Which monitor ? Eizo or Apple ?

[mcdronkz]

I'm looking for a new monitor, and I'm not really sure of which one will suit me the best.

I use my monitor mostly for photography (magazine work), software development, multimedia and office work. Gaming is not an issue for me.

I've got a Macbook with a TN panel that is not suitable for photography work. I can do some photoshop such as combining multiple exposures, brightness, contrast and sharpening, but I have to let another do the color corrections and I've want to do it myself to have full control.

So what I'm looking for is a monitor that has realistic colors and that is suitable for press work. The colors on the paper have to be the same as the colors on the display.

Since I've got a Macbook the new 24" Cinema Display seems like a nice display, but I'm not so fond of the glossy screen. I don't think calibration will work as well as on a matte screen and the colors aren't that good. On the other hand, it's a very nice display, very minimalistic and it's suits my Macbook perfectly.

If I'm not gonna buy a ACD, it's gotta be an Eizo display. I've got two Eizo CRT monitors and I hear very good things about the TFT displays so that's not a tough decision. Anyway, I'm not quite sure which Eizo suits me the best. I think that a HD2442W is a very good screen for me, in combination with an Spyder 3 Pro. I've seen the HD2441W too, it's about 200 euro cheaper (which is quite a lot on an amount of 1200 euro) and I don't think they differ very much.

So I have a few questions:

- Is an ACD nearly as good as an Eizo S-PVA screen, color-wise ?
- Does a HD2442W or HD2441W suit my needs ?
- What are the differences between the HD2442W and the HD2441W and which one would you choose, and why ?

Thanks in advance !

Sorry for my terrible english by the way.

[MaxxuM]

I don't have enough experience to compare or point you in the 'best' direction - but I can say that Apple mainly uses LG screens and price them with a sizable premium. The extra money you would use for an Apple would pay for a better screen from Dell (also using LG screens) or Eizo.

[mcdronkz]

Thanks for your reply. I don't know if LG makes bad panels, I heard good things about Dell but I'm looking for top-range monitor and I don't think the ACD is what I'm looking for. Glossy screens are not good for what I want to do with the display.

So, it will be an Eizo, I think they have a Samsung panel, but I'm not sure which type is the best for me.

Does someone have any experience with the HD2442W/HD2441W or can someone say anything about it ?

[René Damkot]

2441 seems to be discontinued.

Why that range of Eizo display?
I'd go with either the CG or CE line: Those are what Eizo considers "Graphic Monitors" (http://www.eizo.com/products/comparison/index5.asp)

Also have a look at the LaCie products.

Another alternative: (expensive, but good) Quato (http://www.quato.com/)

When spending that amount of money, I'd strongly suggest a "try before you buy".

Do you need (or want?) a wide gamut screen?

Do you have a decent monitor calibrator? Will it work with the Eizo software?


An S-IPS might be better then an S-PVA when there's for instance an art director sitting next to you who also needs to see accurate color. (The viewing angle is better)

[rklepper]

I had a pair of Eizo monitors for years and loved them. CRTs. My son-in-law convinced me to buy the Apple Cinema display. Not as good, but it was much cheaper. I am not sure you could go wrong with either display.