mac mini monitor suggestions

voncaster · August 6, 2005 8:53AM

Perhaps I'm paranoid, but I thought I remembered that when mac minis came out there was some fuss about certain monitors not working well with them. Cetain monitors had dim displays while connected to the mini.

Any Mac Mini users with monitors that your happy with please share with me your make and model. My mini is coming in the mail this week and I need to pick up a monitor soon. I'm looking to spend between $350-$500 on a monitor between 17 & 19 inches. (I love the apple displays but even the 17 inch one seems a bit pricey)

mynamehere · August 6, 2005 10:39AM

check dell.com they have some really nice monitors cheap...you can get a 20.1" widescreen for around 500$

bka77 · August 6, 2005 11:20AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Voncaster

I love the apple displays but even the 17 inch one seems a bit pricey

The smalest Cinema Display offered by Apple at the moment is 20 inch, there is no 17 inch CD!

I went for the Dell 2005FPW, which should arrive next week.

cybermonkey · August 6, 2005 2:55PM

If your on a budget, I've got an IIyama Prolite E481S and it works and looks a treat with the mini.

I'd just love to have a new apple display

\

sandau · August 6, 2005 6:00PM

I'm using a dell 2005fpw 20.1" widescreen(which i got with a coupon off slickdeals.net) new from dell for $359 shipped. same monitor as the Apple 20" but with an ugly Dell logo. Looks fantastic with the mini. very bright!

alliancep.s.i · August 6, 2005 6:31PM

i have this and it works ace

timmy o'tool · August 8, 2005 2:21PM

has anyone had any experience formac displays? They look pretty good and seem like a good deal too. Just wondering.

cybermonkey · August 8, 2005 3:56PM

Quote:

Originally posted by timmy o'tool

has anyone had any experience formac displays? They look pretty good and seem like a good deal too. Just wondering.

Yes, i have the old 17 version of whats they have now, Got it about 2 years ago.

It is ok but nothing special. Not as sharp as me IIyama and that was half the price

robin hood · August 9, 2005 5:40PM

Basically _any_ monitor with digital input (DVI) will work great with the Mac mini, but apparently some old analogue monitors (VGA input) were dim. I haven't seen this myself, but people were reporting it when the Mac mini came out. I haven't heard it reported again since, so it might not be an issue anymore.

That being said, if you're buying a new monitor anyway, spend a few extra $$$ (sometimes as little as 10 bucks more) and get a screen with DVI input. Even an el cheapo $200 17" flat panel display (1280x1024 resolution) will work fine. Just make sure it has DVI for that nice digital quality.

frezal · August 10, 2005 6:02PM

I use a 17 inch CRT Dell monitor that I got from Fry's (outpost.com) for $70

mikef · August 10, 2005 10:22PM

Wait for the next Dell 20" deal... that's what I'm going to do. These things were going for less than $400 shipped recently.

scott_r · August 11, 2005 11:43PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Robin Hood

Basically _any_ monitor with digital input (DVI) will work great with the Mac mini, but apparently some old analogue monitors (VGA input) were dim. I haven't seen this myself, but people were reporting it when the Mac mini came out. I haven't heard it reported again since, so it might not be an issue anymore.

My old Viewsonic monitor is quite a bit dimmer when running from the Mac Mini Vs. my PC (switch between them via KVM.) The Dell 20.1 FP (mentioned above) should work great. Used one at my last job and was exceptional.

kishan · August 17, 2005 3:23PM

I recently bought a Syntax 27 inch LCD HD ready TV. It claims a Wide XGA 1280 x 720 Resolution via a DVI (or VGA) connection. Is the Mac Mini powerful enough to drive this monitor? Any thoughts on if that resolution would look funny on this size monitor?

mikef · August 18, 2005 12:19AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kishan

I recently bought a Syntax 27 inch LCD HD ready TV. It claims a Wide XGA 1280 x 720 Resolution via a DVI (or VGA) connection. Is the Mac Mini powerful enough to drive this monitor?

I cannot comment from experience, but it should work just fine.

Quote:

Any thoughts on if that resolution would look funny on this size monitor?

That is a pretty low resolution for such a large display, however I'm sure it'd be perfectly usable. Try it and see, you've got nothing to lose (aside from the price of a DVI cable if you don't already have one)

mac the fork · August 18, 2005 12:38AM

Samsung SyncMaster 730B works well. The backlight shows through a bit at the edges, which is noticeable with full-screen dark images, but generally it's quite good. It also has a fast pixel response time.

ebby · August 18, 2005 1:03AM

Here you go.

A COLOR for ANY situation.

kishan · August 18, 2005 6:31AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikef

I cannot comment from experience, but it should work just fine.

That is a pretty low resolution for such a large display, however I'm sure it'd be perfectly usable. Try it and see, you've got nothing to lose (aside from the price of a DVI cable if you don't already have one)

Thanks for the reply MikeF. What is the native resolution of the MacMini? Is it widescreen? I read on the apple website that it supports a max of 1920X1200, but I would think this would stress out the wimpy little video card that is in there.

alliancep.s.i · August 18, 2005 8:11AM

My video card was choking at high 1920 x 1440. Im running 1400 x 1050 now and its great.

mikef · August 18, 2005 11:03AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kishan

What is the native resolution of the MacMini? Is it widescreen?

Since it doesn't ship with a monitor, there is no native resolution. I run my 9200-based card (same chipset as the Mini) on a desktop at 1280x1024 with no problems, so it'll definitely handle 1280x720.

Quote:

I read on the apple website that it supports a max of 1920X1200, but I would think this would stress out the wimpy little video card that is in there.

I agree. It would work, but probably be too slow for serious work.

mac mini monitor suggestions

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