New Imac vs. 24" Cinema Display

[jsrockit]

New Imac vs. 24" Cinema Display
I currently use a Macbook Pro 15" and having just gotten back into photography, I'm feeling like a larger screen would be nice. Which would be the better option with regards to color accuracy... the latest Imac or using a 24" Cinema display with my Macbook Pro? I know both are not the perfect solution. I've also read many complaints about screen brightness on older iMacs. Any issues with the new ones? Can you calibrate both of these, to a suitable level, with the Eye One Display 2 (which I own and used on my Macbook)?

 

[Sparrow]

The main thing with any monitor is to site it and light it correctly within the room, main illumination behind the screen and no light sources in the operators reflected sight line and almost anything looks good.

Having said that I’ve been very pleased with the glossy imac's screen I have at home, I was unsure at first but it has proved pretty accurate, well as long as I take notice of the calibration reminders

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks. Ok, let me phrase it this way guys... Is there any reason not to get the latest iMac for photo?

 

[Sparrow]

the only disadvantage is that glossy screen, any reflected light-source in your sight line will be more distracting than a matt screen would be.

I like it but I keep it free of reflections

 

[alien8]

The main issue with respect to flat panels to be used for photography is the kind of display technology used. IPS are generally considered the best, but cost more. I believe the imac panel is IPS, which makes it a great candidate for applications like photo editing/viewing that require accurate colour calibration. Some Dells are probably IPS too... you would have to check the specs. But the fact that apple bundles a great panel with their iMacs makes those computers great for your purposes. Here's a link with more info: http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/lcd-panel-types.php

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks for all the info guys. Keep it coming... I'm thinking the iMac at this point since my workspace is small.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The Imac displays are too bright and hard to calibrate to a level that isn't too bright, even with a calibration device like the Spyder 3, etc. There are long discussions all over the Internet about this problem.

 

[mfogiel]

I am also going to have to get a new monitor, as my old iMac has developed the vertical line problem. I thought to keep it for the moment, but would like to get a state of the art display. Is the Apple cinema 30 inch monitor good enough ( I do almost exclusively B&W) or is it mandatory to get one of these NEC or La Cie or Eizo screens?

 

[Zonan]

A recent blog post re. this question:

the Jan.12 post: http://bretedge.wordpress.com/

 

[jsrockit]

The Imac displays are too bright and hard to calibrate to a level that isn't too bright, even with a calibration device like the Spyder 3, etc. There are long discussions all over the Internet about this problem.

That appears to be the older models, not the newest ones with the newer type of screen. Can anyone confirm? I'm using the eye-one display 2 right now and per the article above...that appears to work well on an iMac.

 

[Fenwick]

I have the 24 cinema display I love it
not cheap but its great monitor

 

[Rob-F]

I'm using the latest 21" iMac now, with Snow Leopard. The Apple rep told me that my screen is calibrated to Kodak standards. So maybe that's good, i don't know. I do know I love the iMac, and my new 13" macbook as well. Neither was all that expensive, for what you get. I can recommend them. I also got the one year one-on-one teaching, so I can learn to use Aperture, etc. So far, so good! I have the shiny screen. As I use it in subdued light in my basement cave "area 51" the screen works fine for me!