Gosh I'm in a pickle... (monitor advice)

[Melkor]

So I decided I want an external monitor for my PowerBook, and I've also decided that a 23" is just too danmed expesive.

So I've narrowed it down to either an apple 20" or a dell 20".

The apple is just so sexy, but the dell is sooooo much cheaper.

Any advice? Is the apple monitor worth an extra €356???????

Dell - €473

Apple - €829

ps: Try not to be biased because of picture size! It's all I could find.

 

[calebjohnston]

I'd say 80% of the people on here will recommend the Dell. Anyone that gets the ACD is either very rich or likes things to match. They're exactly the same for all intents and purposes - the Dell even has more ports for some doohickeys.

 

[Melkor]

I'd say 80% of the people on here will recommend the Dell. Anyone that gets the ACD is either very rich or likes things to match. They're exactly the same for all intents and purposes - the Dell even has more ports for some doohickeys.

Doohickeys eh? Interesting.

Thanks for the quick reply! You make a good point.

 

[iPhil]

Doohickeys eh? Interesting.

Thanks for the quick reply! You make a good point.

Doohickeys = s-video port/4 port USB 2.0 hub etc .

 

[Timepass]

ok the apple on advatages over the dell.

It has a firewire port on it.
It looks better
No true apple zelot would ever consider anything other than something from apple.


That being said the dell wins in almost everyother cat.
The monitor specs are better.
It has more ports.
cheaper by a long shot
a lot more other add ons

So minus the firewire which in your case would be mostly useless since it just moves its location even harder for you to get to. it only be the looks that only real advatage.

 

[Scratchbc]

You can usualy find the Cinima display refurb for as much as 25% off. I bought mine that way, but I'm in the US, I'm not shure if they offer that in europe.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I use both the Apple and Dell every day. My opinion - the Apple is nicer looking but the Dell has more inputs (DVI, VGA, S-video and component video v.s. DVI only). Functionally they are pretty much the same. For MY money I got the Dell due to the large price difference, and I'm happy with it. But I use the Apple screen at work and it's great too.

 

[munckee]

I couldn't justify the price difference either. Should have my new dell in about two weeks.

 

[zap2]

Apple Monitors are nice, but if you buy one buy one when the first update them and have it last your for a while.

 

[penguinman]

love the dell 2005FPW!!! especially the three year warranty INCLUDED! screw apple. they are a rip off. but i love their OSmmmmm.

 

[GyroFX]

all i gotta say is that europe gets raped for prices...

 

[T-Stex]

It was said before, the only reason to go with the Apple is because it matches, or you've got a boatload of money. If you're worried about the price at all, get the Dell, you won't be dissapointed. They're made with many of the same components, and the Dell's as good, if not better, in almost every category you can judge them on. Read some reviews online, one quote that summed it up for me was something to the extent of "If the Apple wasn't so expensive, it might be a tough decision". Go with the Dell.

 

[sushi]

I'd say 80% of the people on here will recommend the Dell. Anyone that gets the ACD is either very rich or likes things to match. They're exactly the same for all intents and purposes - the Dell even has more ports for some doohickeys.

To a degree I agree with you.

BTW, I like your doohickeys term.

Others have convered the doohickeys so I won't in my post.

Dell monitors are good. However, I am not particulary fond of their adjustment system.

Some differences to consider:

- The Apple is about 2 inches less deep so if you have space issues it may be a better fit.

- The Dell has front panel controls. The Apple doesn't.

- The Dell is a bit brighter at 300 cd/m² with a contrast of 600:1 vice the Apple at 250 cd/m2 and 400:1.

- Technically, the Apple has a wider viewing angle -- just two degrees in both directions. Without having them side by side it is hard to tell if this makes a difference. Note I am not talking about the 2 degrees per se, but the over all quality when you look at it from the side. You may view your screen directly so this many not even be an issue.

- The Dell is a bit heavier -- around 4 lbs. Probably not worth considering the difference in weight depending on your setup.

