Help choosing big LCD

Hydromonkey

I've decided i'm going to take the plunge and get an new big, high resolution LCD as i have a lot of 3D rendering work in the pipeline. I've looked at the Apple 23" (€1569), the Benq 23" (€1350) and a Samsung 24" (€1350). I'm very much leaning, much as i hate to say it, towards the Dell UltraSharp 2405FPW which is €1017 and has almost identical specs to the other models, they all have a 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA+) resolution.

The other thing that has just come into my head now is to go for 2 of the Dell 2005FPW 20" models as they're just about half the price (€501)

Any opinions/advice would be much apreciated

OfflerCrocGod

The Dell 24" is great lots of positive reviews for it on the net - I'd love to have it:D

K.O.Kiki

If your graphics card can handle dual-screen, and you have space for 2 monitors, might as well go for it, no?
However, if 1680x1050 is too low a resolution for your work, go for the single big one and revel in 1920x1200 glory!

But seriously... look at the specs, and ask yourself wheter you can fit and/or need 2 screens for what you're doing.

DonkeyStyle \o/

Thumbs up for the 2005FPW 20" ... using one here, very happy with it.

Hydromonkey

I think i'll probably go for the Dell 24". I'm interested in the dual monitor setup but i think i'd just prefer just the one. I have an Nvidia Quadro 4000 with dual DVI output so i could easily run the 2 20"s. Does anyone have any advice on the positives/negatives of a dual monitor setup?

Oriel

I don't think you'll get better quality than the Apple.

WizZard

The Apple is top of the class, tbh.

However, the Dell's are fantastic!! I use the 2005FPW and it's absolutely brilliant.

Dman_15

dells monitors are all on offer till the 26th, i must say i'm tempted to get the 24 inch monster aswell

spartacus93

The Apple took a small price drop today to €1419

astrofool

Once you go dual monitors, you'll find it very hard to switch back.

I'd buy two 20" ones myself, and then upgrade one of them down the line as prices fall, or the oppertunity presented itself.

Hydromonkey

This is a tricky one, i've changed my mind about 20 times now but i have to wait untill monday for my credit card balance to be cleared so then its decision time. I suppose i could get the 24" and then get another when prices fall down the line. Don't know if i could handle 2 24"s, thats a hell of a lot of screen, i suppose i'll just have to see how business goes.

Astrofool - What resolutions are you running on your 2 monitors? and what sort of applications?

Oh and by my calculations-
24" 1920 x 1200 = 2304000 pixels
2 x 20" 1680 x 1050 = 3528000 pixels

Thats 53% more workspace by going dual monitor



Thanks for the advice so far

blorg

I'd get the 2x 20"; addicted to a 2 monitor setup myself (albeit not such high resolutions) and couldn't imagine going back to one. It's very handy to be able to flip applications from one monitor to another, etc. - I'd find it easier to manage than a single big screen. An essential tool is Ultramon (www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/) which makes managing multiple monitors so much easier (particularly its 'move to other monitor' button that it adds to each window.)

Basically, if you use more than one application at a time (I code on one monitor and view the results on the other) go with the dual setup; if you work on the one thing at a time get the single 24" (which will obviously be better for things like movies.) With two monitors you can also put things like Photoshop's various tools and boxes on the secondary monitor, giving you an uncluttered workspace.

The Dell has got very good reviews compared with the Apple (and is cheaper and 1" bigger to boot.) We have a 20" Dell in the office here and it's certainly the nicest monitor in the place.

greglo23

i also have a Dell 2005FPW and it's outstanding !