Recommend a 20-24 inch monitor for Mac Mini/Air

Forums › Mac OS › Recommend a 20-24 inch monitor for Mac Mini/Air - $250-$350

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek

#123241 30-Jun-2013 10:29

Can anyone recommend a good 20 to 24 inch monitor to be used with a Mac Mini and MacBook Air (dual digital inputs would be good).
Here in Nelson it's very difficult to actually see the monitors in the flesh so buying one online is a bit of a risk. Reading reviews just sends me round in circles so I am hoping a Geekzoner can give any recommendations or advice, thanks.

The display will be used for programming and photography, no gaming. I am leaning towards the cheaper IPS displays.
The AOC i2367fh looks good and is a good price but I've seen the 27 inch version in Noel Leemings and it feels too light and cheaply made.
There's a few Dells which are a bit more expensive, the UltraSharp U2212HM fits the bill but various reviews mention the screen coating and text sometimes doesn't look too sharp.

Anyone got/seen either of these and have any opinion on them? Or got other similar screens?

Thanks

alexx

867 posts

Ultimate Geek

#847403 30-Jun-2013 15:19

What interfaces do your Mac Mini and MBA support?
I'm guessing DisplayPort, or do they also support DVI, HDMI or others?

I'm using the Dell UltraSharp U2312HM 23" IPS Monitor which supports DVI, VGA and DisplayPort. This one has a matte anit-glare screen and gets good reviews and I'm very happy with it. Most reviews seem to prefer it over similar size monitors in the Dell range except the U2412M, which is a bit more expensive.

My son has the Dell S2240L 21.5" IPS Monitor and this is also a nice monitor, but glossy screen and does VGA and HDMI (no DVI or DisplayPort). Also the overall appearance of the fittings don't seem quite as nice as the UltraSharp range, but you're not paying the UltraSharp prices either. At the time they had a special offer and it was very good value for a IPS monitor.

I'm not familiar with the U2212HM and I think the screen coating is a matter of preference.

Some people have even gone to the extreme of removing the anti-glare coating...
http://www.overclock.net/t/1216559/how-to-remove-anti-glare-coating-from-a-dell-u2312hm-monitor-and-others

Since you are going to use the monitor for photography, I'd suggest asking (or at least reading) some camera and photo sites for recommendations. e.g. dpreview.com or photo.net

#include <standard.disclaimer>

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek

#847443 30-Jun-2013 17:31

Thanks for your reply and information.
My Mini has HDMI with a DVI adapter and the Air has DisplayPort so I guess the Dell will accomodate both machines without cable swapping.

I think the U2212HM is just a 21.5 inch version of the U2312HM (23 inch).
I'll be doing more programming than photography so how does text look on the Dell with the matt coating, could you stare at it all day without too much eye strain?
Also, did you buy direct from Dell?

insane

3236 posts

Uber Geek

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Trusted

#847450 30-Jun-2013 17:38

The Dell Ultrasharp U2312HM is a very nice monitor, got two of them for a programmer at work and she loves them! One would fit inside your budget

The U2413M is that little bit nicer with a slightly higher resolution but you'd have to find another $50 over and above your budget for that

Buy from www.advantageonline.co.nz, great service and price!

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek

#847617 1-Jul-2013 10:31

Nice to know a programmer likes using them.
I emailed the company you suggested to see if they had stock but didn't hear back from them.

They U2312HM is currently on offer at dell.co.nz, if you buy 2 you get 20% off ($295 each). I asked for the same discount on a single display and they gave me 15% so got one for $313 delivered from Dell.