The BIG 30" monitor discussion

[Synthetickiller]

So, we have three contenders:

HP LP3065 - runs a little over $1500

Apple 30" http://www.apple.com/displays/specs.html - $1999

Dell 30" http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&sku=222-0863&~section=specs - about $1500

Who's the winner?

 

[Ghost9]

This is a question I would love to know. I was actually just going to post something along the same line. I'm a graphic designer and would love to have the extra desktop space to do my work, but want to make sure the color quality is still good for photo editing etc. Right now I have 2 18" monitors running which is fine but cumbersome and not that easy to use with my pen tablet. I'd love to know which of these is best as I'm seriously looking at getting one.

 

[Synthetickiller]

This is a question I would love to know. I was actually just going to post something along the same line. I'm a graphic designer and would love to have the extra desktop space to do my work, but want to make sure the color quality is still good for photo editing etc. Right now I have 2 18" monitors running which is fine but cumbersome and not that easy to use with my pen tablet. I'd love to know which of these is best as I'm seriously looking at getting one.

I've seen comparisons of the apple vs dell;

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10442_7-6470175-1.html

but these were inconclusive to me and since HP now makes one, I want to see which is the best. If the HP didn't exist, I'd buy the Dell b/c for 500 dollars, you don't get that much more of a monitor out of it. I think you're basically paying for brand name although I've never seen the apple or dell in real life.

If the apple is actually outstanding and worth the extra 500, its probably worth it.


I don't do any rendering, but usually my desktop is littered with websites, spread sheets and such for research and the like. I'll have the cash to burn and I feel that it wouldn't be a bad investment. I already own a 24" samsung syncmaster 240T, which is excellent, but I'd like to have a monitor that can take more advantage of my graphics card. Plus the priceses have come down a lot.

 

[Hose]

Samsung has a 30" now, too.

 

[Ghost9]

I've never seen the apple or dell in real life.

I saw the apple in real life(it was on display at compusa). My jaw dropped and i drooled a little. The thing was beautiful. But I haven't seen any of the others. It's so rare for a store to put out models like that so you can compare them side by side.

I've read that the apple model is somewhat difficult to use on a pc, is there any truth to that?

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10442_7-6470175-1.html

That was actually pretty informative. I guess the question is, "Is slightly better color worth $500 more". In my case it may actually be since I'm in graphics. But that also brings up the point that I may be seeing such great vibrant colors, but what would people on other monitors see... Would it really be beneficial to me to see everything vibrantly if noone else can.. hmmmm.... I wish I could see them side by side to compare.

 

[Ghost9]

dude check out that link again for the dell. the price dropped!

 

[lostandwandering]

The price dropped because the newer version of it is supposed to be coming out in a month or so. I would get the Dell personally.

 

[Ghost9]

The price dropped because the newer version of it is supposed to be coming out in a month or so. I would get the Dell personally.

why?

 

[Synthetickiller]

OK, I'll add the samsung:

SyncMaster 305T - $1999 ( I have yet to see a lower price) http://www.samsung.com/PressCenter/PressRelease/PressRelease.asp?seq=20061010_0000293416

Apple 30" http://www.apple.com/displays/specs.html - $1999

Dell 30" http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&a...l=en&am - $1274

HP LP3065 - http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2077915,00.asp runs about $1550

Basically, we have:

samsung and apple around 2000

HP around 1500

Dell just below 1300.

The APPLE and DELL have 700:1 contrast ratio and 400 cd/m^2 brightness.

The HP has a 1000:1 contrast (NICE) but lower brightness 300 cd/m^2

The samsung has 1000:1 contrast and 400 cd/m^2 brightness ( best of them all for these 2 stats).



The biggest monitor i've used is a samsung 240t. It only have a 450:1 contrast ratio (these are 700:1 or better) and 230 cd/m^s (vs 300 +).

I'm used to the monitor and moving up would just be a bonus. I'd say the dell only b/c its the cheapest, but maybe someone can convince me otherwise?

