2006 Mac Pro Monitor Options

[MacCurry]

I have a 2006 2.66GHz MP with 2-20" ACDs on the NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT.

I do a lot of photo editing and would like a larger area for working. What are my options? I'd like 2 of the new 24" LED based ACDs, but I don't have display port on the 880GT and need to place the monitors about 4' away. No matter what I do for photo editing I need to get a color calibrator like the Spyder or X-Right for a non-Apple display, so that adds about $200 to the cost.

I'm thinking:

1. Wait and see what the new 30" ACD will be.
2. Get the existing 30" ACD for around $1800.
3. Get the Dell 30" 3008WFP for around $1600.
4. Get the Dell 30" 3007WFP for around $1200.
5. Get 2-24" NEC LCD2490WUXI-BK for around $2200.
6. Get 2-24" HP LP2475W for around $1200.

Any suggestions are welcome; however I am unwilling to upgrade the Mac Pro since it works so well and can easily get another 2-3 years out of it.

 

[blackhand1001]

I have a 2006 2.66GHz MP with 2-20" ACDs on the NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT.

I do a lot of photo editing and would like a larger area for working. What are my options? I'd like 2 of the new 24" LED based ACDs, but I don't have display port on the 880GT and need to place the monitors about 4' away. No matter what I do for photo editing I need to get a color calibrator like the Spyder or X-Right for a non-Apple display, so that adds about $200 to the cost.

I'm thinking:

1. Wait and see what the new 30" ACD will be.
2. Get the existing 30" ACD for around $1800.
3. Get the Dell 30" 3008WFP for around $1600.
4. Get the Dell 30" 3007WFP for around $1200.
5. Get 2-24" NEC LCD2490WUXI-BK for around $2200.
6. Get 2-24" HP LP2475W for around $1200.

Any suggestions are welcome; however I am unwilling to upgrade the Mac Pro since it works so well and can easily get another 2-3 years out of it.

Cross out option 2. Its really a waste unless your really obsessed with the apple look. I'd leave it to 2,3,4,5 really. Maybe 6. The NEC LC 2490WUXI-BK has the highest quality panel of them all probably followed by the 3008wfp.

 

[bearcatrp]

The dells are pretty good. I have the 2408 and works great. On another note, to get more life out of your mac pro, the processors aren't that hard to change to an octo. I went from 2ghz quad to 2.33 octo. About 2 hours to do. Check out in this forum for details to do it.

 

[UltraNEO*]

Cross out option 2. Its really a waste unless your really obsessed with the apple look. I'd leave it to 2,3,4,5 really. Maybe 6. The NEC LC 2490WUXI-BK has the highest quality panel of them all probably followed by the 3008wfp.

Just my 2¢

I used to think the Dell 3008wfp (pics going up on my flickr soon) was good after reading all the reviews but now I've finally gotten one, I think the ACD 30" is by far much better!! I come down to this mostly due to the high cost and low build quality of the Dell but if the cabinet finish isn't something that concerns you, you might wanna go for the Dell as it's much more flexible.

BUT.. for colour accuracy I'd definitely go with the ACD because outta the box, it's colours are great! Unlike the Dell, you don't have to messabout with configuring the display to match colour profiles of different colour spaces and printers. Also, and the cost is only slightly more than the Dell but the quality of the finish is near perfect!!!

 

[MacCurry]

The dells are pretty good. I have the 2408 and works great. On another note, to get more life out of your mac pro, the processors aren't that hard to change to an octo. I went from 2ghz quad to 2.33 octo. About 2 hours to do. Check out in this forum for details to do it.

Did you say the Dell WFP2408? I have 2 of these at my office and they're fine for schematics/drawings and text, but they don't seem to be so good for photos as the color accuracy is off and is difficult to set. The 2408 is a TN panel if I'm correct? I preferred an S-IPS panel.

I also use a Dell 3007WFP at work and found that this was a decent S-IPS monitor and could pick one up, when coupons were around, for about $1100 delivered.

I'd like to upgrade to a Octo-core, but the cost would probably be nearly $1300 and the question is, is it worth it when my current quad-core works just fine and does everything I need it to. I also have Apple Care until Sep. 09, so I wouldn't upgrade until it expires.

 

[bearcatrp]

Yeah, wait till your off warrenty. You can find a pair of quads for under 500 unless you want the 3 ghz chips. Keep an eye on ebay. Since the new mac pros came out, the prices on clovertowns dropped.