Monitors that look like apple monitors?

February 11, 2012 6:14 PM

What 30" plus monitor has a beautiful exterior like apple monitors (white or silver)?

My photoshop teacher told me that LG and Samsung have just as good 1080p monitors as apple at a MUCH better price. I would like bigger than 27" but I can't seem to find one that has a silver or white exterior and is smooth and beautiful like apple products. Have you ever come across anything like this?

posted by JJkiss to computers & internet (12 answers total)

The problem is that most commercial grade monitors are 1080p, or 1920x1080 resolution. Apple's monitors are much higher resolution than that. The 30" Apple monitor on my desk is 2560x1600, and their currently-offered 27" is 2560x1440 (aka 1440p). Trying to use a monitor that's meant for viewing like a TV from 5+ feet away (like a 30" 1080p monitor or TV) on a desk will likely not work out well for you. So make sure you look at resolution; I would stay away from 1080p monitors larger than... 20" or so? Maybe 24".

That said, there are solid non-Apple hi-res monitors. Newegg will let you filter by screen resolution.
posted by supercres at 6:29 PM on February 11, 2012

Example Newegg searches: 2560x1440, 1920x1200 (which is slightly less cramped than 1080p, but not by much).

So yeah. Apple monitors are actually really competitively priced when you're comparing them properly within their class.
posted by supercres at 6:37 PM on February 11, 2012

What supercres said. Apple's 30" monitor is 2560x1600. I've never seen a non-Apple one that's not black, but Apple's prices are competitive at that resolution. It doesn't look like they make 30" monitors anymore. HP and Dell do but are black.
posted by aloysius on the mixing boards at 7:01 PM on February 11, 2012

The number of models of 30" gigantic monitors is slim, aesthetically pleasing ones even slimmer...

Here's the Dell UltraSharp U3011:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260028
posted by kensch at 7:19 PM on February 11, 2012

Wait, that one's black, according to the description.

It sure *looks* silver.
posted by kensch at 7:22 PM on February 11, 2012

I agree with supercres. You don't want a jumbo 1080p monitor unless you'll be sitting some distance from it. Close up, a 30" 1080p would be comically low-res.

My wife has an HP 30" (2560x1440). I would not describe it as aesthetically pleasing. But it is awesome.

Another thing to consider with monitors that big is the ergonomics: the top of the monitor can be so tall that you're essentially craning your neck to look at the top of the screen. You don't want that: you want the top to be only slightly above eye level. We've got a super-low desk, and the HP has an elevator stand; even with the monitor all the way down on the stand, it's still slightly higher than it should be.

If you want something like an Apple product, you'll need to settle for one of Apple's 27 inchers.
posted by adamrice at 8:08 PM on February 11, 2012 [1 favorite]

A different take on the problem...our local framing shop makes up frames, as in picture frames, in gilt or wood, or aluminum whatever they feel like...attach velcro dots to the monitor and to the frame...and bob's your uncle...new skins!
posted by taff at 8:13 PM on February 11, 2012

Silver or white at 30". No, haven't come across it lately. Dell's 30" is on sale now and it's matte. I have an older model and whenever my associates are over they marvel at how the colour of their scanned paintings is faithfully reproduced by the monitor.

I find myself looking at the screen rather than the housing. Mine has thin strips of silver on the top and bottom, and is all silver on the back, but is otherwise black. But since I never look at that part of the monitor, but only at the screen, I had to consciously make the effort to see. Even the new Apple monitors are black with silver on the edges and back are they not?

You may have to get a used Apple monitor to your specs.
posted by juiceCake at 11:23 PM on February 11, 2012

~$1,000 (from juiceCake's link) for a used apple 30inch cinema display is an amazing deal. I have been using one for years, paid twice that for a new one, and it's an amazing monitor in so many ways (I love 2560x1600!!)...I am seriously considering buying another one after seeing that link, even though I unfortunately don't have the space for it right now. MUST RESIST HOARDING MONITORS.

With an articulated monitor arm you can get it right down to the proper ergonomic level (at least on my desk, which is pretty high).
posted by soy bean at 5:47 AM on February 12, 2012

In my humble opinion, the extra money you spend on a huge fuck-off Apple monitor is better spent on prettying up a Dell that you spent half the money on.

Your Photoshop teacher is right. Monitors are one of the few items I think Apple is trying to overprice on purpose. RAM is another.
posted by Sphinx at 1:38 PM on February 12, 2012

Actually, as has been pointed out earlier, Apple Cinema Displays have always pretty price competitive when compared with monitors in their resolution class (especially now with the used 30inch Cinema Displays); the Dell that juiceCake links to looks like an awesome monitor, nicer than the Apple (it's IPS, and has better connectivity) but it is $300 more. You might be able to find a used one for the same price as Apple's 30 incher, but you won't have much left over for 'prettying up' (whatever that means...spray paint?)
posted by soy bean at 5:30 PM on February 12, 2012

I've got the 3007WFP. You can get a 3008WFP here for $910. The new monitor is more expensive of course because it's new and better but these older monitors, Dell or Apple, in this class, are quite good as well.

You could probably find used Apples or Dells on Craigslist. One guy claimed he got 2 3007s for just over $1000.
posted by juiceCake at 7:21 AM on February 13, 2012