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Best Alternative Monitor to the 24" Cinema Display?

blairh

blairh

macrumors 603
Original poster
Dec 11, 2007
6,078
4,784
Hey everyone.

I'm posting this a bit premature because I'm waiting for the new mac mini's to be released before I make a final decision. But it comes down to this: I have a Penryn MBP that I love. I plan on using Imovie and maybe FCE with the MBP. I'm also in the market to upgrade my pc, and am contemplating the new mac mini's when they are released. An Imac is out of the question because the glossy screen would not work in my computer room which is surrounded by windows and sunlight (and no, I don't want the white Imac model instead).

I'm also thinking that it's time to upgrade my monitor to something on the 24" side. I'd like to use this second monitor not only with the mac mini but also as a second monitor with my MBP. The 23" ACD is discontinued and I can't seem to find it online brand new. On top of that, it's a bit long in the tooth tech wise and I'd like a screen with an LED backlight.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could get for a monitor? It must be a matte screen and work well with both my MBP and potentially the new mac mini. Lastly it needs to fit my budget ($500 at the very most).

Thanks for your suggestions in advance!
 
I was going to suggest waiting for MWSF, however that $500 budget changes things. The only other option that comes to mind is Dell.

EDIT: Oops, you won't get a Dell with LED backlight for that cheap.
 
As far as I know the only LED backlit display in your price range is Lenovo's L2440x. Buy.com have it for $581.68.

It has a TN panel however so has poor viewing angles and is overall a poorer quality display than Apple's. You might be better off with the HP LP2475w if you want a decent quality display.
 
The LED Cinema Display costs so much because it uses a high grade H-IPS panel. You wont find any comparable monitor for $500, nor will you find an LED monitor for $500. Nothing about this display is overpriced contrary to popular opinion.

If you want a cheap 24" monitor then Dell make some nice monitors for the price.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the belief that the new 24" apple display does not work with older mac models. am i totally wrong on this one?

tallest skil: if your post was meant to be sarcastic you're a bit out of line on this one. there really is no reason to be rude or condescending on these boards. especially when i'm just asking for buying advice. if i took your words the wrong away, ignore this comment.

Am i wrong to seek out led backlighting on a new monitor? should i skip such a feature and get a 24" monitor in my price budget instead?

that samsung you linked got some crummy reviews on amazon.

really doubt glossy is an option for me. it's just way too reflective in my computer room.
 
blair.harringto said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the belief that the new 24" apple display does not work with older mac models. am i totally wrong on this one?

tallest skil: if your post was meant to be sarcastic you're a bit out of line on this one. there really is no reason to be rude or condescending on these boards. especially when i'm just asking for buying advice. if i took your words the wrong away, ignore this comment.

Am i wrong to seek out led backlighting on a new monitor? should i skip such a feature and get a 24" monitor in my price budget instead?
Click to expand...

You are not wrong to seek out an LED monitor, you are off your rocker if you think you'll find a $500 H-IPS LED panel for $500. That is no sarcasm, that is fact. Your best bet is to ditch the idea of an LED panel all around, spend $300 on a nice BenQ from newegg.com, a Dell, or that Lenvo LED TN panel (not worth the cash in my opinion) or save up for the 24" LED from Apple.
 
i guess i just don't know how important an led monitor is in my situation.
 
Forget LED. I'd stretch for a last-gen 30" LCD like the Dell 3007WFP-HC or HP LP3065. Both of these screens use the same S-IPS panel from LG with 92% NTSC gamut CCFL backlighting. These are last year's top-of-the-line panels and are still tough to beat for twice the price.

The Dell is $749 as a refurb direct from Dell - http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...=22&l=en&lob=PDA&MODEL_DESC= 3007WFP-HC&s=dfh

The HP (which I run in my home studio) is easier to find on eBay, and usually runs $800-$1000 from reputable vendors.

Though the Dell has a built-in USB media reader, I prefer the HP because it has 3 DVI-D inputs and (at least new) comes with 2 dual-link DVI-D cables; dual-link DVI switches and cables are expensive. The Dell only has a single DVI-D input, meaning you need an outboard switch if you want to leave it plugged into 2 machines.

Once you go 30" you never go back. Save your pennies - you won't regret it. The extra real-estate will change the way you work.
 
Thanks for the suggestion, but a 30 inch monitor is not an option for two reasons. I can't fit one where it would be going and more importantly, it's way too big a screen. I've used a 30 inch display at an apple store and it's simply way too big. 24" imo is the perfect size for a desktop.

I'm leaning towards a TFT 24". Which one, I'm still not sure. It's gotta be matte though. I would entertain getting a 23" acd but they are hard to find online and I question if their premium cost is really worth it.
 
I believe the 24" acd can only be used with the current line of apple notebooks and not my penryn mbp.
 
^ eventually there will be adapters. but not now. Your budget is really toeing the line of impossible. A S-IPS or H-IPS display thats 24" under or at $500? Granted, it's easier if you were looking for a regular old TN panel (like my samsung 24" see below in my signature) since they cost around $300-$400. Either save up to get a Dell UltraSharp or ACD or get a lower quality display.
 
maccam said:
Get the Dell Display: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=320-6272

These are far better then Apple's! It has better reviews too.
Click to expand...


They aren't far better, they have more connection options and are cheaper. Apple have better quality panels.

As for reviews, many were done before release (the 2408WFP was delayed) on units ahnd picked by Dell. If you look at any thread dedicated to this display on a big hardware forum you will find it has many issues on all three of it's revisions and Dell ahve even admitted there were large numbers of returns.

Not that it isn't a viable option, it's probably one of the biggest selling 24"s out there.
 
snowleopard2008,

i just watched your unboxing samsung monitor video. what model is that exactly? are you happy with it? do you use it for any video editing?

maybe i'll just get your model if you like it. everyone is right, led is out of the question in my price range, and maybe i don't need an led monitor when it comes down to it.

this is what i'm currently using:

http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?c=232&s=947&ID=17961&P=F

how does a acd 23" compare quality wise to snowleopard2008's monitor and what i'm currently using linked above?
 
Well you current monitor is a TN panel.'

Apart from that, you won't be finding many quality displays these days due to cost cutting by manufacturers. LED is quite overrated, so I would just look for a quality panel. A good option is the Dell 2408WFP which uses a MVA panel (better than the TN and comparable to an IPS). The Dell is even packed with features and inputs, so you an plug in HDCP sources, consoles, other computers, etc.

That said you won't be finding 24" LED panels for $500, less so with IPS panels; that is unless you go a for a used model.
 
I'm gonna throw a different suggestion out there, just to be difficult. :D

Ditch the mini. Buy a 24" iMac. I'll bet even money it's bright enough not to get severe glare. And if it does, spend $20 on some antiglare film and be done with it. You'll end up with a far better computer and better quality display than any comparably priced Mini + External will net you.
 
fendol,

tried both methods. no luck. really don't want to buy a acd used or refurbished.

well a little more research has changed everything. found this HP display, an IPS one to boot, for roughly $600.00. i think this may be the winner.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FS1LLI...e=380333&creativeASIN=B001FS1LLI&linkCode=asn

gonna wait till jan 5 to see if a matte imac is available, but this looks like my next monitor.

will my mbp penryn work well with it?
 
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Still looking for a refurb here.
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