Good monitor that won't break the bank

[MyDesktopBroke]

I might buy a Mac mini simply due to the low cost, (I get a special education discount, so it's only $623), but I don't have a monitor. If I can't get for a low price, is there any reason not just buy an iMac?

What's a good deal on a screen that'll work for a mini? I'm not a graphic designer or an artist, it doesn't have to be a super good quality one.

[OldMike]

I just went on a monitor finding mission for my new Mini. In the bedroom we have an HP hooked up to a 37" Westinghouse 1080P Monitor (it is actually called a monitor because it doesn't have a tuner in it). So, when I got my Mini, I thought I would be a smart guy and get a nice 1080P 32" TV. I went and picked up a Vizio 32", hooked it up, and was not very happy. It was easy to see the pixels and I was getting a headache looking at the screen.

I also have a 22" inch monitor that I had hooked up to my iMac 24". It is a Hanns-G Hi22D - and it was spot on with the iMacs screen in color and clarity. I was using that as a benchmark for the 32", and it didn't come close.

After that I returned the Vizio and tried an LG 32" - same thing. I just couldn't get the colors right, and I was getting a headache looking at the screen, which never happens with our 37" Westinghouse in the bedroom.

I returned the LG 32" and was trying to decide what to get. I checked out a few stores and NewEgg.

Long story short (I know - too late for that), I ended up going to Staples and picking up a Hannspree 25" (HF255), which has dual HDMI ports. Hanns-G and Hannspree is the same company. I put in my color/contrast/brightness settings from my 22" Hanns-G, and it was dead on. Identical to my iMac 24", which is what I was hoping for. I paid $249 for the 25" and $149 for the 22" back when I got it.

I would recommend the Hannspree HF255 or the Hanns-G HH251HPB (they are both identical monitors, and both come with dual HDMI inputs). I think NewEgg carries the Hanns-G. I have had my 22" Hanns-G for a couple of years, and I am very pleased with it. It took a long time to get the settings right (I had it for a long time running the wrong settings, thinking it was a crappy monitor).

The way I have mine setup - which is identical to the way my iMac 24" looks is this (I think this would work for all Hanns-G and Hannspree monitors):

Brightness: 85
Contrast: 94
Color: R- 85 G- 81 B- 70
Sharpness: 0

After putting these settings in, fine tune it by running the calibration in system preferences. My results were a display that was as nice, if not better, than my 24" iMac.

If you don't want dual HDMI they also have identical monitors that have DVI in, but the ones that come with the HDMI ports also include a DVI to HDMI cable. I mention this because the model numbers are very similar and it would be easy to order the DVI version by accident, if you are really looking to get the HDMI version.

Anyway that is my recommendation for a cheap good monitor. The 25" at 1080P is perfect because my back is bad and it allows me to sit back and read, where with higher resolutions I would hunch forward...

[MacLawyer]

Originally Posted by MyDesktopBroke

I might buy a Mac mini simply due to the low cost, (I get a special education discount, so it's only $623), but I don't have a monitor. If I can't get for a low price, is there any reason not just buy an iMac?

What's a good deal on a screen that'll work for a mini? I'm not a graphic designer or an artist, it doesn't have to be a super good quality one.

I'm using an HP w1907. You can get it for around $90.00. Great, sharp color. Styling is very much "AppleLike."

[MyDesktopBroke]

Wow, thanks for the great answers, guys.

I'm not familiar at all with compatibility terms. What phrase should I look for to know if a monitor is compatible with the mini? Or would anything made in the decade probably work?

[indg]

any monitor with dvi or hdmi inputs will work. vga works also, but you'd need to buy a separate adapter. depending on your price range, 22"-24" should be adequate for your needs. as low as $170 for 22" on amazon with free shipping. standard resolution is 1920x1080 (aka 1080p) for these.

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B002BZA54S
http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B003HFCDLY
http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B003ARSZ0C

[Fishrrman]

Either of these would provide very high-quality displays:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...4&sku=320-7825

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=320-9270

The first is a 22" display, the second a 23" widescreen display.

Both have IPS displays, rather than cheaper "TN" panels.

