MacBook Pro 13 - What's the best "External Monitor"

A lot of photographers like the NEC monitors with Spectraview as best quality for price. Really expensive and not really any better are Eizo. You'll have to do some research on the size/prices. if you can afford it, the ones with the calibration software are the best. Also, the Dell monitors are actually a good bang for buck. Check out photo.net and go to the digital darkroom forum there and search on monitors there is lot of discussion and information there and you should be able to get a good monitor in the $500USD range. If the quality and rendition aren't so important to you, than I'm sure there are many out there that will do the trick. Maybe you can even look at refurbished mac monitors. I think they are great and they are designed to work with your mac:)

The $1000 Mac monitor is more about being a Mac laptop dock than a good monitor. You can get equivalent resolution for much less money with monitors from Dell, HP, NEC, etc. If you want image quality closer to the Apple, make sure the monitor you buy has an IPS panel. Hannspree is definitely on the low end of things.

Actually the dell ultrasharp is one of the best monitors in both resolution and accurate colour reproduction categories.

Still expensive, but worth it. 2k res.

http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/dell-ultrasharp-u2711/4505-3174_7-33913833. html

I Just use a Hp Moniter and it works well. You can go to bestbuys website and finde good moniters for around 200 dolars. I like the cinama display but it is to expencive.

I second this recommendation. Very good displays.

Watch their website for sales. It goes on sale every couple of weeks.

Crockout wrote:

Hi Thanks! What is an IPS panel

Here are a couple of links to read:

LCD Panel Technology Explained

IPS Monitor List: Displays Using IPS Panels

Yes the Ultrasharp are the ones I was thinking of. The rate a good reputation amongst photo people and the prices are very affordable. The better Nec monitors would be considered more accurate and color exacting than Apple Monitors, but the Mac monitors are no slouches either and work quite well for photo editing and post processing as do the ultrasharp Dells.

Hey - just got some mail this morning from Amazon and they have the Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24" on sale. A very good price - but I don't know if you're looking for >24" or not. Still, it's a bargain.

Clinton

I came across this forum as I looked for an answer to the same question. From all the reviews I read, the Dell monitors seem to be the best value for the money. My family had a Dell UltraSharp and it has lasted for a long time. I guess my dad knew what he was doing!

There sure is a lot of advice out there on this topic. I've read the links in this forum and they were very helpful. CNET has some great reviews, but I like to read what real people have to say so Amazon is very helpful for that. Dell UltraSharp Reviews

I use a View Somic Super Clear IPS monitor and have nothing but nice things to say.

Thanks JoHood, I've checked these out on Amazon UK and they seem very reasonable.

How long have you had it for? How do you link it up to your MacBook Pro?

I'm a bit behind with all the latest technology so am trying to find out the best laptop / monitor and other additions (keyboard & mouse) set-up...

Thanks in advance for any tips 🙂

Metta3 wrote:

Thanks JoHood, I've checked these out on Amazon UK and they seem very reasonable.

How long have you had it for? How do you link it up to your MacBook Pro?

I'm a bit behind with all the latest technology so am trying to find out the best laptop / monitor and other additions (keyboard & mouse) set-up...

Thanks in advance for any tips 🙂

I use the Dell UltraSharp U2412M. It has amazing picture and it has the best picture for the buck, but I do think ViewSonic has some great monitors too.

I use amini diplay port to HDMI cableto get picture to the monitor.