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20"-22" External Monitor Advice

D

dsoren

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 17, 2008
25
0
I currently have 2.16 Core 2 Duo Macbook and am starting to get sick of the small screen! So, I'm in the market for a 20"-22" monitor and need some advice.

I use my machine for the basics (web browsing, music, skype) but I also do a bit of freelance web and graphic design work. My budget is around $450, but I'll also need to buy a BT keyboard, so that leaves me $370ish to spend on the monitor. Here are a couple that I've been looking at...

Dell UltraSharp 2208WFP

2208wfp_overview1.jpg


HP W2207H

rk282aa_300.jpg


Any advice on either of these monitors? Any monitors that you would recommend instead of either of these?

Oh, and I currently have 1gb of RAM...is that sufficient enough to power a display of this size?
 
I use the 20" version of the Dell at work, and it's a great monitor. But in terms of bang for your buck check out this monitor. It has fantastic reviews, and will cost quite a bit less than the Dell. It's obviously not as full-featured (no USB ports, etc.) but it has a great picture. Just my 2 cents...
 
Thanks for the suggestion...that price point is extremely attractive to me.

Can anyone tell me anything about the general quality of Acer monitors? I've used them before, but not for extensive lengths of time.

The main thing I like about the Dell in addition to the supposedly great picture quality is the UltraSharp adjustment feature. I'm also a cable management freak...so I love the hole in the back :).

I do like the prospect of saving $129 though...
 
He said he needed just basic use. He is not a professional image/video editor so it doesn't really matter.

Acer makes decent quality monitors, but I have had to deal with their repair service before and it was a horrible experience.

I would definitely check out the Samsung 2232 BW, it looks great, and is great. Check it out, almost every Bestbuy carries one.
 
TSE said:
He said he needed just basic use. He is not a professional image/video editor so it doesn't really matter.
Click to expand...

When he says this:

dsoren said:
...but I also do a bit of freelance web and graphic design work. My budget is around $450...
Click to expand...

It indicates he's planning to do this as a business as well, thus my choice of the word invest. $400 is close to a 24" S-IPS or H-IPS display. Of course, OP is the only who has to make the decision.
 
Cave Man said:
When he says this:



It indicates he's planning to do this as a business as well, thus my choice of the word invest. $400 is close to a 24" S-IPS or H-IPS display. Of course, OP is the only who has to make the decision.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is a business investment...

Would someone mind explaining what the difference is between IPS and TN?
 
dsoren said:
Would someone mind explaining what the difference is between IPS and TN?
Click to expand...

The two principal issues, for me, are that TN panels have smaller viewing angles (thus an apparent fall-off at the tops, bottoms and sometimes the sides) and they are 6-bit (2^6 R, 2^6 G, 2^6 B for hundreds of thousands of colors). IPS (such as S-IPS and H-IPS) do not have the viewing angle issue (not perceptible, anyway) and are 8-bit panels (millions of colors). Some TN monitors use dithering to try to compensate for their lower bit depth, but I've not seen such technology that comes close to IPS (or even PVA, etc).

The 20" iMac has a TN panel. The 24" iMac has an H-IPS panel. One of the reasons why the 24" is so much more expensive.
 
Sounds like an IPS monitor would be expensive. Could I get one with my budget? Can you provide me with an example of one?

By the way, CaveMan, I was in Dusseldorf last month - great city :)
 
Cave Man said:
When he says this:



It indicates he's planning to do this as a business as well, thus my choice of the word invest. $400 is close to a 24" S-IPS or H-IPS display. Of course, OP is the only who has to make the decision.
Click to expand...


Sorry, misunderstood. :D

S-IPS panels can get pricey, if you need exact color accuracy definitely get one, if you don't mind your colors being a little bit off, definitely go with the samsung I suggested or something similar.
 
I 'd buy a secondhand 20" Apple display.

I bought one (actually 2) for only a little more than i paid for a 22" Acer, although the latter was bought a year or two ago.

There are 2 revisions of Cinema display. The pre August 2006 model (A1081) is not as bright as the later model. Mine are the original model.
 
quasinormal said:
I 'd buy a secondhand 20" Apple display.

I bought one (actually 2) for only a little more than i paid for a 22" Acer, although the latter was bought a year or two ago.

There are 2 revisions of Cinema display. The pre August 2006 model (A1081) is not as bright as the later model. Mine are the original model.
Click to expand...

Didn't even think of that...I'm seeing a couple on ebay in the buy-it-now for $350 range. They look the new(er) version. Seems a little too good to be true though...

Are the ACDs THAT amazing though? I heard that they used the same displays as the Dells...
 
dsoren said:
Didn't even think of that...I'm seeing a couple on ebay in the buy-it-now for $350 range. They look the new(er) version. Seems a little too good to be true though...

Are the ACDs THAT amazing though? I heard that they used the same displays as the Dells...
Click to expand...

They used the same panel, but it is the electronics that make the display when similar panels are used. I don't think Dell even have 1680x1050 S-IPS/H-IPS based display anymore. Most companies have moved to cheap TN panels for that native resolution (20-22" displays). The ACD at that price is a good buy, their color accuracy is decent enough.
 
I just read somewhere that 20 inch and 22 inch monitors generally run at the same resolution, so the picture on the 22 inch ends up blurier...is this true?
 
Yes, they generally run the same resolution. However, that does not make the picture blurrier, it just makes the picture slightly larger.
 
Okay...I'm really torn between the Dell and the used 20" ACD. I like the idea of having a brand new monitor, and I love the adjustability. At the same time, the ACD is unbelievably beautiful.

This is a tough one...
 
Just bought an HP w2207h from Best Buy. Love it so far...the screen and the bezel look beautiful. It'll look even better once I buy an DVI to HDMI cable.

I almost think this thing is TOO big though...I might need to downsize...I feel like I'm sitting in front of a TV.
 
dsoren said:
I just read somewhere that 20 inch and 22 inch monitors generally run at the same resolution, so the picture on the 22 inch ends up blurier...is this true?
Click to expand...

The 22 inch monitor will have larger pixels. The image is just slightly bigger. There is no blur; blur happens when you take say a 24 inch monitor with higher native resolution and switch it to a lower resolution. 22 inch is great once you get a bit older :eek:
 
Question: I have this thing hooked up via VGA right now. I'm contemplating buying a DVI to HDMI cable so I can use that input...my question is this: how dramatic will the difference be between HDMI and VGA? Is it worth spending the money on the cable?
 
Well, if you are a serious graphic designer, i don't recommend to go for the 22version LCD which from my knowledge most of the 22 LCD are made of TN panel, what does that mean, it means less color reproduction and only can run low quality 6-bit color. With that said, choose from either 20" or 24" with IPS(in Panel switch) LCD. The price could be higher, but really could bring your excellent experience and durability. Good luck..
 
That Acer sounds good, but I have heard so much bad stuff about any Acer product. Comments?
 
dsoren said:
I just read somewhere that 20 inch and 22 inch monitors generally run at the same resolution, so the picture on the 22 inch ends up blurier...is this true?
Click to expand...

Yes they run at the same resolution, but all 22" panels are 6-bit TN which means they don't support thousands of colors, have crappy viewing angles, and poor color.

20" are sometimes TN, but you can get S-IPS such are the Apple Cinema Display or a Dell 2007FPW (if you're lucky). Sometimes your may be a PVA/MVA, has good color too. S-IPS, (H-IPS), PVA, MVA are all 8-bit panels have display millions of colors.
 
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