- The Dell has more video connectors including analog. Apple is bascially DVI. So the Dell is easier to connect to other computers. I also believe the Dell includes switching circuity so you can connect it to two computers -- one via DVI and the other via Analog and switch between them. Someone who has one please correct me if I am wrong on this.

- Apple seems more durable and long lasting. My 22 inch ACD that I've had for years has held up very well. At work we had Dells (not the 20 inch, but smaller 15 and 17s) that didn't hold up well. Probably more to do with manufacturing issues than overall quality. Dell supports their customers well in that they will produce replacements which is often needed in the large environment.

- While some say the displays are the same, and they seem similar, the specs say otherwise. There is a difference in the displays. Is it big enough to justify the price difference? Only you can be the judge of that when you vote with your funds.

Anyhow, some food for thought.

 

[trenttati]

Some differences to consider:

- The Apple display is more cinema oriented (Dell: 1600x1200 Pixels, Apple: 1680 x 1050 Pixels). So if you plan on watching widescreen DVDs it would show them a little better.

I believe the Dell discussed is the 2005fpw, which is 1680x1050...

...and beautiful if I may add, though it is pretty hazy viewing via VGA from my intel iMac.

 

[nfocus design]

My boyfriend bought a 20" Dell to go with his Mac mini. It did a fine job and they do have a better warranty. I was looking for a 20" display to go with my 23" Apple display. I put his Dell next to the Apple for a few days and then I went ahead and bought the Apple 20". It does match much better. The Dell just looked out of place. If you're looking for quality, both are good. For me, it was worth the extra money to buy the Apple.

 

[Melkor]

Thanks a lot everyone (especially sushi )

Having started this thread I was leaning more towards the Apple, and now it's the other way around.

I'll have to sleep on it

 

[sushi]

I believe the Dell discussed is the 2005fpw, which is 1680x1050...

...and beautiful if I may add, though it is pretty hazy viewing via VGA from my intel iMac.

Dang, you saw my post before I had a chance to edit it.

You are correct about the resolution.

Please see edited post for corrected info.

Curious. When you say pretty hazy viewing via VGA, what do you mean? Could you be more specific? Thanks.

 

[savar]

- The Dell is a bit brighter at 300 cd/m² with a contrast of 600:1 vice the Apple at 250 cd/m2 and 400:1.

- Technically, the Apple has a wider viewing angle -- just two degrees in both directions. Without having them side by side it is hard to tell if this makes a difference. Note I am not talking about the 2 degrees per se, but the over all quality when you look at it from the side. You may view your screen directly so this many not even be an issue.
<snip>
- While some say the displays are the same, and they seem similar, the specs say otherwise. There is a difference in the displays. Is it big enough to justify the price difference? Only you can be the judge of that when you vote with your funds.

Are you sure about that? The panels are supposed to be exactly the same model from the same manufacturer. I know they're spec'ed differently but I think its just different forms of marketing treachery -- really its the same panel underneath it all. They probably even use the same controller. There's some differences with the backlight or something, so the brightness might not be the same on each, but constrast, viewing angle, etc. should be the same.

 

[Timepass]

Are you sure about that? The panels are supposed to be exactly the same model from the same manufacturer. I know they're spec'ed differently but I think its just different forms of marketing treachery -- really its the same panel underneath it all. They probably even use the same controller. There's some differences with the backlight or something, so the brightness might not be the same on each, but constrast, viewing angle, etc. should be the same.

well the contest would be different on the 2 of them since part of the contrast number is based on the back lighted.

 

[calebjohnston]

Doohickeys = s-video port/4 port USB 2.0 hub etc .

you said it soul sister.

Doohickeys.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

you said it soul sister.

Doohickeys.

The extra ports are nice if, like me, you use the Dell display as a combination computer display/TV.

 

[ieani]

They have the same panel but still differ in a few major areas. Read this:

http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2400

or make yours look like this:

 

[celebrian23]

I think is quite an easy person decision. If cost is an issue, go for dell. If it isn't go for apple. And if you need the extra ports, go for dell.

 

[After G]

Dell sells white displays like the above? I've seen one in my school.

 

[iPhil]

you said it soul sister.

Doohickeys.

Give me an AMAN