Looking for External Monitor (LCD) Recommendations Please

Hello, I have a MacBook Pro w/ 15" LCD (don't worry, I am running Windows and OS X -- I know this is a MS Forum ). But for software development, I need a bigger monitor, and going dual with the built in MacBook Pro would be nice. What do you recommend for an external monitor? I was thinking 22" would be a sweet spot, but I would consider 20" or 24". I just want something of great quality, that shows images and text with excellent crispness, good color, no weird buzzing coming from the back of the monitor, all that stuff. My current leaning is the Dell SP2208WPF, but I hear from some that the text doesn't show all that well -- and it is a glossy screen (not sure if that is bad for software development or not). I would appreciate any advice or real-world stories you may have. Thanks.

I'd say your best size would probably be a 22", the 24" haven't quite come down in price yet(But if you are prepared to wait another 6 months, then I think the 24"s will come down), and anything bigger does really improve in terms of resolution past 1920x1200.

Arranged in order of Price:

Budget: ViewSonic VW2226BW
Value: ASUS VW222U
Features: ViewSonic VW2255
Coming Soon: Samsung SyncMaster T220P 
Performance: ZALMAN ZM-M220W
24": Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP


Notable Mention: Samsung SyncMaster 226BW - This can be a great monitor however Samsung have been using different specification LCD Panels (this is a common trick used by other companies too), so some 226BW are different to each other, in short you want to try and buy the 'S' (Samsung) panel version only.

Check out:
http://www.behardware.com/articles/673-1/samsung-syncmaster-226bw-c.html

I have a Samsung SyncMaster 740 BF... Kinda sucks.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8718532&productCategoryId=pcmcat143700050048&type=product&tab=1&id=1200703080130#productdetail


Hanspree 28 inch, odd name but I got one a few weeks back and love it.

28 wide screen 1920x1200 pix.
has inputs for VGA,HDMI,component.
has input for sound, built in stero speakers.

can be used as a TV with HDMI

3 year warranty.

570 -- or less if you find it on sale.

Anon-E-Mouse wrote:

I was also looking at the HP W2207H or W2408H. I think I have narrowed my choices to: HP W2207H HP W2408H Dell SP2208WFP (Apple Cinema Display is a dark horse -- but I can't yet justify it) I always thought the Viewsonics, Spectres, etc. were in a class below the Dells, Samsungs and HPs -- but I could be mistaken.

I have a Dell E228WFP 22-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD and am very happy with it, plus you can get it from the Dell outlet for $229.

there are a lot of cheap 24'' full-hd s-ips displays now that large panels' prices have dropped. I read good reviews about the IIYAMA E2403WS (250$, probably the best of the cheapest 24'' displays) and the beautiful HP w2408 (350$) but there are many others that came out in the last few months, maybe you should check out the latest displays reviews on sites like trusted reviews to see if there's any other interesting display.

The performance of the ASUS and ViewSonic monitors matches and in most cases outperforms the HP monitors, they same or better contrast, brightness, and refresh response times - although 5ms and 2ms are hard to differentiate.

The HP monitors have higher power consumption in operating mode despite having a lower max contrast ratio(1000:1 vs the ASUS 5000:1), but they are more slightly standards compliant with the low standby of 2watts.

The HP w2207h is a jump in price, although they feature a HDMI (with HDCP) output whereas the ViewSonic 2226BW and ASUS VW222U have DVI (also HDCP compliant) instead.

The HP come with a 1-year warrenty whereas the ASUS and DELL offer much better and long-term Dead Pixels = Replacement policies.

The HP w2408h is a competitor in the 24" market, but the DELL UltraSharp 2408WFP is significantly better in price, performance, features(especially connectivity) and warrenty. (in regards to the text problem - I haven't come across that)

If you going on a moderate-high budget. I'd get the DELL UltraSharp 2408WFP.

I have a Samsung SyncMaster 906BW.

I have no idea about the technical specifications anymore, I don't remember that stuff, but quality wise its very good. One of the reasons I bought this monitor is because I thought the style was better than anything else out there, and as far as I'm aware, things haven't changed much.

I have a HP W2207, 22" and it rotates... not bad for £200.