dual monitor

[Najdorf]

I have an intel imac 17", I'm thinking about getting an external monitor for extended desktop.

I was wondering if some of you have experience with dual monitors/you recommend it/or not-have advice (I never even tried dual monitors).

[skyhawk]

I use dual monitors at work (granted it is on a PC) and it is quite possibly the best experience in the world.

[reubert]

I have found a single 24 inch to be a bit better than dual 17 inch (or perhaps 19 inch) displays, but it's a lot cheaper to get another 17 inch than a 24 inch. Dual 24 inch, now that would be bliss.

You might get annoyed with color differences if they are not the same model, and it can also be an annoyance if they do not match in resolution, particularly if they are a long way off. Over all though, the more screen real-estate the better :)

[AnotherJake]

I was using dual monitors for a few years (even triple for a while). I gave up the second monitor after I got a 20" Cinema Display, which is just barely big enough (wide) to fit all the extra things I need for my workflow (24" would be even better). I used to use a 21" Studio Display which was really awesome, but the wide-screen 20" LCD turned out to be noticeably better in terms of screen real-estate efficiency (wide is better). If I were on a 17" iMac and wanted more screen space, I think I'd look into going with at least a 20" external LCD to use as the main display and use the built-in for the secondary (assuming that's possible on the iMac).

[Najdorf]

If I were on a 17" iMac and wanted more screen space, I think I'd look into going with at least a 20" external LCD to use as the main display and use the built-in for the secondary (assuming that's possible on the iMac).

Yeah it is possible, out of the box with the intel iMacs... Indeed the size and brand of the external monitor will be a tough decision. Hell, with Apple we only have to chose between a few products, now I have a ton of options as for monitor goes (brand-model recommendations appreciated!)

[funkboy]

I like the Dell LCDs. Got two at work and one at home and they function well.

[reubert]

If you care too much about color quality the dells aren't great. Certainly the 24 inch dell I have makes a greyscale gradient look like a blotchy red and green soup. Especially sitting next to the same image displayed on a 24 inch iMac. Some models may be better than others though. I can only assume that the 2407WFP is only capable of 6 bit color and tries to get a bit creative to work around that limitation.

Fine for coding, not fine for art creation.

[backslash]

i like Samsung screens. I have been informed by an unverified source (I've forgotten who it was too) that they make the panels Apple use in the Cinema Displays. I can believe that though: my Samsung display is a good match for the screen on my G4 iMac. We have loads of Cinema Displays at work, and I think the two makes compare well, although I've never compared colour swatches on them or anything

[AnotherJake]

i like Samsung screens. I have been informed by an unverified source (I've forgotten who it was too) that they make the panels Apple use in the Cinema Displays...

Apple invested one hundred million in Samsung a few years ago to help them out with their LCD manufacturing, so that probably isn't too crazy.

[Marjock]

If having the two monitors with the same colours is a serious sticking point for you then you could always invest in some monitor calibration equipment from somebody like ColorVision. http://www.colorvision.com/

-Mark

[Najdorf]

I ended up getting a 24" Samsung SyncMaster 245B :)

I'll tell you how it goes when I get my MiniDVI-DVI converter

[AnotherJake]

That looks like it'll be a really sweet monitor!