External monitor for MBP?

I'm on the lookout for external monitors (20-24" WS) that work well with MBPs (13" 2.53 model in particular). Pointers to recommended makes/models and good deals will be appreciated.

I'm leaning away from Apple Cinema Displays (due to their lack of support for non-Apple computers which I own. Pl. correct me if I'm wrong in doing so).

 

well ... a starting point to this discussion might be what u intend to use the external monitor for ... primarily games? movies? designing? is colour representation and accuracy more important? or are u more interested in general utilization of your computer with no hard and fast need for colour accuracy?

I'm personally not aware of ACD compatibility issues with non-apple make computers .. I think this "incompatibility" arises primarily out of the inability of certain graphics card to drive the ACD ... (for instance, i highly doubt that a macbook could drive a 30" ACD ...) .. I suggest you give the specs of ur graphics cards (for the PCs you own) here or in the official apple support forums and see whether they're compatible or not.

Also, any specific budget you're looking between?
a good starting point for you to look for might be here and here

 

I use the 24" ultrasharp since it has every port possible. However I'd go with a 24" LED from Apple if I had a display port. I love the 24 LED. Maybe one day they will make it compatible.

 

I second the Apple 24" LED ACD. Make sure you get the refurb model though because its the same as the regular in every way (no dents, scratches, etc.) and it comes with a 1 yr warranty just like a new one. The only thing that is missing is the retail packaging.

The best part - its 300 dollars cheaper (599 as opposed to 899).

 

Thanks for the replies.

Zambie - good questions. The external monitor would be in my home office for day to day use. Average to above average video quality would be nice - doesn't have to be videophile quality. I'm looking for a 20-24" under $250.

As for the 24" ACD, my understanding is that it only works with computers that have an Apple mini display port (i.e. only the latest Macbooks and Macs).

 

For your budget you'd best go used / refurb / load up on coupons.

Personally, I find 22" TN monitors the absolute largest I can reasonably comfortably use in terms of that technology - and all the cheap 24" monitors that you might find new at around that price are TN.

In terms of quality of image you'll get noticeably better with the 24" Ultrasharps and upwards - these will be the general benchmark. Other (perhaps slightly better) similar types of monitors from mainstream manufacturers will be slightly more expensive, and not as well supported. And because of their relative ubiquity, your chances of finding a deal on them are higher.

Only go with the Apples if you must match looks, and certainly not if you're counting your pennies.The DVI'd ACD's certainly are overrated (what a surprise) and comparatively unreliable displays. They are compatible with PC's, although some combos can exhibit weird behaviour.

 

Samsung makes a 24 inch LCD that cost me $256 with coupon at Dell. I have one 24 inch ultrasharp, 3 20 inch dells (1600x1200 and 1680x1050) and a bunch of 17 inch dell monitors so I'm a big fan of Dell. That said, I prefer the Samsung to me Dell Ultrasharp 24 except for the lack of ports. The resolution is 1920x1200 on the Samsung which is important to me as I do software engineering on the display. The kids also love it for watching movies and tv shows.

 

I love my Apple 24in LED Monitor...

 

The 24 ultra has a TON of ports....i have it. It even has display port, HDMI, dual DVI, VGA, composite, S video...etc etc

 

Just about any will work. Although i have a MBP 15" now I did have a 13" before this and had it hooked up to my 28" Hanns·G running 1920 x 1200 without any issues.

 

The Dell U2410 is available, might want to check it out.

 

Is that the entry level dell 24?

 

Man if that 24" LED ACD had an input other than mini displayport I would be saving up for it. Maybe someday they'll have a adapter or just have a dvi input.

 

No - it's the replacement for the 2408WFP.

 

A place called Circuit Assembly Store sells a female mDP to male DP cable. I'm using to connect a Vista box (with a Sapphire video card) to my 24" LED ACD. The price was only around $20.

 

That's helpful info and the first time I've heard of something like this.

As it turns out, I was able to get a Dell 2209WA for a good price and am pretty satisfied with it. Still waiting for my cables to arrive before I can hook my MBP13 up to it and see what it looks like.

I'm getting a Mac Mini as a desktop which will be primarily hooked up to this monitor. I plan to use a MDP-to-DVI adapter and switch it manually between the Mini and the MBP13 as needed. Can anyone suggest elegant alternative solutions for using the monitor to display these computers? DVI switch, maybe?