Looking for a GOOD, display.

[Tumeg]

Hey all.
I did some searches, and they didn't really help due to my fairly detailed question.

Anyway, I plan on moving from my PC to a 15" MacBook Pro (specs are still being thought out).
15" is obviously not ideal for editing, and my current monitors are around 10 years old (Yeah, I know. They aren't even widescreen! FAIL).

I am looking for a monitor, at least 22" widescreen, 1080p, with HDMI connectivity.
I don't want to spend TOO much, but my budget is $375 (can be stretched, but absolutely no more than $525).

The first one I looked at was the $280 Dell S2409W. 24" with exactly what I need\want. It's cheap(er) because it doesn't have all of the extra features that I don't need. I have read reviews, and they are all PRAISING it, but all are from people who game and watch movies on the monitor. Not edit photos.

The next monitor is the $500'ish BenQ V2400W. This one is at the high end of my budget. My brother owns this monitor, and it is GORGEOUS. But again, I haven't read anything about it for editing photos.

The final monitor I looked into, was\is the Hanns-G HG-281DPB.
28" full HD, HDMI connections, etc. for $300. Reviews, again, are all in favor of it. But once again, all regarding gaming\movies.


I am leaning towards the Dell, just because of the price, the high contrast ratio, and the "pre-set" calibration settings (I may still have to play with them to get it to REALLY be calibrated, but I like how it has presets depending on what you are doing).

My main question is; do any of you, use any of these monitors?

But I would also ask you; what monitor do YOU suggest? Please try to keep it below $400, ideally.

Thanks!

[basroil]

I have the S2409W, not a photo monitor at all. Great for video though.

Three other options, in order of how well you would like them:
dell 2209WA (check this forum for it) great photo monitor, and cheap
dell u2410 (if the monitor below is any indication, it should be a beast) should be good, under $600, sometimes to be had for under $500
dell 2408WFP (best monitor i've owned, and that included an old 21" trinitron that could kick the crap out of your MBP screen any day of the week, even if it was CRT), currently at or under $400

[Tumeg]

I have the S2409W, not a photo monitor at all. Great for video though.

Three other options, in order of how well you would like them:
dell 2209WA (check this forum for it) great photo monitor, and cheap
dell u2410 (if the monitor below is any indication, it should be a beast) should be good, under $600, sometimes to be had for under $500
dell 2408WFP (best monitor i've owned, and that included an old 21" trinitron that could kick the crap out of your MBP screen any day of the week, even if it was CRT), currently at or under $400

Just searched the 3 of those, did some Googling and some reading... The Dell 2408WFP looks like it's the one I will be getting :)
It's around $425-$450 (depending on where you look), but I am willing to stretch my budget for this one.

Thanks for the help!

[NigelD]

I'm just looking myself and see the HP2475 also gets really good reviews. Its a toss up between the HP2475 and the Dell 2410 for me. I understand HP have a zero policy on duff pixels so that might sway it.

[basroil]

I'm just looking myself and see the HP2475 also gets really good reviews. Its a toss up between the HP2475 and the Dell 2410 for me. I understand HP have a zero policy on duff pixels so that might sway it.

2408WFP, u2410, 2708WFP, 3008WFP, u2710 all have a zero defect policy as well you know, if it's broken, it gets replaced for no charge.

[ChasP505]

Tumeg, by the criteria you're describing, it sounds like you're looking more for a multi-media monitor, rather than a dedicated photo editing monitor.

[NigelD]

2408WFP, u2410, 2708WFP, 3008WFP, u2710 all have a zero defect policy as well you know, if it's broken, it gets replaced for no charge.
Hadn't done enough research to realise that - thanks for the heads up ;)

[Tumeg]

Tumeg, by the criteria you're describing, it sounds like you're looking more for a multi-media monitor, rather than a dedicated photo editing monitor.

This is true.
I MAINLY will be editing photos on the monitor, but I will also be editing some 1080p video\movies from the 5D2, along with barely ANY movie watching.

So a "dedicated photo editing monitor" would still, probably, be perfectly fine. I just really want the monitor to be 1080p, so I can edit\watch my videos for what they truly are.

[basroil]

This is true.
I MAINLY will be editing photos on the monitor, but I will also be editing some 1080p video\movies from the 5D2, along with barely ANY movie watching.

So a "dedicated photo editing monitor" would still, probably, be perfectly fine. I just really want the monitor to be 1080p, so I can edit\watch my videos for what they truly are.

Don't bother, 1920x1200>1920x1080, since you'll always have the start bar... in fact, a quad tall start bar is about 120Px, so you could have that and your image on top ;)

Most 1080p displays under 800 just aren't worth it, the 1920x1200 versions are better.