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Suitable Monitor

damon021

damon021

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 10, 2011
11
0
Stockholm Sweden
Hello guys, this is my first post here, I've been a mac users for years now but I wanna buy a Mac Mini, The next generation of course, and i want some tips for the monitor. Since I don't wanna pay $999 for Apple Cinema Display, I'm looking for something cheaper but I need it to have HMDI port.
Any tips ?
 
I recommend looking at Samsung, Viewsonic, or Dell. Specific models would depend on if 1080p is enough for you, the size you want, and what other inputs you want (CATV, Component, Composite, etc).

TEG
 
thanks for your fast reply.
but do you have any specific model from any brand? i mean a model which you used before and you are happy with it !?
 
I just picked up a DELL U2410. It's currently on sale for $450ish. Should go nicely with my future mac mini purchase :)
 
damon021 said:
What do you guys think about Samsung B2430H ?
Click to expand...

It's not a bad monitor for a TN panel. Both the DELL I spoke of and the Apple Cinema displays are IPS monitors. It all really depends on the maximum you are looking to spend.
 
Jayrcee said:
It's not a bad monitor for a TN panel. Both the DELL I spoke of and the Apple Cinema displays are IPS monitors. It all really depends on the maximum you are looking to spend.
Click to expand...

i think i'd go with the DELL, it sounds good and price is like $300-$400 cheaper than Apple Cinema Display :)
Thanks for your help
 
Last edited:
I went with the dell U2310H.

As long as you get a high quality MiniDP to DVI cable, the picture will look absolutely amazing!
 
The truth is, I never had a Mac mini. I just had iMacs and MacBooks and i really don't know the quality difference between DVI and HDMI on a computer. My assumption is that HMDI is better. am i right !?

If you think i'd be happy with DVI too, please let me know your suggestions.:)
 
DVI and HDMI are the exact same, with the exception that HDMI can also carry audio (useful for home theater setups, but not so much for computer setups). The Mini comes with an HDMI-->DVI adapter in the box, so you'd be covered either way.
 
dolphin842 said:
DVI and HDMI are the exact same, with the exception that HDMI can also carry audio (useful for home theater setups, but not so much for computer setups). The Mini comes with an HDMI-->DVI adapter in the box, so you'd be covered either way.
Click to expand...

I knew that HDMI can also carry audio and I'm not gonna use it since i have my own sound system. So you would suggest that I buy a DVI one ?

About the refurbished 24" Apple cinema display, I don't think that it's available outside of US. I'm from Sweden.:)
 
damon021 said:
I knew that HDMI can also carry audio and I'm not gonna use it since i have my own sound system. So you would suggest that I buy a DVI one ?
Click to expand...

No, you look in the box and see what cable the monitor comes with. Then use that - If it is DVI, you will need the adapter. If it comes with only a VGA cable, throw it away and buy a HDMI cable. :)
 
By the way, have any of you noticed any significant difference between IPS and TN displays when used as monitors for daily usage (meaning I'm not a photo editor, so no need to look at that ultra sharp image at 400% size)?

Is it worth it? Because where I live there are some 26-inch 1080 IPS monitors at discount prices from Samsung and LG. I have a TN 22-inch Samsung.
 
kioshi said:
By the way, have any of you noticed any significant difference between IPS and TN displays when used as monitors for daily usage (meaning I'm not a photo editor, so no need to look at that ultra sharp image at 400% size)?

Is it worth it? Because where I live there are some 26-inch 1080 IPS monitors at discount prices from Samsung and LG. I have a TN 22-inch Samsung.
Click to expand...

if someone knows this, it would help both of us :D
 
It's a matter of personal preference. For me though, once I saw IPS, I didn't want anything else. My old iMac's TN display did bother me regularly, especially because it inverted the shadows of windows even at a normal viewing angle. My old Samsung TN panel is decent, but the Dell u2211h I have is great to look at. There certainly is aesthetic value to not having your colors shift and I'm willing to pay a little extra for that, but again it all depends on preferences and budget.

As for monitor sizes, anything beyond 23" is overkill if the resolution is only 1080p. My 21.5" Dell is 1080p and the pixel density is only a little higher than the old 17" panels of the mid-2000s.
 
My only experience with IPS is my iPad and I really really love it, but my MacBook display is good too, I mean since i'm the only one who's using it, I think that I wouldn't have problems with a high quality TN Panel.
 
If you don't have a problem with your MacBook's screen then a TN may be alright for you. One caveat though: with a larger screen, you have a much larger field of view, so the color shift of TN panels can become more apparent even if you don't move your head that much. It really does vary by panel though: my iMac's screen would invert shadows at a normal viewing angle, while my 17" Samsung holds up better, and my IPS Dell better still.
 
could anyone suggest a good TN Panel please? Correct me if I'm wrong but I guess Samsung Syncmasters are better than others, right ?
 
damon021 said:
could anyone suggest a good TN Panel please? Correct me if I'm wrong but I guess Samsung Syncmasters are better than others, right ?
Click to expand...

Well there's probably a new model since my monitor is like 2 years old but I'm very happy with it, no shadows, very little image alteration when changing view angles (unless you stand up but that is true for all TN panels, looking at it sideways I don't see much difference), it even scored a 5-star rating on Macworld: http://www.macworld.co.uk/digitallifestyle/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=2777&productid=104046

You might be able to find the 'upgraded' version since this is a 2008 monitor model (or 2009 I forgot)
 
damon021 said:
could anyone suggest a good TN Panel please? Correct me if I'm wrong but I guess Samsung Syncmasters are better than others, right ?
Click to expand...

I would highly recommend the 23" Samsung 2333t (available for less than $170). It's a cPVA panel so it is a lot higher quality than a TN Panel, and a bit worse than an IPS panel. I'm using two of these monitors right now with my Mac Pro and getting a third tomorrow. The monitors look fantastic, especially for movies and it is extremely well priced for how much value you get from it! I honestly have no complaints about it :)
 
Does Samsung make 24-26 monitors with Ips panels or the one mentioned above? I'd love a monitor with similar quality of the iMac 27 inch desktops but they cost an arm and a leg where I live so when I upgrade it will be for the next Mini.
 
Hi kioshi,
I have a Samsung IPS monitor (28"), but Samsung stopped making them.
I think because it was too expensive & they couldn't sell many of them (it was over $1000).
 
Last edited:
Thanks Stan.

Well I'm testing my main room's LED TV as my monitor but I'm not impressed. (series 5000 Samsung).

Maybe it's because the PC-in port in the TV is VGA/RGB (I had to use the mini DVI to RGB adapter, in my 23 inch TN Samsung I use the DVI connection directly). I ordered a DVI to HDMI adapter and I'll see if it really improves, because right now it doesn't look any better than my monitor, although the TV's quality is wonderful (when connected to my cable TV box via HDMI).
 
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