I've been thinking about adding an external monitor to my Macbook Pro (since it's my only machine at home) and was looking for some suggestions on a good monitor in the 23";-24"; range.  It's been a LONG time since I was up to date on the latest and greatest, but I'm not looking for anything that's going to break the bank, just a good solid monitor for a good price.

Example:  newegg.com has a 23.6"; Viewsonic LCD for $200.  I'd like to hear if this example is worth considering or if there's a better brand for the price or anything along those lines.  I'm just out of touch with everything.

Thanks in advance.  Happy drummin'.

Hey Keith

My current setup (laptop w/19";, desktop w/2x 19";) will get me by for a while yet, but I have been doing some looking myself lately.

Here are a few things that I am keeping in mind (in my prioritization order):

[list]
[li][b]Maximum resolution[/b]: Lots of choices here - right now I'm going with either 1920 x 1080, or 1920 x 1200 (pixels).[/li]
[li][b]Screen size[/b]: The more real estate the better! Can easily max out the budget on this one.[/li]
[li][b]Connectors[/b]: D-Sub, DVI*, HDMI. Many people are buying monitors that they can plug their PS3 into, in addition to their computer. I'll need at least two connectors for what I have planned.[/li]
[li][b]Reviews[/b]: I find these to be a pretty good source for helping me eliminate prospects.[/li]
[li][b]Manufacturer[/b]: This isn't as critical since there are only a few companies that actually make the screens anyway. The features above have more precedence for me.[/li]
[li]From what I can tell, the further you go towards the higher end the less you need to worry about [b]Response Time [/b] and [b]Contrast Ratio[/b] (and others).[/li]
[/list]

I don't [i]need[/i] a monitor in the immediate future, but I am keeping an eye on the emails I get from Newegg and the like for a deal I can't pass up. (For a little while there, TigerDirect.com had a 25"; I-inc 1920x1080, D-Sub and HDMI x2, for $189.)

* [size=8pt]There is more than one kind of DVI connector, see [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface]Wikipedia: DVI[/url].[/size]


Hope this helps

Excellent info. Thanks Hugh!

I've been using a 24"; + keyboard/mouse with my MacBook Pro for a long time.  Once setup, OS X automatically moves everything over to the large screen whenever you plug it in.  You'll probably need the mini displayport-to-DVI adapter if you have the unibody Mac.

Most LCD screens all come from a small number of different manufacturers, then many companies put a plastic frame around it and slap on a logo.  For example, Dell and Apple have used the exact same LCD screens inside a lot of monitors... and one charges twice as much to put it in an aluminum frame. 

So yeah, I'd just get the biggest/cheapest you can find- there aren't really any 'bad' monitors out there.  Prices are really amazing right now. 

[quote author=J Mattson link=topic=3347.msg17657#msg17657 date=1254509296]
So yeah, I'd just get the biggest/cheapest you can find- there aren't really any 'bad' monitors out there.  Prices are really amazing right now. 
[/quote]

When my Dell gave up the ghost about a year ago, I kept the monitor (19";) and bought the DVI conversion gizmo to connect it to my 24"; iMac. It's been awesome to have iTunes, iPhoto and all of the palettes from Sibelius over on the 2nd display.

My rig definitely ends up looking like something from the Red Green show (duct tape almost necessary...), but you can't argue with results. Size (or available space?), in this matter I guess, really does matter.

I wonder if you might find someone on eBay or craigslist who is trying to get rid of a monitor because the computer died or similar story.

Someday when I have too much time to kill, I'm going to do a monitor mod by taking the screen out of the plastic case and build something for it.

Here are some wild ones-

[url=http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8971/m19b.jpg]";Steam Punk"; style[/url]

[url=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2306/2852804560_828f4e164a_o.jpg]Plexi-glass [/url]

[url=http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2007/12/07/wooden-pc-mod_5638.jpg]wooden computer[/url] (perfect for grandpa!)

Hey Eric,

Can you post a pict of your set up?  I'm curious to see it...

Thanks man!!

Dave

Since new MacBooks have mini-DP (DisplayPort) connectors, it may be worth researching monitors with DP inputs. There aren't many out there yet, but the technology is set to make inroads in the next few years.

[quote author=J Mattson link=topic=3347.msg17667#msg17667 date=1254865790]

[url=http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8971/m19b.jpg]";Steam Punk"; style[/url]

[url=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2306/2852804560_828f4e164a_o.jpg]Plexi-glass [/url]

[url=http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2007/12/07/wooden-pc-mod_5638.jpg]wooden computer[/url] (perfect for grandpa!)

[/quote]

These are all REALLY cool. I might have to invest in this. That's awesome.

I just added at 23"; to my 24"; iMac setup.  Really love it.  Samsung .
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001317
$200 free shipping.  I paid a bit less as they had a rebate going on.

you may try to connect the external monitor then press ";Fn"; and ";F8";.

But you need to make sure that your set up as ny3nyok have stated were followed.