Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

eHovick

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 4, 2010
4
0
Pennsylvania
Hey, for a combined birthday and Christmas Gift my mom and dad are going to be buying me a new computer monitor I can mount on my wall and hook up to my new 13" MacBook Pro.

Basically I get to tell them the exact one I want as long as it's not as expensive as the Apple Cinema Displays. What I want this monitor to have:

1) Be able to hook up to a MacBook Pro 13"
2) HD? Is it possible to get an HD Monitor so the graphics look as good as on my MBP screen?
3) AV Hook Ups so I could also hook up an xbox 360 to it
4) Wall Mount Ability so I can mount it to my wall in my room
5) I'm thinking around 24-30"

If anyone has any ideas on a good monitor for me please let me know! Also, what cables will I need to be able to hook up my MBP without it being to an Apple Display?

Thanks in advance.
 

Transporteur

macrumors 68030
Nov 30, 2008
2,729
3
UK
Dell 3008wfp or U3011. They come with all required inputs (including display port) and can be considered very good. Probably the best you can buy these days if you're not after that colour stuff.
 

dissolve

macrumors 6502a
Aug 23, 2009
546
0
When you say "not as expensive as the ACD," are you referring to the 27" model? If so, the Dell U3011 and even U2711 will be out of your budget. The Dell U2410 has gotten great reviews and is worth considering. It comes in at $600 off Dell's website. To address your questions in regard to this monitor:

1) Yes
2) It's a higher resolution than HD. Not LED so it won't be as bright.
3) HDMI inputs
4) Yes

Actually, those answers are true of all Dell's Ultrasharp series (from U2311h to U3011). Any will be a great choice.
 

eHovick

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 4, 2010
4
0
Pennsylvania
When you say "not as expensive as the ACD," are you referring to the 27" model? If so, the Dell U3011 and even U2711 will be out of your budget. The Dell U2410 has gotten great reviews and is worth considering. It comes in at $600 off Dell's website. To address your questions in regard to this monitor:

1) Yes
2) It's a higher resolution than HD. Not LED so it won't be as bright.
3) HDMI inputs
4) Yes

Actually, those answers are true of all Dell's Ultrasharp series (from U2311h to U3011). Any will be a great choice.

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LS27EFHKUV/ZA

How does that monitor look?
 

toxic

macrumors 68000
Nov 9, 2008
1,664
1
how important are viewing angles - do you need great consistency when viewing at an angle?
do you need color consistency?
does color gamut mean anything to you?
do you care if it's 16:9 or 16:10?
what are you using it for?

your Macbook Pro has a resolution of 1280x800. 20-22" monitors typically have 1680x1050 or the 16:9 equivalent. 23"+ will have 1920x1200 (or 16:9 equiv), and maybe even higher, depending on the panel type. 1920x1080 is 1080p.
 

eHovick

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 4, 2010
4
0
Pennsylvania
how important are viewing angles - do you need great consistency when viewing at an angle?
do you need color consistency?
does color gamut mean anything to you?
do you care if it's 16:9 or 16:10?
what are you using it for?

your Macbook Pro has a resolution of 1280x800. 20-22" monitors typically have 1680x1050 or the 16:9 equivalent. 23"+ will have 1920x1200 (or 16:9 equiv), and maybe even higher, depending on the panel type. 1920x1080 is 1080p.

To be honest with you, I don't care about viewing angle, and I'm not sure what color consistency, and gamut are. Not sure about 16:9 and 16:10, and I'll be using it for playing my Xbox 360. And regular computer usage. I like using a bigger screen. 13" is too small for me.
 

willieva

macrumors 6502
Mar 12, 2010
274
0
I currently use a dell 24" ultrasharp with my 13" mbp using the minidisplayport. I have also connected it to an xbox with hdmi. It works great for either purpose.

They're $600 but can often be found for $500 at dell.com.
 

dissolve

macrumors 6502a
Aug 23, 2009
546
0

I think your sacrificing by getting a 27" monitor that's only 1920x1080. You can get that same resolution on a 23" or 24" monitor without having a ridiculously high pixel pitch. Even though viewing angles aren't important, IPS panels are much better than the cheap TN panels. My recommendation is still a Dell Ultrasharp.

