[MacNutt]

Just a thought here Pamela....you're Powerbook supports dual monitors in an extended desktop mode and another 17 or twenty would be a huge area to work with. Pretty much panoramic, I'd think. The monster Cinema display is on every Mac freaks wish list...and if cost is no object, then go for it. But you may find that two 17 inch monitors (one of which is already attached to your TiBook) used in a side by side configuration is a pretty big pece of real estate to work with.

Plus....think of all the neat stuff you could buy with the money you'd save. (that's the Scotsman in me talking)

Just my dos centavos worth.

 

[Pamela]

Exactly the type of reply I'm looking for...keep your opinions coming. (My parents know nothing about computers so they can't give me the parental advice that I so desperately need

 

[MacNutt]

I think that most of the Eastern contingent of this community is probably tucked up in their beds trying to ward of the bitter cold right now Pamela.

You'll probably hear from several of them tomorrow. Were I you, I would be particularly interested in replies from posterboy, macdoc, chealion and gordguide.

(insert yoda voice here..."gurus of ehmac they are...steer you wrong, they will not"

Good luck on your quest!

 

[PosterBoy]

The main difference between the two displays besides the size is the resolution.

The 20" LCD sports 1680x1050 pixels while the 23" has a mean 1920x1280 pixels. It's a little wierd to think about, but if everything else were equal (including size), the 23" would still have quite a bit more workspace.

See this image (which lists the resolutions of the now discontinued 22" display instead of the 20"):

Personally, I think that the 20" is a great value, and will give you more workspace than you will probably know what to do with. The 23" attached to a 17" powerbook may be just a touch of overkill.

That said, I'd get the 23" if I had the cash, but I tend to go overboard on that kind of thing.

--PB

 

[Dr.G.]

(the Yoda voice continues) "In the east the sun shall rise....those MacMavens are quite wise."

 

[Dr.G.]

A related question, of sorts, re monitors. How close might someone get to a monitor, either LCD or CRT, without problems developing from this closeness? I am able to read my the text on my monitors (a 19" CRT and a laptop) without my glasses from about 30cm. How long is this close range possible before I begin "talking in tongues" due to the effects or radiation, electrical pulses, monitor refreshes, etc., at this close range? Merci.

Sorry, Pamela, I don't mean to take this thread off on another tangent, but since the discussion is pertaining to monitors, the MacMavens of ehMacLand will be drawn to this tread.

 

[Ohenri]

a 17" Ti book? w/ a 20" Cine-Display? Someone pinch me! wow.. Pam, you are loading up on the goods. I hope to God that you're not dating/married to a Mac head - he'll be over all the time for the wrong reasons! I say 20" display. The price and size are just right IMO. Man... that will be something else... DVDs!!

 

[Pamela]

*ARRRHHHH!!!!!!!* I still can't decide?!?!

Here's the thing. I am ordering through a special program and I have to order everything I want at the same time.

So I'm getting:

the 17" alPB, ($ 4248 CDN)
an extra battery for the laptop, ($159 CDN)
applecare for the laptop, (for $348 CDN)

the 10gig ipod, ($for 504 CDN)
the world travel adaptor kit for the ipod,($48 CDN)

the extreme base station, ($240 CDN)

the white keyboard ($76 CDN)
the white mouse ($76 CDN)
the apple pro speakers ($76 CDN)
the apple DVD-R 5pack media kit ($19 CDN)

AND a monitor.

I still can't decide which monitor?!?!
I can get the 20" for $1650 and the 23" for $2600.

I mean...money's ALWAYS an issue...I'm a student...but for the amount I'm already spending...what's $1000? I will be using the double (extended) monitor thing as well as just the mirrored monitor thing. And like I said before...ALL graphics (CAD, Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, Dreamweaver blah blah blah)

Someone help me decide?!?!

I got all the other things too because I'm assuming I won't be able to get a better deal anywhere else for quite a while (Excluding ebay...that place stressed me out and I don't trust it being Canadian and all)

If anyone knows that I can get the same or better deal somewhere else for any of the products I'm ordering please let me know. But my main concern is which freakin' monitor to get?!

I mean...I don't want to be sitting in front of something that is TOO big where I have to turn my head to see anything...but I don't know how this big monitor feels. I will be going today to try and track down the 20 and 23 to get a feel.

But I still really want people's advice. Because this is going to be it for a while! If I'm going to swictch I'm goig to switch to the max! lol

 

[Pamela]

(p.s. If I'm getting applecare for my laptop, does my monitor go under that applecare or do I have to buy a seperate applecare for the monitor??) (I know that a Powermac and a monitor can be considered together for just $251 CDN for me...but it doesn't say anything about a powerbook and a monitor??)

 

[Pamela]

I'm looking at picking up either the 20" or 23" cinema display to go along with my new 17" powerbook. I was hoping someone out there could help me decide between the two?? Is the only difference the size? And is the extra "3 inches" worth the $1000 difference? I thought I read somewhere that the 17 and 20 inch ones have a better picture or something?!? I'm sure I was getting it confused with something else...like maybe the old model or something. I've never even seen one in person yet.

Does anyone have one of these? How do they like it? Pro's Con's? I'm using it for heavy graphics.

Thanks!

Pamela

 

[used to be jwoodget]

Better change your sig to April 2003 PC-> Mac convert (if you want a 17" AlPB and haven't ordered yet - perhaps even May )

Methinks you are just trying to make everyone jealous

The system you mention buying is a techno-dream.