[lostime]

Originally Posted by Fishrrman

Either of these would provide very high-quality displays:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...4&sku=320-7825

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=320-9270

The first is a 22" display, the second a 23" widescreen display.

Both have IPS displays, rather than cheaper "TN" panels.

he just said that he's not a graphic designer so there's no need for an IPS display. TN is just fine, it's what 99% of us use, and yes anything you buy right now will hook up to your Mini, even an HDTV. Try to find something with an HDMI input for the new mini or make sure you have the appropriate adapter if you are buying a pre-unibody Mini.

This is what I use with my Mini. But like I said, anything will work.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product


The base model Imac is a good computer, 3.06GHz vs 2.4 but is going to cost you a few hundred more than a Mini with a display.

[wpc33]

Originally Posted by Fishrrman

Either of these would provide very high-quality displays:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...4&sku=320-7825
..........
Both have IPS displays, rather than cheaper "TN" panels.

I've had the Dell 2209WA for almost a year. GREAT monitor, with the picture quality of an ACD. I couldn't believe the price.

[indg]

i could buy two $170 (tax free + free ship) 22" 1920x1080 TN monitors at amazon for the price of one $320 (+ tax) dell ips monitor that's only 1680x1050.

[mrsir2009]

As some other people have suggested, I think you should get a Dell 22" or 24" monitor. They're pretty cheap at $200-$300, and the screen quality is pretty good for the price too

If you want one any cheaper than $300 try get one off eBay. There should be tons on there!

[AppleNewton]

Depending on size, I'm really going to suggest the Hanns-G 28" 1080p display (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254043)
For $299 how can you go wrong for this size?

or the HP 27" Display (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824176125)




Otherwise here are some ones i havent tried but, may be worth a shot:

Acer 27" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236080

Acer 24" LED Backlight LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009206

[fkntotalkaos]

http://www.cinemaview.com/product/cinemaview-24-display

CinemaView 24 vs. LED Cinema Display
1920×1080 vs. 1920×1200
170° horizontal and 160° vertical viewing angle vs. 178° horizontal and vertical
4 CCFL backlights vs. LED backlit screen
4 USB ports vs. 3 USB ports
none vs. built-in iSight camera
none vs. 2.1 speaker system
$399 vs. $900

[jjahshik32]

Samsung XL2370, can be had for $280 on amazon.

LED backlit, 1920x1080, although the viewing angle doesnt look as good as the 24" LED Cinema Display (I owned it for 2 years but sold it) but calibrated looks damn good especially since its matte.

I do miss the 24" LED Cinema Display these days and constantly think about getting one again though, that monitor was hands down the best I've used so far but I'd have to say that the samsung xl2370 is my 2nd favorite.

[Gregg2]

I use a HannSpree 21" monitor that I got at Best Buy for under $150. It has been fine for over a year now. I also bought the ($30 ?) extended warranty. I'll be able to apply the cost of this monitor to a new one for up to four years, assuming that it dies that soon, which I am.

[MaxMike]

Samsung Syncmaster 2033. 20", 1600x900 resolution, and $150 at BJs . The only thing that annoys me is that there is some backlight bleed-through on the top and bottom, but it's only noticeable when those areas are black. Not now as I'm typing, where the picture looks great

[kazmac]

After 11 years I kicked the iMac habit and got Mac Mini this morning.

As I do need a good monitor, this thread helps big time!

Oops forgot to quote and have questions below...

Thanks!

[kazmac]

Originally Posted by fkntotalkaos

http://www.cinemaview.com/product/cinemaview-24-display

CinemaView 24 vs. LED Cinema Display
1920×1080 vs. 1920×1200
170° horizontal and 160° vertical viewing angle vs. 178° horizontal and vertical
4 CCFL backlights vs. LED backlit screen
4 USB ports vs. 3 USB ports
none vs. built-in iSight camera
none vs. 2.1 speaker system
$399 vs. $900

Questions: regarding this monitor are you using it with the new Mini or an older gen?

and

The new mini does have a MinidisplayPort which means I could use this monitor without buying another adapter correct?

Thanks...I really like this Apple clone. And after all the hassles i've had this year just want to be sure I get a good monitor.