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konakazi · Aug 26, 2004, 10:06 AM

Hello,

I bought a G5 (2.5) assuming my old studio display would be compatible but unfortunately the Apple Multiple Scan 720 apparently doesn't cut the mustard.

I need a new display but don't want to break the bank (since I just did on the G5) on the Apple flatscreens.

I've been working with a 17" monitor up until now which has been fine, but wouldn't mind some extra room, although I've considered eventually using two displays, the way I do at work.

I do graphic design and some video editing.

Any suggestions?

I saw this 20" Planar for $899 on MacConnection that seemed to have good resolution but I don't know anything about the manufacturer.

Thanks.

Zoom · Aug 26, 2004, 12:19 PM

Keep your eye on dealmac. There are some good deals there right now on LCDs. LCD prices are finally beginning to drop, too. Here's one report and another . Of course, Apple's prices probably won't budge till January.

konakazi · Aug 26, 2004, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the heads up.

I just borrowed a 20" Samsung CRT VGA display from a friend and now I can see why a flat screen would be more attractive, lol! This thing is a BEHEMOTH!

So any more specific suggestions on screens? I guess I'm leaning towards the LCDs, outside of the Mac ones which are prohibitive due to pricing...

tsheley · Aug 26, 2004, 06:43 PM

I just got a Samsung 910T 19" LCD and it is great.

konakazi · Aug 26, 2004, 07:43 PM

Oh cool! I've been doing some research and actually that was one I put a little star by.

Samsung 912N 1280 x 1024, $569 over at J&R. Not bad.

Should I be specially concerned with resolution? My mac can muste rup to 1920 x 1200 but most seem to only offer 1280 , with the occasional 20" doing 1600 x1200.

Rick Wells · Aug 27, 2004, 04:41 AM

I've got 3 G5s The one at home runs with a 20" Mitsibushi Multisync LCD. It looks fantastic and is under �900. At work I have a LaCie photon20" LCD along with the 18" version for palettes. Biig problem - colour accuracy of the LCD monitors. As a graphic designer I need to be sure that what I see on screen is pretty much what I'll get with the printed job. I've not been successful in calibrating the LCDs. I've even bought one of those hardware 'spiders' that hang over the screen and do all the adjusments. So I've just bought a LaCie 22" electron CRT and, yeah. the colour is spot on!
If you don't need absolutely critical on-screen colour then the new LCDs are fantastic. One word of warning though. Apple displays look really great but the 20" monitor has about 10 square inches less area than say my Mitsibushi 20". That is due to the different proportions. Apple is a wide screen while the Mitsibushi is the conventional format. Work it out - multiply the height by the width on each monitor and you'll see! You can also tell by the resolution. The Apple runs at ( native ) 1680 X 1050 and the Mitsibushi/LaCie run at ( native ) 1600 X 1200. That's nearly 10% more area. The LCD monitors look sharp only when running at native resolution. If you want your icons/text to be bigger then the low resolutions give you a much softer/furry look.
Good luck.

konakazi · Aug 27, 2004, 10:03 AM

I don't think I'd go with the Apple monitors due to the price factor alone. I could easily get a nice 20" Viewsonic monitor at 1680x1050 for a good $400 less.

As far as color sync, yes, I've been hearing about that issue.

I mostly work on the web but I've recently been doing some poster prints for myself so that is a factor to consider. Hmmm....

Mithras · Aug 27, 2004, 10:24 AM

Be sure to check out the Dell 2001FP. It's often available for $899 or less on Dell Small Business.

Markovich · Aug 27, 2004, 11:52 AM

Just an FYI:

I too recently upgraded to a Rev B Dual 1.8 G5 from an old Power Mac 7500 with the Apple 720 monitor. I bought a Mac-VGA adapter from Club Mac, hooked it to the enclosed VGA adapter that came with the G5 and it works perfectly. No issues. I did have to make one change in the refresh rate in order for the display to work properly. I have it at 75hz.

I really want the Apple 20 inch LCD, but I used up ALL my marriage capital when I purchased the G5. Once I rebuild the marriage capital, I will get the 20".

Mark

Originally posted by konakazi:
Hello,

I bought a G5 (2.5) assuming my old studio display would be compatible but unfortunately the Apple Multiple Scan 720 apparently doesn't cut the mustard.

I need a new display but don't want to break the bank (since I just did on the G5) on the Apple flatscreens.

I've been working with a 17" monitor up until now which has been fine, but wouldn't mind some extra room, although I've considered eventually using two displays, the way I do at work.

I do graphic design and some video editing.

Any suggestions?

I saw this 20" Planar for $899 on MacConnection that seemed to have good resolution but I don't know anything about the manufacturer.

Thanks.

konakazi · Aug 27, 2004, 12:22 PM

Adapter to adapter, eh?

Interesting. I called TekServe to ask them about that as an option and she seemed very iffy on it and that there were "no guarantees".

I'll definitely put that under my cap for an option. Between the G5 and a vacation starting Monday, money is tight!

Zoom · 02:29 PM

Not sure of the quality of BenQ, but they have a 19" LCD on sale at CompUSA for $500 after rebates.

This one looks rather shady: GEM 19" LCD for $398

azdude · Aug 27, 2004, 04:55 PM

Not sure how "under a grand" you need to be, but there are previous-generation Apple 20" Displays available in the $899-$1099 range.

tae667 · Aug 27, 2004, 05:12 PM

I'd look out for LG Flatron L1715S (1280x1024), it costs 356 �uros in Finland including 22% VAT which makes it cheapest 17" LCD up here, but I have no idea what that model costs in USA.

Luca Rescigno · 05:50 PM

I'll second the vote for the Dell UltraSharp 2001FP. I've seen these in action and they are beautiful (the picture that is). Of course they don't have the clean Apple design, but they are about the best thing Dell makes. 1600x1200 resolution means a few more pixels than the 20" Cinema as well. The fact that Ars Technica recommends two of these for their "God Box" system says something as well.

If you want to save a lot of money and get a CRT (or two) as well, I'd heartily recommend the NEC FE991SB. I have the 791SB, the 17" version, and it's one of the best CRTs I've used. They don't even sell it anymore, the 19" is the only one I have seen available in the last few weeks, and it is about $250 (pricey for a 19" CRT). But it's definitely worth it. Mine does 1280x960 at 90 Hz, and 1600x1200 at 75 Hz. The 19" would be even better.