What's the best set up to run a MBP to a non-Apple display?
April 3, 2011 5:06 PM Subscribe
I want to run my Macbook Pro into a non-Apple display. Preferably one that's no bigger than 24" wide, 1920 resolution max, and is especially good for a graphic designer. Any advice?
I think I'm just allergic to the gigantic cinema displays Apple sells exclusively these days and they hurt my eyes. I've been hearing good things about Dell Ultrasharps, NEC, and Samsung Syncmasters. Would love to hear from designers who use a similar MBP->non-Apple display. I want to make sure it's a monitor that plays nicely with Apple products and is easy to sync, color-wise, although I have an X-Rite calibrator that should help. Any other monitor specs I should worry about from a design point of view? Thanks!
I think I'm just allergic to the gigantic cinema displays Apple sells exclusively these days and they hurt my eyes. I've been hearing good things about Dell Ultrasharps, NEC, and Samsung Syncmasters. Would love to hear from designers who use a similar MBP->non-Apple display. I want to make sure it's a monitor that plays nicely with Apple products and is easy to sync, color-wise, although I have an X-Rite calibrator that should help. Any other monitor specs I should worry about from a design point of view? Thanks!
"Dynamic contrast" is a scam: you want to be comparing true contrast figures. Other than that, sounds like you know what you want. I'd recommend a NEC display. One superb option would probably be this. I myself have not used this display, but understand that it's considered to be top-shelf. Definitely get corroboration from someone who's used it more extensively than I have that it's a worthwhile and trouble-free investment, of course.
I thought about commending a LaCie option to you also, but frankly they're just as expensive as the NECs and specification-wise slightly inferior. I have used them and been impressed, however, whatever that's worth.
Good luck in your hunt!
Best.
posted by alexandermatheson at 5:49 PM on April 3, 2011
I thought about commending a LaCie option to you also, but frankly they're just as expensive as the NECs and specification-wise slightly inferior. I have used them and been impressed, however, whatever that's worth.
Good luck in your hunt!
Best.
posted by alexandermatheson at 5:49 PM on April 3, 2011
Best answer: Additionally: it might prove helpful to prospective advice-givers if you were to detail what you dislike about the Apple displays.
Also, I should add that IPS (in-plane switching) is something you want to seek out, and which has become fairly common in upscale displays (including the NEC).
posted by alexandermatheson at 5:51 PM on April 3, 2011
Also, I should add that IPS (in-plane switching) is something you want to seek out, and which has become fairly common in upscale displays (including the NEC).
posted by alexandermatheson at 5:51 PM on April 3, 2011
Best answer: If you're doing work that requires color-correctness the only type of panel worth looking at are IPS-based panels. These types of displays have the best color accuracy and viewing angles. (The 27" Apple display does use this type of panel so I'm wondering if your "allergy" is due to it being incorrectly calibrated or just being set to super-bright-eye-catching-mode for store display purposes).
Off the top of my head, these are some non-Apple 24" displays that are IPS-based:
This might be of help; they also have very in-depth reviews.
posted by fennokin at 6:17 PM on April 3, 2011
Off the top of my head, these are some non-Apple 24" displays that are IPS-based:
- HP ZR24W
- HP LP2475W
- Dell U2410
This might be of help; they also have very in-depth reviews.
posted by fennokin at 6:17 PM on April 3, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks fennokin. You are right, IPS/S-IPS panels would be be best. HP seems to have some in the $400 range, while NEC has some in the $200 range. But I'm not informed enough quite yet to know whether the HPs are really worth paying double...?
posted by critzer at 6:38 PM on April 3, 2011
posted by critzer at 6:38 PM on April 3, 2011
Response by poster: it might prove helpful to prospective advice-givers if you were to detail what you dislike about the Apple displays.
Mainly that when I've used them, the large width and high resolution have been more strenuous to use all day long and aggravated the tendonitis in my arm. Strange, but true.
posted by critzer at 6:40 PM on April 3, 2011
Mainly that when I've used them, the large width and high resolution have been more strenuous to use all day long and aggravated the tendonitis in my arm. Strange, but true.
posted by critzer at 6:40 PM on April 3, 2011
Fair enough! I've always been a big fan of high pixel-density, but realize that not everyone shares my zeal.
The HPs are another good option: I saw the 30" model very positively reviewed in an ArsTechnica/Anandtech article, and presumably the 24" is quite strong as well. So definitely look into that.
posted by alexandermatheson at 7:05 PM on April 3, 2011
The HPs are another good option: I saw the 30" model very positively reviewed in an ArsTechnica/Anandtech article, and presumably the 24" is quite strong as well. So definitely look into that.
posted by alexandermatheson at 7:05 PM on April 3, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks, I'm liking the HPs I've seen. I'm now wondering what the main difference is between this NEC and this one and why it's twice the price....
posted by critzer at 7:21 PM on April 3, 2011
posted by critzer at 7:21 PM on April 3, 2011
Mainly that when I've used them, the large width and high resolution have been more strenuous to use all day long and aggravated the tendonitis in my arm.If you're having wrist trouble related to monitor size, there might be a mouse speed component in this too. FWIW, my Razer gaming mouse is about the best thing that ever happened to my design workflow. They have stupid names, but they also have programmable buttons and are nice in the hand, very precise, and very fast. This one has the best Mac compatibility.
posted by fifthrider at 9:57 PM on April 3, 2011
Best answer: coming in to recommend the HP ZR24w - I've had 24" S-IPS Dell Ultrasharps for years now (most recent one was the U2410), but when I switched jobs I had to buy my own and the HP was cheaper (and, to my eyes, looks better - though keep in mind I never did any sort of real color calibration on either).
be very sure you're getting an IPS panel if you find a cheap monitor. I've never ever seen a 24" 1920x1200 IPS panel for less than about $350. the cheap screens tend to be TN, which is not as good. (not saying it isn't possible, but the prices on these things don't change that much.)
also nthing turning up your mouse sensitivity. it's in System Prefs under Mouse. or get another mouse - the Mighty Mouse I use (i.e., the Apple one I got with the computer, but not the brand new one) is actually fairly slow turned all the way up. a mouse with a higher DPI rating (or a "gamer" mouse, like a Razer or something) will track much faster turned up. (I've had one or two of these that I had to keep all the way down, because it moved the cursor fast enough that I couldn't really control it very well.)
posted by mrg at 7:05 AM on April 4, 2011
be very sure you're getting an IPS panel if you find a cheap monitor. I've never ever seen a 24" 1920x1200 IPS panel for less than about $350. the cheap screens tend to be TN, which is not as good. (not saying it isn't possible, but the prices on these things don't change that much.)
also nthing turning up your mouse sensitivity. it's in System Prefs under Mouse. or get another mouse - the Mighty Mouse I use (i.e., the Apple one I got with the computer, but not the brand new one) is actually fairly slow turned all the way up. a mouse with a higher DPI rating (or a "gamer" mouse, like a Razer or something) will track much faster turned up. (I've had one or two of these that I had to keep all the way down, because it moved the cursor fast enough that I couldn't really control it very well.)
posted by mrg at 7:05 AM on April 4, 2011
Note that Dell, with increasing frequency lately, has their IPS displays on significant sale - you need to stay abreast of their "day of deals" stuff, but they happen almost all the time these days.
posted by mhoye at 7:20 AM on April 4, 2011
posted by mhoye at 7:20 AM on April 4, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Paying full price might not be necessary. I found this one on craigslist, for quite a bit less than Dell is asking.
posted by dws at 5:45 PM on April 3, 2011