[Gordio]

ANyone have a good answer? Currently I Use a mini with a dell 2405 24 inch, which is really good. I'm considering getting a 24" imac once leopard comes out. Looking at the price of an imac and its machinery, it seems the monitor isn't costing apple a lot. Is going to an imac screen from a dell screen a downgrade? the same? or upgrade?

I don't mind if its a *slight* downgrade. Also, I know the dell has extra features such as many USB ports, SD cards, component/compisite inputs, but i'm just talking about the display quality. I never use those (except USB ports) anyway.

[arng1]

Both are very good. In my opinion you wont see much of a difference.

[indigoimac]

To the best of my knowledge the 24" iMac shares its panel with dell's 2407, though slightly enhanced, in other words the 24" iMac's display is on-par if not better than your current display.

Also w/ the iMac the USB ports are on the computer which is the display so that's kinda moot, lol.

[mduell]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they were the same LCD panel.
Apple's 20" Cinema Display and Dell's 2005FPW used the same 20" panel from LG.

[surfacto]

Just out of curiosity, why switch to the iMac? If you want the most cost-effective upgrade, just get the newest Mini and keep your big Dell monitor. By the time Leopard is out, the Minis will probably have the core 2 chips.

[Gordio]

Originally Posted by surfacto 

Just out of curiosity, why switch to the iMac? If you want the most cost-effective upgrade, just get the newest Mini and keep your big Dell monitor. By the time Leopard is out, the Minis will probably have the core 2 chips.

I currently use a mini. My main beef is it's not strong enough; HD movies barely runs; it is only smooth if absolutely nothing else is running. Theres also no Video card. The integrated card is a good value, but i"m not poor so I don't think I shuld settle for high value.

Here are many reasons why I'm switching:
1) dust. I live in the basement, so dust cumulates fast. The mini's easier to clean than my desktop PC, but I realized it wouild be easier if i went a step further w/ an imac
2) imac looks nicer than my dell monitor. Also, it has a webcam
3) imac is fast.
4) Some pc-only softare I need to use. Some (and very few) games on windows I want to play, like half life 2 portals. But mainly Paintshop, which i like omre than photoshop for what I do, and a game editor called multimedia fusion,which I loved using for several years of my life. MMF2 came out this year, and I missed out on using it. )I can now, cuz I have bootcamp) . And I want horsepower for those PC applications
5) I have all these third party keyboard, mouse, monitor. I think if its all considated in an all-mac one piece object, it'll feel nicer. I used to think looks don't matter, but I spend most of my home time on a computer, and I think it'll feel pleasant and more peaceful if it looks nicer
6) I'm not poor. I can afford the 24 incher. I'll sell my mini to my cousin, who uses this very outdated toshiba laptop. My monitor i'll give to my dad. It'll be good for dvd watching, or if he wants to watch tv (since standard TV inputs plugs through the back)

[Gordio]

double post

[MichiganRich]

Gordio-

Congrats on the reasonable thinking and well worded post. That will get you nowhere around here, mister. *grins*

Sounds like you know exactly what you want, and I agree with much of what you said about the overall 'experience'. The 2405 is a great display, but I'm pretty certain that the iMac will do just as well. You may also think (like I do occasionally) that there is an extra degree of 'smoothness' in the overall look of the Apple LCDs. I currently own two 20" Ultrasharp Dells (2001FP and 2005FPW) and love them, but I would not have a problem with swapping them both for an iMac (20"+) or an Apple display.

Other than the complete lack of extra inputs, but lets not get started on that discussion...

[pyrite]

imac screens are very nice, but a little softer and easier on the eye than the ultrasharp dells you're used to (just as bright, it's more of a color/contrast difference).