ACD alternatives: LaCie, Eizo, Nec, HP --which one are you using/considering?

[nanofrog]

Another vote for NEC. I've got a flat screen CRT that's very pretty still (No rounded edges!), and more recently, an LCD for my PC. Couldn't tell you about how color accurate it is though, as accurate color doesn't help you get head shots.

They tick all the right boxes, review well, and are priced nicely. All in all, it really does seem like an award winning product. 😉

IIRC, digital skunk uses one (2490?), and indicated the color is quite accurate. 😀Though he does use a calibrator. 😛

 

[ObaMaciden]

They tick all the right boxes, review well, and are priced nicely. All in all, it really does seem like an award winning product. 😉

IIRC, digital skunk uses one (2490?), and indicated the color is quite accurate. 😀Though he does use a calibrator. 😛

Yup, nanofrog, I couldn't agree more. Early this afternoon, I received an ACD 23" from a friend. The S-IPS on it was quite nice, and though it's 15 months old, it's in near pristine condition. A few hour later the NEC 2690 arrived. Putting them side by side, I was just blown away with how much better the NEC was. The NEC's H-IPS panel allows superior view angle, is more vibrant, and has this simple to get to ECO mode that dims brightness down to conserve power/or in low light conditions--great for reading ebooks.

I'll admit that aesthetics-wise, I like the ACD better. And the awful blue light that is on to indicate that the NEC is on is my only complaint. Nonetheless, I managed to cut out a little piece of cardboard, black Sharpy'ed it, and covered the blue light. In fact it now looks like I have three inconspicuous buttons, instead of the existing two.

Well, LCD Jedi's, search no more, this is it, especially for the price $1004 from Amazon, free shipping, no sales tax!😉

 

[nanofrog]

Yup, nanofrog, I couldn't agree more. Early this afternoon, I received an ACD 23" from a friend. The S-IPS on it was quite nice, and though it's 15 months old, it's in near pristine condition. A few hour later the NEC 2690 arrived. Putting them side by side, I was just blown away with how much better the NEC was. The NEC's H-IPS panel allows superior view angle, is more vibrant, and has this simple to get to ECO mode that dims brightness down to conserve power/or in low light conditions--great for reading ebooks.

😎
Personally, I like getting info from first hand users. 🙂 It has an honesty that may be lacking in some formal reviews. 😉 Ye olde... must maintain cordial relations for advertising $$$. 😛

I'll admit that aesthetics-wise, I like the ACD better. And the awful blue light that is on to indicate that the NEC is on is my only complaint. Nonetheless, I managed to cut out a little piece of cardboard, black sharped it, and covered the blue light. In fact it now looks like I have three inconspicuous buttons, instead of two.

Aesthetics are nice, but I prefer not to sacrifice functionality for it. 😱 😀

Well, LCD Jedi's, search no more, this is it, especially for the price $1004 from Amazon, free shipping, no sales tax!😉

WOW! What a deal. 😀

I've been salivating over its slightly smaller brother (2490), and the best deal I've seen was $993.99. No taxes, but shipping is a little weird. You pay for it, and assuming UPS Ground, you can then submit a Rebate for up to $40.00. I've never seen this one before. 😱 😕

 

[djbahdow01]

NECs should be pretty color accurate as they are just LaCies in NEC branding. When I got one of my LaCie 321s (happened to be refurb), it came in a NEC Refurbished box. Same company just different products and specs.

 

[sash]

Early this afternoon, I received an ACD 23" from a friend. The S-IPS on it was quite nice, and though it's 15 months old, it's in near pristine condition. A few hour later the NEC 2690 arrived. Putting them side by side, I was just blown away with how much better the NEC was.

Hi ObaMaciden,

I'm afraid it's 100 % correct to compare a 1+ year old monitor to a brand new one. Of course the new one, featuring a newer technology, will be better. That being said, I think Apple should have updated their lineup long time ago. I'm not exactly getting why that doesn't happen...

By the way, which matrix (brand and type) are they using in the latest iMacs? The one I've bought recently (24") looks better (colour-wise) than my ACD 30" from 2006.

sash

 

[nanofrog]

Hi ObaMaciden,

I'm afraid it's 100 % correct to compare a 1+ year old monitor to a brand new one. Of course the new one, featuring a newer technology, will be better. That being said, I think Apple should have updated their lineup long time ago. I'm not exactly getting why that doesn't happen...

