Additional monitor for Macbook Pro

Jigsaw

Little bit of advice needed here.

I was wanting to get myself an additional display for my Macbook Pro for both watching movies and also because I am using Logic and Garageband and feel the bigger display would be helpful.

The Apple option would be nice but costs a bomb

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MB382B/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTA4MzU1MzE

Then there is this option which is altogether much cheaper

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=119336

First and foremost, are there any compatibility issues that anyone's aware of? Secondly, the BenQ can be picked up for less than £200 online whereas the Apple Cinema Display is £635, so can any case be made for the Apple option at all. I am an Apple devotee but am not a wealthy man by any means and we're talking a £400 differential here!!

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Ta

Greentree_uk

well it depends. if you want a 2nd charging unit for your mac to save the hassle of plugging in an out then you can take €80 off the price. if you want to operate with the lid closed then you'd need a seperate keyboard and mouse so you're adding cost if you don't have already. the differences between the two monitors are huge. the best way to see the difference is side by side. I've had many people bawk initially at the price of apple monitors but once they see the difference in screen quality they usually go for the apple. remember the apple lcd is LED backlit. these are expensive displays anyway and offer a uniform instant on brightness across the screen. ofcourse the apple monitor also offers built in webcam, speakers and USB port and all this from very tidy & neat single cable. I'm sure all this can be achieved cheaper seperately, but you certainly can't do it with the style and appeal of the apple solution. And for that I'm afraid you pay a little premium. if ofcourse quality of image on display, viewing angles, clarity of screen or uniform brightness don't matter to you then you're paying a premium for these high quality features and should opt for the cheap display. if you can I'd strongly recommend going into a reseller and asking if you can see and apple monitor and an entry level one side by side & spot the difference.

Rulmeq

There are lots of reasons why the Apple LED monitor is more expensive than the other one, but when you're on a budget those differences are moot.

That BenQ is one ugly mother...

I generally go for Samsung stuff at the moment, and their P2350 has a DVI port, and looks quite nice.
http://www.dabs.ie/products/samsung-23--p2350-2ms-dvi-hd-lcd-tft-5JMZ.html?q=samsung%20p2350
They also have a 22inch version for about €40 less.

Jigsaw

I suppose I could try to pick up a second hand Apple monitor. If money was no object this thread wouldn't have been started - I would be getting the Apple display but then I suppose in truth I know the answer myself. I bought a Macbook Pro when I could have got a PC laptop for considerably less but I know of course that Apple offers that little bit extra that PCs cannot. I guess I should perhaps just hold out a little longer prior to purchase and get the Apple option. Just wish the damn thing was a bit cheaper!!

Rulmeq

The older Apple monitors wouldn't be any better than the newer cheaper ones. Technology moves very quickly in this field.

If you can't afford the Apple one, then go with the cheaper ones. You won't regret it, having a second monitor is a major productivity boost.

Third Eye

Don't forget that you can now pick up a refurbished display for £499 from Apple...

http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/displays

Rulmeq

Third Eye wrote: »

Don't forget that you can now pick up a refurbished display for £499 from Apple...

http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/displays

That's saying €649 for me

Edit: Sorry didn't notice the £ sign

Hugh_C

the Apple 24" is a fantastic piece of kit with my MacBook Pro 17 (which I bought refurbed saving about 60% of the price of the 24")

logistic

Was recently in roughly the same situation. Was going to hold off and buy an apple display but couldn't justify the price in the end. I went for a samsung SM2333SW from dabs. Couldn't recommend this monitor enough. The picture quality is brilliant.

Don't forget Black Friday next Friday 27th. Might pickup a discount on a cinema display.

K.O.Kiki

@OP: What model MBP do you have? Does it use min-Displayport or DVI?

Have you looked at Dell displays?

uncle_sam_ie

I got this one for my sons Mac mini. It's a great monitor at a good price. http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ie&l=en&s=dhs&cs=iedhs1&sku=213281