there is no difference in quality. They both use the same panels.
Spectraview Reference 302 is what you need. Great monitor that is head and shoulders above the ACD.
 
After reading the thread title, i was going to suggest, trying to find a Late 30'' Cinema. Mine is amazing, love it, super bright too still.

Otherwise, i'd go for a pair of those cheap 27'' Korean IPS displays, if you set them up and leave them then they are fine, but the build quality is pretty whack.
 
george-brooks said:
+1 for the NEC PA series
Click to expand...

This. NEC hasn't let me down. My now "old" 2690WUXI2 has been an amazing performer (albeit with an annoying high pitched noise now and then).

I'm debating on moving to the PA272 or holding out for a 4k PA series later down the road. I can only imagine they will be $3-4k.
 
cojo said:
I'm a graphic designer and have a new Mac Pro with AMD FirePro D300 and am running OSX 10.9.4. My 30" Apple Cinema Display is having problems and I think it's time for a new monitor.

I do a lot of print work for 8.5"x11" documents and really like to be able to view at close to the actual size so what I'm looking at onscreen is close to what the print piece will look like.

I'm sure the new 4K monitors are stunning but I don't really want to spend $3K on a monitor and I assume they're probably overkill for what I need.

Any advice on 30"/32" monitors??
Click to expand...


Another vote for the lg 34um95. I too have to view large prints at a 1:1 pixel level. For your needs, I think 1 in portrait mode will do... Or two.
 

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cojo said:
Thanks. Just to clarify, I have been using my 30" Apple display but it's having issues on startup, lotsa ghosting, etc. I don't think it's worth fixing.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your monitor problems. The NEC or Eizo are good monitors as suggested by other members.
 
Last edited:
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I've read several good reviews on the Dell UltraSharp (U3014) 30" LED LCD Monitor. Same size/resolution/aspect ratio as my current Apple Cinema display. I might have a winner. It comes with a 30 day return policy so I can always return it if I'm not happy with it.

Unless anyone here convinces me otherwise ;)
 
cojo said:
I've read several good reviews on the Dell UltraSharp (U3014) 30" LED LCD Monitor....
Click to expand...
Read up on wide gamut. Your 30" ACD is standard gamut. The Dell by default is wide gamut (adobe RGB) though it has an sRGB emulation mode. Traditionally the wide gamut Dells have not performed all that well in sRGB mode, i.e. you'd be better off buying a good standard gamut display. Briefly looking at some comments on the u3014, sRGB may be improved on this model.

Unfortunately every currently available 30" panel seems to be wide gamut. I haven't seen a decent review on the Monoprice that clarifies this one way or the other, but various comments out there indicate it is wide gamut. I don't think Monoprice even necessarily understands the specs on what they are selling.

If you are buying direct from Dell, in my experience they don't like to take things back just because you don't like it. You pretty much need to invent some defect.

(source: I bought a U2711 direct from Dell and learned firsthand about wide gamut, why it is a pain, the lackluster sRGB emulation on that particular display, and Dell's picky return policy.)

I understand the allure of the 30" display, but imho there are better 27" options for much less $. If your desk space is sufficient you could basically have two good 27"s for the price of the Dell.
 
cojo said:
I'm a graphic designer and have a new Mac Pro with AMD FirePro D300 and am running OSX 10.9.4. My 30" Apple Cinema Display is having problems and I think it's time for a new monitor.

I do a lot of print work for 8.5"x11" documents and really like to be able to view at close to the actual size so what I'm looking at onscreen is close to what the print piece will look like.

I'm sure the new 4K monitors are stunning but I don't really want to spend $3K on a monitor and I assume they're probably overkill for what I need.

Any advice on 30"/32" monitors??
Click to expand...

I recently had to make a similar decision. In the end, I bought a used ACD 30" :) The bottom line is that they are fantastic monitors, and you can't really get anything close for $500.
 
austinpike said:
Read up on wide gamut. Your 30" ACD is standard gamut. The Dell by default is wide gamut (adobe RGB) though it has an sRGB emulation mode. Traditionally the wide gamut Dells have not performed all that well in sRGB mode, i.e. you'd be better off buying a good standard gamut display. Briefly looking at some comments on the u3014, sRGB may be improved on this model.

Unfortunately every currently available 30" panel seems to be wide gamut. I haven't seen a decent review on the Monoprice that clarifies this one way or the other, but various comments out there indicate it is wide gamut. I don't think Monoprice even necessarily understands the specs on what they are selling.

If you are buying direct from Dell, in my experience they don't like to take things back just because you don't like it. You pretty much need to invent some defect.

(source: I bought a U2711 direct from Dell and learned firsthand about wide gamut, why it is a pain, the lackluster sRGB emulation on that particular display, and Dell's picky return policy.)

I understand the allure of the 30" display, but imho there are better 27" options for much less $. If your desk space is sufficient you could basically have two good 27"s for the price of the Dell.
Click to expand...

I confess I'm a bit confused when it comes to Adobe RGB and sRGB. The Dell U3014 says it's Adobe RGB is 99%, sRGB 100% and 120%. The 30" NEC's are Adobe RGB 99.3%/108.6" and sRGB 146.4%/100%. If the sRGB is so close, wouldn't the Dell U3014 be comparable?

Everyone has recommended great monitors but I really had hoped for a 30"/16:10 aspect ratio to eliminate so much vertical scrolling, but they are hard to find. Maybe I just have to get over it and get used to reduced vertical real estate?!?
 
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