[d.fine]

I remain undecided as to whether to get one 23" display or two 20" displays ...
I guess a dual monitor setup would provide me with more screen space, but a 23" is so cool and big on its own ...
To be used on a Dual 2.0 G5.

Hence a poll for your opinions ... what would you get ?

Thx !

[drive-thru]

It depends what you use your G5 for.
If you write a lot of code (web development etc.) then maybe you will work best with 2 displays. If you tend to use one app at a time and don't need to see other information while you're working, then maybe one larger display is better. Apparently the 23" is an ideal size for HD content (are you a film editor?)
Personally, I find that having a larger external display as well as my 12" iBook display is ideal for me to do graphics work or just browse while having constant access to iTunes or info I need to reference on the smaller display. If the choice were mine I would get the two 20"s.

Based on pixels per Euro the 20" is better value than the 23", if you can afford to go with two 20" displays then that is the better buy. If you're set on getting Apple displays then those are your choices, but you may want to consider other manufacturers (do a search of the forum for recommendations).

What is your current setup? What are size display(s) are you used to wokring on?

[d.fine]

I do graphic design on the G5, when working on a website I'll have Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Flash open and will be using them all, together with a couple of Safari/Explorer windows. During other projects I'll be using Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and/or QuarkXpress together with iPhoto.
I have some small film projects, will be using FCP Pro HD. But that is not very often so.

I'm used to working on a dual 17" CRT setup. Since I got the G5 I haven't gotten an ADC adapter to hook up te second CRT, so I've been working on an single 17" lately.

I consider the dual 20" setup because it would allow me from time to time to hook one of the displays up with the PB, while still being able to use the G5 ... this would not be possible with a single 23", but then they are so nice ...
I also consider the dual setup because two 20" displays is not that much more expensive than a sinlge 23", so your 'pixels per euro' is a very good argument.

[drive-thru]

I would say that for graphic design, with all those apps open simultaneously, the two displays would really help develop a way of working which is productive for you (or help you keep th method you're used to).

Going from dual 17" CRT to 23", the 23" would seem huge initially, but I think you would soon start to miss the dual setup. Being able to hook the PB up and use the G5 is a bonus.

Currently I'm outvoted 3 to 1 on the poll, anyone got any arguements for the 23" I'm overlooking?

[MrForgetable]

A silly question, (I voted dual 20"s), but how would you do dual monitors with the new DVI monitors?

[MrForgetable]

2- 20inch Cinema Displays:
2(1299)x1.0825=$2812.34US/ (2)1764000=$.000797 per pixel
1- 23inch Cinema Display
1999x1.0825=$2163.92US/2304000=$.000939 per pixel

[drive-thru]

Originally posted by MrForgetable:
2- 20inch Cinema Displays:
2(1299)x1.0825=$2812.34US/ (2)1764000=$.000797 per pixel
1- 23inch Cinema Display
1999x1.0825=$2163.92US/2304000=$.000939 per pixel

So, after being bored enough to do the math, buying two 20" displays costs 33% more than a 23" but you gets you 53% more screen.

Of course those are US prices, but it shouldn't make much difference in the comparison. Being in Europe you'll pay more for either option.

[KP*]

Based on your needs I'd suggest the two displays. However...
My setup is kind of patched together, but perhaps also something to consider: I have a 23" Cinema Display (the old one), and when I wanted more screen space I hooked up an old 15" CRT monitor that I had lying around from an old computer. It's not very elegant, but it gives me a bunch of room for iTunes and widgets and small windows. That way I can just glance over and always have the information right in front of me. It's nice to be able to keep that kind of stuff off the main screen, and I get to enjoy the benefits of a big screen. Just something to think about if you have an old monitor and are considering the 23".

[d.fine]

Originally posted by MrForgetable:
A silly question, (I voted dual 20"s), but how would you do dual monitors with the new DVI monitors?

Apple ADC to DVI and the second connection is DVI ... so no problem to connect 2 DVI displays.

Originally posted by KP*:
Based on your needs I'd suggest the two displays. However...
My setup is kind of patched together, but perhaps also something to consider: I have a 23" Cinema Display (the old one), and when I wanted more screen space I hooked up an old 15" CRT monitor that I had lying around from an old computer. It's not very elegant, but it gives me a bunch of room for iTunes and widgets and small windows. That way I can just glance over and always have the information right in front of me. It's nice to be able to keep that kind of stuff off the main screen, and I get to enjoy the benefits of a big screen. Just something to think about if you have an old monitor and are considering the 23".

Valid argument. But I hate the fact that the CRT's take up so much damn space ... But that means getting an ADV to VGA adapter, which ... what's my point ? There's no problem here. It's a good idea ! But as you mention not a very aesthetic one, this is where I will have to decide ...

Originally posted by drive-thru:
So, after being bored enough to do the math, buying two 20" displays costs 33% more than a 23" but you gets you 53% more screen.
Of course those are US prices, but it shouldn't make much difference in the comparison. Being in Europe you'll pay more for either option.

Pay 33% more for a 53% increase in screen space. Sounds like a good deal to me.
Here a 20" is 1,909.19 USD (vs 1,299) and a 23" is 2,938.95 USD (vs 1,999) .

Originally posted by drive-thru:
Going from dual 17" CRT to 23", the 23" would seem huge initially, but I think you would soon start to miss the dual setup. Being able to hook the PB up and use the G5 is a bonus.

That is one of the main reasons I consider the dual setup. But is it a valid reason ?

[Hydra]

I have the new 23" which I love and with the extra 600 bucks it would cost to get 2x20"'s I might just go get a cheap 17-20 inch PC lcd like Dell seems to always have on sale. That way you have the huge widescreen 23" as a main display and a normal aspect secondary display as well. They may not match but the Dell 20 inchers are a steal when they drop under $700 occasionally.

