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External Monitor for my Macbook!
Written By aadil on Mar. 31, 2008.
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I've been using a Macbook [Black - 13 inches]. I feel the need for a larger display. 13 inches is kinda small for multiple excel sheets and photoshop layouts.
I was having a look at some monitors available in the market that I could plug my macbook to. The obvious option would be to buy a monitor from Apple, however a simple 20 inch apple monitor in India is costing me US $875.
If I look at a similar Non Apple Display though, its much much lesser. For example a Dell 22 inch monitor which is much bigger than the Apple display would cost me USD 390 which is less than 50% of the cost that I'd be paying if I bought an Apple Display.
What do the 9rules suggest? Should I go in for an Apple Display? Is there something extra ordinary in it that justifies that magnanimous price?
Or should I go in for a Dell kinda display which economically makes sense? Dell also has a decent product line by the way. And what size of display should I go in for? 19 inches? 20 inches? 22 inches? 24?
Mike
Written Mar. 31, 2008 / Report /
Apple displays haven't been updated in a very long time, and Dell displays have far newer components (and brighter screens for the most part) in them, plus they're cheaper. I have a dual display and it's a Dell... hooked up to my 24" iMac. If I end up replacing this display for another one, it's a 99% chance that will be a Dell as well.
I've had ghosting and burn-in issues with my Dell LCD, but I've also had the same issues on my iMac screen, so it's a toss-up in that regard. All things being equal except for price, you gotta go with the price.
BTW: Can a MacBook do dual-display capabilities or does it just do desktop mirroring?
jchristopher
Written Mar. 31, 2008 / Report /
I've always been partial to non-Apple displays simply due to price point. The equipment doesn't really justify the increase in price for an Apple branded monitor.
I'm running a MacBook hooked up to a 21" widescreen Samsung 205BW and it's been a great monitor. To answer Mike's question, MacBooks can indeed run a dual-display setup (surprisingly well) given that it uses onboard video. I do believe there is a resolution limit, however; so don't go hooking up a 30" monitor any time soon :)
Ozone42
Written Mar. 31, 2008 / Report /
I didn't know you could get burn in on an LCD.
Dell makes great LCDs though (or contracts someone to make for them, at least.) I have one on the way now. Check the reviews, because they have a couple different lines, some aren't as good for say photo work, but would be fine for gaming and the like.
digen
Written Mar. 31, 2008 / Report /
I would opt for a Dell or a ViewSonic LCD anytime instead of spending mulaah on an Apple monitor. External peripherals are way too expensive if you opt for Apple hardware.
Viewsonic has pretty good range for 19" and 22",
Viewsonic
I ordered a couple of Viewsonic 22" with DVI 2226w for my office,
Viewsonic 2226w
Ollie
Written Mar. 31, 2008 / Report /
When I got my 15" MBP I also splashed out on a monitor, and like you aadil I was in a quandary as to what to go for. I eventually plumped for Dell purely on price. I got a Dell E228WFP 22" WideScreen Flat Panel Monitor (shown in your link) and have had no issues with it. It's cheap, decently sized and of good quality. It's not like it's even ugly or anything.