9to5mac: What's the best value in monitors?

Seth Weintraub
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March 20, 2010
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I got a good question today via Twitter that I have some expertise in: 

What would you consider the "best" monitor for Macs...for a [good] price?

I've been buying monitors for small to mid-size companies for awhile and have one each of a Sharp, Dell, Samsung, Apple and HP monitor in my house so I feel like I have a bit of experience in the area.

Disclaimer: If you are a pro/artist, you are going to want something else.  This recommendation isn't for you…maybe your parents.

Dell has the best value in monitors and has for the last few years.  They aren't built like Apple displays but they are very solid and look good. 

If every penny counts, you can find the Dell 1600x900 20" display out there every once in awhile for $89.  But really, for $40 more you can step up to 1080P resolution.

I say this cold: No one should have anything less than a 1080P 1920x1080 screen on their desktops.  You can buy a 22" 1080P display for $129 with free shipping on sale at Dell every once in awhile (currently $149).  If it isn't on sale, you can usually find it refurbished for that price or less.   Here's a Samsung equivalent (same hardware+$50) as a mediacenter display which works great for Blu-Ray movies at about 4-8 feet away.  This is basically the same display (size/pixels/aspect ratio) as the $1000+iMac 22" without LED lighting.  The viewing angles aren't what you'll get in a more expensive display and the color takes a little calibration (2 minutes, very easy) but you have a 1080P display on your desk for less than the price of a parking ticket in most cities. 

But that's not the best inexpensive monitor you can buy right now.  Dell makes the SP2309W, 23" "better than HD" 2048x1152 display with HDMI, VGA and DVI inputs, 4 port USB Hub, cable management, Webcam, mic and analog audio I/O.  It also looks great with a "not as glossy as Apple's" 23-inch display.  It doesn't have internal audio, but I'd rather use external speakers (for another day's review) for sound.  They have a $10 sound bar you could get but I wouldn't reccomend it. 

The SP2309W hits every sweet spot for me and you can currently get it for $229+Free shipping at Dell.  Compare that to Apple's $900 Cinema Display with fewer pixels and ports. (yes it is lovely and has power for MacBooks, etc.)

The viewing angles are great but it also has an adjustable arm in the back for both angle and height (Apple's are angle only).  I've had this monitor as my main display since Apple botched its Mini DisplayPort to dual DVI adapter part over a year ago.

I won't lie.  I miss the old 16:10 ratio of the 1920x1200 displays.  I think they are better for computer use (16:9 obviously better for movies) but there are only a few vendors still selling those displays and they are usually overpriced and clunky.  What's great about the bigger 2048x1152 display is that you get all of the pixels of the 1920x1200,but at a 16:9 ratio.

This display also don't require Apple's horrific $100 Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter.  It works with the standard Mini Displayport-DVI (or VGA or HDMI) cable which are $5-$15. 

 

I have an older, second-hand 30-inch Apple Cinema Display in my basement that works fine with Dual DVI Macs but keeps going fuzzy with the newer DisplayPort Macs.  The adapter has been replaced a few times but works the same each time and Apple, after over a year on the market, still doesn't have a fix. Until Apple fixes this part, I can't recommend anything with more pixels than this Dell display without native DisplayPort built in like this Dell or the 27-inch iMac. 

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Comments (36)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 12:25pm

The 28 inch I-INC from Tigerdirect.com hit $250 on sale all the time and have a resolution of 1920x1200. Use it with my Mac Mini, and it looks great.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 12:28pm

what cable would I need to hook this up to a 27" iMac?

admin | March 20, 2010 - 1:25pm

any of the ones linked above - $5-$15 usually

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 12:36pm

And how about great monitor, for less than $2000?

Tallest Skil (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 12:44pm

Not even Apple sells a $2000 monitor. Not anymore, at least.

Palmyra (not verified) | March 22, 2010 - 7:44am

Well $1,799.00 for the 30" is less than $2,000.00.

