External Monitor

frigidlight

I'm looking to buy an external monitor for my 15" Macbook Pro. I live in a dorm so I can't go huge, but I want something with a higher resolution (MBP native is 1440x900) that I can use to watch movies, etc (use as TV) and that I can also use to work on and edit photos with a reasonable degree of accuracy. I looked through a couple threads already and they all seemed aimed at someone looking for serious pro-level color calibration and price, which I am not. Any suggestions?

ziggy53

I moved this to the Digital Darkroom Gear, where you'll find more monitor discussions.

My own target LCD monitor purchase is a Dell 2209WA. Native 1080 x 1920 resolution, good color fidelity and reasonable price (under $300 USD).

Take a look at these recent threads for more ideas:

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=165988

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=165207

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=163026

frigidlight

I took a look at that monitor and like what I see, especially the IPS panel and price, but all the specs I see say 1680x1050 for resolution... 1080p HD is somewhat of a requirement for me.

I just found this: HP ZR22W

and it looks good to me. Anybody have any insight or experience with the current HP monitors?

angevin1

frigidlight wrote: »

I took a look at that monitor and like what I see, especially the IPS panel and price, but all the specs I see say 1680x1050 for resolution... 1080p HD is somewhat of a requirement for me.

I just found this: HP ZR22W

and it looks good to me. Anybody have any insight or experience with the current HP monitors?

We've had some really good threads here lately regarding Monitors...Here is one, and there are good links in it~

ziggy53

frigidlight wrote: »

I took a look at that monitor and like what I see, especially the IPS panel and price, but all the specs I see say 1680x1050 for resolution... 1080p HD is somewhat of a requirement for me.

...

You're right. I'm not sure why I thought that the Dell 2209WA was 1080.

ziggy53

frigidlight wrote: »

I took a look at that monitor and like what I see, especially the IPS panel and price, but all the specs I see say 1680x1050 for resolution... 1080p HD is somewhat of a requirement for me.

I just found this: HP ZR22W

and it looks good to me. Anybody have any insight or experience with the current HP monitors?

TFTCentral did review the similar ZR24W and it got good marks:

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_zr24w.htm

I am now also looking at the ViewSonic VP2365wb which seems to get pretty good reviews, although the above HP monitors may be somewhat better? (Responsiveness)

Newsy

ziggy53 wrote: »

I am now also looking at the ViewSonic VP2365wb which seems to get pretty good reviews, although the above HP monitors may be somewhat better? (Responsiveness)

I'd also consider the NEC EA231WMi. Very similar units but I think the NEC has been reviewed by sites that put together a better review in terms of content.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/nec_ea231wmi.htm

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2009/review-nec-ea231wmi-bk.html

It has an e-IPS type TFT LCD panel similar to the one found in the Dell 2209WA and almost identical to the VP2365wb.

NEC ........... LM230WF2-SLA1
Viewsonic.... LM230WF2


HardForums' also has some interesting comments on very monitors but as you read them keep in mind that many of its contributors primary interest is the performance of the monitor for gaming and not image quality for editing digital images.

http://hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78

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