Cinema 23" on test, should I try the 30" for bigger picture

[andre tchmil]

I have the Apple 23" cinema here to test, which I really love.
But coming from a 17", I have the feeling that the picture is a bit too small for my eyes and viewing distance.
I'm a bit confused with Resolution meanings and figures.
So my question is , Will a 30" give me a bigger picture, or should I go for two 20" displays?

[6strings]

You'll get 800 more pixels across with two 20" screens.... and for $900 LESS than the 30".

800 more pixels is about another full size windowm so that's good. However, you lose 550 verticle pixels with a 20" screen.

MHO, I'd rather have the horizontal screen real estate, and extra LCD available should one need servicing, AND more money in my pocket. If you're into surround, you can split the two monitors and put a speaker in between them (mine are mounted to the wall on adjustable LCD TV arms I bought from Circuit City).

JP

PS. I got two Sony 17" DVI LCDs for about $500 a piece. I'm happy with 'em!

PPS. Just re-read your message. If you're asking about text size with these, you might consider two 17" screens since that's what your comfortable with... unless your lusting after Apple widescreen monitors of course! Then you should hit an Apple retailer and compare them side-by-side.

[synthdogg]

Go for 2 30" displays!!!!


What....this is Gearslutz, right?

[dkatz42]

Originally Posted by synthdogg

Go for 2 30" displays!!!!

Presumably tongue in cheek, but be aware that the 30" requires dual link DVI (too many pixels for one DVI link) so it's not compatible with the laptops, and you'll need the right video setup (and four DVI connectors) to run two of 'em.

I'm about to unplug my Sony17" for an Apple 20". The extra screen real estate will come in handy.

My real studio rig will have dual 23s, if I ever finish construction (but think of how much faster and cheaper the tech has gotten!)

[heyman]

Yes, tack on another 1100.00 for 2 video cards that can handle driving 2 - 30 inch displays..

Look at it this way, 1100.00 up front for the video cards, but look at all the money you will save in the winter time heating your house with those things..

[T_R_S]

Originally Posted by andre tchmil

I have the Apple 23" cinema here to test, which I really love.
But coming from a 17", I have the feeling that the picture is a bit too small for my eyes and viewing distance.
I'm a bit confused with Resolution meanings and figures.
So my question is , Will a 30" give me a bigger picture, or should I go for two 20" displays?

I would go for the new Dell myself
Better Specs nicer stand, better warranty and cheaper thumbsup

[True North]

Originally Posted by 6strings

JP

PS. I got two Sony 17" DVI LCDs for about $500 a piece. I'm happy with 'em!

PPS. Just re-read your message. If you're asking about text size with these, you might consider two 17" screens since that's what your comfortable with... unless your lusting after Apple widescreen monitors of course! Then you should hit an Apple retailer and compare them side-by-side.

I used to have two 17" screens but ended up trading it in for a 27" LCD Tv monitor. The reolution is not as tight as it was on the 17's but there is something about having that much space while working in your edit screen.

With a proper LCD monitor (as opposed to a TV) the res would be much higher and breathtaking. I would much rather go with one big screen as opposed to 2 x 17"/19"/20" even at a lower res.

I am just in the midst of building my next beast (Dual - Dual Core Opteron 280's and majorly tricked out ) I bought my video card today so that it can accomodate the new dell 30" I'll let you know how it goes!!!

[vixapphire]

I've been debating this myself, as I've got a 23" currently in my set-up and with the screen's distance from my eyes, it can be pretty hard (especially later at night) to read, since native resolution (on the apple 23) is so high. I've been thinking about replacing it with a 30" apple display, but the native resolution is super-high; the screen is larger, yeah, but the pixel size is the same as on the 23. Because of the foregoing, were I to spend the dough, I'd have a sexy big screen, great for watching DVD's, but not significantly improved over the current situation since I'd have to run it at a non-optimized different resolution to get the bigger image size I'm looking for. Thing is, for a bigger image size, I could spend less and buy a 30" or larger lcd or DLP (?) television monitor that'll give larger images due to its increased size and resolution that's less than the 30", and that has DVI inputs. You can do about 42" or more for the same price as the apple 30", so if image size is your thing, that's a possible economical solution.

v

[XSergeantD]

Originally Posted by dkatz42

right video setup (and four DVI connectors) to run two of 'em.

a single cable is needed to run a single 30" display, 2 cables are needed to run 2 30" displays

Originally Posted by heyman

tack on another 1100.00 for 2 video cards that can handle driving 2 - 30 inch displays

a single card with 2 dual-link outputs will work, ie NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500

[dkatz42]

Originally Posted by XSergeantD

a single cable is needed to run a single 30" display, 2 cables are needed to run 2 30" displays

Yeah, my bad. Dual link DVI is done in a single connector. The 30" requires dual link, but it looks like the newest powerbooks have it. In any case, make sure that the 30" is compatible with your machine if you go that route.