External Monitor for Macbook Pro 2011 - Whats the best bang for the buck?

Back in February of this year, I stepped into the Mac world for the first time purchasing my 2011 Mackbook Pro with the i7 processor. My only mistake is that I should have purchased the iMac. I have never been a laptop person and find myself using my laptop as a desktop most often. My 13 inch screen is not cutting it. I have been searching around for some monitors, and there are so many to choose from! I usually use it to edit my photos so a larger monitor is what I am looking for. Preferably larger than 20 inches. I found a few Apple Cinema Displays on ebay for less than $150, but am not sure if I should stick with Apple to get the best technology, largest screen, and features for my money. Does anyone have any suggestions of monitors that would work nicely with what I am working with? I want to spend less than $350 on a quality monitor and do not care if it is used. I just need some model numbers and features to search for. Or should I go with a used Apple Cinema? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Dell UltraSharp U2311H if you can find it. The 2311 appears to have been good for the price, and the 2312 is a different beast.

Whatever you get, make sure it's an IPS screen…

Older Apple Cinema displays are quite okay for that price, and have the advantage (to me) of a bit less wide aspect ratio then some of the newer screens.

Some of the newer screens might offer a wider gamut, but you might or might not need that.

You should get an IPS (or a PVA) display, not a TN/DSTN, and one where you can disable the "dynamic contrast" feature (if it has one) because the backlight modulation f*cks with the color calibration (if you care to calibrate your monitor).

HP ZR24W. Very good for the money.

i use cinema displays and I buy them under a year used. Would never buy new. People tend to baby their apple displays and their longevity is worth it in my experience. An attractive display with tons of resolution. But I've been a sucker for apple products since the mid-90's. It's a curse and so my advice is purely bias.

Dell has the U2312HM on sale for $259 with free shipping.

DELL U2312HM eIPS

albatros wrote in post #13303642
You should get an IPS (or a PVA) display, not a TN/DSTN, and one where you can disable the "dynamic contrast" feature (if it has one) because the backlight modulation f*cks with the color calibration (if you care to calibrate your monitor).

That ability isn't always easy to discern before purchasing.

George_Rider wrote in post #13309187
Dell has the U2312HM on sale for $259 with free shipping.

DELL U2312HM eIPS

That is an LED backlit display. It is the replacement for the now discontinued U2311H but a completely different monitor.

I would go with a Dell IPS. They are beautiful.

I have the previous generation Apple Cinema display connected to my Mac Pro (for photo editing) which I really like as its not the "glossy" screen, but a matt screen. If you can get a good working one for $150 I'd jump at it. I also have a mac mini I use for general office apps' connected to a Samsung SyncMaster 2233 (22 inch wide screen). Its pretty impressive for a monitor that cost me just over $200 and I would not hesitate to use it for non-critical photo editing.

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone! I am going to go out tonight and get a new monitor!

I personally use the thunderbolt display. I know its 1,000$, but it's worth every penny. I power a full desktop studio with it and it charges my laptop. Super easy to use and the highest quality screen available. Oh, and its 27 inches. Winner.

I was on a budget, but I did end up getting the Samsung Syncmaster S27A550H 27 Inch monitor.

http://www.amazon.com …ass-Monitor/dp/B004TPTW1A

Thanks for all of your help in this thread! I was about to go the IPS route, but the price difference to the screen size was worth it for me to have a larger screen. I do not have many problems with color. Again thank you to everyone who gave their input.

BuckyN8 wrote in post #13352553
I did end up getting the Samsung Syncmaster S27A550H 27 Inch monitor.
[...]
I was about to go the IPS route, but the price difference to the screen size was worth it for me to have a larger screen.

I wouldn't have made that choice…

Anyway, enjoy your new screen