I'm looking to purchase a 20" - 22" widescreen LCD monitor, and the cinema displays seem to be a bit too pricey for me. This is going to be used for FCS 2 as the primary monitor (my 17" MBP will be the secondary) I'm comfortable around 350 dollars. Component inputs would be nice as well.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
LCD monitor recommendations
- Thread starter graln1k
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
combatcolin
macrumors 68020
The Dell 24" is a bit more pricer than the round of 22" screens on the market but you do get a much large res (1920 * 1200 - bigger than 1080P!) and component for your money.
Dell has agreements with many schools to offer students discounts. Call Dell and ask if your school qualifies, or contact your school's IT department. You'll probably get about 10% off the retail price.
combatcolin
macrumors 68020
Get a student friend to distract the salesperson and then leg it with the nearest monitor?
😛
Samsung 206BW screens are nice, and they are 2ms panels so they are VERY fast.
We bought a bunch for the film that is happening at our production house.
We bought a bunch for the film that is happening at our production house.
I hear that only the S make of those monitors is good. Is there a way to know which one I'm getting before I open the box?
The S make? Maybe there is like an S series that you can look up but I have never heard of them.
Our editors like the screens for the response time and we have had no complaints.
Can't see anything alluding to an S series here...
http://www.samsung.com/au/products/monitors/index.asp
Our editors like the screens for the response time and we have had no complaints.
Can't see anything alluding to an S series here...
http://www.samsung.com/au/products/monitors/index.asp
Samsung SyncMaster 226BW
After doing some extensive research and taking my laptop around to several stores to test out monitors, I finally settled on the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW. It got spectacular reviews as well.
There is the whole worry about the A, C, or S models, but the one I received was none of the above. Manufactured after all that (one reason I purchased from Best Buy was to avoid getting stuck with something that's been in stock for a year or so). Regardless of what model you get, there is a nice little ColorSync profile that someone has made that you can use to adjust your monitor.
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1168121
I highly recommend this monitor. High refresh rate, great colors, sharp. Best VALUE out there. You essentially get a mid range monitor at low end prices.
After doing some extensive research and taking my laptop around to several stores to test out monitors, I finally settled on the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW. It got spectacular reviews as well.
There is the whole worry about the A, C, or S models, but the one I received was none of the above. Manufactured after all that (one reason I purchased from Best Buy was to avoid getting stuck with something that's been in stock for a year or so). Regardless of what model you get, there is a nice little ColorSync profile that someone has made that you can use to adjust your monitor.
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1168121
I highly recommend this monitor. High refresh rate, great colors, sharp. Best VALUE out there. You essentially get a mid range monitor at low end prices.
don't go with Samsung 226 BW
I recently went through the same decision you are currently going through and I have some advice...stay away from the 226BW! The S and A models look great, the C model is attrocious (and I hear there is another model out now as well...disgusting practice of Samsungs) After purchasing and returning (to the dismay of my local Best Buy staff) two 226BWs, I decided to go with the Samsung 226 CW, which I have been extremely happy with. The 226 CW is about $30 to $50 more than the BW, but because of it's "wide color gamut" is guaranteed to be produced in Samsung's factories (eliminating the problem of crappy panels from no name 3rd party manufacturers). You should definitely check out the 226 CW before you make your purchase.
Eric
I recently went through the same decision you are currently going through and I have some advice...stay away from the 226BW! The S and A models look great, the C model is attrocious (and I hear there is another model out now as well...disgusting practice of Samsungs) After purchasing and returning (to the dismay of my local Best Buy staff) two 226BWs, I decided to go with the Samsung 226 CW, which I have been extremely happy with. The 226 CW is about $30 to $50 more than the BW, but because of it's "wide color gamut" is guaranteed to be produced in Samsung's factories (eliminating the problem of crappy panels from no name 3rd party manufacturers). You should definitely check out the 226 CW before you make your purchase.
Eric
Thanks for all of your responses. I'm between the 2407WFP and the Samsung. The 2407 is 620 shipped on dell.com. Good price?
How can I play my Playstation 3 on my LCD monitor? Alright, My LCD monitor has DVI-D input, VGA, and a line-in jack. what cables do I need to hook up to play a PS3 or Xbox on it?
_________________
market samurai ~ marketsamurai ~ marketsamurai.com
_________________
market samurai ~ marketsamurai ~ marketsamurai.com
combatcolin
macrumors 68020
CaptainChunk
macrumors 68020
That really depends on the model. Dell's Ultrasharp line typically (but not ALWAYS, so check the specs first) uses higher-quality PVA and IPS panels, which are more color-accurate than the TN panels found in cheaper displays. Panel quality may be important to you if you intend on doing basic color correction work in your projects. Long story short, Dell doesn't make panels (and neither does Apple for that matter). They only build around them.
NEC has historically made excellent displays. The MultiSync 90 series is quite good, but it's a pro line and is priced accordingly. But the 2490 ($1,099) is handily one of the best 24" IPS-based displays money can buy.
Samsung is a mixed bag. They have a ton of cheaper TN-based panels that are typically stocked at local stores, but they also make more robust PVA-based models suited to higher-end users, for a price.
But anyway, IMHO, the two best quality 24" displays on a budget that you can currently buy are the Dell 2408WFP (PVA panel) and the HP LP2475w (IPS panel). They're both great-looking displays and have lots of features. Both can be had for under $600.