I'll admit I'm probably bias as I'm coming from a photography background where color accuracy is important. That's why I emphasize IPS panels over TN. But I still believe they are advantageous for non-photographers. If you are more interested in watching movies and playing games, then ignore my advice entirely. Look for a nice LED monitor for those purposes.
 

toxic

macrumors 68000
Nov 9, 2008
1,664
1
I think your sacrificing by getting a 27" monitor that's only 1920x1080. You can get that same resolution on a 23" or 24" monitor without having a ridiculously high pixel pitch. Even though viewing angles aren't important, IPS panels are much better than the cheap TN panels. My recommendation is still a Dell Ultrasharp.

the monitor will be mounted to a wall, so maybe a high pixel pitch isn't a bad thing... and 1920x1200/1080 is the highest resolution for a TN panel.

the OP said in a previous post that he's only using it for gaming and "regular computer usage", and doesn't care about viewing angles. I don't think an IPS panel is justified.
 

evilalien

macrumors newbie
Apr 6, 2009
5
0
Dell U2711

I love my new Dell U2711. IPS panel, 2460x1440 resolution, etc. You should never compare Dell's panels to anything else at their regular price. They have significant sales on so frequently that buying anything they sell at the normal price is foolish. I got mine for under $800. Compare it with Apple's 27" LED-backlist display, I'd happily save the $200-300 dollars and give up the LCD-backlighting. Everything else about the monitor is superiour.

0 dead pixels, 3 yr warranty... compare that with Apple's coverage.

My eventual plan is to pair it with a Mac Pro.
 

dissolve

macrumors 6502a
Aug 23, 2009
546
0
the monitor will be mounted to a wall, so maybe a high pixel pitch isn't a bad thing... and 1920x1200/1080 is the highest resolution for a TN panel.

the OP said in a previous post that he's only using it for gaming and "regular computer usage", and doesn't care about viewing angles. I don't think an IPS panel is justified.

That's a good point. OP, if you're going TN, I think you should really look into LED monitors. The downsides to that technology won't matter for your uses. I think it will really improve the quality of movies and games. I don't have any specific recommendations as I haven't researched these types of models, but stick with a well-reviewed brand and you should be good.
 

TheStork

macrumors 6502
Dec 28, 2008
294
190
Newegg has the Samsung for $222

Here's the Newegg link. Unfortunately, it's got a TN screen, rather than a IPS which is what the better monitors use. So, if you like the Samsung, Newegg's price looks to be VG. Search Tom's Hardware for a review and/or users comments. Or Google it.

BTW, does you MBP have a miniDisplayPort for an external monitor or a DVI?

Every Dell monitor I've had, a friend had or have read about needs calibrating. If you get a Dell, get an UltraSharp as it comes with calibration paper. Refurb's don't come with the factory calibration paper. So, if you buy a Dell, find a local shop to calibrate it on your MBP or buy a calibrating tool.

I'd also look at the HP zr24w if a 24" screen size with 1960x1200 is OK with you. It uses the IPS technology and can be found as little as the low $300 range w/rebate (MacMall had a rebated which ended 31 Oct). Using a Google product search, Amazon & MacMall currently have it for $399.99.

If you're not in a hurry, watch for the upcoming sales at Amazon, Newegg and others.
 

mcpryon2

macrumors 6502a
Dec 12, 2008
505
88
I'm curious, do you actually need a monitor? I say this because if you just want a bigger screen and want to use it for your 360 for gaming, an HDTV might be fitting, too.

The resolution will only be 1920x1080, but computers can look pretty good on HDTVs nowadays. I use 47" and 65" HDTVs for doing presentations in rooms where a projector setup isn't practical and they do just fine.

It's something to consider.
 

drs6222

macrumors newbie
Nov 17, 2010
16
0
I'm curious, do you actually need a monitor? I say this because if you just want a bigger screen and want to use it for your 360 for gaming, an HDTV might be fitting, too.

The resolution will only be 1920x1080, but computers can look pretty good on HDTVs nowadays. I use 47" and 65" HDTVs for doing presentations in rooms where a projector setup isn't practical and they do just fine.

It's something to consider.


I am curious on this too. I want to buy a 36-40" TV to mount on my wall above my mac book pro (havent bought yet)

If I was to buy a 36" TV, would HD movies look good playing on it via my macbook?
 

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Sep 16, 2008
2,385
460
I have a 27" Samsung monitor that I am trying out as well as a 21.5" Samsung monitor. These are connected to my 13" 2010 MBP

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11537790&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|84|1680&N=4047243&Mo=17&No=1&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=1680&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod1380081&navAction=push

The 27 is pretty awesome. Very clear, bright, and massive of course. Looks better with the DVI connector than the HDMI. Once in a while when I wake the MBP, I get a snowy screen though for maybe 20 seconds or so. Running at 1920 x 1080.

The 21.5 is pretty nice too. Very sharp and clear. DVI input only. My only complaint though is that does not let me select 1920 x 1080 in the Mac display settings. Only up to 1600 x 900 and 1600 x 1200 (which would be squished). I does let me select 1080p, but something seems weird at that selection (maybe a different refresh rate or something)? I don't get why native 1920 x 1080 is not listed like on the 27" version.

Having a hard time which one to keep.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.