[krx]

Could I get some recommendations (or warnings!) for monitors in the 20-24" range to use with a new MBP? I don't work with graphics so don't need top of the line capabilities in that respect, just want to increase my viewing area for running spaces, etc.

thanks!

[CharlesS]

Get something that's not a TN panel. TN panels have poor viewing angles, and you pretty much have to be staring straight at them, which makes them unsuitable if you want to use your computer as an entertainment center. Also, in the size range you're looking at, peripheral vision will make TN panels annoying even if you are sitting in front of them.

Here's what I have: Dell 2408wfp. This one has an S-PVA panel, and a gazillion inputs.

This one looks even better, although it's a little pricier. It has all the inputs the Dell has, plus a few extra USB ports. The panel is an H-IPS, like what Apple uses on their Cinema Displays. The picture quality and viewing angles should be excellent.

[Simon]

What Charles point out is correct.

However, there is a huge difference in price. That S-PVA panel costs $439 after a $110 discount. Dell's 24" TN panels start at $209.

[CharlesS]

This is true, but there's a reason that those TN panels are so much cheaper.

[tears2040]

Originally Posted by krx 

Could I get some recommendations (or warnings!) for monitors in the 20-24" range to use with a new MBP? I don't work with graphics so don't need top of the line capabilities in that respect, just want to increase my viewing area for running spaces, etc.

thanks!

I laugh at these people..... I own a TN panel and it is amazing! Coming from the old black & green monitors to bulky ones, to normal Lcds. Why in the world would you pay $400+ for a monitor.


Get this monitor from Newegg rite now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...L0C-_-24236049

Only $199 and it's wonderful as I own this model

[CharlesS]

Well yes, they're quite a bit nicer than black and green monitors. The black and green monitors, in turn, were a lot nicer than older computers like ENIAC that had no screen at all. This doesn't really mean that any of these are a high-quality option in today's technological world, though.

If you are planning to use a TN panel for any sort of multimedia use, it simply will not work due to the viewing angles which are, quite frankly, poor. The color reproduction is not as good either (though this doesn't bother me as much, since I'm red-green colorblind and can't notice subtle color differences as well as a normal person). And not being able to have the whole monitor display properly without parts of it you're not directly staring at looking distorted is just plain aggravating. If you're used to a horrible old CRT, sure, a TN panel will seem great. But if you're used to a good LCD panel, or a good CRT monitor for that matter, you will notice the difference, and it will be annoying.

[krx]

Very helpful input, thank you.

Do these all take the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter? Heading out to the local apple store today and want to make sure I get the right adapter.

Any other recommendations?

[CharlesS]

Both the monitors I recommended actually have DisplayPort as an input (along with pretty much every other type of input you can imagine), so all you need is a Mini DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cable like this one, with no bulky adapters required.

[krx]

So I can actually run my entire entertainment center on these monitors, including my cable modem? I can plug in my MBP to work and then unplug it to revert back to entertainment center? Have I got that right?

Sorry for the newb questions but I've just never looked into this before.

[CharlesS]

They have HDMI, S-Video, component, and composite inputs, so if your cable box has one of those formats for output, you can connect it straight to the monitor and use it as a TV (you'll still need to hook up some speakers for sound though).

[krx]

Is it safe to assume the displays all come with an audio output jack (toslink?) for sound?

[CharlesS]

The 2408wfp that I have has an audio out port, but since there's no audio in port on it, I assume it's only useful if you are getting sound in via HDMI (or if Apple ever fixes their DisplayPort implementation so that sound goes out through it like it's supposed to). I don't know about the LP2475w, but I'd guess it's probably the same.

[krx]

I'm probably misunderstanding but isn't sound input part of the cable tv input?