I've a 17" AlPB on order and I've an older 22" Cinema display hooked up to a Cube. That's way more than enough pixels for me. I'd go for the 20" if you really want another screen. That will be a better pixel balance between the two screens. Since you are buying an external keyboard and mouse, you might look into one of the lucite stands to raise the laptop. Would improve the continuity of a dual screen set up.

Don't know about the AppleCare question. With desktops, if you buy a screen with the desktop, the Applecare warranty covers both. Call the AppleStore and ask em.

 

[robert]

okay, heres the solution.

call it when i flip my quarter.
I'd opt for the 23" display, then it could double as a tv screen for your dvds.
I think macaddict had a story on this back in nov/dec.
Hope this helps,
Robert

 

[Pamela]

I already have a 27" tv and dvd player

That bonus doesn't even come into the equation

 

[Heart]

I am going to chime in here....

OK you already will have the 17" PB - with a Cinema Display. (Wide Screen)

The 17" LCD is out because it is not Wide Screen and put beside the PB will just look wonky !?!

The 23" LCD for playing DVD's on was an idea I like and never thought of. But you have that covered.

Staying on the 23" LCD, are you going to be doing alot of Digital Video editing with your machine?
Will you be making money doing DV editing?
This LCD will produce the best results.......

If no to the previous answer then the answer is the 20" LCD Cinema (WideScreen).

Pretty much that same screen ratio as the PB 17" and more screen space then most can handle.

My conservative vote is for the 20" LCD Cinema.....


----
The Mac Freak in me just spoke up and said:
" If money is no object, then go for the 23" HD Cinema Wide Screen. Just for the hell of it."

 

[Strongblade]

Well, I'd look at it from the perspective of what would the external monitor be used for?

Adding an external monitor to the AlBook will effectively allow you to have an extra screen of desktop space or, if you wish, mirror the Laptop's screen (great for presentations)

Ideally, the 23" is your best bet for the latter, but the former may be a bit much. I find that having a second monitor for programs like Photoshop to be an invaluable aid, since I can leave the palettes all over the second screen (as well as my iChat, iTunes, and ICQ) and have the main screen to be my workspace.

So in what context are you planning to use a second monitor?

That could help us help you make the big decision.

 

[Pamela]

Strongblade...you may have missed my earlier comments...but I'm a designer (architecture, product, web etc...) I will be using my computer for CAD, photoshop, illustrator, freehand, flash, dreamweaver etc (no video editing...just home stuff). I am a student right now but I do have my own business so it will be a "write off"...whatever that stupid saying means...I get to bring down my earning taxes basically...it's not like i get it for free or anything. Anyway...I hope that answers most of the questions/comments.

Like I said before, it will sit on my desk and I will come home and plug my laptop in. I would use it for an extended desktop, but not for pallettes etc...because I like to have them in the same spot I'm working, but I might use the extended screen (the laptop monitor) to place my internet, and itunes and maybe any reference material I'm using to refer to for what I'm working on. So that's basically it

Keep the replies coming! You guys are being REALLY helpful!

(And for those of you with the conservative mindset, that's just fine...but remember try not to think about price too much in the overall part of it...I want to look at it in terms of production and quality, and usability....thanks!)

 

[oryxbiker]

The 23" is a High definition display. It displays more ixels and has sharper and more colorful images than any other LCD(except the 22" IBM). If your doing more artist type stuff, go with the 23", in not stick witha 17 or 20, cause the 23 takes up some serious desk space.

 

[Pamela]

lol...good comments oryxbiker.

I went to the apple website to actually take a look at the dimensions...holy cow...LOL!! It is freaking huge. How far back would one have to sit in order to view it?

I seem to remember my mother saying "don't sit so close to the t.v. it's bad for your eyes!"

There isn't any radiation or anything bad coming off of this thing is there?

But back to the viewing thing...seriously. I mean is a 10pt font the same size on this thing as on my 17" powerbook? If so then wouldn't it be harder to see since you have to place it further back on your desktop to see the whole thing?

You also mentioned:

"The 23" is a High definition display. It displays more pixels and has sharper and more colorful images than any other LCD"

I thought the 20" had the same specs/features, it is just a smaller size???

 

[Strongblade]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pamela:
Strongblade...you may have missed my earlier comments...but I'm a designer (architecture, product, web etc...) I will be using my computer for CAD, photoshop, illustrator, freehand, flash, dreamweaver etc (no video editing...just home stuff). I am a student right now but I do have my own business so it will be a "write off"...whatever that stupid saying means...I get to bring down my earning taxes basically...it's not like i get it for free or anything. Anyway...I hope that answers most of the questions/comments.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Ah, yes, I had missed those references before I posted.

To answer your conundrum, I suspect the only real factor for you is physical space. Ideally, I'd say go for the 23" monitor. Unless you feel it might be too big for your physical workspace.

I have two monitors, a 17" and 15" (CRT both) and I find my desk is really cluttered. But it's a crappy desk.

But if you have the phsyical space on your desk, go for the larger model, especially if the extra money isn't a big enough factor to go with a smaller screen.

 

[Pamela]

deskspace is no issue...heck if it was I would just buy a bigger desk with all the money I'm spending anyway!! LOL

I'm going to go look at them right now. I'll let you all know what I think when I get back...

(*sigh*...you think this would be a happy occasion...but I just don't want to make the wrong choice you know?...I think realistically the 20" would be enough...but I don't want to be wishing in a year that I had the 23"...)