I have been a PC user for almost 20yrs and I finally decided to switch to Apple. I have just ordered a Mac Pro for my photographic hobby and I have difficulty making up my mind on which brand of LCD to purchase.
I am considering the apple 30" versus a new model HP 30" LCD. The HP is a much newer display and slightly cheaper here in Australia. Can anyone help me with my decision
Perry
Get a Samsung LCD. I mainly use a PC over a Mac but be warned any LCD you get with a Mac will require a calibrator which is another $180 to $200 to get the colours right for the Mac.
I use the Samsung 2253bw 22" which has a dynamic contrast of 8000:1 which is absolutely awesome.
Black is black unlike many out there with poor contrast levels.
Samsung has a 24" and 26" LCD with 1080p and 10,000:1 dynamic contrast which is worth a look at.
Before the 2253 I had the 2243 which I have to say is not as good as the 2253 for watching videos.
I use MagicTune (latest version for XP) and it worked well. No calibration required for XP.
Make sure you get one with a viewing angle of 178/178 as some are not so high where if you are off centre from viewing it doesn't look to good. Samsungs are pretty good with high viewing angles.
Samsung here in oz has a 3 year on site warranty which is adead pixel warranty. Get one single dead pixel and they'll come out and replace it. No other brand that I am aware of has a dead pixel warranty like Samsung does.
Samsung oz web site though does not have all the latest LCD screens, so you'll have to do some google searches for Samsung LCD in oz.
The Samsung 2253bw I own is 2ms responce time which is far better than the 2243bw with 5ms. 2ms and I do not see any blur with fast moving video.
I use my Samsungs for Photoshop CS3 Extended on both PC and a Mac. Mainly use the PC.
Samsung leaves the HP in its wake an dthe Apple for that matter.