Yet another monitor thread

[Chad H]

Hey guys,
My mini is coming in tomorrow, thank god. Now, I have been looking at several different kinds of monitors. Anything from Apple, Dell, and even Acer. What I am wanting to know is do you guys feel the Apple cinema displays are actually worth it? I will be using my mini for web, i-tunes, and amateur photography. Like lightroom, photoshop, or aperture. I don't mind that much spending the money. But, I just had to ask based on the Acer 22" being $199 and the ACD being $700+. Thanks for any advice in advance.

-Chad

 

[sushi]

I have not seen the Acer 22 inch.

Generally you get what you pay for. Personally I like the ACD displays and would get one.

However, in this case since there is a huge difference in the price it may be worth considering the Acer display. When you say looking at, does that mean actually going to a store and seeing the monitors in person? If not, you might want to do this since specs only tell part of the story.

I have an original 22 inch ACD. Purchased in 2002 at around 4 grand. Still works fine 6 years later. Love it.

 

[Eidorian]

I've had my fair share of experience with Dell monitors over the past 5 years and I recommend them. Nothing beats taking a gander and them with your own beady eyes though.

I have a 22" Gateway and I'm quite happy even if I bought it online. It was dirt cheap and it has inputs galore.

 

[4DThinker]

I've got a 22" Acer on my Vista PC, and highly recommend it. For all anyone knows the panels used, if the same size and resolution, come from the same factory. Save yourself some money and get the Acer. You can buy a new printer, a ram upgrade, and maybe a second Acer with what you'll have saved.

Just be sure there is a reasonable return policy if you don't like it.

4D

 

[tsd]

If you're doing photography, that could mean that you need a color-accurate display. Do you do color work, or mainly Black and White? I would seriously recommend that you do some research on what makes a monitor be great, and what makes a monitor be poor. You don't want to save a few bucks now and 2 years from now find out that you've been screwing up all the colors in your work, or giving yourself unnecessary eye strain.

 

[Chad H]

Well to be honest I am going for color accuracy but I didn't know if I could get away with it by going with a cheap monitor. I guess you get what you pay for. Once I get rolling with my work I would like to have some of it printed and hung in my house. I do mostly color work. I do b/w but very little depending on the shot. I know looking at the Acer 22" on tigerdirect.com and the 20" or 23" ACD the specs go to the Acer. But I assume color accuracy would go to the ACD.

 

[4DThinker]

Color accuracy is a variable that can be changed on most monitors. If the mac platform is know for providing a more accurate color representation it is no doubt as much a function as drivers and settings of the video card and calibration techniques as it is the raw monitor. Refresh rates, black levels, contrast and brightness and chroma, are all variables I can change within the ATI Display Driver application that came with my video card on one PC, and a similar Nvidia application on another. Most HDTVs (big computer monitors, essentially) can be calibrated for accuracy.

Just something to consider.

 

[Chad H]

Well, I know the adjusting portion isnt something that the mini can do because of the built in video. Do you guys feel a 23" would stretch the mini more than a 20" ?