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Ready to pull trigger on monitor - need MR members expert advice

jonnysods

jonnysods

macrumors G3
Original poster
Sep 20, 2006
8,820
7,498
There & Back Again
Hey all, I have a business doing graphic design, web design, and print work. I have a 24 inch Samsung, which I foolishly bought without looking into the types of panels that work best for my type of work.

Right now I'm looking at a 24 second monitor - I have around $900 CDN to spend. I've had my eye on the refurbed Apple LED 24", because it has the IPS panel, and I hear that is best for print work and graphic design.

Of course with a purchase of this much for one monitor I'm terrified to make a mistake. I've been trying to search the forums here, but not finding much I went elsewhere.

I have one or two monitors in mind (one is the Dell UltraSharp 2709W 27" - which is going to be too big and the same resolution as the Apple display).

I really, really could do with some professional input. 24" is as low as I'd like to go because of the real estate it provides, but I'd really like a monitor that gives me way more accurate color displays so my printed work doesn't look completely different when the project goes to the printer.

I'm ready to buy now, so I'm all ears!

Thank you!
 
This list may help you.

Apple's LED ACD is terrible for color accuracy. Web design work is one thing, but as soon as you go into print it isn't a good monitor.

Dell's Ultrasharps are great monitors for color accuracy, though some are PVA (which isn't as good as IPS, but still better than TN).
 
What type of panels are in the Alu 24" iMacs?

My lighting conditions are what I make them for the LED glossy. My office is in my basement so usually the only light on is coming from the monitors.
 
I think I'm leaning towards the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP - love the portrait mode for working on psd files, the adjustable height - and it's $200 less than the refurb LED. It's just tough when Apple products are so pretty!
 
Ask this question to yourself, do you want a pretty Apple 24in LED Cinema Display, or a Dell 24in that can go into portrait mode?
 
I've got the HP model and besides a few dead pixels I haven't dealt with yet I like it. It is H-IPS like the Apple vs. S-PVA like the Dell.
 
Well I'm glad I was warned about the Dell then - I was very close to buying it! It was listed on some sites as having an H-IPS panel.

The HP is almost $1000 in Canada, which is more expensive than the refurb'd LED - does anyone know where I can refurb'd HP monitors in Canada?
 
jonnysods said:
What is the difference between S-IPS and H-IPS? The LP2475w has an S-IPS screen in it:
Click to expand...

Hmm, I guess I had this in my head still:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_lp2475w.htm
From the link:
On a quick note, HP list this screen as being S-IPS based on their website, but close inspection of the pixel structure reveals the pixel orientation to be vertical, and characteristic of the latest H-IPS generation. Ultimately they are IPS matrices, just with different naming schemes depending on structure and generation.
Click to expand...

I can't remember exactly but after a lot of reading I came to the conclusion that IPS is better than PVA for color critical work. Either way, IPS or PVA are way better than the cheaper TN panels.

The HP is only like $550 on Amazon but I have no clue how things like that work if being bought online and shipped into Canada.

.
 
Wow, thanks for the info! It seems like with some colour calibration that monitor should be pretty rockin'. I have a Huey Pro, but it's kind of sucky and I'm not sure what kind of results I'll get from it.

The HP is $739 shipped plus tax, and the Apple LED is $799 plus tax.

That's a tough one.

One more time - yell the answer if you have to.
 
<inside voice> There is no way I could personally use the Apple 24", too glossy. Using my wife's glossy iMac 24" drives me crazy with reflections. </inside voice> :D

.
 
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