LCD is going out

[Curt]

My notebook screen has finally hit the dust tonight, I can hardly see what I'm typing.

Can anyone recommend a new LCD monitor, one that will allow me to continue to work with Photoshop of course. 19 inch or larger but not huge, what ever range you find most workable. I know I'll have to start getting a new computer, as always it just happened when I was thinking of something else. I think I need to get out of the notebook and into a desktop computer too.

Thanks as usual,
Curt

[Curt]

My notebook screen has finally hit the dust tonight, I can hardly see what I'm typing.

Can anyone recommend a new LCD monitor, one that will allow me to continue to work with Photoshop of course. 19 inch or larger but not huge, what ever range you find most workable. I know I'll have to start getting a new computer, as always it just happened when I was thinking of something else. I think I need to get out of the notebook and into a desktop computer too.

Thanks as usual,
Curt

Does anyone out there have an iMac computer? By the time I put together a system with a monitor, cpu, added items I might as well get an iMac that has it all in one package.

What do you think about this, I have never had a Mac computer, the ad says it will run my Windows XP Pro programs. If so what does it take to migrate the programs from a PC to a Mac? I have a program that transfers an entire drive to a new computer, including the boot, operating system and all of the files exact copy. Otherwise I would have to reinstall a lot of programs. Maybe that's the only way. I have a lot of Adobe filters and add-ons, oh my.

Right now I'm running an old HP monitor off my Sony notebook, outch, the screen on the notebook is totally dead, time to upgrade.

[pschwart]

Does anyone out there have an iMac computer? By the time I put together a system with a monitor, cpu, added items I might as well get an iMac that has it all in one package.

What do you think about this, I have never had a Mac computer, the ad says it will run my Windows XP Pro programs. If so what does it take to migrate the programs from a PC to a Mac? I have a program that transfers an entire drive to a new computer, including the boot, operating system and all of the files exact copy. Otherwise I would have to reinstall a lot of programs. Maybe that's the only way. I have a lot of Adobe filters and add-ons, oh my.

Right now I'm running an old HP monitor off my Sony notebook, outch, the screen on the notebook is totally dead, time to upgrade.

Please let's NOT start a Mac vs PC flamefest, but why not stick with what you already know? You already own Photoshop for Windows, and an equivalent PC is always going to be cheaper than a Mac. If you have to ask how to migrate a Windows environment to a Mac, then I'd say you don't want to engage in this exercise

[Curt]

I know that there are die hards out, no war intended, both systems have some great features which can be debated at leisure. Philip can you give me any ideas for a new PC, I don't work in the industry and wading though the data is going to be difficult. I don't game, I do Internet and use the Adobe suite but I intend to upgrade to a the CS version, 4 or 5 as I have an older one which is past date. That's about it, Internet and Design. The Mac looked interesting but all of my software is Window oriented. Would you recommend a simple PC and transfer my info over to it and be on my way? A CPU and a monitor I guess would do it, right?

Thanks for helping me with this Philip.

[IanH]

I picked up a NEC EA221 a few weeks ago - love it!
Not too pricey, razor sharp, good contrast, and a wide angle of view. I had an Acer, which fried.. good riddance.

[Curt]

I went and checked some monitors out this afternoon. I came across two models, an LG and a Samsung, both are back lit LED monitors. This is the latest technology and I have been reading about it. Like it or not I have to get into this and get it right. I'll need to calibrate the monitor also, that's another issue.

Anyone have any additional experience or comments about LED monitors? Not LCD but LED.

[IanH]

I went and checked some monitors out this afternoon. I came across two models, an LG and a Samsung, both are back lit LED monitors. This is the latest technology and I have been reading about it. Like it or not I have to get into this and get it right. I'll need to calibrate the monitor also, that's another issue.

Anyone have any additional experience or comments about LED monitors? Not LCD but LED.

There is a lot of market hype about "LED" monitors - read the specs carefully, LCD monitors with a LED backlight instead of CCFL.

[Curt]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...idescreen.html

Is this the model you have Ian? When I looked it up the first place that came up was B&H Photo interestingly enough. At Best Buy the LG and Samsung were about $289 and $309 USD. They really did look sharper than the others and had a non-glare surface compared to the somewhat glossy surface of the rest. Neither had VESA mounting though and I was going to use a mount on my new desk in the new room I have been preparing.

Curt

[IanH]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...idescreen.html

Is this the model you have Ian? When I looked it up the first place that came up was B&H Photo interestingly enough.

Curt

Curt, that is the one indeed. So far I'm very happy with it - blows away that POS Acer I had. Having used many different monitors (CRT and LCD) when I worked pre-press (wish I had money for those Eizo's!), I wish there was some measurement for "easy on the eyes" - glare, viewing angle etc., make a big difference at the end of a 12 hour day.

Too funny! Looking at the link you posted, I just saw that there are speakers!:o

[pschwart]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...idescreen.html

Is this the model you have Ian? When I looked it up the first place that came up was B&H Photo interestingly enough. At Best Buy the LG and Samsung were about $289 and $309 USD. They really did look sharper than the others and had a non-glare surface compared to the somewhat glossy surface of the rest. Neither had VESA mounting though and I was going to use a mount on my new desk in the new room I have been preparing.

Curt

Inexpensive LCD monitors are fine for general desktop use, but these are typically TN panels and are not ideal for critical photo editing. Last time I looked, a good wide gamut IPS panel LCD started around $600 and went up to over $2,000. Do an internet search for something like "LCD for photo editing." I can also say from experience that if a monitor can't be critically calibrated (both colors and luminance) then using it for editing will be extremely frustrating. I tested a 24" Dell but couldn't use it because the colors and luminance shifted depending on the viewing angle -- bobbing your head even a few degrees would result in Photoshop corrections. I am still using a CRT, and when I replace it, I expect the new monitor will cost a lot more than the computer even if I don't buy an Eizo. There may some relatively inexpensive monitors that will suffice -- check the internet and if you buy, make sure you have return privileges!