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Tuishimi · Feb 23, 2006, 04:26 PM

...Theories abound this week about what Steve will be announcing on Tuesday. Many "journalists" have noted that Apple has probably discontinued production with PPC Mac Mini's and that they are no longer selling the current Mini's in bulk.

Soooooo... in preparation for the new mini's, which I have patiently awaited, I have been perusing the internet for monitors. I found one on TigerDirect that looks good and am wondering if anyone has any experience with it?

It is a Sceptre x20g-Naga III 20.1".

It does 1680x1050, 8ms, 800:1 contrast, 300 brightness. Oh, 176 deg. viewing. Sounds pretty awesome (especially for the price - little more than half what I'd pay for an Apple 20").

Thoughts? :/

macintologist · Feb 23, 2006, 04:31 PM

Look for reviews online, make sure it has a lot of positive reviews.

mduell · Feb 23, 2006, 04:59 PM

I'd also look at the Dell 2005FPW, since it's known to use the same panel that Apple uses, has a variety of input options (and PiP/PbP support), and comes with a 4 degree of freedom stand.

MacOS-Fan · Feb 23, 2006, 05:14 PM

I too have been patiently awaiting the Intel Mini. I sure hope that is the announcement! I am also hoping that like the iMac, the intel Mini price will remain the same as it currently is.

Tuishimi · Feb 23, 2006, 05:32 PM

Hmmmm. The one thing the Dell has over the Sceptre are the extra USB ports. The Sceptre seems to top the Dell in performance, but does not have the USB ports and instead has speakers.

Tuishimi · Feb 23, 2006, 05:35 PM

Also... what does this mean?

Image Aspect Ratio: 16:10

The Dell is 16:10, the Sceptre is 16:9

mduell · Feb 23, 2006, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Tuishimi

Hmmmm. The one thing the Dell has over the Sceptre are the extra USB ports. The Sceptre seems to top the Dell in performance, but does not have the USB ports and instead has speakers.

How is the response time on the Sceptre measured? Different manufacturers use different standards.

Originally Posted by Tuishimi

Also... what does this mean?

Image Aspect Ratio: 16:10

The Dell is 16:10, the Sceptre is 16:9

The Sceptre better be 16:10, since the pixels wouldn't be square for 16:9 at 1680x1050.

Tuishimi · Feb 23, 2006, 06:48 PM

http://www.candiazoo.com/images/sceptre.jpg

I snagged the image from an online store.

Tuishimi · Feb 23, 2006, 06:52 PM

Researching reviews online... turns out the 8ms is grey-to-grey. I guess it is actually 16ms. People either love it completely, or have comments like "loved it for the [insert short amount of time here] it worked!" Sounds like quality is very variable. I've had Dell products before, I am pretty sure they won't die anytime soon... sounds like spending an extra $50 or so for the Dell is a better plan. :/

cb2001 · Feb 24, 2006, 12:00 AM

The Dell 20" (not the 19") also have the s-video and composite in, in case you want to watch TV or connect your game console to it.

--

dale · Feb 24, 2006, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by MacOS-Fan

I too have been patiently awaiting the Intel Mini. I sure hope that is the announcement! I am also hoping that like the iMac, the intel Mini price will remain the same as it currently is.

I too am waiting to see what happens to the mini. I was thinking about going for the iMac, but the combined screen and computer guts (cute as it is) puts me off - what happens if the screen gives up life after say 3.5 years?

Being relatively new to Mac, I can't stand by this comment 100%, but apple seems to build its consumer computers with specific price points in mind (the high end Mac Book Pro and current Power Mac pricing does not apply here as they use the best technology aimed at that platform regardless of what it does to the price - a lot of the time as options, of course). As such, I would be surprised to see significant price changes, unless they want to aim it at a different market.

I suspect the mini will be killed off and replaced with something that will draw a "wow" from the crowd. Not convinced? Look what they did to the Mini iPod - SJ put his loving arm around it, took it out back, shot it, and introduced the Nano to the world. I wonder if we will see a screenless "iMac Nano" with built in media center capability?

(in black and white!!)

Agent69 · Feb 26, 2006, 07:06 PM

Personally, if a new Mini comes out on Tuesday, I will be ordering a Dell 1905FP, which runs at my favorite resolution of 1280x1024 and has a DVI interface. We have them at work and they are very nice.

Tuishimi · Feb 26, 2006, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Agent69

Personally, if a new Mini comes out on Tuesday, I will be ordering a Dell 1905FP, which runs at my favorite resolution of 1280x1024 and has a DVI interface. We have them at work and they are very nice.

I am so used to the wider screens... I have trouble organizing all my work with a square screen now.

G5power · Feb 27, 2006, 03:43 PM

I second Agent69s comments on the dell 1905FP. I have two of them attached to my work system and they are great.

mrplow · Feb 28, 2006, 08:27 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824163130

19" Widescreen $299 - $60 rebate
Also, 5 star reviews... I want one, but I already have an imac ~_-

ururk · Feb 28, 2006, 08:42 PM

I have two 1905FP's at work, a coworker does, and I bought one for home use (with a massive rebate from Dell). Nice monitor.

From what I recall, Dell has "two" lines of LCD's - consumer versions, and the nice versions. The ones ending in FP have better specs and are of a nicer/higher quality.

thunderous_funker · Feb 28, 2006, 10:42 PM

Another vote for the 1905FP. Been using one with my Mini for a while. Very nice monitor available for unbeatable prices.

Check www.gotapex.com for sales/deals.

Tuishimi · Feb 28, 2006, 11:46 PM

...I went with the 2005 FPW 20.1" 16:9 (yes, 16:9 according to the specs on Dell's site) wide-aspect monitor. They offered me a deal on the 24", but I just couldn't swing it. So I went smaller. That's what I am used to anyway, so it will be fine for me.

Looking forward to getting it!!!!!

quiklee · Mar 1, 2006, 02:20 AM

I'd suggest those 30 inchers by Dell or even their 26 inch LCD TVs are pretty good . . .

Eriamjh · Mar 1, 2006, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by quiklee

I'd suggest those 30 inchers by Dell or even their 26 inch LCD TVs are pretty good . . .

Can you run the 30 incher on the mini?

Tuishimi · Mar 1, 2006, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

Can you run the 30 incher on the mini?

Not according to the Apple website... at least it didn't mention it.

DVI video output to support digital resolutions up to 1920 by 1200 pixels; supports 20-inch Apple Cinema Display and 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display; supports coherent digital displays up to 154MHz; supports noncoherent digital displays up to 135MHz

betasp · Mar 1, 2006, 09:56 AM

I hope to plug mine into this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16889102021R

mduell · Mar 1, 2006, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

Can you run the 30 incher on the mini?

Yes, at reduced resolution (1920x1200, either letterboxed or upscaled).

tooki · Mar 1, 2006, 01:12 PM

Questions about peripherals go in the Peripherals forum.

tooki