[Mithras]

I'm looking to buy a new LCD and a new Powerbook together. Since I do a lot of programming, I want maximum screen real estate. That means 1600x1200 or thereabouts, I think.

I don't care that much about the physical size of the screen -- all I know is that you don't get this resolution below 19", and above 21", the monitors get *really* expensive.

Anyone have advice? This is what I've found so far:


Sony DeluxePro 20": ~$1300
is pretty nice-looking, but pretty expensive relatively.


Apple Cinema Display 20": $1299
is obviously very nice, though I don't really want to buy a DVI->ADC adaptor. And unlike other manufacturers, it's hard to get a discount on Apple's gear.


Samsung's 213T:~$1200
seems like a great monitor -- Samsung's signature thin bevel, 21.3" screen, and good prices are available (along with $1499 prices). I just can't find much information on it! It seems to have been replaced by the 210T with S-video inputs, which I could care less about. Has anyone ever seen one of these?


Formac Gallery 2010:$1099
is an attractive display at a reasonable price. Some people complain about Formac's customer service, though.


Planar's 201M: $899
This is a great deal on a 20" monitor. It's ugly, but it seems to be well-reviewed, and again, it's much cheaper than the alternatives. Anyone have any experiences?


Planar CT-1905S:$799
This is the only 19" LCD with this resolution I've seen. It's ugly as hell, but it has a great pixel density and the company is reasonably well-respected. And it's very cheap -- I could get a lot more Powerbook if I'm buying this LCD...


anyone have any advice or experience with the jumbo LCD's to share?

[Mithras]

What, nobody here has a big LCD?

[macnnhelpme]

My advise is to spring for the 20" Cinema. I have one, love it, it just plain works and is the most beautiful display I've seen yet.

On my recommendation, my mother-in-law just bought the 20" Formac you list below. She's having some problems getting the screen to recognize that the mac is turned on (not coming to life) but she is using the ADC adapter. Support has been no help. I visited her over the weekend and saw the display first hand. I was not impressed, and feel the Apple display is much more crisp.

What's $100 for a DVI-ADC adapter when you're buying a new PB and monitor?

[osxisfun]

i have 2 20" apples/.

buy an apple.pretty much perfection.


but....if you can look at the ones you are considering in person.

[awcopus]

Here's a vote for the Apple 23" HD. Have it. Love it. It rocks. Have seen the 20" and agree that it's beautiful, too. Just love the extra screen real estate. Some will say the 20" is brighter. I say, scorched eyeballs are overrated.

Either is an awesome purchase. Have fun.

P.S. As usual there are rumors about a new class of monitors coming from Apple.

[Steve]

Although I do not own a larger LCD, I have been researching a few different ones for the last 3 months or so, and have read rave reviews on the Dell 2000fp 20" LCD. The price is also much lower than the above choies (atm, about $888 shipped). Dell will run different coupons, free shipping, etc every week, so you have to keep checking in to see when the best deal can be had.

If you are interested, there is some light reading on LCDs over on the Ars OpenForum, with info on LCDs from 15" up to bigger ones than any of us could ever afford to own .

Edit: not trying to be different, but I would personally recommend against the Apple branded monitors. They are fairly good quality, but not for the price. If you can save some money on an LCD and put it towards improving a new PowerBook, I would recommend doing that!

[macnnhelpme]

Edit: not trying to be different, but I would personally recommend against the Apple branded monitors. They are fairly good quality, but not for the price. If you can save some money on an LCD and put it towards improving a new PowerBook, I would recommend doing that!

I can't argue your logic about saving money, but I respectfully disagree with your comment above, at least for their 20 and 23". I agree there are better deals to be had on a 17" LCD, but for the money and quality, I don't feel anything compares to the Apple 20 and 23" displays. I've looked at the Dell you mentioned (actually settled on their 1800FP for my PC), and the refresh rates on the 20" are just a bit slow. It's a good looking display no doubt, but I'd opt for the 20" Cinema.

[hart]

macworld has a review of big LCDs this month. They recommend the apple or the NEC Multisync LCD2080UX. This model isn't so ugly, a simply black body with narrow bezel.

I really don't like the apple frame. It takes up a huge amount of extra space on your desk, it's white and distracting and the ergonomics are horrible. It only tilts and untilts a bit and that's it for adjustments.

Last fall I got the Syncmaster 191t and I've loved it, altho the Macworld review says the 213T is just so-so.

