LCD Monitor Opinions

[chaswp54]

Presently have a 19 inch CRT monitor but will be looking into getting an LCD flat screen in the next few months. I sort of know what to look for spec wise, i.e. dot pitch, number of colors etc.... and have read a number of reviews on various ones. (Personally I don't trust a lot of the reviews).
I'll probably stick with a 19 inch.
Anyway... here's what the "needs" are.

Photoshop related chores with a lot of photograph corrections and edits on a non-professional/commercial level.

Some games, online games mostly.

and the rest is just general computer use.

Looking for opinions and experiences with LCDs.
Thanks
Charles

[ldg40]

Hey Chaswp54,

I just bought the Apple 20" Cinema display. I too had the dillema of trying to deside what was the best choice for me. My top priorty was commercial use (PS/Illustrator designs). It was only a tough choice because of the price tag. I too shopped around, read reviews etc... The bottom line was "seeing" is believing. I have seen graphics recreated on monitor displays other than an Apple display, and way too many times, I've seen inconsistancies (sp?) with the graphics not equaly portraying what the designer has created. And this case was even more evident in photography. But, I've yet to this day, to see any difference on an Apple display.

I'm not saying that the apple monitor is the end all. I know there are other high-end, barely heard of monitors, in the graphics world (and basicly the same price as an Apple monitor). But I work on a Mac and the thought of having to figure out color calabration, with another monitor, is something I seriously can't handle!!! I wanted something I could take out of the box, plug it in and go with zero worries. And I got just that...it really is a beautiful sight to behold (L).

So Chaswp54, that's my 2cents worth! Good luck on your search! And the best advice: Seeing is believing! Oh, and I like your dog :).

[Bill E Goat]

Chaswp my 19 inch crts are getting a little tired and worn out and I've finally decided to take the LCD plunge as well, my usage is pretty much the same as yours, except I don't use them for games at all. Like yourself I have read dozens of reviews and newsgroup writeups on virtually every brand of lcd on the market.

Idg40 has chosen wisely when it comes to Apple pcs their displays seem to be top of the hill. Only problem is my system is Windows Xp pc based, so after doing some research I'm looking at getting the Dell 20 inch widescreen lcd which is basically the same panel as the Apple cinema display, both panels being made by the same manufacturer LG Philips. Having a display that accepts a DVI input makes for better colour rendering as well, so if you go with a panel that has the DVI option make sure your video card has a socket for it.

Response time specs that alot of manufacturers state seem to be very dodgy, each using a different parameter to do the tests. User feedback like Idg40's seem to be the best review criteria I have found. If you're interested this website offers a head to head review on the 20 inch widescreen panels from Apple and Dell, plus many other manufacturer and panel reviews also.

http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2400

[Silky]

I have to agree with ldg's comments about the Apple monitor. I, too, have an Apple 20 inch cinema display which I am thrilled with! When my Sony monitor started displaying color dstortions and the inability to calibrate it enough to make sure what I was seeing was true color, I did some research and ended up with the Apple. I wanted something that I could just plug in and use, no fuss, no muss, and I got just exactly that. I plugged it in and immediately went to look at some of the images that I'd received not so great comments on (thank you burndog!) regarding shadows, lines, colors, etc. I was horrified at what I saw! I know that if I'd had the Apple monitor when I first created the images I certainly would NEVER have entered the images in question...NEVER! I'm very very pleased with the monitor now, and know that the colors I'm seeing are what I should be seeing, and the blacks and whites are all as they should be. It makes a huge difference when looking at other photographs and other images, and I often wonder if people would be so so happy with their if they realized what it looked like on a good monitor. :)

[Scott]

I use Apple, Xeroxs, and Sony LCDS. All have been great, however, if I were to buy again, I'd skip the Sony's. They aren't as sharp as the other two.

[chaswp54]

Thanks everyone. Gives me a direction to go in.

[Joezilla]

I hate to be a spoil sport, but I used to own a LG DVD-RW drive. Probably the worst piece of computer hardware I ever bought. It was 50\50 on reading CD-RW discs, and there was little support for it. Half the tech support I talked to did not know the drive I bought existed. This was a few years back so hopefully things have changed, but I will never buy a LG product again.

[chaswp54]

I was going to wait to get the new LCD monitor but decided not to. Ended up getting the Apple 20" Cinema. Man.... I'm happy as ants in a sugar bowl with it!
One question for those that have it. Which color profile (.icc) do you use for your overall settings? (Windows XP Pro) Right now I'm just using the default settings.
Thanks again for those that gave me some guidance on this.
C

[Scott]

Sorry chaswp54, I've got a Colorvision SpyderPro and I calibrate it myself.

[Bill E Goat]

I ordered 2 Dell UltraSharp 2005FPW (Apple 20 inch cinema clones) yesterday. Here in OZ it's the end of the financial year today and for my other work I can claim a tax rebate on them.
Apple gear in Australia is just way too expensive, the Apple Cinema displays retail $400au more than the Dell equivalent. Plus the other main deciding factor for me is that Dell offer a 3 year onsite warranty on the panels. It takes roughly 8 -10 working days before they get delivered, so once I have the beasts setup I'll do a full review.

[Joezilla]

too little, too late. If you guys buy stuff from Dell, go
Here (http://www.techbargains.com/coupons.cfm) first. Probably could have saved a few bucks. I saved over $200 when I bought my Rebel XT from them.