Palmyra (not verified) | March 22, 2010 - 7:44am

Well $1,799.00 for the 30" is less than $2,000.00.

admin | March 20, 2010 - 12:47pm

I think the Dell 27 inch (above) is about the best stand alone out there.

maddog_uk_69 | March 20, 2010 - 12:50pm

I can wholeheartedly recommend the LP2475w from HP. It's 1900x1200 and has more ports than you can shake a stick at, which all remember their individual configurations, and you can even run 2 inputs using picture-in-picture. It also rotates to be a portrait display if you want. The colour is a bit strong out of the box, but a few minutes googling will get you the optimum RGB settings and also a range of colour profiles produced with various calibration hardware.

Violian (not verified) | March 22, 2010 - 10:36am

Yep, totally agree with you. I've used many big-brand name LCD monitors, and I'll have to say, the HP one I'm using has the best colors I've seen on any monitors - and it was only $120 for a 20". It gets pretty darn close to the vivid colors on the expensive Mac displays.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 12:52pm

"I won't lie. I miss the old 16:10 ratio of the 1920x1200 displays. I think they are better for computer use (16:9 obviously better for movies) but there are only a few vendors still selling those displays and they are overpriced and clunky."

So you don't know the SAMSUNG T24 ?

Great 1920x1200 display and nice monitor. Not expensive at all.

admin | March 20, 2010 - 1:22pm

It is around $400 and is solid but the Dell is almost half the price.

Oflife (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 1:28pm

Phwa, we just got a Dell U2711 in the office. It eats all else for lunch. But then, for something that's thrice as nice, we paid thrice the price! I believe the expression is, ouch ouch yum yum.

Up periscope!

:)

Oflife (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 1:29pm

Seriously, whilst not 'value for money', the U2711 connected to our Mac Mini (lol) is stunning. The workspace makes for greater productivity so it should hopefully pay for itself.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 2:04pm

Something to note about the 23" Dell you recommended: the price varies constantly. When I was looking for a new monitor, I kept my eye on the Dell because I loved its high resolution, and one week the price would be $230, the next it'd be $300, then $280, then $180, and it just kept jumping all over the board. If I recall, $180 ($179) was the best price I saw for it.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 2:14pm

I'll do my best not sounds like a zealot, but at work I have SEVERAL 23" acrylic cinema displays that perform great other than needing that stupid adapter and having a (comparably) slow warm up time. Also have plenty of aluminum ones with no complaints. I couldn't afford such luxuries for home so I thought I'd read an article such as this and ended up with the Dell 2408WFP. WIth HDMI, Dual DVI's, VGA, and Composite, Component, and S-Video I thought I was getting a great 1920x1200 monitor. The first thing I noticed were that the greens weren't quite as green but I let that slide, it was still great having all those pixels at a great viewing angle. Over time I noticed it getting dimmer, then it started streaking, then the menu bar started burning in... all in a 2 year old display and Dell didn't care since I didn't get extended warranty. I also had a Dell 1600x1200 display from 2009 next to it and it also started exhibiting these. Fed up, I shelled out the money for a refurb LED cinema display and haven't looked back. My desk is against the window so there's no glare. I love it so much I waited for 2 more to end up in the refurb section and replaced my wife's monitor and added a second for myself (using a DVI-MINI DP adapter as I have a Mac Mini). With rumors of 27" LED's at WWDC I'd say wait to see the price tag and if it bumps the 24" price down a hundred or two. I'd rather have monitors that last through several computers instead of buying a new one every other christmas. btw, In an attempt to show I don't just hate Dell, I use two of their DLP projectors instead of TVs and I love it, but even when using the same panel, somehow Apple just does displays better.

SluGGerN (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 4:14pm

Hi
Seth first of i must say 9 to 5 mac is great. Keep up the good work!
My question to you is: have you gotten the SP2309W webcam to work with your mac.
Thinking of buying this monitor for my friend who i just talked into buying his first mac (macbook Pro).
He is on skype a lot with his girlfriend so it would be perfect if he could use the webcam. Have scanned the web and I have heard both ways.
/Sweden

admin | March 20, 2010 - 5:00pm

Yeah the webcam works, no drivers needed. One caveat: You need to start the Mac with the monitor/camera USB plugged in, otherwise it won't recognize. I use this with Google video chat, Skype and iChat and it works great. (dare i say better than the built in camera?

