Monitor-fi - Page 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by pigmode 

Thanks for the rec on the Ultrasharp, as they seem to be well reviewed.

Just make sure to get one of the Premium Panel models as those are the ones that really shine. They are the high-end IPS that everyone reviews and loves. They do something like 100% of sRGB and 98.5% of Adobe RGB. I know that doesn't mean a lot to most people but to those of us in the design world it means this: Very high color representation where everything is going to look perfect once calibrated, both vivid and deep.

Though, one thing I've often seen is people say Dell displays benefit from calibration when you first get them. Unfortunately I can't recommend a good screen calibrator as I've never really used any.

Spyder 3 or iDisplay 1 are what you'd start looking at, ideally their better models if you have more money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnambulist 

Spyder 3 or iDisplay 1 are what you'd start looking at, ideally their better models if you have more money.

I've come across recs for the Spyder 3 in conjunction with Dell monitors, although I was hoping Apple's built-in color calibrator might be sufficient. I guess that might be open to question. 

The nifty thing is you can (IIRC) use the Spyder 3 with your TV(s) and projectors as well (one person on another forum I go on has a loaner program going where the Spyder is passed from person to person). To be honest I think getting hardcore with calibration is only really useful if you're doing photog work etc where you REALLY need colours to be 100% accurate. You can probably get close enough with a decent software calibrator, but a hardware one is always good because monitors will dim and change slightly over time, meaning recalibration.

I know with my HP ZR24W monitor, to get the optimum contrast you need to set the backlight from 0-10 and contrast at 100, but this then screws with the colours enough that calibration is required.... so I gotta save for one of these things. Thing is, I have F.Lux on my Mac so in the evening the colour temp of the screen changes over an hour at sunset from 6500k to something like 2700k which is much easier on the eyes at night.

Software calibration works alright, it just takes a lot of fiddling and relies on your ability to calibrate correctly. Using a device takes out the guess-work.

That being said, I've never calibrated any monitor of mine beyond basic software because even as a web designer.

By any chance, does anyone know where to find a Samsung 27in Vesa Adapter? 

I been looking for a long time and still none, I don't know why Samsung decided not to put Vesa holes in the back. 

I got a Dell 23" from 2007 at a goodwill store for $25, 1680x1050 and apparently it uses the same tech as the Apple Cinema displays. Don't know if that's true, but that's what I use for my main monitor. And I also have a 19" HP that I used previously acting as a second monitor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechgamer123 

I got a Dell 23" from 2007 at a goodwill store for $25, 1680x1050 and apparently it uses the same tech as the Apple Cinema displays. Don't know if that's true, but that's what I use for my main monitor. And I also have a 19" HP that I used previously acting as a second monitor.

Apple uses a pretty bog-standard LG panel. Though, saying the same tech means it's just an LED-backlit display.

the iDisplay is the same panel as the U2711, difference being it doesnt have the matte coating. Your tilting issue can be easily fixed by getting an aftermarket monitor stand. Certainly worth the price difference between the iDisplay and the U2711. Also there's a korean manifacturer making displays /w the same panel for 300ish bucks(incl. shipping), downside being they ship from korea and are glossy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keller1 

the iDisplay is the same panel as the U2711, difference being it doesnt have the matte coating. Your tilting issue can be easily fixed by getting an aftermarket monitor stand. Certainly worth the price difference between the iDisplay and the U2711. Also there's a korean manifacturer making displays /w the same panel for 300ish bucks(incl. shipping), downside being they ship from korea and are glossy.

Ooo... You're right. I could have sworn it was a plain LCD but it looks like Apple has finally started shipping IPS screens in all it's products. I don't believe mine is an IPS screen, but I could be wrong. It is a little older now, though.

Personally, I prefer a glossy screen as colors tend to be a bit more vibrant. Though, my iMac sits away from a window to reduce the glare. The Dell 24" UltraSharp I have at work, however, is matte but it's still a truly beautiful display. One of the best I've had the pleasure of using. My only complaints about it are about it's form-factor. It has loads of connectors and is great for ergonomics (it goes pretty high and is swivels well) but the buttons are way, way too easy to hit. I have poor depth perception and often find myself bumping the bottom corner and turning it off. That and I always reach to adjust the screen to just where they put the touch menus...

Still, those are small complaints. If all you care about is the screen, there's few better for the rice.

I'm almost tempted to upgrade from my HP ZR24W just because of 

a) the backlight hum (it's a CCFL LCD)

b) matte screen

Not much point though, as I intend to replace this and the Mac Mini (2010) it's connected to with a 27" iMac once they Retina that badboy up. Patience...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnambulist 

I'm almost tempted to upgrade from my HP ZR24W just because of 

a) the backlight hum (it's a CCFL LCD)

b) matte screen

 

Not much point though, as I intend to replace this and the Mac Mini (2010) it's connected to with a 27" iMac once they Retina that badboy up. Patience...

My iMac is about two years old now. I'll replace it when Retina Macs hit next year as well. Or if they don't. I'll still swap it out. :D

I'm sure they will. There were a lot of people waiting to say HA HA TOLD YOU THEY WOULDN'T at WWDC because they thought a Retina MBP was still fairytale stuff and got pie on their face - obviously a screen the size of the iMac's presents a literally bigger challenge in terms of quality control (dead pixels etc) - but it's surely a case of when, not if.

Maybe Thunderbolt drives will be cheaper by then too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougofTheAbaci 

 

My iMac is about two years old now. I'll replace it when Retina Macs hit next year as well. Or if they don't. I'll still swap it out. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hente 

Anyone have a recommendation on a monitor that can be used in portrait mode right out of the box? Needs to be around 22" vertically while in portrait mode, the cheaper the better.

U2311H?

Not the cheapest, but a nice quality monitor.

I've had no issues with either my 23" or my new U2711.

The build quality on both is one of the best things about them in my opinion, stands are very nice.

Would recommend them to anyone.