[jeff k]

I got a Dell display, only $80 from Best Buy.
Sales guy from the Apple store gave me the idea over this than buying a new Macbook Pro.
I have small macbook. He even went online to take a peek at what at Best Buy.

I cannot believe how bad things look on this display. Very pixelated. Any typical excel workbook -- the text is very pixilated. You can work on it, but real choppy.

Am I doing doing something wrong?

I notice on the drive CD its all windows. .exe file. nothing Mac. So I was not able to install this CD.

But it's working, it just looks like hell. I have the resolution set properly 1366 x 768

The dislplay got great reviews from people saying it's a great laptop monitor. I don't see any buttons on the Dell display to adjust anything.

Also, it's basically treated as a 2nd monitor where you have to drag files over to it, correct? I thought naivly that it was just mimic whats on the laptop screen

[olePigeon]

What model display is it? LCD displays have a native resolution, and generally any resolution other than that one will result in blurry or pixelated images and text. You should not need anything on the CD just to use the display, it's probably just crapware.

As a second monitor, there are three modes: mirror display, extend display, and main display. When you have the monitor connected, open the System Preferences, then go to Displays. Click on the Arrangement tab. There is a check box marked "Mirror display." If you check it, what you see on your screen you'll see on the Dell display. If you uncheck it, it'll treat the display like it's an extension of your laptops screen.

To use the Dell display in place of your laptop display (as if your laptop is a normal desktop computer and the Dell is the monitor) make sure the laptop power is plugged in (it'll only work while plugged into power), close the lid to put the laptop to sleep, then connect a USB keyboard and mouse. The computer will wake from sleep, then use the Dell display instead of your laptop's display.

[Atheist]

If you're talking about the Dell IN1910N monitor then I know what your problem is. An 18.5" monitor with 1366 x 768 resolution. That's only 85 pixels per inch which is on the low-end as far as PPI is concerned.

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by jeff k 

I got a Dell display, only $80 from Best Buy.

You get what you pay for. An $80 Dell display is virtually guaranteed to be junk. Return it if you can.

Look at
Amazon.com: ViewSonic VP2365WB 23-Inch IPS LCD Monitor: Computer & Accessories

HTH

-Allen

[jeff k]

thanks Ok Pidgeon, Sierra and Athiest.

I'm stunned. The reviews said" perfect for laptop display, don't hesitate, buy, if you want something for Toy Story 3, get something else"

I was sure it would be fine for simple text. I have never seen a monitor show such bad text and I've had computer monitors since 1985.

So I should return it? no need to ask Dell about it then?

I'm not that good at doing the math on pixels. I don't mind paying a bit more, but $280 for the Viewsonic is a bit much.
Is there something for a tad more -- maybe in $125 to $175 range....

18.5 is ok. I would be fine with that or anything larger.

What monitor out there would render an Excel spreadsheet wonderfully and be best bang for the buck? thanks!

[mduell]

$80 is going to be a lousy LCD regardless of the brand.

[jeff k]

ordered the 22" Viewsonic today, thanks!

[olePigeon]

I was going to suggest this one:

Amazon.com: ViewSonic VX2250WM-LED 22-Inch (21.5-Inch Vis) Widescreen Full HD 1080p LED Monitor with Integrated Stereo Speakers: Computer & Accessories

It's on sale, very large discount. $150. 22" LED backlit. Granted, it's not an IPS display, but it's a very reasonable price considering free shipping and no sales tax.

[jeff k]

I think that's the one I ordered! what is isp display?

Why does this forum not remember me anymore, have to log in for each reply.

[olePigeon]

An IPS display is higher quality, 8-bit display. The display I linked to is a TN display, 6-bit dithered. For general use you're probably not going to notice, especially for text editing.

As for logging in, make sure you check the box to remember you.

[CharlesS]

Unless you plan to use the screen for things like watching movies, where some people in the room may not be staring directly at the screen. The viewing angles on TN displays are terrible.

[jeff k]

old P. just got the Viewsonic, still lost.
I would like to have laptop show stuff and have the Viewsonic, mirror.
ON mirror, it mirrors but has huge black border, bigger than excel file. The excel file with mirror display is same size as laptop, which defeats whole purpose of getting a large external monitor for it.
Also, I lose the dock. I have to go back to the laptop everytime I need anything else! internet etc.

[jeff k]

I don't see extend display or main display anywhere in system prefs. Only see a checkbox for mirror.

[Waragainstsleep]

Set it to mirror then adjust the resolution.