If you’re looking to get the new Mac Pro to add 4K to your resume, you should already know that the cylinder doesn’t come with a monitor. That means after laying out anywhere from $3,000-10,000 for a new editing rig, you’re going to have to consider spending a few thousand on a pair of monitors right? Not so fast.
Because CES will littered with high performance and low cost options that can fit just about any new budget. And some may be so close you won’t even miss that high priced Apple Cinema Display. But there are some trade-offs.
Apple can get away with charging $1,000 for that 27-inch Cinema Display because they get the cream of the crop of LCD screens when they come off the assembly lines. Screens are graded and Apple only wants the best of the best, or the A+ models. The rest, ranging from A to B to even B- end up being old to third tier manufacturers, who in turn make competing and low cost monitors for those of us on a budget.
The end result is basically the same monitors, with a few faults, or fewer features that the Cinema Display would enjoy. For instance, you may end up with a single HDMI or even DVI-D port and one VGA port, rather than multiple ports. And if you’re trying to save a buck, you can forget about Thunderbolt 2 ports or pass through options. The stands may not be very adjustable or even attractive. And you won’t be able to flip between landscape and portrait mode. There may also be some assembly required, so get out your Phillips head screwdrivers.
But if you’re willing to forego all those features, there’s some monitors that will save you a ton and give you the kind of color gamut you’re looking for:
1. The MonoPrice 27″ IPS ZERO-G Slim LCD – For a tad more than $450, Monoprice offers a nice option in this monitor (affectionately referred to as #10509). It comes with a 16:9 backlit IPS panel and resolutions of 2.5K. Not the ultra high resolution you’d prefer, sure, but for the price, it’s a nice upgrade from HD. Comes with an DVI-D and VGA ports. But if you want to go a bit higher, model #10489 adds dual link DVI-D, DisplayPort, and a single HDMI port. And with a 6NS response time, it’s pretty slick. For just $200 more, you can get about 10 percent more real estate with mdoel #10734, a 30″ backlit IPS LCD.
2. If you’re bold and are willing to take a chance, Lifehacker says that eBay has a ton of 27-inch Yamakasi Catleap monitors for between $350-450 which are really thin, have widescreen 2.5K display, and edge to edge glass. And for an added bonus, they have a 360 degree display stand to adjust no matter where you’re at. But let’s face it. If you’re going on eBay, you’re giving up warranty issues and having to deal with overseas customer support should the monitor arrive DOA.
3. Kicking up to 4K, Asus debuted a 28-inch professional 16×9 monitor at CES called the PB287Q. With a resolution of 3840×2160, the 287Q sports a blazing 1ns response time pushing all that ultra high definition data to the screen. It also comes with DisplayPort, MHL HDMI and a rotatable stand. It’s a bit more at $799, but it’s 4K too! Downside is it won’t be available until late Spring.
4. Lenovo – There’s also the new Lenovo Thinkvision Pro 2840m. A 28-inch display which sports a 72% color gamut, DisplayPort, mDP, HMI and MHL, three USB ports and dual speakers. And Lenovo’s 10-bit color and streaming makes it a media device as well. Similar in price and availability to the Asus, but Asus has a faster refresh rate.
Hat Tip – LifeHacker
Cheap Monitors Can Offer Similar Performance At a Lower Price
No comments:
Post a Comment