 

[Ghost9]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHGHGHAHAGAHHHHHHHHHH!! Too many choices. Will THG do a comparison?! I would love them too. Is there any showroom anywhere that shows these monitors in the same place at the same time?

 

[Ghost9]

i think brightness is important if it's too bright. The thing i've been reading everywhere about the apples is that the color is vibrant and more accurate than the dell and that the dell appears to be somewhat washed out, much like a lot of lcds. I have a cheap 18" and everything is way too bright, even with the brightness all the way down. I've never seen the dell in person, but i have seen the apple. The apple was gorgeous to look at. I would not expect the response times of any of these to be conducive to gaming. I'm gonna take a look at all of your links.

 

[Ghost9]

This doesn't really tell you much:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/30inch-display-pissing-match-hp-lp3065-vs-dell-and-apple-199147.php

I haven't really been able to find much of a comparison on them. From reading all of your links and the little bits i've found on the net I think I'd have to agree with you. Without being able to see them in person side by side, it sounds like the HP is the best choice. I still can't get over how sharp the apple looked in the stores though. wish i could see the others in a showroom, but no store seems to carry them.

 

[lostandwandering]

The Dell monitor has a similar picture to the Apple display you saw. Just take that picture and put it in a black/grey frame for Dell. Why would I choose the Dell? Mainly because I have Dell monitors now and have had nothing but goo things to say about them. I have also seen the dell in action and it looks amazing. As far as gaming goes, Dell advertises this monitor as a gaming monitor. Games look excellent on it with no ghosting. Also, as I stated before, Dell is coming out with a revision of this monitor. Will it be better? one would hope. The price on the Dell is also hard to beat although the HP is nicely priced too.

 

[Synthetickiller]

The Dell monitor has a similar picture to the Apple display you saw. Just take that picture and put it in a black/grey frame for Dell. Why would I choose the Dell? Mainly because I have Dell monitors now and have had nothing but goo things to say about them. I have also seen the dell in action and it looks amazing. As far as gaming goes, Dell advertises this monitor as a gaming monitor. Games look excellent on it with no ghosting. Also, as I stated before, Dell is coming out with a revision of this monitor. Will it be better? one would hope. The price on the Dell is also hard to beat although the HP is nicely priced too.

The problem is this. For 2000 bucks, I can purchase a 50" panasonic plasma which is considered one of the better if not best plasmas around. I did some research when purchasing one for my mom about 10 months ago. I couldn't really justify spending the same on a 30" computer monitor. 1500 is probably an upper limit and 1275 is pretty much a steal.

I'd love to see what samsung has to offer, but paying 725 bucks more is probably not worth the price of admission.

Thats my take on it although I still have no idea which monitor is the best.

Like someone earlier said...


Maybe TOMS will do a review of the big 30" monitors

HINT HINT

 

[Ghost9]

I've taken a look at many hdtv's and none of them, imo, compare to the image quality you get from computer monitors. They may be cheaper, but there's a reason for it. I guess it all depends on what's important to you.

 

[Hose]

I've taken a look at many hdtv's and none of them, imo, compare to the image quality you get from computer monitors. They may be cheaper, but there's a reason for it. I guess it all depends on what's important to you.

Of course. Any half-wit knows that a TV makes a poor monitor unless you want to view it from 10 feet.... and who wants to do that?

The best entry level TV/PC monitor combo is a computer monitor at 24" + TV tuner card.

 

[enewmen]

Does the Dell 3007 support 1080p?
I know the res is 2560x1600 and it has real DVI-D inputs. But can it play video at full 1080p? The web-site did not say.
I am thinking about getting this monitor for PC and movie duty.
Thanks!

 

[Hose]

Does the Dell 3007 support 1080p?
I know the res is 2560x1600 and it has real DVI-D inputs. But can it play video at full 1080p? The web-site did not say.
I am thinking about getting this monitor for PC and movie duty.
Thanks!

Yes, if the video source is 1080p.

 

[enewmen]

Cool, thanks!