-Jerry C.

[osxisfun]

get 2 20"...

i have that setup on a dual 2gig G5...

It will make you so much more productive. if you deal with lots of windows like programming or photoshop or indeseign. etc..

palette monitor deluxe

[d.fine]

Originally posted by osxisfun:
get 2 20"...

i have that setup on a dual 2gig G5...

It will make you so much more productive. if you deal with lots of windows like programming or photoshop or indeseign. etc..

palette monitor deluxe

Sounds logical ... i do deal with lots of windows

It's a tight race, 7 votes to 9

Thanks for the input so far from everyone.

[leperkuhn]

Get two Viewsonic 20" displays instead. I paid $830 for a 20 display, 1600x1200. Unless you really need the Apple display, it is pretty expensive compared to some other great products.

I'm going to be ordering my second display in a few weeks, once the cash comes in. I can't wait. And for $1660 (free shipping, no tax, thanks pcnation) I can deal with not having an apple display.

VP201b is the monitor.

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/de...series/vp201b/

[SSharon]

My first instinct was to vote for the 2 20" for the reasons posted above but also because having two monitors means that if something happens to one, you can still do your work. I also agree with some of the posters here that suggest other brands that are cheaper than apple. As great as the apple monitors are, you can get 3 19" lcd's for the same price as the 23".

[DekuDekuplex]

Originally posted by d.fine:
I remain undecided as to whether to get one 23" display or two 20" displays ...
I guess a dual monitor setup would provide me with more screen space, but a 23" is so cool and big on its own ...
To be used on a Dual 2.0 G5.

Hence a poll for your opinions ... what would you get ?

Thx !

For your use, since you would be doing editorial work, you should probably opt for two 20" displays. They would give you screen space more economically, and you could divide your work between the two screens.

The choice all depends on your use, though.

For example, for me, I would opt for a single 23" display over two 20" displays, because I would use it mainly for movies and VR-type RPG's similar to Final Fantasy® XI. A single 23" display would provide a more immersive experience than two 20" displays because there would be no distracting border in the middle of the VR world. For me, the extra screen space would be useless unless it could provide a more immersive VR experience.

-- DekuDekuplex

[goose]

Whoo! Dual monitor and Desktop Manager. Can't beat that!

[banal]

I had this same dilemna before I bought a year ago and I went with the singl 23" because of the 1920x1200 resolution. The screen size and resolution are a perfect match. However, I had come from a dual 21" 1600x1200 setup and I really miss the convenience of dual monitors. Window management is so much better with duals and the usable real estate is much better than the single. If I had to do it all over again I would lean towards dual 20s.

[osxisfun]

Originally posted by goose:
Whoo! Dual monitor and Desktop Manager. Can't beat that!

Actually you can.

Dual Monitor and Virtual Desktop by CodeTek.

VD is slower than DM but its just about bug free. DM (and i am a fan) is buggier then a bug festival.

I reported a bug on his site and saw how many other bugs there are and that he's only one guy working on this in his free time and said to myself.. Despite the fact that DM is "free" i have wasted enough of my time that it offset any "savings" of it being free.

I am using VD now and am really happy except for the speed issue.

[KP*]

Originally posted by d.fine:
Valid argument. But I hate the fact that the CRT's take up so much damn space ... But that means getting an ADV to VGA adapter, which ... what's my point ? There's no problem here. It's a good idea ! But as you mention not a very aesthetic one, this is where I will have to decide ...

I totally understand your concerns about aesthetics and space. I didn't realize that you'd need the adapter, I thought the G5s came with two DVI ports so you could use the DVI to VGA adapter that comes with the Mac. I guess maybe that's only on the very latest models. In my case it works great because I have an ADC main monitor and my other port is DVI, but I see now the problem it presents with the newer Cinema Displays and your video card. I only chose this path because I already had all the pieces sitting in my apartment and it took 30 seconds to hook them up. Now I think it would be a waste of space and money and quality for you, considering the extra hassles.

[d.fine]

Originally posted by KP*:
I totally understand your concerns about aesthetics and space. I didn't realize that you'd need the adapter, I thought the G5s came with two DVI ports so you could use the DVI to VGA adapter that comes with the Mac. I guess maybe that's only on the very latest models. In my case it works great because I have an ADC main monitor and my other port is DVI, but I see now the problem it presents with the newer Cinema Displays and your video card. I only chose this path because I already had all the pieces sitting in my apartment and it took 30 seconds to hook them up. Now I think it would be a waste of space and money and quality for you, considering the extra hassles.

The ADC to DVI adapter isn't a problem, it isn't expensive (USD 29,00). I got a 9600XT and as far as my research goes it has one ADC and one DVI port, this I am 90% sure of. It isn't stated very clearly on Apple website, and I've never seen an ADC port before, so I have no clue as to what they look like.

The aesthetics however are important ! I stopped by the local Apple Store yesterday, and again I'm back to zero. That single 30" looks so damn nice ! The 20" display looked tiny next to it ... I'm still in doubt because Exposé is such a nice feature, it is so handy, and I use it a lot, and it kind of makes a dual display setup unnecesary in many cases, of course there are ocassions and programs with which I could definitely use a dual setup ... but it is very easy to switch windows ...



Thanks for all the reply's and advice ...

[gee308]

I am in a similar situation, but how about if I can only choose one 23" or one 20", then what is a good choice. My last lcd was a very cheap one ,and I want to get a good one this time, but I don't want to go too overboard, but the 23" is very nice.