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Did a search on monitors for MP, still confused

Luba

Luba

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Apr 22, 2009
1,820
389
At first I was all set in getting Apple's 24" LED back-lit monitor then I find out I can't buy and use the GTX285 GPU with it since Apple's monitor is only via MiniDisplay Port. An Apple Specialist says MiniDisplay Port is better.

I like Apple's monitor because it's pretty and it has the web cam built in to the monitor for iChat. I don't need my monitor to have speakers since I have the BOSE Companion 5. I was all set in getting a MP with just the Radeon 4870 since that's quite powerful for gaming, although I know the GTX 285 is better.

I am looking for a sharp, at least HD resolution (1900 x 1200) monitor in the 24" range. After doing a search, seems like H-IPS type is the best. I don't need it to have speakers, although if it had a webcam built in that would be great. I read Eizo is good and that Apple's are over-priced (and sometimes has real bugs (insects) in it). I am prepared to spend $800 (Educator's discount) for the 24" Apple display, but if I can get a third party display that's a better quality, I'll do it. :)

Any feedback, opinions, recommendations will be greatly appreciated!!
 
Luba Cox said:
I am prepared to spend $800 (Educator's discount) for the 24" Apple display, but if I can get a third party display that's a better quality, I'll do it. :)
Click to expand...

Hello,

Others will probably chime in with many suggestions, but I'll simplify it in two terms:

If you're not doing professional (i.e. you earn a living) photography of color-critical video, then Apple's LED display is overkill.

If you are, then you should already know what you need (probably a Ezio).

...it's strange to hear high-end gaming and high-end displays at the same time.

Loa
 
Recommendations for gaming and quality - my monitor. Doublesight DS-263N. 16 ms lag (average, thanks to ToastyX on [H]ard for tests). Bad news is they aren't made anymore... The DS-265W replaced it. Also, it doesn't do well for running non-native resolutions, and particularily for non 16:10 resolutions.

The Planar PX2611 is mad by the same OEM (same panel, same scalar (probably), and same enclosure), and priced around the same area as the Apple monitor. The only difference is that some of the 263Ns have a special polarizer (like mine) that shows up in the NEC varient of this series. You could give the Planar a try if you can afford the Apple display; the NEC has greater lag then the PX2611 and the DS-263N

In addition, MiniDisplayPort is not better. The DisplayPort standard IS better, but Apple's proprietary usage has dulled the 24" ACD to a toy for people with laptops, IMO.

EDIT - All these monitors are 26".
 
That's good news. I thought for high-end gaming I would need a high-end display.

Going to get a good GPU either the Radeon 4870 or the GTX 285, already have the BOSE Companion 5 for good sound. Now I just need a display. :)



Loa said:
Hello,

Others will probably chime in with many suggestions, but I'll simplify it in two terms:

If you're not doing professional (i.e. you earn a living) photography of color-critical video, then Apple's LED display is overkill.

If you are, then you should already know what you need (probably a Ezio).

...it's strange to hear high-end gaming and high-end displays at the same time.

Loa
Click to expand...
 
Luba Cox said:
That's good news. I thought for high-end gaming I would need a high-end display.

Going to get a good GPU either the Radeon 4870 or the GTX 285, already have the BOSE Companion 5 for good sound. Now I just need a display. :)
Click to expand...

You can get DVI to mini display port adapters, so the GTX 285 is totally still an option.

Honestly, you might not want to do this, but the Dell brand monitors are fantastic. The pannels are really high quality, the only 'problem' is they say dell on them, but honestly they're some of the best for your buck out there.
 
TK2K said:
You can get DVI to mini display port adapters, so the GTX 285 is totally still an option.
Click to expand...

I didn't think there were any DVI -> Mini DisplayPort female adapters available yet. I know there's the adapter that goes the other way (Mini DisplayPort -> DVI) on the Apple store, but I thought the adapter that would allow the use of the 24" ACD with Mac's or PC's with a DVI output only wasn't available anywhere at this time.

I hope I'm wrong, and if I am, where can I get this adapter ?
 
vermintrex said:
I didn't think there were any DVI -> Mini DisplayPort female adapters available yet. I know there's the adapter that goes the other way (Mini DisplayPort -> DVI) on the Apple store, but I thought the adapter that would allow the use of the 24" ACD with Mac's or PC's with a DVI output only wasn't available anywhere at this time.

I hope I'm wrong, and if I am, where can I get this adapter ?
Click to expand...

I swear i saw one a while ago.. i'll keep a look out
 
Luba Cox said:
At first I was all set in getting Apple's 24" LED back-lit monitor then I find out I can't buy and use the GTX285 GPU with it since Apple's monitor is only via MiniDisplay Port. An Apple Specialist says MiniDisplay Port is better.

