problem with External Dell LCD & MBP
Hey folks!
I purchased a Dell SP2208WFP 22-inch Widescreen for use with my MBP. Of course, it is connected via DVI.
When running mirrored mode, text looks good...decently sharp...But, I am apparently limited to the resolution of my MBP - 1440x900. When running the MBP in "closed-lid mode" - which turns mirroring off - I can run the Dell at its native resolution of 1680x1050..but the text just looks awful! If I bump the resolution down a notch, to 1600x1000, text appearance improves somewhat.
Is this to be expected from working with _any_ LCD and my MBP?
I use this monitor for graphic design/photo work/watching film - works perfectly for those applications.
thanks in advance
I purchased a Dell SP2208WFP 22-inch Widescreen for use with my MBP. Of course, it is connected via DVI.
When running mirrored mode, text looks good...decently sharp...But, I am apparently limited to the resolution of my MBP - 1440x900. When running the MBP in "closed-lid mode" - which turns mirroring off - I can run the Dell at its native resolution of 1680x1050..but the text just looks awful! If I bump the resolution down a notch, to 1600x1000, text appearance improves somewhat.
Is this to be expected from working with _any_ LCD and my MBP?
I use this monitor for graphic design/photo work/watching film - works perfectly for those applications.
thanks in advance
Comments
As for the bad looking text at full resolution, is it a font smoothing issue? Or... How does it look bad?
Hey folks!
When running mirrored mode, text looks good...decently sharp...But, I am apparently limited to the resolution of my MBP - 1440x900. When running the MBP in "closed-lid mode" - which turns mirroring off - I can run the Dell at its native resolution of 1680x1050..but the text just looks awful! If I bump the resolution down a notch, to 1600x1000, text appearance improves somewhat.
I have a 20" that runs 1680 x 1050 and the text looks great. That just may be a drawback of getting the bigger panels. In the displays settings in the system settings window, open that up and do a "detect displays". Play with some of the settings there to see if you cna fine tune it.
Hey folks!
I purchased a Dell SP2208WFP 22-inch Widescreen for use with my MBP. Of course, it is connected via DVI.
When running mirrored mode, text looks good...decently sharp...But, I am apparently limited to the resolution of my MBP - 1440x900. When running the MBP in "closed-lid mode" - which turns mirroring off - I can run the Dell at its native resolution of 1680x1050..but the text just looks awful! If I bump the resolution down a notch, to 1600x1000, text appearance improves somewhat.
Is this to be expected from working with _any_ LCD and my MBP?
I use this monitor for graphic design/photo work/watching film - works perfectly for those applications.
thanks in advance
How about not mirroring your image, but extending it, mirroring doesn't give you any more work space. If you are going to keep your monitor open extended desktop gives more workspace and allows you to run your secondary monitor in full resolution, if you keep lid closed, it doesn't really matter does it?
I have a 20" that runs 1680 x 1050 and the text looks great. That just may be a drawback of getting the bigger panels. In the displays settings in the system settings window, open that up and do a "detect displays". Play with some of the settings there to see if you cna fine tune it.
I'm inclined to agree with this....drawback of bigger panel...BUT - as more people review this monitor on Dell's website http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=320-6252
I see more & more complaints about poor text quality. Interesting to note that this monitor is now selling for only $238 US. Wish I had picked it up at that price.
Whatever. The monitor still serves me more than well enough mirroring 1440x900 and the text issues, while still present, are only somewhat annoying...
for those considering this monitor: It is BRIGHT! Color is excellent, all around, I have no trouble calibrating for accurate color output between the displays built-in color settings & Apple's calibration tools...Watching DVDs is a pleasure..and while I'm not a gamer, the couple I've tried out look nice.
text issues you can expect are: artifact-like noise (a bit of coloring appearing on/around letters...especially with narrower fonts) running at 1400x900...and a general all-around disconcerting "fuzziness" which makes it a bit annoying to use for word-processing/e-mail. Of course, if you just bump your font size up to..oh...24-48 points everything looks nice & smooth
running at the monitor's native resolution & text-viewing = forget about it! You'd be better off with a VT100 dumb terminal.
Thanks for the replies.
Probably, I think I'm going to sell this thing soon as I can find a decent 22" replacement..because, I feel like I"m actually hurting my eyes by reading this BAD looking type.
Mine is a 20" and it's great. Only reason I would need a 24" is for 1080 HD playback. 20" will do 720 HD and it looks nice.