[sylla]

Are there any advantages to paying more for a 17" Apple Display to buying a NEC MultiSync LCD1700 that is priced $250 less. Actually the difference would be $150 as I would be buying a G4 at the same time and would get the $100 rebate for buying the Apple display. Are there problems with using 3rd party LCD displays? I did see the NEC hooked up to a PC and I thought it was fabulous. They didn't have any Apple Displays in the store so I couldn't do a direct comparison.

If I were to postpone buying a monitor until January, is it possible to connect my 3-yr. old Sony Multiscan to a G4? Do they use the same connection? Looking forward to input. Thanks.

[michaelb]

If you're getting a new G4 then an Apple branded monitor makes perfect sense as you can go ADC throughout (one cable that carries the digital video signal, plus power, plus USB). Apple products tend to mesh very well with each other.

To my knowledge, the current shipping G4s only have the ADC and an analog VGA port, which means that, yes, your SONY multisync would work fine with it, but no, the quality on the NEC would be compromised (digital is better than analog for LCDs).

It is possible to get third party boxes that break out the digital signal (DVI) from the ADC cable, but that is another product you would have to buy, plus it is clutzing the setup.

My overwhelming recommendation would be to get the Apple 17 inch LCD to go with a new G4.

[sylla]

Thanks. My instincts said to stay with Apple all the way but it was tempting to save some money and put it towards a scanner.

[SunSeeker]

Formac have a new monitor with adc, dvi or vga. Cheaper and larger than Apples (17.4")



Note the thread where some people have had problems buying through formac.com though. http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ulti...4&t=004289

Maybe buy it through a different retailer

[yukon]

bzzz, wrong.

how long have you been using macs? Apple has a history of screwing us with monitors.

There was a software resolution problem in os8 to "burn up old monitors". my monitor pops and fizzles all the time (studio display, repaired out of warranty once already for it). very expensive monitors made cheaply (look at the electronics boards inside).

i say save a few bucks and a few nervous breakdowns and buy a proper monitor. i've found that while having a monitor that matches the computer colours is nice and impresses people, when you have to use a really old ugly monitor it really makes them laugh.

the adc is a method of making money on proprietary monitors. the one cord is nice, but it is incompatible with all but like 2 videocards (especially will be incompatable when apple drops it), and the bandwidth is severly limited for a digital connector. I suggest avoiding it altogether. make sure you get a card with dvi and vga (very handy). get a monitor (if lcd) that supports both dvi and vga at one time (many have both now...well, the good ones). be able to use the same monitor on another computer when you will eventually need to.


p.s. people have been complaining about formac for a while now. all I can see (as a non-customer) is a lack of drivers and support. i have no idea, but i was looking at the studio they were offering. lots of complaints on versiontracker and that repititious guy in macnn forums..

[ 12-04-2001: Message edited by: yukon ]