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Mac Pro Monitor - Eizo or NEC - What are you using?

Desmo1098

Desmo1098

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 28, 2009
126
0
I want to invest in some other monitors other than Apple's Cinema Displays for reasons that do not need to be discussed. So with that being said I am looking for:

- at least 24"
- thin bezel
- resolution 1900 x 1200

What are you guys using with your Mac Pro? I was specifically looking at NEC and Eizo. Are there any users out there of Eizo and NEC who can recommend something?

I do not need "professional" grade monitors. However, I do not mind spending additional money for quality. I do some light work in Adobe Illustrator for business cards and website design, I do some light photoshop work as well. Again, I do not use these monitors to make money, but I spend a lot of time in front of them, so I want quality and consistency.

I do not want to hear from Dell, HP, or any other users regardless of specifications of price or quality. I only want Eizo and NEC users.

Thanks in advance!
 
NEC MultiSync LCD2690WUXi

Absolutely love my new monitor.

Flawless.

:D
 
I've used NECs in the past, but the low-end business grade. I'll be moving to this -> http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/nec_pa241w.htm NEC PA241 <- when I pick up my MP in the next month or so. I've gone through a bunch of reviews at the above site and also at http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/reviews.html. In general the Eizo's sound a touch more uniform/quieter/polished than the NEC's, but at quite a premium.

Even still, the NEC i'm looking at is ~1100-1300 depending on whether you order their Spectraview puck/software. If you aren't doing colour critical work (I print photographs), then this is probably overkill. It is a 10-bit display though, so once OS-X and ATI catch up you'll be ready for billions of colours instead of millions :)
 
NEC 2490WUXi

Though I don't do graphics work, its a great monitor (I do keep it calibrated with a puck). Massively better on my eyes than consumer models (far far fewer headaches from eye strain).

Big difference in the quality, and worth it IMO (monitor can be transfered from one system to another longer than most any other component, so the initial cost divides out by enough time it's not as hard to handle).

BTW, the current version is the 2490WUXi2 (eliminated the polarization filter IIRC).
 
I use Eizo's CG series @ work. I love my 30" It is crystal clear and uniform 1900x1200. Native rez it just too small. A 21 step gray scale is so smooth. We bought them when times were good. At home it's a different story but you said you did not want to hear about "those brands"
 
Thank you for the responses and keeping the thread on point. Thank you also dimme for not mentioning those other brands, I appreciate it.

Keep the comments coming...
 
@nanofrog

What is the function of the polarization filter?
 
DoFoT9 said:
wouldnt those features be better off for "presentation monitors" ? i cant really see a singular user needing those features, right?
Click to expand...
By getting rid of unwanted reflections (glare), you get a more accurate image from the source to the eye in the case of a monitor. It also happens to reduce eye fatigue (eye remains more relaxed as it's not trying to filter out the glare as well as focus on the image) and filter out UVA and UVB frequencies (both are better for long term eye health).
 
My two cents - Eizo screens are excellent (I use the CG range and also the older CE) but you also pay for the colour accuracy to a huge extent (ie: a new 24" Eizo CG243W costs around £1200, and the new CG245W is £1500). My recommendation would be for a cheaper, but still high quality, NEC screen as it will produce the high quality you're after, without hitting the professional cost end of the market.


If you're still insisting on Eizo, their Flexscan range may suit
http://shop.colourconfidence.com/product.php?xProd=1933&xSec=10312 - 30"
http://shop.colourconfidence.com/product.php?xProd=2752&xSec=10312 - 24"
 
nanofrog said:
By getting rid of unwanted reflections (glare), you get a more accurate image from the source to the eye in the case of a monitor. It also happens to reduce eye fatigue (eye remains more relaxed as it's not trying to filter out the glare as well as focus on the image) and filter out UVA and UVB frequencies (both are better for long term eye health).
Click to expand...

are extra filters required inside where there is likely no external light coming in? even with my glossy iMac screen, a few fluorescent lights on overhead, and the brightness all the way up (or all the way down) i never see any glare that effects me to the point that im self conscious about it.
 
NEC LCD3090WQXi

Been using a NEC MultiSync LCD3090WQXi 30" for a few years. Excellent monitor, calibrated every few weeks using the spectraview software and the USB colorimeter sensor (Macbeth?).
 
DoFoT9 said:
are extra filters required inside where there is likely no external light coming in? even with my glossy iMac screen, a few fluorescent lights on overhead, and the brightness all the way up (or all the way down) i never see any glare that effects me to the point that im self conscious about it.
Click to expand...
Required?

No, as you still get an image, whether a polarizer is there or not. What it the filter does with the light (backlighting = light source), improves the contrast of the image.

As per reflections from external lighting (i.e. over-head fluorescents), a coating is necessary to assist with that (i.e. anti-reflective coatings = products listed as Matte Screen). Glossy tends to indicate such coatings aren't present (saves on cost, and presumably is reflected in the MSRP).
 
nanofrog said:
Required?

No, as you still get an image, whether a polarizer is there or not. What it the filter does with the light (backlighting = light source), improves the contrast of the image.

