Mac Vs Viewsonic Monitors Options

[jimmynitcher]

OK, I need two monitors - I can't afford a 30".

So I nearly went for 2 x 20" cinema when I discover....

the Viewsonic VX910 19" which is half the price.

I happen to mention this to my apple store bloke and of course he goes into one about how amazingly sharp the image on an Apple display is etc

So, how do I judge the image of each without my being able to line one up against another in a shop and compare them?

I am not sure what specs of a monitor I should be caring about here - there seem quite a few.

If they have the same resolution and they are both LCD isn't it reasonable to assume that they would be very similar in terms of image sharpness, luminosity etc

Or do Apple have something the others don't that it is worth shelling out the considerably extra dosh for?

Any info much appreciated

J

[Jsegura]

I have an Apple 20 inches. I compared it with others including Lacie and none resisted the comparison. Apple is superior to all. Only I regret a thing, that it has not bought the one of 23 inches.

[jimmynitcher]

I was planning on getting around the (ahem) size problem by getting two. The Apple display prices rise disproportionately to size - two 20"'s are a grand and a single 30" is 2 grand.

[Nels]

Hey guys,

I agree that the Apple displays are superior, but the Viewsonic 19" is a good buy and will do the job. Sure, there's a difference, but unless you're blind, you're still gonna be looking at a very clear image. You can also adjust the Viewsonic to pretty closely mirror the Apple display.

If it's cuttin it close($$$ wise) to get 2 Apples, then why not just get 1 Apple and 1 Viewsonic? Many go the route of mixing and matching their monitors/displays to save money. Some Studios do it too. Their are some pretty good options out there for way less, like............

Sony
Daewoo
Acer
Advueu Technology
Ben Q
DC LCD
Envision
Fuji Plus
HP / Compaq
Hyundai Image Quest America
KDS
Lenovo
LG Electronics
Likom
NEC Display Solutions
Princeton Graphic Systems
Proview
Samsung
Scanport
Sceptre Technologies
Sharp
Viewsonic

Good luck!

[jimmynitcher]

Wow, choice, the disease of the west!!

No, that's brilliant, can I ask you if there is a certain spec for these I should look out for?

Thanks again

J

[dixiechicken]

Yes to a certain extent there is.

Following areas is of interest:
Type & size: Flatron 17" TFT
Angle of view: 160/160 H�/V�

Recommended resolution: 1280x1024@75Hz (Digital 60Hz)
Contrast: 550:1 - very important
Brightness: 300 cd/m2 - very important
Responsetime: 12 ms shorter times is better for fastpaced games
(also factors as video noise and other)
Pixel Pitch (mm) 0.264 x 0.264 - smaller is better - sharper

Check out "Toms Hardware guide" for tests of various TFT-screens to get an idea of factors to consider before purchasing.
http://www.tomshardware.com/index.html


Cheers: Dixiechicken

[jimmynitcher]

Excellent work,

thanks v much, I shall apply this to the list above.

J

[Nels]

Well, dixiechicken is right on all counts, as usual ..and her mention of video noise struck a nerve.........

Without getting too technical, ....depending on your set-up, with certain displays/brands you might experience/hear a bit of hum. The hum is very similar to the hum that a single coil guitar pickup makes. You should check just how noticeable and/or distracting it might prove to be later, while in the middle of a project. Test which ever display you choose by turning it off and on with ears at attention and move your head from side to side too.

It might be a subtle hum at first, but it could get louder while in the midst of a session, so try to catch it before your refund grace period expires. At a computer/electronics store(Apple & Windows) you could ask a salesperson to set things up(basically) as you would at home. Drag items from one screen(Apple) to the other(Viewsonic) and listen closely for hummmmmmmm.

By the way, didn't mean to boggle your mind with all those choices. ....Viewsonic should do fine.

Good luck and ...let us know how it all turned out

[jimmynitcher]

No worries that's great Nels, I'll let you know how I get on

thanks again

James

[jimmynitcher]

Well the major differences between the Viewsonic 19" and the Apple 20" seem to be

Apple Viewsonic

Resolution 1680X1050 1280X1024

Response 16ms 25ms

Contrast 400:1 700:1

Price £500 £200

Are these results are worth the extra £200?

How much difference in screen space is the combination of a higher ratio and an extra inch?

thanks

J

[ourmanflinty]

If you're doing music mainly on your mac why do you need perfect screens?? the Apple's are perfect let's not dispute that but they pride themselves on detail and colour balance, very important for the art and print world but, discuss, not so much for the audio industry?
Sony also put out outstanding monitors, I saw Sonys in Roger Waters home studio, are they not good enough for the rest of us mortals?
I would argue that unless..

a. You're heavily into desktop publishing / animation
b. You're absolutely loaded / you're not paying the bill!!
c. You really need the Apple aesthetic
d. You're buying second hand or 'previously enjoyed'

...you don't need Apple screens.
My Samsung syncmaster's such a versatile little screen, AV input, SCART input, speakers ( pants ), TV tuner.

[jimmynitcher]

You've hit the nail on the head with the music application vs graphics, (I assumed as this forum was called Mac music...).

What prompted me in the first place was the vast difference between my laptop's LCD and old Formac 17" I still have.
All of a sudden it occurs that I don't even know the difference between that and a TFT - is a TFT as sharp as an LCD?

Looking at the Samsung it seems even more competitive than the Viewsonic on performance and price.

thanks v much

J

[PhilTrueman]

Yup,

It really is 'horses for courses'. If music is your main thaaang - you don't need a top of the range monitor - something that would satisfy the graphic artists.

There are plenty of good, great looking monitors out there that will do just fine for the music fraternity.

As with all things computer - you have to think 'what am I going to use this for?'

As much as I love Apple and want their stuff to be used - we all have pocket that only go so deep.

PT

[Nels]

2 more cents from me.....

Valid point(s) in reference to audio as opposed to video............

Granted, for working with your DAW of choice and for normal viewing of movies and such, the un-Apple will do just fine. However, it's a good to have at least one exceptional display, when using 2. That way, if there are any future Video/ Final Cut Pro indevours, you'll already be set and, will probably save money in the long run.

Nels

[lepetitmartien]

ourmanflinty is perfectly right, you don't need da perfect monitor for the job, an ok is sufficient. You can even buy 2 of them.

For exemple Dell makes great 19" TFT for a nice price…

[jimmynitcher]

Thanks a lot everyone esp ourmanflinty, I am now the proud owner of a 19" Samsung Syncmaster, I checked the specs as outlined by Dixiechicken and apart from the extra inch and resolution it beats the Apple(!?)-incredibly good service from Macwarerhouse BTW- I ordered it 5am and it came the following morning!

And I have an Apple display - my Pbook! That is now the 2nd monitor (plugs), I switched the menu bar in Display Prefs to the Samsung so all sequencers now boot up there by default.

I'm well pleased and especially glad I used this forum for research before I shelled out the wonga - I saved myself a lot of cash which I can now blow on another gadget, as is our way.

cheers folks!

J