One 30" ACD or two 23" ACDs?

[Mundy]

I'm trying to figure out what display to buy with my Mac Pro. I mostly use Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Aperture. I've never owned a 30" display, so it's difficult for me to gauge what would increase my productivity more: A single 30" display, or two 23" displays?

Given a choice, what would you pick, and why?

 

[TBi]

I'd go with one 30". You'll strain your neck looking between the two 23"s. Very bad for your neck and posture.

 

[baleensavage]

I'm trying to figure out what display to buy with my Mac Pro. I mostly use Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Aperture. I've never owned a 30" display, so it's difficult for me to gauge what would increase my productivity more: A single 30" display, or two 23" displays?

Given a choice, what would you pick, and why?

23"+23"=46"
46" vs. 30" hmmm
Once you get into the really big monitors like 30", the cost becomes so rediculous that you are better off getting multiple monitors if your computer can handle it. Plus I have heard people complain about the color of the edges of the really big LCDs because of the viewing angle. I for one would definitely choose 2 23" monitors over one 30"

 

[BornAgainMac]

At first the 30 inch display will cause you to turn your head as you pan across the huge display. After the first day, it feels like one monitor again. It is difficult to have a desk that can handle two 23 inch displays side by side. I would recommend the 30 inch display.

I don't know if you can have USB and Firewire hubs on both 23 inch monitors, only one. Just keep that in mind.

You will love the 30 inch display. It separates the Pros from the average Joe iMac.

 

[TBi]

I don't know if you can have USB and Firewire hubs on both 23 inch monitors, only one. Just keep that in mind..

They are just hubs... you can hook up 20 of the screens and connect them all together and you'll be able to use the hub on each one.

 

[NewbieNerd]

23"+23"=46"
46" vs. 30" hmmm

Umm, not sure if you're joking or not, but it would take 4 23" monitors 2x2 arrangment to equate to a 46" monitor, as they are measured diagonally.

 

[wordmunger]

Umm, not sure if you're joking or not, but it would take 4 23" monitors 2x2 arrangment to equate to a 46" monitor, as they are measured diagonally.

Ummm, yeah. 2 23-inchers=4.6 million pixels
1 30 incher = 4.1 million pixels.

In terms of viewable area, it's a wash.

 

[Vlade]

I would go with 2x Dell 24" monitors personally, I have one now and I would love two if my Macbook Pro could support two, do a search on the forum to find some Dell VS Apple monitor threads.

Now if I had unlimited money I might go with one 30" Apple, but because I do lots of programming work I don't "need" one solid monitor and I can just put different windows on different screens. If I was going to watch a ton of DVDs or play games I would probably go with a 30"

 

[Chaszmyr]

Once you go 30'', you'll never go back.

 

[vohdoun]

Umm, not sure if you're joking or not, but it would take 4 23" monitors 2x2 arrangment to equate to a 46" monitor, as they are measured diagonally.

Only CRT's are measured from corner to corner...

 

[Vlade]

Only CRT's are measured from corner to corner...

Then how are LCDs measured... top left corner to bottom middle?

Post your source... its common knowledge TVs, CRTs, LCDs, are all measured from one corner to another

 

[TBi]

Then how are LCDs measured... top left corner to bottom middle?

Post your source... its common knowledge TVs, CRTs, LCDs, are all measured from one corner to another

Duh.. i thought they were always measured by how far you should sit away from them! I sit 17" away from my 17" and 20" away from my 20" :O

(BTW i'm joking... i always knew they were measured from top left corner to bottom middle!)

 

[wordmunger]

Only CRT's are measured from corner to corner...

No.

"Screen size (diagonal viewable image size)"

 

[TBi]

No.

"Screen size (diagonal viewable image size)"

Although CRT's were measured by tube size not the visible area size. That's why a 15" LCD has a bigger viewable area than a 15" CRT.

 

[kellen]

All tvs/lcds/monitors are measured diagonally.

30 vs. 2 23"s is a personal choice, seeing how the $$ is the same.

personally I don't think I could get used to two monitors, so the one would be my choice. Right now my mini is hooked up to my 34" Sony HD TV, looks great!

What a great problem to have!

 

[wordmunger]

Although CRT's were measured by tube size not the visible area size. That's why a 15" LCD has a bigger viewable area than a 15" CRT.

Yes, I imagine that was the source of the confusion. But both are measured with diagonal.

 

[Fedge]

Given the applications you'll be using it for, 2x23 is the way to go. Both final cut and Aperture are much better across two screens than one. Aperture gives you the library on one, and the full preview on the other. Final cut gives you even more options in this respect. Besides, having two monitors allows you too hook up more devices (if needed). I'd go with 2x23. I have 2 24" dells at home and I absolutely love it, and prefer it over the one 30" monitor I use in my lab every day.

 

[savar]

I'm trying to figure out what display to buy with my Mac Pro. I mostly use Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Aperture. I've never owned a 30" display, so it's difficult for me to gauge what would increase my productivity more: A single 30" display, or two 23" displays?

Given a choice, what would you pick, and why?

30: better for watching full-screen video

2x23: better productivity, I would imagine, if you need to alternate between two apps quite frequently.

 

[dornoforpyros]

I used to be a fan of dual monitor set ups, but after having used a my 20" ACD for a while I've kinda changed opinions. 2 monitors is great for certain task (web development and such). But I've personally found one large monitor to be a better fit for me personally.

then again I also don't have the space for 2 monitors anymore.

 

[xfiftyfour]

i'd personally opt for the single 30" but that's just because i'm personally not a big fan of dual monitors. i mean, it's nice and useful, but i would much rather have one monster of a monitor than to have 2 smaller.. the bezel gets on my nerves and the 2 widescreens would be too much for my neck to handle, haha.

 

[Chrispy]

I'm gonna vote 2x23". I use dual monitors at work and could not live without them now.

 

[wisredz]

2 30"s? Just joking. I'd go with 2 23"s if I were you but, being the guy I am, if I had that muuch money I'd go for 30".

My $0.02

 

[Killyp]

I would personally go for the 30". I have dual monitors at the moment, and it's great.

However, if I had the choice, I would go for one larger display, rather than two slightly smaller displays...

 

[Jay42]

I agree that the programs you are using are really set up for use with two monitors. If you want maximum productivity, I think this would be the way to go. Also, if one monitor ever has a problem, you can still "hobble" along on one 23" monitor (not that I could ever imagine such horrible circumstances).

That being said, I would prefer one 30" for everything except Final Cut and Aperture.

 

[milozauckerman]

I'd go with 2x23" if you're not going to need the 30" for your sole pr0n-watching platform. Er, I mean movie-watching. Yeah.