Monitor recommendation for Mac Mini2,1 2007/2008

[patart]

I have a Mac Mini2,1 that I am going to replace my wife's old iMac with. The Mini is an amazing machine! I make my graphics living on it. However there are more and more Photoshop plugins etc. that need a better graphics card than my old Mini has so I will upgrade to a newer Mini i5 or i7 (that's another discussion about whether to pay up for the i7)

The question here is a good recommendation for a monitor for the older Mac Mini2,1. She mostly does word processing on it but got a new Canon Rebel that does an incredible job of video and would like it to look good. Apple Cinema displays are beautiful but are a little pricey for a computer that doesn't get a lot of use. We have the old detachable iSight camera so that is not really an issue.

Thanks in advance!

 

[praetorian909]

The question here is a good recommendation for a monitor for the older Mac Mini2,1. She mostly does word processing on it but got a new Canon Rebel that does an incredible job of video and would like it to look good. Apple Cinema displays are beautiful but are a little pricey for a computer that doesn't get a lot of use. We have the old detachable iSight camera so that is not really an issue.

Thanks in advance!

I personally like HP business monitors--they just released their new 2011 models ZR line. They are all IPS screens (like the iPad) so they have good viewing angles and good color reproduction. They come in 20-inch (16:9 aspect ratio), 21.5-inch (16:9), 24-inch (16:10) and 27-inch (16:9) sizes.

They are very good for the money. I believe they all come standard with 3-year warranty and you can even extend it up to 5 years for under $80.

Here's a very in-depth review of the 21.5-inch ZR2240w.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_zr2240w.htm

 

[patart]

Those look nice.

What do I have to look for when buying to make sure a new monitor is compatible with my 2007/2008 Mac Mini?

 

[praetorian909]

Those look nice.

What do I have to look for when buying to make sure a new monitor is compatible with my 2007/2008 Mac Mini?

Sorry for the delay in replying, totally forgot about this post.

Is this your Mac mini, version 2,1? http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/stats/mac-mini-core-2-duo-1.83-specs.html

If so those models have DVI port directly on them, which would definitely work. I have personally tested a Macbook Pro 7,1 (mid-2010 running Snow Leopard) with the HP ZR2040w and it works perfectly via a miniDisplayPort->DisplayPort cable from Monoprice.

 

[AdrianK]

What do I have to look for when buying to make sure a new monitor is compatible with my 2007/2008 Mac Mini?

Make sure you don't get one with a higher res than 1920*1200, as the mini doesn't have dual link DVI, which rules out the 27" but the 24" and below are fine.

 

[praetorian909]

Make sure you don't get one with a higher res than 1920*1200, as the mini doesn't have dual link DVI, which rules out the 27" but the 24" and below are fine.

Hmm totally forgot about the dual-link DVI requirement for the 27", you're right. I also found this handy (quite large) table (Apple How-To article):

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3235

Unforunately the earliest Mac mini that supports dual-link is the model from early 2009. Although maybe a little overkill anyhow, that monitor does cost more than the mini itself (even a brand new one)