Comparison of older and just released products is normal, and does make sense. It gives a reference point by which to judge the new product that most people can relate. Not everyone translates the specs as well as a direct comparison.

However, just because new technology comes along, it doesn't mean it's better by default. 😱 Products may be changed for reasons other than improved performance. 🙁 "Cheap" certainly comes to mind. 🙄 😉

By the way, which matrix (brand and type) are they using in the latest iMacs? The one I've bought recently (24") looks better (colour-wise) than my ACD 30" from 2006.

sash

IIRC, the 24" iMac uses an H-IPS panel. Very nice. 🙂

 

[sash]

Comparison of older and just released products is normal, and does make sense.

Than I have used a wrong word. 'Judging' instead of 'comparing' would be better. H- in a newer NEC does make a difference.

IIRC, the 24" iMac uses an H-IPS panel. Very nice. 🙂

Than it makes sense. My 30" uses S- (if I'm correct). Hopefully, we'll see the updated lineup soon... along with the new MP (probably). January?

 

[nanofrog]

Than I have used a wrong word. 'Judging' instead of 'comparing' would be better. H- in a newer NEC does make a difference.

OK. Now I get the point you were trying to make. 😉 😛

Then it makes sense. My 30" uses S- (if I'm correct). Hopefully, we'll see the updated lineup soon... along with the new MP (probably). January?

IIRC, the 30" ACD is an S-IPS panel.

Hopefully the next ACD's will get the H-IPS panels. And LED back lighting tossed in for good measure, of course. 😉 😀

 

[Munix88]

Well, LCD Jedi's, search no more, this is it, especially for the price $1004 from Amazon, free shipping, no sales tax!😉

Whoa man seriously those things are getting cheap for how good they are. I got the same model just a few months ago (August I think) and the best price was $1200+shipping on Newegg.com. Age wise they are actually rather old but they sure don't show their age.

Speaking of design, I believe when they first came out with this model there was a white + silver one I've seen pictures of. I would've much rather had that to match my whole Apple setup but they probably haven't made them for a while as I could not find one in a single place.

If you want to feel even better about buying the NEC ObaMaciden check out this review of them. PRAD Monitor Reviews: NEC LCD2690WUXi

 

[ObaMaciden]

Hi ObaMaciden,

I'm afraid it's 100 % correct to compare a 1+ year old monitor to a brand new one. Of course the new one, featuring a newer technology, will be better. That being said, I think Apple should have updated their lineup long time ago. I'm not exactly getting why that doesn't happen...

By the way, which matrix (brand and type) are they using in the latest iMacs? The one I've bought recently (24") looks better (colour-wise) than my ACD 30" from 2006.

sash

Well sash, besides comparing an older, more experienced, veteran monitor nearing the end of its life to a newer, younger, with more black exterior monitor, my point was really that it brought change to my concept of "wow, look at that!", inspiring me to say, ""Yes, I can do this!"😎

I totally had no intention for it being a political statement.😉

 

[sash]

Well sash, besides comparing an older, more experienced, veteran monitor nearing the end of its life to a newer, younger, with more black exterior monitor,

Well ObaMaciden, an ACD is not THAT old!

my point was really that it brought change to my concept of "wow, look at that!", inspiring me to say, ""Yes, I can do this!"😎

I see nothing wrong with it, yes we can (and even may!), after comparing two monitors, choose the better one.

I totally had no intention for it being a political statement.😉

That's evident, you haven't.

 

[ObaMaciden]

That's evident, you haven't.

touché😛

Empirically, with full disclosure, I compared a brand new LCD of one brand to a used one of another brand, and reported my observations, period. If by replicating my comparison you get a different result, then you'd have a real point of contention. Anyway, what might be the take-home points from my observations?

As nanofrog suggested, a bunch of people out there with a used ACD may be wondering if it would be totally worth it to switch to a new LCD, even a non-snooty-looking brand such as an NEC. Anyone is free to experiment comparing their used ACD to ANY other LCD of any brand/condition and make up their own mind about the difference and reporting accordingly.

sash, are you discouraging people from reporting FACTS by insisting that there is only one "correct" way to compare products? Do you consider multi factor experiments not good enough for you?😱

In my case, I needed a dual monitor setup. So I splurged on the NEC, and bought a used ACD from a friend. Guess what, I'm keeping both, though I know the difference.😀

 

[sash]

sash, are you discouraging people from reporting FACTS by insisting that there is only one "correct" way to compare products?

Absolutely. There is only one correct way: mine.