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Thanks. Is TN much worse then? In what circumstances would I notice the difference?

It's entirely up to you, just in my experience a non TN panel (MVA or IPS equiv) is better for multi purpose monitor use. My TN panel screen had horrible light bleed and unless you were looking dead on at the screen the colours faded/washed out
 
It's entirely up to you, just in my experience a non TN panel (MVA or IPS equiv) is better for multi purpose monitor use. My TN panel screen had horrible light bleed and unless you were looking dead on at the screen the colours faded/washed out

Thanks, think I'm sold on the VA panel then. How can I tell if a model has a VA or TN or IPS panel?
 
Thanks, think I'm sold on the VA panel then. How can I tell if a model has a VA or TN or IPS panel?

Usually price, AOC used to have MVA but they've moved to TN even though it isn't obvious in their specs.
As far as I know BenQ are one of the only brands who have VA panels, it's their new adapted version of MVA seeing as most of those have been discontinued.

And IPS...well they are at least twice the price of TN/VA monitors. ie. Dell Ultrasharp.
 
"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."

No, I think you have that reversed.

They're basically -monitors- that just happen to have an additional tv tuner built in.

I think these are also available as monitors ONLY, without the tuner.

Your run-of-the-mill tv that also has a "PC connector" is what you were talking about above....
 
Usually price, AOC used to have MVA but they've moved to TN even though it isn't obvious in their specs.
As far as I know BenQ are one of the only brands who have VA panels, it's their new adapted version of MVA seeing as most of those have been discontinued.

And IPS...well they are at least twice the price of TN/VA monitors. ie. Dell Ultrasharp.

Ok thanks, the BenQ does seem like the best option atm.
 
The main issue with P/MVA is the off center contrast change. So the contrast will be slightly different on the edges of the screen vs the center (assuming you are looking dead on). I used to have an Acer AL2423w (P-MVA) and the issue was noticeable but not terrible. The black levels were amazing but I still preferred IPS overall. These types of panels are becoming rare as IPS becomes cheaper in the mid-high end. Low end is TN territory.

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.

You can get a 27" 1440p LCD (same panel as Dell and Apple) but with no bells and whistles on Ebay for around 300 euros. You will need a dual link dvi adapter though which will add another 70 or so.
 
You can get a 27" 1440p LCD (same panel as Dell and Apple) but with no bells and whistles on Ebay for around 300 euros. You will need a dual link dvi adapter though which will add another 70 or so.

I've always wondered about those. The "CrossOver" is super popular on Overclock.net. I'm just not sure I want to deal with the chance of getting dead pixels or a flickering display. But $300-$400 for the exact same LG 1440p used in the iMac and TBD... damn cheap!
 
I recently picked up the Dell UltraSharp U2412M (eIPS panel) 24" display and have been very happy with it. It replaced a semi-ancient 20" Samsung (TN panel) LCD display that recently died on me. The color and 1920-by-1200 (16:10) pixel resolution is great and the built-in side USB ports are convenient to have, especially since otherwise I'd have to reach around the Mac mini to plug anything in. Cost me $299+ taxes (Canadian) w/ free shipping (was on sale down from $369+ taxes originally). Directly from Dell's web site.

I use the display's DVI connection (HDMI > DVI adapter) but the monitor also sports a Display connector. (Would require MiniDisplay > Display cable, not included.)

FWIW. :)
 
I've always wondered about those. The "CrossOver" is super popular on Overclock.net. I'm just not sure I want to deal with the chance of getting dead pixels or a flickering display. But $300-$400 for the exact same LG 1440p used in the iMac and TBD... damn cheap!

You can buy one that is "pixel perfect" aka they guarantee no dead pixels. I've actually looked at one in person and IMO the display is excellent (compared to an 27" ACD the main issue was backlight uniformity wasn't as good) but I don't have the need for it so can't really justify the price even though it is pretty darn cheap.
 
You can buy one that is "pixel perfect" aka they guarantee no dead pixels. I've actually looked at one in person and IMO the display is excellent (compared to an 27" ACD the main issue was backlight uniformity wasn't as good) but I don't have the need for it so can't really justify the price even though it is pretty darn cheap.


:eek: where can you get these "pixel perfect"!?! I'll order one today if I can find that for a good price!
 
What did you end up with?

Strangely a 37" Samsung TV became available for free so I'm just using that. It's only 720p so not great for working/browsing but it works just fine for watching videos and running itunes etc so I didn't see the need to fork out for a monitor.

Sorry probably not much help to you!
 
Strangely a 37" Samsung TV became available for free so I'm just using that. It's only 720p so not great for working/browsing but it works just fine for watching videos and running itunes etc so I didn't see the need to fork out for a monitor.

Sorry probably not much help to you!

I ended up selling my BenQ(too big) and bought a 24" HP ZR2440w, it's IPS and 1900x1200 so perfect for work, plus it only cost me £80 more than the BenQ and IPS hi-res makes a BIG difference, if only I'd known that from day one.
 
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.


This is all I've read up to so far so forgive me if it's already stated.

If you're planning on using it as a Tv more so than a monitor, why not just get a TV? You can hook up all your other devices you have (DVD players, game systems, streaming players, etc).

It'll be a more expensive route, but it'll serve the purpose.


I'm using my TV as my monitor to avoid buying a new monitor lol. Works perfectly.
 
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