Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Which monitor?

M

mstruve

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 21, 2011
158
0
I am looking to get a Mini but not sure which monitor to get with it.I have decided on at least 24" but beyond that have no clue what to look for in a monitor. What resolution etc do I need?

Can anyone recommend a model or what to look out for? The Dell Ultrsharp seems to be much more expensive but I can't work out why.

It will mainly be used for browsing and email but also some TV/movie watching. Unlikely to be used for gaming.

Thanks.
 
Thanks, that's helpful. Is it strongly advised to get an IPS screen type then?
 
Browsing and email? Just get any cheap monitor. IPS or not is basically a non-issue for you. You need to decide whether you want a glossy or non-reflective monitor. Resolution at that size is normally 1920x1080. The more expensive monitors have 1920x1200, which is better for productivity, but won't matter for your use cases. Actually, 1920x1080 will be better for watching movies anyway.
 
Last edited:
If you don't know whether you need IPS or not, then you probably don't. There are some really good TN panels out there and you can get them starting at $100. 21.5" - 23" seems to be the sweet spot for TN panels. As stated, just get a 1080P monitor and be done with it. Watch your local ads or hit up Newegg and get something with decent reviews.
 
I see. What do you mean by 'better for productivity'? Sorry if this should be obvious.

----------
paulrbeers said:
If you don't know whether you need IPS or not, then you probably don't. There are some really good TN panels out there and you can get them starting at $100. 21.5" - 23" seems to be the sweet spot for TN panels. As stated, just get a 1080P monitor and be done with it. Watch your local ads or hit up Newegg and get something with decent reviews.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I am kind of looking at getting a 27" screen to double up as a TV. Will I be losing too much picture quality for use as a monitor if it is 1920 x 1080 and 27"?
 
mstruve said:
I see. What do you mean by 'better for productivity'? Sorry if this should be obvious.

----------



Thanks. I am kind of looking at getting a 27" screen to double up as a TV. Will I be losing too much picture quality for use as a monitor if it is 1920 x 1080 and 27"?
Click to expand...

Productivity is using your computer for producing stuff using productivity software, such as office or development applications. A higher resolution lets you see more on the screen at the same time. I don't think this is a concern for you, unless you're really into your facebook and need to stalk 10 girls at the same time on the screen.

----------
mstruve said:
I see. What do you mean by 'better for productivity'? Sorry if this should be obvious.

----------



Thanks. I am kind of looking at getting a 27" screen to double up as a TV. Will I be losing too much picture quality for use as a monitor if it is 1920 x 1080 and 27"?
Click to expand...
It's a personal preference, but I wouldn't use such a large screen at only 1920x1080 when it's on a desk a couple of inches away from you. The best thing for you would be to go into an electronics store and check them out yourself.
 
theSeb said:
It's a personal preference, but I wouldn't use such a large screen at only 1920x1080 when it's on a desk a couple of inches away from you. The best thing for you would be to go into an electronics store and check them out yourself.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I can't stand the 27" 1080P screens. The DPI/Pixel Pitch is just atrocious! Fine for movies, but productivity....
 
theSeb said:
Productivity is using your computer for producing stuff using productivity software, such as office or development applications. A higher resolution lets you see more on the screen at the same time. I don't think this is a concern for you, unless you're really into your facebook and need to stalk 10 girls at the same time on the screen.

----------


It's a personal preference, but I wouldn't use such a large screen at only 1920x1080 when it's on a desk a couple of inches away from you. The best thing for you would be to go into an electronics store and check them out yourself.
Click to expand...

I agree:


I wouldn't use a 1080p Monitor for desktop use thats any larger than a 24". A 27" Screen at that setting is just to much real estate for that amount of pixels. An a pair of decent 24 inchers shouldn't cost you more than 400 bucks, giving you plenty of room to do whatever you need without taking over too much of your desktop.
 
Thanks all, that's really helpful.

It's quite a tricky one, I think I'll be using it as much as a TV as a monitor, with XBMC etc on the Mini. It sounds like 27" will be too big as a monitor (as I suspected), but 24" is going to be a bit small for a TV in a room that size.
 
mstruve said:
Thanks all, that's really helpful.

It's quite a tricky one, I think I'll be using it as much as a TV as a monitor, with XBMC etc on the Mini. It sounds like 27" will be too big as a monitor (as I suspected), but 24" is going to be a bit small for a TV in a room that size.
Click to expand...

27" is big, but not too big, and would be perfect for a TV/Monitor Combo.It won't be cheap, but I would probably look at Dell.
 
hashholly said:
27" is big, but not too big, and would be perfect for a TV/Monitor Combo.It won't be cheap, but I would probably look at Dell.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The 27" Dell is almost £600 though. If I'm going to spend that much I'd be more inclined to get a Thunderbolt display TBH.
 
To be honest, unless you are into colour-critical work, IPS panels are somewhat flawed.

Their big two advantages are superb colour reproduction (after calibration) and excellent viewing angles - the latter usually not being that relevant for a computer monitor, more so for TV's.

