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Upgrade Question - First Gen Mac Pro

Trekkie

Trekkie

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 13, 2002
922
29
Wake Forest, NC
I have the Mac Pro dual core, 2.66GHz. It has the ATI 1900XL.

It's still running strong, however I've become addicted to more monitors and I'm planning on getting a second one however I've been screwed by the discontinuation of the 23" DVI version because that's what I have as a main monitor.

So my choices are 20" or 30" now, or the new one with some adapter that isn't shipping.

So I'd like to get a 30" I think, and put the 23" to the side instead. yes I know there are cheaper monitors but I'm looking for some commonality out there.

However I also have a 19" LCD 1280x1024 I use for 'junk' (non-photography) things like iCal, mail, etc. To hook that + the 23 + the 30 up can that be done without investing in another video card?
 
Not directly related to your question, but have you looked into getting a refurb 23" cinema display from Apple? Seems they don't currently have any, but you never know, you may get lucky since refurb stuff comes and goes from Apple's online store.
 
Trekkie said:
I have the Mac Pro dual core, 2.66GHz. It has the ATI 1900XL.

It's still running strong, however I've become addicted to more monitors and I'm planning on getting a second one however I've been screwed by the discontinuation of the 23" DVI version because that's what I have as a main monitor.

So my choices are 20" or 30" now, or the new one with some adapter that isn't shipping.

So I'd like to get a 30" I think, and put the 23" to the side instead. yes I know there are cheaper monitors but I'm looking for some commonality out there.

However I also have a 19" LCD 1280x1024 I use for 'junk' (non-photography) things like iCal, mail, etc. To hook that + the 23 + the 30 up can that be done without investing in another video card?
Click to expand...

For 2+ monitors you need more video cards.
 
DualShock said:
Not directly related to your question, but have you looked into getting a refurb 23" cinema display from Apple? Seems they don't currently have any, but you never know, you may get lucky since refurb stuff comes and goes from Apple's online store.
Click to expand...

Yes, check this out before getting the 30" just because you may find some NEW 23" ACDs for $600 or so.

I love the 30" but remember that it's a monitor that you can't just throw on your desk. You will destroy your eyes if you sit to close. For the 30", you have to be at least four feet or so away from the display when sitting at your desk.

aaronw1986 said:
For 2+ monitors you need more video cards.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am sure that there's some God awful way of doing it with two DVIs but since you have the slots getting another GFX card would be the best solution.
 
Digital Skunk said:
Y
I love the 30" but remember that it's a monitor that you can't just throw on your desk. You will destroy your eyes if you sit to close. For the 30", you have to be at least four feet or so away from the display when sitting at your desk.
Click to expand...


Whaatt? OMG , I´m blind,I´m blind!!! Wait a second,no I´m not?



No,you dont have to sit 4 feet away.
Been working with 30" screens for years for several hours per day now and am just fine,thank you.
Even with palettes on the side (ps,illustrator,lr or finalcut) you are just fine with a 2 feet distace. Your eyes are concentrated on the middle 50% of the screen most of the time,anyway.
Your eyes are used to moving,try to watch a person driving a car for example...
 
Macinposh said:
Whaatt? OMG , I´m blind,I´m blind!!! Wait a second,no I´m not?



No,you dont have to sit 4 feet away.
Been working with 30" screens for years for several hours per day now and am just fine,thank you.
Even with palettes on the side (ps,illustrator,lr or finalcut) you are just fine with a 2 feet distace. Your eyes are concentrated on the middle 50% of the screen most of the time,anyway.
Your eyes are used to moving,try to watch a person driving a car for example...
Click to expand...

Check it!

To each their own, I've been working with 30" since their introduction, and large monitors for years in photo and video, and eye strain HAPPENS. If you're looking at the middle 50% of the screen most of the time then you're wasting 50% of your 30" and maybe a 23" would have been a better solution.

Proper seating will have you looking at the WHOLE monitor making it a wonderful tool, but there ARE health risks to using it improperly.... just like a keyboard.
 
Digital Skunk said:
To each their own, I've been working with 30" since their introduction, and large monitors for years in photo and video, and eye strain HAPPENS. If you're looking at the middle 50% of the screen most of the time then you're wasting 50% of your 30" and maybe a 23" would have been a better solution.
Click to expand...


Dude,step off your white horse...been working in photo/video production for the last 16 years so I think by know what setups cause me eyestrain and what doesnt. Wouldnt you think so?
 
Digital Skunk said:
Check it!

To each their own, I've been working with 30" since their introduction, and large monitors for years in photo and video, and eye strain HAPPENS. If you're looking at the middle 50% of the screen most of the time then you're wasting 50% of your 30" and maybe a 23" would have been a better solution.

Proper seating will have you looking at the WHOLE monitor making it a wonderful tool, but there ARE health risks to using it improperly.... just like a keyboard.
Click to expand...
I actually need a deeper desk to accommodate a 24", as I'm currently a little too close. My eyes are definitely letting me know. ;) (Still need to get a colorimeter, which should help as well. It's still a tad bright).
 
Macinposh said:
Dude,step off your white horse...been working in photo/video production for the last 16 years so I think by know what setups cause me eyestrain and what doesnt. Wouldnt you think so?
Click to expand...

Relax.

You don't handle the truth too well I see.

And as I said, to each their own, if it doesn't cause you eyestrain, good for you.
 
yeah lets not derail this into a flame war.

yeah been checking the refurb section every few days, unfortunately I'm broke for a week ro two so hopefully one shows up then. Not really wanting to go 30" if I don't have too, but I'm a bit disappointed in the new LED one = kill the old one, but hey, that's apple.
 
Trekkie said:
yeah lets not derail this into a flame war.

yeah been checking the refurb section every few days, unfortunately I'm broke for a week ro two so hopefully one shows up then. Not really wanting to go 30" if I don't have too, but I'm a bit disappointed in the new LED one = kill the old one, but hey, that's apple.
Click to expand...

If you are still looking for a high end panel then your best bet is to go NEC, or find the Dells and other run of the mill monitors with the H-IPS panels in them.
 
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