TUAW Holiday Gift Guide: Displays

It's very important to make the distinction between IPS and TN panels. If readers are confused why the Apple displays usually have better viewing angles and much more vivid colors than other displays, it's because most "cheap" monitors use TN panels, whereas Apple always uses IPS. Anyone who has spent any extended period of time using an IPS panel would probably agree that TN is garbage, and should always be avoided completely. (lots of those people on the [H]ard|OCP display forums)

Having LED backlighting is nice, but it doesn't make a Samsung TN display anything close to an Apple IPS display. It is possible to find IPS monitors for less money than Apple charges, such as NEC's 23" EA231WMi, Dell's 24" U2410, or Dell's 22" 2209WA (you can usually get at least $100 off the Dells if you find a coupon code, or call up customer service and say you saw a deal being advertised), but they're always going to be more money than TN.

This is information every mac user in the market for a new monitor should know, and an article recommending monitors should really compare apples to apples.

Love the blog :-)

Just received my 27" iMac and have read you can use as a monitor with a Blu Ray player. Any recommendations on which one, and what cables would I need?

LP2475w for me. It's the best 24incher on the market with every connection known to man (HDMI, 2xDVI, DP, VGA, S-VIDEO, Component and Composite). Just waiting for someone to make a mini-DP to full DP cable so i can reduce cable clutter from my mac mini :(

It also has a 6 port USB hub with 2 on the side. Far more usable than any monitors I've ever owned. And a gorgeous IPS display to boot! Although I have to say I'm one of the weirdos who actually likes glossy/glass displays, which this lacks.

The Samsung LED monitor is actually available for $299, making it an even better buy.

If you do design work, stay away from Apple's new displays. That glossy screen will drive you crazy, trust me! I can't wait to ditch my iMac. The glossy screen makes me want to throw it out a window everytime the lights are on and I can't edit a photo or read my email.

Why is there no information about the type of surface of the screen?
There are many people that do not like high-gloss screens:
http://macmatte.wordpress.com/#comments

is it really true that the iMac guts go to sleep when it is being used as a monitor?

as in... let's pretend i have my iTunes on the iMac. and start to play something. then Command-F2 to use the iMac screen as an external monitor for something else... the music will stop?

i've heard anecdotal tales that it would. but looking for a real person that actually owns one to confirm that or not.

and if so... is there no way to override that action?

seems awfully short-sighted. it'd be awesome to have it sit in the background doing some CPU intensive tasks but still have it act as a monitor for something else whilst it is busy.

HP 2475w, which is more reasonably priced and has better specs than all items mentioned above. Once you go *-IPS, you are unlikely to go back. LED lighting is nice, but on a TN panel very much a lipstick on a pig - I have Dell G2210 at work and it is bright but nothing to be impressed about otherwise. The article fails to deliver.

http://www.lge.com/us/computer-products/monitors/LG-lcd-monitor-W2361VG-PF.jsp

Better comparison (and deal) two Dell IPS monitors. I use the 22" with Mini. Great color for PS.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=320-7825

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=320-8277