I like Apple's monitor because it's pretty and it has the web cam built in to the monitor for iChat. I don't need my monitor to have speakers since I have the BOSE Companion 5. I was all set in getting a MP with just the Radeon 4870 since that's quite powerful for gaming, although I know the GTX 285 is better.

I am looking for a sharp, at least HD resolution (1900 x 1200) monitor in the 24" range. After doing a search, seems like H-IPS type is the best. I don't need it to have speakers, although if it had a webcam built in that would be great. I read Eizo is good and that Apple's are over-priced (and sometimes has real bugs (insects) in it). I am prepared to spend $800 (Educator's discount) for the 24" Apple display, but if I can get a third party display that's a better quality, I'll do it. :)

Any feedback, opinions, recommendations will be greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Apple's 24" LED display is aimed at consumers, not professionals. The Mini DisplayPort isn't that great, and can cause great difficulties just getting it connected to anything other than Apple's products. You don't need a professional monitor for gaming, browsing,...either. Even if you had a use for a professional monitor, you'd never find an Eizo for $800. :eek: Not even close. :(

You'd be better off with the HP2475 if you insist on IPS. Otherwise, you might want to look at Dell's 2408wfp. Both are a sight cheaper (less than your listed budget), and are decent according to reviews and users that I've seen post here or other forums. :)

Given the current status of the Mini DisplayPort, it would be far easier to use the DVI connector. At least it would be usable with any monitor you choose. Especially handy with 3rd party monitors. :D :p

Good Luck. :)
 
It sounds like for your uses a consumer monitor is more the way to go
 
It's a good thing to research products before you buy, but remember where you're getting the information from. An "Apple Specialist" is likely to push the MiniDisplay Port functionality on you, but as a technical standard it's almost nonexistant (even moreso outside of Apple computers). They're likely pushing the technology in order to coerce enough people to adopt it so it becomes mainstream.

For "high end gaming," the most important aspect is a power video card. Using a "high end" monitor alongside it is rarely the best option for performance--and certainly is not required for playing technically demanding video games, such as Crysis. The higher resolution you're using, the more difficult it becomes to render complex graphics in that space. It's easier to show the same polygon models in a 800x600 pixel window than it would be to show in a 1900x1200 screen. That ease of processing usually results in smoother framerates and a less "laggy" experience. The typical tradeoff is lowering the advanced graphical affects (such as anti-aliasing polygon edges) in order to maintain a smooth framerate at high resolutions. 1900x1200 is a very large resolution to render advanced games--a 4870 GPU would still be very satisfying, but it depending on the game it would be expected to lower advanced processing effects in order to maintain an acceptable frames-per-second ratio.

$800 is a lot to spend on a monitor any way you cut it. My advice would be to search online retailers such as Newegg.com for a 24" monitor that fits your specifications (this will probably run you $500 or less, shipped), and spend $80 on a high quality webcam. It won't have the shiny "Apple finish", but your experience will be padded by about $300 or so. ;)

Hope that helps.
 
TK2K said:
The panels are really high quality, the only 'problem' is they say dell on them
Click to expand...

I am buying a Dell monitor. Maybe I can paint the name out.
w00t.gif
 
Ok, this is all good news to me. So I can get either the Radeon 4870 or the GTX 285 card and use 3rd party monitors from Dell or HP. But with the Radeon 4870, I need to buy an adapter to go from MiniDisplayPort to DVI?

The GTX 285 is all set to go with DVI.

In the HDTV world I know that HDMI inputs are better than S-Video which is better than componets, and that RCA plugs the worst. With all the various inputs for monitors DVI, MiniDisplayPort, DisplayPort etc., is there one format that's superior to all others? Or perhaps it's like the world of cell phone chargers . . . simply a different plug doing the same thing with the same efficiency/quality.
 
I purchased a HP LP2475W monitor for my Mac Pro and love it!
Click to expand...

I'll readily recommend the LP2475w as well. IPS panel, fairly good controls, lots of inputs - and they can be had for under $600 each.

I bought two of them.

Ok, this is all good news to me. So I can get either the Radeon 4870 or the GTX 285 card and use 3rd party monitors from Dell or HP. But with the Radeon 4870, I need to buy an adapter to go from MiniDisplayPort to DVI?

The GTX 285 is all set to go with DVI.

In the HDTV world I know that HDMI inputs are better than S-Video which is better than componets, and that RCA plugs the worst. With all the various inputs for monitors DVI, MiniDisplayPort, DisplayPort etc., is there one format that's superior to all others? Or perhaps it's like the world of cell phone chargers . . . simply a different plug doing the same thing with the same efficiency/quality.
Click to expand...

You're even mixed up in the TV world, at least a little bit...

In general, HDMI > Component (Y/Pb/Pr) > S-Video (Y/C) > Composite Video.

