Apple 20" Dell or 20" Apple

Hi,

I was playing with the thought of buying a iMac G5 20" 2Ghz this summer. (with summer job and all). But Today I finally decided not too.

Instead I'm going to get some add ons/upgrades for my current computer setup.

- Apple 12" Powerbook 1,5Ghz G4 768mb Ram Superdrive
- AMD64 3500+ 1gb Ram Radeon 9800Pro etc..

Now I have a 17" Acer TFT atm. But its beginning to show wear. It has a band on the left (about 1,5") and it has some kind of .. thing going on.. its just a band that is off color and doing weird things) So I was thinking about an new screen.

I was thinking about a 20" Widescreen. I would use it as a extension for my powerbook, and as mainscreen on my desktop, using the 17" as extension. I have a "monitor switch box" For easy changing.

I found 2 screens that I like.
- Dell 20" Widescreen (600Euro)
- Apple 20" Widescreen (760Euro)

Wich one to choose? Wich is better?

I use my desktop for some gaming (RTCW) and do mostly graphical work. So good color is very important. Other then that I surf alot.

And, will I beable to use the full resolution of the screen?
(Latest 12" Superdrive Powerbook and Ati Radeon 9800Pro 128mb)
(I will try to look this up later aswell)


And does anybody know of other good add ons for my powerbook?
Here is what I had in mind
- Airport Express
- Pro File 12 Schoulder bag ( Brenthaven )(have tiny Incase 12" now)
- iCurve, Apple Keyboard, MX500 Mouse (maybe, not sure yet)

All Idea's, hints or tips are welcome!

L

Michiel


:edit: rewrote, added correct prices

 

Go with the Dell, it's cheaper and has more features (PBP, PIP, rotates etc) that the Apple doesn't do. Here is a good comparison review.

 

Thanks -H- ! Great find on the review! I have no idea with PBP or PIP is, but I will probably find out int he article.

Thanks very much, this is just the stuff I needed!

Michiel

 

Yeah, as -H- says, also if you read that anandtech review, it says the screen in each of the monitors is actually the same, it's just the connections/ looks that make the difference. Also, the dell stand is more ajsutable it think. I think the dell monitors nowadays look just as good as the apple ones, or even better depending on what the room you'll use it in is like. Remember that the dell has a few anlogue inputs, so you can connect it to your xbox/ps2 if you have one.

TBH, I think the reduced price+extra features of the dell, with no comprimises (except maybe looks if you want it to go with your ibook) mean you should get the dell.


ch424

 

With a 9800Pro you'll easily be able to run the screen at its native resolution.

1680x1050 is a great resolution!

The dell 2005FPW is good, I have one at the moment and cant fault it. Switchable inputs are nice, I have my DVD player on composite and PC on DVI. Cant say Ive used PIP/PBP but might oneday...

 

Hi all,

I just read the review. (top notch review btw, thanks again -H-).
And yes, I will probably go for the Dell.

Why?
- Cheaper (160 Euro.. thats my Airport Express, for free + iCurve)
- S-Video input (I can use a VCR as a tuner, and watch TV on it !!!! (have cable, but no TV in Ghent)

The Apple does look ALOT better, the cable management is soooo sweet. But since I will be using the screen on 2 computers with a Monitor Switch box.. its already going to be a mess of cables... So it will be more handy to have the USB/Power Cable's not in the same cable as the DVI.

Thanks for all the help.
I was a little concerned about the image quality problems they heared rumors about.. but I guess that wont be a problem!

Its great to know I can use it as TV aswell..

Thanks again!

All comments/ideas/hints/tips are still welcome! I think GOO has a cinema display, so If he could write down his opinion, that would be great too!

Thanks everybody
L

 

PBP - picture by picture basically spilt screen, PIP - Picture in Picture so you can have a little window showing another channel.

 

I wish....

My mate has one, And I'm extremely envious.

 

I just picked up a pair of Dell 2001FP 20" and am very happy with them. At €545 they were the cheapest 20" Monitors I could find. Not quite as bright or crisp as my Formac Gallery 2010 but at that price I can't argue.

 

GOO : Oh too bad for you, lol

-H- : thanks for explaining! But still, a question. Lets say the native resoltion is 2000x1000 (I know it isn't, but just for easy calculating, lets assume it is). And I use PBP for the VGA and the DVI. Can I then have 1000x1000 (fully the half of the screen) for the Powerbook and 1000x1000 (other half) for the desktop PC?

It dosn't mather that much though, I'm happy that it takes a SVIDEO-IN, VGA and DVI. This way I can switch easily between Laptop, desktop and vcr (for tv).


I'm going to wait a few more weeks, and offcourse save up. And will probably get a 20" Widescreen. Thanks for the help.


PS: I also looked for the output resolution of my powerbook, and its more then enough for the 20" widescreen. It can even handle a 23". So thats fantastic news!

Thanks everybody!

Offcourse, I will post picture when everything is installed (Showing off)

L

 

No. PBP keeps the same resolution of the inputs but scales them down so they fit side-by-side.

You get black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.

 

Oh thats too bad. But If you choose a 4:3 Resolution (on output of your computers), you will loose less space, right?

Thanks for clearing that up
L

But it dosn't seem like I will be using the PBP alot.. The switching option is sweet though.

Thanks again

 

Dunno. I only run widescreen nowdays, both DVD player & PC are.

 

The dell FP screens are superb and are chosen over the Mac monitor on spec's alone... but the mac monitor is just beautiful...

I'd buy the dell screen.

 

i hear great things about the dells - personally i'm waiting till i can afford a 2405fpw to replace my samsung 172w (2 years old and good as new .. just want more real estate)
check out the forums here for people with more experiance with the dells ...

 

Hi everybody,

Well I'm about to purchase the 20" widescreen. I must admit the 24" is stunning, but at 1680Euro.. its just slightly too expensive. The 20" is "ONLY" 580Euro. wich is a incredible 1100Euro cheaper.. for just 4" less.

But I have been reading at a other forums (overclockers). In there specialised LCD subforum.

And the review were very positive about them. But a few posted about it having problems with Backlight leakage.

(Backlight leakage seems to be: You power you screen and display a fully black picture. (for exampel background image) And some white comes true.. )

And I don't want to pay 580Euro for a screen with a major fault. (The backlight Leakage is pretty disturbing when u are watching a "dark" movie.. )

So uhm, what are your opinions?

Go for the Apple 20" and hope it dosn't have the fault?
but this will mean:
- No Video/SVideo input
- 150Euro more

Take a risk and go for the Dell?

Or wait for another brand, or a price drop, or ... ?

Thanks very much,
L

 

I've got backlight bleed on my Dell, it dosn't bother me anymore.

 

I've the dell 2001fp and its excellent I was very impressed. You won't be dissapointed by the dell, as the widescreen one has exactly the same panel as the apple 20in I would get the dell everytime

 

* GOO practices a little Voodoo, and resurects a dead thread *

Guys (especially those of you that have one),

I've just bought a 2005FPW, to run on my mac mini. However, I seem to remember that the beast has both DVI and VGA inputs. Are these switchable? Will I be able to hook the mini up via DVI, and then use the vga input on my powerbook for some switchable, dual monitor loving?

 

Goo - yep, you can hook both up and do switching and/or picture-in-picture