As per reflections from external lighting (i.e. over-head fluorescents), a coating is necessary to assist with that (i.e. anti-reflective coatings = products listed as Matte Screen). Glossy tends to indicate such coatings aren't present (saves on cost, and presumably is reflected in the MSRP).
Click to expand...
Hmm maybe I am not fussy enough then. Ive yet to run into any problems so far with glare etc, but then again I do live in a dark room. :cool:

So the polariser will just remove incoming light from external sources, and leave outgoing light (from the monitor) going to your eyes?

ghostchild said:
NEC for me hasnt failed me once like my hp and apples have in the past.
Click to expand...
What apple monitor had you used in the past? The cinema displays? I always thought they were pretty good, I know they are outdated now though..
 
DoFoT9 said:
So the polariser will just remove incoming light from external sources, and leave outgoing light (from the monitor) going to your eyes?
Click to expand...
No, it's meant to filter the backlight within the monitor itself before light passes from the monitor to your eyes (improves the image contrast). The Anti-reflective coating (if the monitor has this), is meant to reduce glare from room lighting on the panel (desk lamps, over-head lighting,... from hitting the screen and bouncing back to your eyes as well as the image).
 
nanofrog said:
No, it's meant to filter the backlight within the monitor itself before light passes from the monitor to your eyes (improves the image contrast). The Anti-reflective coating (if the monitor has this), is meant to reduce glare from room lighting on the panel (desk lamps, over-head lighting,... from hitting the screen and bouncing back to your eyes as well as the image).
Click to expand...

oh - i understand now! are these polarisers customisable after purchase - as each person would be different i imagine?
 
DoFoT9 said:
are these polarisers customisable after purchase - as each person would be different i imagine?
Click to expand...
No, they're built into the monitor during manufacture, as are the AR coatings.

But there are films available with this coating that can be applied to glossy screens (not coated with an Anti Reflective material during manufacture). I've never used them, so don't know how well they'd perform.
 
nanofrog said:
No, they're built into the monitor during manufacture, as are the AR coatings.

But there are films available with this coating that can be applied to glossy screens (not coated with an Anti Reflective material during manufacture). I've never used them, so don't know how well they'd perform.
Click to expand...

would make it a bit hard for professionals i guess if they dont see the monitor - you have the NEC high end one IIRC? how do you like it?
 
DoFoT9 said:
would make it a bit hard for professionals i guess if they dont see the monitor - you have the NEC high end one IIRC? how do you like it?
Click to expand...
It's hard to know what you're buying for monitors sight unseen, but is how I have to buy professional monitors (nothing local that actually carries them; if a dealer is located, they don't keep a display unit on hand).

As per the model I have, it's an NEC LCD2490WUXi, and I really like it (previously used Eizo Nanao's, but their pricing has gotten too high for my tastes).
 
For those that are using NEC, how have you found their technical support to be. When and if you have had a problem has it been easy to work with them? How about sending the equipment in for repair. As far as I know they are in Indiana which is soothing to know I can work with someone in this country. Any feedback?

The reason I started this thread is because I currently use an Apple 30" Cinema Display. I was going to buy another one because they are going to be discontinued soon, if they have not already. Personally, I believe the Apple 30" Cinema Display for $1799 is really a great deal! I mean people complain all the time that its outdated, etc... Most time when a product has been around this long the technology and manufacturing process along with quality control has been perfected. I mean if you look at NEC or Eizo for a 30" screen you cannot come close to the price of the Apple display. I think there might be one from NEC that comes close. But again, with Apple when I have a problem, I drive it down to the retail store, which is 5 minutes away.

I am leaning towards the NEC's because they have a nice design, well made, and come with a 4 year warranty which is very nice. In addition I have spoke with them on the phone and as I mentioned they are in Indiana so I have a good feeling there. I would order the Apple 27" Cinema Display, but the glassy screen is a huge turn off and causes me terrible eye strain.
 
Desmo1098 said:
For those that are using NEC, how have you found their technical support to be. When and if you have had a problem has it been easy to work with them? How about sending the equipment in for repair. As far as I know they are in Indiana which is soothing to know I can work with someone in this country. Any feedback?
Click to expand...
I've never had to use it with any NEC monitor I've ever used (years ago, and my current LCD2490WUXi; between period = Eizo Nanao), so I can't say one way or the other these days (never used Eizo Nanao's warranty or support either).

I bought my current NEC as a Refurbished unit (not sure if it ever had anything wrong with it, or was just a return), but I've never had a problem with it. Saved a decent amount of cash on it though. ;)

Though not the answer you were looking for, hopefully it helps (quality is high enough you probably won't ever have to). :eek: :D
 
nanofrog said:
It's hard to know what you're buying for monitors sight unseen, but is how I have to buy professional monitors (nothing local that actually carries them; if a dealer is located, they don't keep a display unit on hand).
Click to expand...
oh yeh i certainly know the feeling. i would have to travel to Sydney (1000km away) to find a NEC screen, there is nothing around my area for professionals

As per the model I have, it's an NEC LCD2490WUXi, and I really like it (previously used Eizo Nanao's, but their pricing has gotten too high for my tastes).
Click to expand...
prices increased yet quality didnt? all too similar story of late :( that Nanao's sounds very familiar to your name btw :p
 
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