But the picture quality of HDMI vs. component video is debatable. HDMI gained wide usage mostly because of its ability to protect content through DRM.

Getting back to computers, DisplayPort is a technically superior technology to DVI. The current problem is that Apple is the only major manufacturer adopting the ports currently and they're using shrunk-down port at that.

Right now, I'd find it really hard to discern the difference between DisplayPort and DVI with current display technology.
 
Hmmm, the HP LP2475W is more than $200 less than Apple's 24" (for me it's $800). MacWorld and everybody loves it, only problem it doesn't have iSight or a webcam built in. Don't need it to have speakers since I have that already. It's anti-glare which I think I would like better. Glassy/glossy didn't bother me in the Apple store but definitely noticed the reflections.

Real world DVI is the same as miniDisplay Port, and if I get the GTX 285 for gaming instead of the Radeon 4870 then I can't use Apple's display anyway.

Just curious, is miniDisplayPort technology as good as DisplayPort? or the same?


CaptainChunk said:
I'll readily recommend the LP2475w as well. IPS panel, fairly good controls, lots of inputs - and they can be had for under $600 each.

I bought two of them.



You're even mixed up in the TV world, at least a little bit...

In general, HDMI > Component (Y/Pb/Pr) > S-Video (Y/C) > Composite Video.

But the picture quality of HDMI vs. component video is debatable. HDMI gained wide usage mostly because of its ability to protect content through DRM.

Getting back to computers, DisplayPort is a technically superior technology to DVI. The current problem is that Apple is the only major manufacturer adopting the ports currently and they're using shrunk-down port at that.

Right now, I'd find it really hard to discern the difference between DisplayPort and DVI with current display technology.
Click to expand...
 
Wow, 30" and it needs two DVI connections to power it! Right now, I think 24" is big, 30" is huge! Gaming on a 30" would be interesting. :) And I see going to 30" a jump in price :)

Topper said:
3007WFP-HC
.
Click to expand...
 
Luba Cox said:
Wow, 30" and it needs two DVI connections to power it! Right now, I think 24" is big, 30" is huge! Gaming on a 30" would be interesting. :) And I see going to 30" a jump in price :)
Click to expand...

Just a small jump in price.
smile.gif


I admit that two things worry me more than the price.
1. Even though I've got a powerful GTX 285 to run the monitor, does it have enough power to run X-Plane at it's highest renderings on such a high resolution monitor?
2. 30 inches covers a lot of real estate. How far back do I have to sit in order to use it?
.
 
What do you think of the Dell SP2309W 23" Flat Panel Widescreen Monitor with WebCam? It is only $300, seems to good to be true. Is it a good monitor, in the same league as the HP LP2475w or the Apple 24" LED display?

I can definitely live with the 23" just can't believe it's only $300.

Topper said:
Just a small jump in price.
smile.gif


I admit that two things worry me more than the price.
1. Even though I've got a powerful GTX 285 to run the monitor, does it have enough power to run X-Plane at it's highest renderings on such a high resolution monitor?
2. 30 inches covers a lot of real estate. How far back do I have to sit in order to use it?
.
Click to expand...
 
Luba Cox said:
Hmmm, the HP LP2475W is more than $200 less than Apple's 24" (for me it's $800). MacWorld and everybody loves it, only problem it doesn't have iSight or a webcam built in. Don't need it to have speakers since I have that already. It's anti-glare which I think I would like better. Glassy/glossy didn't bother me in the Apple store but definitely noticed the reflections.
Click to expand...
Just add a 3rd party web cam, and you're done. ;) It's still cheaper than the 24" LED ACD. :eek: :D
Luba Cox said:
Just curious, is miniDisplayPort technology as good as DisplayPort? or the same?
Click to expand...
Different connector, same standard. :)
 
Well I've put a deposit on a HP LP2475w. The reseller I'm dealing with (NCIX) doesn't stock them so they are trying to source one within their 2-3 day delivery commitment. Don't mean to hijack the thread, just wanted to add that as a fellow consumer and purchase researcher I've decided that this particular monitor seems like the best bet quality/price wise as an entry level professional / high-end consumer model.

I'll be sure to give some feedback once it's in my hands and I've had some time to mess with it. First it'll be driven by a MBP unibody, soon to be driven by a Mac Pro, whenever I decide on Quad or Octo.
 
Luba Cox said:
What do you think of the Dell SP2309W 23" Flat Panel Widescreen Monitor with WebCam? It is only $300, seems to good to be true. Is it a good monitor, in the same league as the HP LP2475w or the Apple 24" LED display?

I can definitely live with the 23" just can't believe it's only $300.
Click to expand...

I don't know much about the SP2309W display.
The LP2475W gets very good reviews.
If it were me, I would be going for the LP2475W but that's because I like the larger real estate.
MacWorld certainly seems to like it.
 
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