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bwahahax · Jun 16, 2003, 08:29 PM

Right now my Dual 1.25 MDD is hooked up to a 17" Dell CRT running at 1024x768. I upgraded from a 12" LCD on my iBook, and can no-longer stand CRTs. The only reason I am using the Dell CRT, is because it was lying around, and I needed something to use while I saved up to buy a new LCD.

Now that you know the story, here's my question:
Should I shell out big bucks for Apple's 20" LCD running at 1680x1050 (current version, or what ever new version might be released at WWDC), or should I spend half as much and buy two name-brand 15" LCDs both running at 1024x768 for a total of 2048x768?

I'd be wanting to go fully digital and so would need 15" LCDs with DVI compatibility and an ADC to DVI adapter as well.

So, there it is. What are your thoughts and suggestions?

anoetic · Jun 16, 2003, 08:47 PM

I think dual displays are great except one thing. In my opinion you always would want your main workspace display to be comfortable and usable. For me a 15" display doesn't offer enough room.

I Bent My Wookiee · Jun 16, 2003, 09:11 PM

Pff, easy, 20 all the way.

mark9939 · Jun 16, 2003, 09:35 PM

I have dual 15"s and like my setup. The reason I didn't go for a 20" was because of price, but I don't regret my purchase. My suggestion: save some $$$ and get dual 15"s.

Hey my 200th post! Woohoo!

bwahahax · 09:48 PM

It's true.
I do feel cramped by the current resolution of 1024x768, and I don't think the larger (17") LCDs with 1280x1024 are gonna make that big a difference.

But here's what I'd be looking at in terms of cost:
(Prices are in Canadian dollars and include tax)

20" Apple LCD w/Education Discount = 2185

2 x 15" LCDs w/ADC-DVI Converter = 766

I mean, obviously, with-out the money factor, I'd want the 20", well, no, really I'd want the 23"!!!

But looking at the numbers again, that is a BIG difference.

It'll cost almost three times as much for an Apple display.

Of course, I'm also concerned about the quality of the 15" displays. The store I'd be buying them from is located here: http://www.factorydirect.ca/cgi-bin/...y_list.pl/MOFP

Both #3 (a Compaq) and #5 (an HP) are listed as having digital connections, but the info on them is sorta sketchy, and it's hard to know how good they might be.

CIA · Jun 16, 2003, 09:56 PM

Save a little extra and get dual no-name 17" LCDs.

Although the 20" would get you style points.....

hadocon · Jun 17, 2003, 12:29 AM

I have 2 15" Apple LCD displays and I love them both, however I have been quite interested in getting a single larger display. I found that although 2 displays are better than one, 2 displays are not necessarily better than one big display. I have been ding a "bit of math" and made a chart which shows the relative screen sizes

In my graphic you can see that there really is more screen "real-estate" in the 20" vs. 2x15"

bwahahax · Jun 17, 2003, 10:03 AM

Okay, so now I am considering buying two 17" LCDs at 1280x1024.

In terms of pricing, there seems to be quite a few of these (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=29503) on eBay, and they're going for around $500 Canadian.

So, I'd probably be looking at about $1200 total.

Does anyone have any experience with these displays?
I haven't been able to find any online reviews.

hadocon · Jun 17, 2003, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by bwahahax:
Okay, so now I am considering buying two 17" LCDs at 1280x1024.

In terms of pricing, there seems to be quite a few of these (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=29503) on eBay, and they're going for around $500 Canadian.

So, I'd probably be looking at about $1200 total.

Does anyone have any experience with these displays?
I haven't been able to find any online reviews.

Those look like a good deal to me. I really like the 20" and especially the 23", but at that price ($CAN440 each when I checked) I would definatly re-consider.

Apparently the rumor sites are talking of new displays to be announced @ WWDC, but I am sure that even the cheapest dwarf the price of those 17" screens.

Axo1ot1 · Jun 17, 2003, 01:47 PM

you can get a refurbished 22" cinema display for $100 more than a new 20"

Methinks that's the way to go.

CatOne · Jun 17, 2003, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by Axo1ot1:
you can get a refurbished 22" cinema display for $100 more than a new 20"

Methinks that's the way to go.

Why? It has less resolution, it's not as bright, and it's not as clear.

bwahahax · 01:25 PM

Okay.
I've spent a lot of time thinking about the resolution I'm working at now, and how exactly different resolutions, and more than one display, would improve my computing experience.

1024x768 is just too small, and even if I had two displays at 1024x768, the largest window I could open would still be restricted to that original size.

A 17"/18" display running 1280x1024 might be better, but I am hesitant to buy one because I'd hate to find that it's still too small.

I had thought about getting a display at 1600x1200 but those are also very expensive.

I've pretty much decided against any Apple display because they are all so expensive.

What do you guys think? If I were to get a 1280x1024, I could always get a cheap 1024x768 to compliment it.

Can anyone recommend a good, affordable display (with DVI), that works at either 1280?

rm199 · Jun 18, 2003, 02:17 PM

Get the 20, if you come across more cash then you can get another...

RM

bwahahax · Jun 18, 2003, 11:26 PM

Well, in the constant insanity that is my hunt for the perfect LCD, I think I am now very focused on something entirely different from this forum's topic.

I am seriously considering the Samsung SyncMaster 172T.

It is a 17" @ 1280x1024 with DVI in. (as per my requirements).

I can get it for $845 Canadian, tax included, and it seems to be a very good display.

Unless people start yelling at me to not buy it, or someone knows where I can get it cheaper, I think I will buy it this Friday or Saturday.

bwahahax · Jun 20, 2003, 06:08 PM

Okay, so I finally did the dirty deed and bought a Samsung SyncMaster 172T.

I am totally pleased.

1280x1024 is a lot more space then I thought it would be. The display is bright and clear and takes up much less room.

It did come with one dead pixel, but it is less noticeable than the bits of dust that have gathered on my screen in the last half hour.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

tomtomtom · Jun 22, 2003, 07:41 PM

Re dead pixel:

Search this forum [for monitors], I remember reading someone had a dead pixel that was not really dead and was able to re-activate it. Worth a go.

tiborg · Jun 22, 2003, 11:09 PM

Dell makes a 1600x1200 20inch for $1100. I have a few at work, haven't used them much, but for the price, I think they are a pretty good deal.

tyson.r · Jun 30, 2003, 07:51 PM

haha, go dual head...one 20in Cinema and one 15in Studio LCD

No, but seriously, im glad your 17 worked out...not everyone can survive on noodels alone like me in order to afford their hardware