Why is my advice weird? You can still use `less good' displays for things like palettes, browser windows, etc. That's how I use my MacBook Pro's screen.
I don't think you understand the difference between a glossy (or glassy) and a matte display: matte display have additional layers between the panel and the eye that disperse incident light. These additional layers also absorb light and thus reduce contrast and gamut. To claim a glassy screen cannot be calibrated accurately is false.
Why are you assuming that the OP falls under the category of people that necessarily need a $3k or $5k display? I find that ridiculous. Judging by the OP's post, I don't think (s)he is. Furthermore, there are plenty of people who work professionally with `lesser displays.' Any professional who works on the road with a notebook (whether its display glossy, glassy or matte doesn't matter), for instance.
I speak from personal experience: I very much like the quality (image quality and mechanical quality) of my Eizo. I've been very deliberate when deciding on a display. I have no experience with $2.5k+ displays, though. I just don't think displays in such a high price range are relevant to this thread (@OP please correct me if I'm wrong here).
(Besides, there is a difference between Eizo (or rather: quality) and many other companies: they require tighter tolerances when they purchase components such as panels. Even if the panel is identical, that still makes an overall difference.)
I'm not assuming, nor EVER assumed, that the OP falls into the category of needing a $3K display. As a matter of fact, I said he did not. Another poster whom I quoted earlier stated "anything other than an Eizo is simply inferior". I was quoting him, not you in my initial reply. I was never referring to you at all in the first place. You in fact, came along and questioned my price quote on an Eizo. Your claim that a $1000 dollar Eizo is comparable to an $1500 NEC is in fact, ridiculous. Maybe you should read up on the thread and see where I stated that spending $5K on an Eizo was in fact ridiculous. What I meant, in fact, is that if the OP was even cosnidering an Eizo, he can get a comparable screen for FAR less.
I never directed ANYTHING towards you, until you questioned me. But if you want to question me, then I will state the facts whether you like it or not.
And yes, I understand the difference between a glossy, glassy, matte display. I do this for a living. Do you? And no a glossy, glassy display can not be calibrated with the accuracy of a matte screen. Sorry. Do you also think the little Apple calibration utility is an acceptable form of calibration?
You seem to have convinced yourself that you know everything and appear to desperately need someone to reaffirm it for you. I will not. You'd probably be better off on Model Mayhem or RetouchPro or some other joke site where all the members argue, basically for a living I guess, as they never accomplish anything.
And yes, you may see a professional "on the road" with a laptop (GOD this is getting boring) and glossy screen. What would you expect, them to drag a 26" monitor around the world with them? But you are confusing temporary covenience with accuracy. And sometimes convenience has to win out in a situation like that. I guarantee that a professional photographer does not turn in those final images to a publication that have been manipulated on that laptop screen. Or a glassy or glossy screen. As a matter of fact, a published, professional photographer will NEVER retouch his own images. It is a stigma in the business that a photographer who "edits" his own images has issues and can lose out on jobs. That is why there are us retouchers. And professional retouchers do not, EVER retouch for a living on a glossy/glassy/laptop screen EVER. Sorry. You have no clue as to industry standards and how they are reached, and the the consequences when they are not reached, I suppose.
You can "research" all you want. Internet is full of "experts" who do nothing more than research until their eyes bleed, and think they know it all. Problem is just that, they know it all. Yet have no real world applicable experience.
The facts are simply this: I preofessionally retouch for a living, day in, day out for print/publication. My wife is a professional photo agent who represents some of the most succesful and sought after photographers who shoot for major publication and celebrity work. Chances are when you see an image on the front of a magazine, one of her photographers has shot that image. And/or, I have retouched it. You will NEVER see a professional use ANY of the screens that you claim are "good enough". I see and go to shoots on almost a daily basis and work daily on these images. If someone is paying you $2000 to retouch an image, and inquire on your monitor (it does happen), and you tell them what type of monitor YOU say will work, they will walk away.
I am not trying to be pompous or rude, or show off, I could care less about whether or not anyone knows what I do. I do it because I'm good at it, enjoy my work, and because I'm my own boss. And I'm not making some slob rich while he pays me slave wages (I've been an in house retoucher and paid my dues). But I know my business. And what I am stating is FACT.
Again, my post in regards to the Eizo didn't even involve you. But if you wish to jump in and persist in trying to TELL me what is correct, then you simply will not win this argument. But I suppose if you keep telling yourself that you can do enough "research" to know it all, then eventually you will. Seems like you've already convinced yourself that you are the "internent genius" though, so good job.
Finally, I simply came into this thread, while taking a break one evening, saw a post asking for adivce on monitors, and thought I might offer some assistance. I saw a person in this thread stating the OP must have an Eizo and stated that he in fact did not. I did not come in here to argue. But I will defend myself. I'm done. Sometimes, it's just smarter to walk away.
Again, if anyone is looking for say an NEC or any monitor for that matter, try the manufacturers website, they will usually have some great deals.
