Imac Glossy Screens

[mojopixel]

Hello,

I was looking at getting an iMac to some graphics work but apparently the glossy screen does not show "true colours" that a matte screen would. Is it possible to get a iMac and hook up an external monitor with a matte screen and use it to do graphics work with? Is this a good set up or is there something better? I can't afford a MP so that's why I'm asking.

cheers,

mp

 

[72930]

How about a refurb white iMac...

 

[wexford]

or a new white imac.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MA759LL...3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1196807855&sr=8-3

i just bought one last weekend. a pretty good deal.

 

[ktbubster]

Yes, having another monitor is possible with an imac, and would probably be a nice set up (lots of extra screen space to move things back and forth and such) I'd go with the 20 inch imac in that case and then a 20 inch external and make the two screens as close to even as possible and you'll have a nice dual screen setup.

a white imac would be a good idea too, they are plenty powerful enough and have matte screens and you can get good prices on them as well though, but in answer to your question, a dual monitor set up is perfectly possible

 

[mojopixel]

a white imac, interesting! does this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-MA589...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1196808065&sr=8-4 seem like a good deal?

 

[mojopixel]

Yes, having another monitor is possible with an imac, and would probably be a nice set up (lots of extra screen space to move things back and forth and such) I'd go with the 20 inch imac in that case and then a 20 inch external and make the two screens as close to even as possible and you'll have a nice dual screen setup.

a white imac would be a good idea too, they are plenty powerful enough and have matte screens and you can get good prices on them as well though, but in answer to your question, a dual monitor set up is perfectly possible

genius! that sounds great to me because I could have 1 screen for graphics stuff and another screen for wholesome web surfing and multimedia stuff. I might do that, when do the new ACDs come out?

 

[cxc]

genius! that sounds great to me because I could have 1 screen for graphics stuff and another screen for wholesome web surfing and multimedia stuff. I might do that, when do the new ACDs come out?

Nobody knows for sure but given the fact that Samsung, Dell, HP, NEC etc. are offering more for less it´s likely that Apple will step in shortly because right now there is no reason to buy any non 30in LCD from Apple (besides looks).

 

[Alloye]

I was looking at getting an iMac to some graphics work but apparently the glossy screen does not show "true colours" that a matte screen would.

Please don't fall for that myth. It simply isn't true. The only difference between equally spec'd matte and glossy LCD panels is their surface coating. A matte coating diffuses ambient light while a glossy coating reflects it.

 

[stracky]

i get better colours out of the new imac screen than any matte screen i have used. i use it for design work everyday. matte screens will dull your image, which is fine if you intend to print to low end colour lasers, but if you want to do print runs, broadcast or web work, just get the imac.

i was thinking of doing the dual screen with a matte screen, i got the 24" imac instead and im so glad i didnt do the dual screen thing, just to have a matte screen, cause it would have been a waste of money.

but if you do want to do dual screen, for design purposes... then get a proper design monitor, (not DELL, HP etcetc) or you will be wasting your money.

 

[mojopixel]

Please don't fall for that myth. It simply isn't true. The only difference between equally spec'd matte and glossy LCD panels is their surface coating. A matte coating diffuses ambient light while a glossy coating reflects it.

ok, what does that mean for me and other people doing graphics work? is there a benefit to having a glossy screen?

 

[mojopixel]

i get better colours out of the new imac screen than any matte screen i have used. i use it for design work everyday. matte screens will dull your image, which is fine if you intend to print to low end colour lasers, but if you want to do print runs, broadcast or web work, just get the imac.

i was thinking of doing the dual screen with a matte screen, i got the 24" imac instead and im so glad i didnt do the dual screen thing, just to have a matte screen, cause it would have been a waste of money.

but if you do want to do dual screen, for design purposes... then get a proper design monitor, (not DELL, HP etcetc) or you will be wasting your money.

ok, so what would be a good design monitor?

 

[Alloye]

is there a benefit to having a glossy screen?

Not really. I'm just saying you shouldn't accept the notion that matte displays render color more accurately than glossy ones. I personally have a 23" ACD (S-IPS, matte) parked next to my 24" Al iMac (H-IPS, glossy). After calibration, the two displays produce color that's identical for all intents and purposes.

Where the difference comes into play is when there is a large amount of ambient light cast directly on the panel. A matte display will diffuse the inbound light over its surface, which reduces glare but causes the transmitted image to wash out. A glossy display, on the other hand, will reflect the inbound light off its surface, which allows the transmitted image to remain vivid but with an increased potential for glare.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that matte and glossy are both acceptable for color-critical work as long as you maintain display calibration and exercise control over the ambient light around your workstation.