However these two fine attributes come at a cost. First, the black levels are nothing like as good as with S-PVA/MVA panels. Also, the screen uniformity is typically not as good (or at least its more prone to issues) and also backlight bleed can be a problem, especially at the edges and corners. Finally, they cost more.

I am not saying avoid IPS by any means. But certainly, you don't need to go out of your way to buy IPS unless you have specific reason to do so.
 
Chippy99 said:
However these two fine attributes come at a cost. First, the black levels are nothing like as good as with S-PVA/MVA panels. Also, the screen uniformity is typically not as good (or at least its more prone to issues) and also backlight bleed can be a problem, especially at the edges and corners. Finally, they cost more.
Click to expand...

Well, the black levels don't matter that much if you work on your computers. More so if you want to use it as a TV. Screen uniformity and black levels aren't a real problem nowadays with LED-backlighting and good panels.

Of course they're expensive, so if you don't want to do tasks like photo or video editing, layouting, etc. you don't need an IPS panel. However, I currently know no TN panel with a resolution of 2560x1440. Does somebody know one?

'Cos 1080p IS very low for a 27" display. Only nice if you want to use it 80% as TV.
 
mstruve said:
Thanks all, that's really helpful.

It's quite a tricky one, I think I'll be using it as much as a TV as a monitor, with XBMC etc on the Mini. It sounds like 27" will be too big as a monitor (as I suspected), but 24" is going to be a bit small for a TV in a room that size.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately you are asking one device to be two. While it seems like a computer monitor should easily work as a tv and as a monitor, both have subtle (but important) differences and generally ends up falling short. I guess a 24-27" 1080P will probably be your best bet if you are trying to do both. It won't be a great TV and it won't be a great monitor, but it is about as "good" as it gets.
 
I believe both Samsung and LG have 27" displays which also have built-in TV tuners and can double as 1080p tvs.

Check newegg.com.
 
Fishrrman said:
I believe both Samsung and LG have 27" displays which also have built-in TV tuners and can double as 1080p tvs.

Check newegg.com.
Click to expand...

Yes this is what I was looking at, but I'm concerned that they're basically TVs so won't be great as a monitor.

My budget is around £200 but can stretch to £300 for the right model.
 
mstruve said:
Yes this is what I was looking at, but I'm concerned that they're basically TVs so won't be great as a monitor.

My budget is around £200 but can stretch to £300 for the right model.
Click to expand...

My 2p here, I bought a BenQ 27" VA LED screen (note not a TN panel) a few weeks ago and after owning an Asus 24" I was blown away by this screen, colours dont wash from any viewing angle, the only thing is it's resolution is 1920x1080 max, not ideal for a pc monitor but I can live with it, I sit about 2 feet away and it's fine, paid £260 for it. if you want higher res then IPS is the only way, and you're looking at at least £550.
 
LaunchpadBS said:
My 2p here, I bought a BenQ 27" VA LED screen (note not a TN panel) a few weeks ago and after owning an Asus 24" I was blown away by this screen, colours dont wash from any viewing angle, the only thing is it's resolution is 1920x1080 max, not ideal for a pc monitor but I can live with it, I sit about 2 feet away and it's fine, paid £260 for it. if you want higher res then IPS is the only way, and you're looking at at least £550.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Was it this one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-EW2730...1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1340189874&sr=1-4

Looks decent.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
LaunchpadBS said:
Yes the BenQ EW2730V , bought it £256 from Ebuyer.com

It's got all the component inputs etc and pic in pic, handy for checking on OSX when playing PS3 :) Also comes with remote and has built in speakers.
Click to expand...

Nice one, sounds like the sort of thing I'm after. Pic in pic would be very handy.

What's the difference between the BenQ and this one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-T27...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1340192811&sr=1-1

Apart from the fact that the Samsung has a built in TV tuner?
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
mstruve said:
Nice one, sounds like the sort of thing I'm after. Pic in pic would be very handy.

What's the difference between the BenQ and this one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-T27...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1340192811&sr=1-1

Apart from the fact that the Samsung has a built in TV tuner?
Click to expand...

The panels, the Samesung is TN, the BenQ is VA. That is the game changer there really, as for response times, the BenQ is 8ms, I play a lot of Battlefield 3 online with the PS3 and cannot notice any lag
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
LaunchpadBS said:
The panels, the Samesung is TN, the BenQ is VA. That is the game changer there really, as for response times, the BenQ is 8ms, I play a lot of Battlefield 3 online with the PS3 and cannot notice any lag
Click to expand...

Thanks. Is TN much worse then? In what circumstances would I notice the difference?
 
I'm also in the same position as you guys. I really want a 27" monitor... but at 1080p it's got to be pretty damn bad. I also play games and need that quick, high response time low lag latency.

What do you think would look better for good crisp resolution vs. screen size... (1) 24"... (2) 20-22"?

Also: I've been looking and haven't seen any VA monitors... and most IPS monitors are out of my price range.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back