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Post your external display set up
- Thread starter bp1000
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That's a yes/no answer lol! So which would you go out and buy if you had to make the decision tomorrow? Or at least which do you lean towards at the moment?[/QUOTE]
Well then I would go for the iMac.
That's a yes/no answer lol! So which would you go out and buy if you had to make the decision tomorrow? Or at least which do you lean towards at the moment?[/QUOTE]
Well then I would go for the iMac.
Well then I would go for the iMac.[/QUOTE]
Thanks. Helps to get someone else's opinion.
Hello, I actually debated this as well and my conclusion was to get the 27 inch Display. My reasoning is that the display is very well made and will last me a while, and I can use it with any future MBP, MBA, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, etc. that I purchase in the future.
Another reason is that I already have a MBP that is adequate for my uses. When it no longer works for me I can just sell it and get a new MBP or Mac Mini and it would work great with the display. However, it is my understanding it is significantly more difficult to upgrade the display instead.
Also, if for some strange reason that I want to go back to PCs . . . the display would work fine for those too . . . D:
Haha I hope that was clear enough explanation of my reasoning. It's late so I don't know if I'm coherent. :[
The screen is about half a meter away from my eyes. Besides the famous AG coating I find it to be great. Though I had to make some adjustments to the screen settings regarding brightness etc.
At first it feels huge but you get used to it (probably the AG too). In my opinion screen resolution and RAM are two things you simply cannot get too much of
i've thought about iMac vs ACD as well.
personally, i would never buy a 21" iMac. the monitor can't be used as an external display and quality 1920x1080 monitors are easy to come by.
on the other hand, any 2560x1440 monitor retails at $1000 and up. the 27" iMac can be used in target mode as an external display (double check thunderbolt compatibility), so you get a 2560x1440 monitor, plus a computer, which can obviously serve many additional functions. yes, of course, you pay extra too.
you can pick up a refurbished i3 27 iMac for about $1250 from Apple. then again, a refurbished ACD is $850 and a 2011 refurbished Mini should be around $500.
either way i do the calculation, it seems like a 27 monitor (Dell or Apple) is the way to go. then pick up, say, a mini down the road. (this is assuming you have an MBA to use for now, of course.)
now, the 2560x1440s are beautiful, but they are actually really useful for certain types of work. for other uses, they might be too big and a waste. so, again, i think the question comes down to what you do, and that, if you're not going to make good use of the 2560x1440, just get a nice $300 Samsung.
2 pennies
I wish I could find that monitor to purchase. I like the silver look instead of the glossy acd.
Apple still sells the 30" refurbished from time to time. of course, it's $1300 or something. you can find the smaller, more reasonably priced aluminum ACDs on ebay, but they're not exactly cheap either, and its hard to pay several hundred for an old, used monitor.
but i like the aluminum look better too, plus, yeah, they're not glossy. you might find a reasonable deal out there.
Thanks. Seen the prices on eBay and not worth it for an older monitor. I can buy a Dell ultra sharp for those prices. I wish apple made the thunderbolt display smaller. Like 21-23".
Cheers. I'm leaning towards the thinrbolt display over a third party display because of the compatiblity issue. It just so easy to come home and plug in the one display cable to dock and power the MBA, and also have access to the external hard drive and the printer which should already be plugged into the display.
Personally, if I did purchase an iMac, I would barely use it, or I would barely use the MBA. Two computers is just too much for me, especially as I have an iPad that I use all the time.
Still, I'm considering all the options. Maybe if I get an iMac, I'll find plenty more uses and think otherwise...
I thought there was an option to use an iMac as an external monitor now with this revision of the iMac.
crappy iPhone 4 cam...
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What are you using to prop up your MacBook Air? Is that an 11 or 13?
Mind sharing what did you use to set up your MBA in clamshell?
his looks like what I have and it is the BookArc, look here, http://twelvesouth.com/products/bookarc/
damn makes me wanna get another HD 24" display.... miss that thing
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love that setup, so clean, especially with the white desk.
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crappy iPhone 4 cam...
[url=http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/4038/img0336ag.jpg]Image[/URL]
[url=http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4423/img0338t.jpg]Image[/URL]
love that setup, so clean, especially with the white desk.
The TB is really nice. However the set back for me is the price tag. If I were to get lucky and get one from Amazon for say around 800'ish I would do it. But a grand is just way too much for just a display. Granted it is extra ports, but it's main function is a display.
If I were to get lucky and get one from Amazon for say around 800'ish I would do it. But a grand is just way too much for just a display. Granted it is extra ports, but it's main function is a display.I bought a pair of Dell U2311h's when they first came out. Nice IPS panel for the price, not as good as the u2410 but significantly less expensive. The only downside to the u2311 from my point of view is its 16:9 aspect ratio, which kind of kills its usefullness in potrait mode. Mind if I ask what you paid for it? IIRC I got mine for $235 each.
For me at least it stays pretty much about the same as it is without the external attached. It gets taxed when doing the same tasks as when it's going solo.
For me at least it stays pretty much about the same as it is without the external attached. It gets taxed when doing the same tasks as when it's going solo.
So tasks such a PS and iTunes will make them louder? Wonder if the monitor size has anything to do with it?
- MBA + 27" Apple Display (2560x1440) is the ultimate combination of mobility and performance (while at your desk)
- If budget is an issue, you can hook it up to a generic 23" monitor (1920x1080) which can be bought for as little as $200, and you'd still have a fantastic desktop replacement
+1
I went with "bullet 2" but i wouldn't consider it a generic monitor, as i bought a 23" dell ultrasharp u2311h. I got it brand new on ebay (buy it now option also) for $259, the buyer covered shipping also.
the dell is an e-ips monitor which is better tech than the traditional tn panels you might find in most monitors as best buy, staples, etc. the dell is also more adjustable than the ACD/ ATD.
if i was rich, then of course i would go with the ACD/ATD, but on a budget and couldn't be happier with this combo. i get the portability i need, and the feel of a desktop with the extra screen real-estate.