Another possibility if you can wait a bit is holding off until the "G5/aluminum" apple displays come out (assuming they do). It seems likely that Apple will update the displays reasonably soon and you could either get one of the new ones or save money on the discontinued models.

[Axo1ot1]

I have the 17 inch Formac. It's one of the nicest monitors I've ever owned. It uses ADC which is dope, and it has vastly better picture quality from the Apple displays. It also has the advantage of having a power button so you can turn off the display without sleeping the system. I find this to be very useful. It doesn't have quite as nice angle adjustment as the Apple's, but I've never had reason to set it at any angle other than the default vertical. It has much nicer contrast than my Apple 15" display. When the two screens go black there is still a lot of light coming out of the 15 incher, but the 17 goes nearly black, and yet has brighter whites when it's on

[all2ofme]

I'm yet to see a screen nicer than the Apple 20" screen. I poked around as much as possible trying to find a better screen, or one that was comparable but cheaper, but in the end it was a no-brainer (for me, at least).

[Leonis]

I actually have tried the Formac and Sony

Formac, based on what I saw....the image on the screen is so pinkish and I had hard time calibrating it. My friend told me he has nothing but nightmere dealing with the customer service department.

Sony. It's bright and the color is vivid but the viewing angle is not as good as Formac and Apple.

So.....Another vote for the Apple (cause I have one)

[X-Ray]

Could this article from PCWorld be of any help:http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,111117,00.asp

[ZildjianKX]

I know there are tons of die hard apple fans here, but Apple LCDs are really overpriced for their brightness and their warranty... not to mention they are desk hogs.

[Leonis]

Originally posted by ZildjianKX:
I know there are tons of die hard apple fans here, but Apple LCDs are really overpriced for their brightness and their warranty... not to mention they are desk hogs.

The overpriced issue. Back to the time I got the 20" it was the most reasonably priced LCD monitor in the market.

Right now. Yes, it is a bit overpriced....but it's the only one with wide aspect ratio

As for warranty. Go get 3rd party warranty. I did a hard search and finally found a place selling the warranty for around $80

Brightness......The 20" is VERY bright and I never turn the brightness higher than 60%. The 23" however has to be turned to max all the time.

[Mithras]

The budget turned out to have room for an LCD+iBook, but not Powerbook, so I'll get the jumbo LCD now, and DVI will have to wait. Hence the Apple screen (requiring DVI + adaptor) is out of the running.

I have now narrowed my search to these monitors:

1. Samsung 213T: $1149

Still the best-looking of these monitors, in my opinion. And an extra inch is nice.
Reports are that the viewing angle and contrast are only so-so with this panel, though. So it's in the running mainly for looks.

2. ViewSonic VP201b: $1099

Lovely slim bezel, though I wish it came in silver or white instead of black. That's just me.
I've seen reports that this monitor has better color and viewing angle than the Samsung. But it's pretty new and yet to be proven.

3. NEC 2080UX: $1229


The IPS technology in this panel has led to rave reviews -- apparently much better color, viewing angle, and contrast than most any other screen on the market.
And a nice trim bezel, though it's kinda chunky-looking from the side.


Aside: Why is it that the PC monitor manufacturers obsess about the bezel, but no one else seems to care how the monitor looks from the side? If this thing is sitting on my desk, rather than hiding against a wall, I want it to look trim from all sides.

Compare the NEC from the side with the Apple:

[Tarcat]

I have the 20" cinema. It is wonderful. Bright, great resolution, great color. The only product i've ever owned that I would not change a single thing about.

[saturnbill]

Buy the 20" Cinema. I had the same choices in mind, bought the Apple display and never looked back. It is the best Apple purchase that I have ever made. Wonderful monitor.

[osxisfun]

the ibook can drive an lcd?!

[Macola]

I really like the Apple displays, too, but have to go against the grain here...for me, the price-to-performance ratio was a big factor. One suggestion...check out all of them in person if you can, then go to newegg.com and order it. You'll probably save a bundle, and they have free shipping on many items.

[NYCFarmboy]

I have a Formac 20" lcd.

Has ran great without any dead pixels and the colors are flawless. The screen is sharp, crisp and beautiful.

I paid like I think 1,900 for mine back in February. You can get the same display now for much less from Formac.

[rm199]

Formac 2010 is fantastic, I'll be getting a second one when the G5s go from 'Future Hardware' to 'Current Hardware'

RM