LosingIt (not verified) | March 21, 2010 - 6:37am

Dude,

I just bought one of these monitors. Got a nice price on the monitor and a MiniDisplayPort to HDMI (male) cable. I am pumped for sure as I was just about to sink $600 into a 24" Cinema Display.

Am I to understand that I need to USB my macbook pro to the monitor to have the mic/camera work properly? If I need another cable, no big deal, but I just want to make sure I get it! What cable do I need?

Also: Do these cables go bad in your experience? (the minidisplays to HDMI) ie. Should I get 2?

thanks for this post, you saved me $200 and I think I have way better technology....

LostingIt

admin | March 21, 2010 - 6:51am

It comes with a USB Cable to the monitor (which is also a 4 port powered USB hub). I've not had many cables go bad but who knows how you'll fare. doesn't hurt to have extras.

Lexequinerad (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 8:01pm

Great article and posts, Seth. Very good technical information. Thanks, for keeping us informed. That's why I visit 9 to 5 Mac, often, because it is a unique Website.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 20, 2010 - 9:09pm

i like this type of thing. i think you would do well by doing more review/article things like this. I would really enjoy reading more stuff like this!

Reproman (not verified) | March 21, 2010 - 12:59am

Eizo!!! Don't forget Eizo!

pmz | March 21, 2010 - 6:53am

Thanks Seth, that Dell 23 looks like a beauty, and the price is unbeatable. Definitely my next purchase after iPad, i think.

Mac512k (not verified) | March 21, 2010 - 8:11am

Why would you support Dell? Isn't this a Apple site? Dell is a company (and it's CEO) with a long history of arrogance towards Apple. It was fun for them to pick on Apple when they were on top, and Apple was struggling. But my, my....how the tables have turned. Apple's current value=201 billion. Dell's current value=28 billion. Apples cash on hand=40 billion. Apple could buy Dell and have plenty of change left over. Karma is good.

Screw Michael Dell. I would never give him a red cent.

Cheap prices, cheap products. Walmart of computers.

admin | March 21, 2010 - 8:30am

The displays here are a great value and I've have had good experience with Dell displays. Their printers are horrible on the other hand.

Blake (not verified) | March 21, 2010 - 10:32am

Right now I'm using a Benq G2410HD. It's a 24" monitor with 1920x1080 resolution. Nice, quick monitor, looks good and was priced really well. I got one of these for $189CDN on sale. We actually have three of these throughout the house. DVI + VGA. I'm not a graphics person so having perfect colors wasn't my highest priority.

I'd definitely recommend these to people. I have it hooked up to my white MacBook and it has no problems. No USB or webcam on it, but that's what my Griffin Simplifi and MacBook iSight are for.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 21, 2010 - 10:37am

Big deal... I have a syncmaster 2343 that does the same @ the same price, even lower some places. Dell stuff is just the same thing everyone else uses. A Mac monitor is way better!

ProfWasteland (not verified) | March 21, 2010 - 11:02am

I have 3 undergrad students that just had PC's die and I convinced them to buy 13" MacBook Pros to be compatible with lab computers (they have just been shipped). I told them they should also get Apple Cinema Displays and cables, but this just can't fit their budget (they looked at me like I am crazy). The info here on less expensive monitors and cables is extremely helpful and I will pass this article on to them.

By the way, I recently deleted MacDailyNews from all my browsers, I couldn't stand the fanboys and political leanings. Someone commented there to switch to 9to5mac, and this seems to be such a better site so far. I feel so much better after deleting MDN!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 21, 2010 - 11:38am

I wish the pc guys would build a more solid monitor. I hate the creaky black plastic line of pc monitors from every OEM.

At the same time I hate Apple's $900 minimum lineup of monitors.

Pretty much leaves me buying iMacs. :)