entry level IPS monitor

hi everyone, I'm looking for a monitor for basic Lightroom work.

the respective retail prices in my area are ($A):

Dell U2311H $222
Samsung BX2450 $396
Dell U2410 $528
HPZR24W $689

From what I've read the U2311H should do the trick, but I'm always wary when one alternative is this much cheaper than the others. Read a bit about it not being a 'true' 8-bit monitor but a 6-bit that uses dithering, though for someone doing work at my level that's maybe splitting hairs.

As I'm probably also shelling out for a colour calibrator though, there'd have to be a good reason to pick one of the other three.

appreciate any advice

I'm cool with my U2311H, calibrated with Huey hardware and DispcalGUI.

I would go with the Nec P221W.
It is a PVA wide gamut monitor (96% of aRGB) and has an interal LUT that can be calibrated with the SpectraviewII software.

You can buy the P221W & SpectraviewII w/puck as a bundle for $570:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …21W_BK_22_Wides​creen.html

The U2311h is a 23" display, while the others are 24", which largely accounts for the price difference. It's probably the most popular monitor in its class, with an overwhelming number of positive reviews and user testimonials. I'm sure you'd be very satisfied with it.

jpepper23 wrote in post #12503544
You can buy the P221W & SpectraviewII w/puck as a bundle for $570:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …21W_BK_22_Wides​creen.html

That's a U.S. price.

thanks everyone. is there a significant advantage in working with a 24" over a 23" screen, or is just a matter of personal preference? it's an expensive size-up from 23 to 24.

cumberbuzzle wrote in post #12514955
thanks everyone. is there a significant advantage in working with a 24" over a 23" screen, ...?

No. Screen size is measured diagonally, so the linear dimension difference is not so great.

cumberbuzzle wrote in post #12514955
it's an expensive size-up from 23 to 24.

This is where you have to do more research into what specifications constitute an entry level, mid-range, or high end color accurate LCD monitor.

Very little price difference between two entry level monitors, one 23" and one 24". But a high end 24" Eizo would cost more than 10x as much as a Dell U2311h.

I just bought the 24 inch Dell yesterday. I can tell you that my reason for buying that one in stead of the cheaper 23 inch is the aspect ratio. I wanted a 16:10 screen over a 16:9 screen as I find the higher screen much nicer to work with, particularly when working with documents and browsing the net etc.

cumberbuzzle wrote in post #12514955
thanks everyone. is there a significant advantage in working with a 24" over a 23" screen, or is just a matter of personal preference? it's an expensive size-up from 23 to 24.

In general, the difference between a 23" and a 24" is not that great. However, the Dell 2311 and the samsung are 1920x1080(16:9) monitors while the other two are 1920x1200(16:10) monitors. While 120 pixels doesn't sounds like much it actually makes quite a bit of difference in daily use.

The Samsung is LED backlit which is not ideal for photography purposes.

The Dell U2410 is a wide gamut 12-bit panel and IMO the best one in that group.

The HP is not a bad monitor but I would definitely take the Dell U2410 for less money.

That being said, the Dell U2311H is a great value for the money.

Just an FYI, you can get used matte Apple Cinema Displays for between $300 and $500 on eBay and craigslist... I love mine.

I replied to your other thread in Computers with my thoughts on the U2410.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1048997

TL;DR - I've got several, I hate them all.

cumberbuzzle wrote in post #12514955
thanks everyone. is there a significant advantage in working with a 24" over a 23" screen, or is just a matter of personal preference? it's an expensive size-up from 23 to 24.

This site is kind of handy for comparing screen sizes:

http://www.displaywars​.com/23-inch-16x9-vs-24-inch-16x9

You can see that if both are 16x9, there is not really much difference.

If the 24" was a 16x10 as someone mentioned, then basically you get an extra inch of screen height.

http://www.displaywars​.com/23-inch-16x9-vs-24-inch-16x10

My opinion has always been, that if you can afford to shell out the cash (or credit card) for a monitor like the Dell U2411, you might as well spend a bit more and get a fine monitor like the NEC PA241 and its mated Spectraview II calibration kit.

^ The NEC PA241 is more than twice the price of the U2410. I wouldn't call that spending 'a bit more'...