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Question about monitors for a Mac

Discussion in 'Technology' started by Kami, Nov 27, 2008.

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  1. Kami

    Kami Formula Junior

    Nov 28, 2006
    666
    St. Louis
    #1 Kami, Nov 27, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2008
    I'm looking at picking up a new Mac book (either 2.0 or 2.4 model not sure which yet) and I'll be getting a new monitor with it for home use. I've been looking into HDTV/DVD combos, and have found a couple in the 20"-22" range that seem suitable, but I've heard some people say that HDTV's don't work well with Mac’s. I'm not the most computer savvy person, and I'd like to know a little something before I go in and talk to a salesperson, so what are some things I should be looking for? Also, what would you go with the 2.0 or 2.4? Obviously the hard drive is bigger, but is it really worth it? Any recommendations? Thanks.
     
  2. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    Ian Anderson
    #2 Fast_ian, Nov 28, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2008
    Hi,

    My 02c: TV's (even HDTV's) aren't the best computer monitors - Even HD's are only at 1080 lines, and the Macbook's work well at up to 1920(?) - Go with a "real" monitor.

    Why do you need another DVD drive? - You've got one in the 'puter [Which can output to a TV if you want to of course]

    If you have the budget, Apple launched a 24" LED monitor specifically to work with their latest laptop line [http://www.apple.com/displays/ - Built in isight camera, speakers, USB hub etc etc - Very, very cool (IMHO) - But it's $899....... A "regular" 20" Apple "cinema display" is now about $599. There are cheaper options for monitors though......

    As to the 2.0 -v- 2.4 question - As you're asking, I'd say go with the 2.0, BUT, max out the ram (4GB?) - Unless you're doing CPU intensive "stuff" (and you'd know if you were!) you'll get much better bang for your buck with more RAM than CPU speed. [BTW - Don't buy your additional RAM from Apple - Third parties have it for *way* less $$....]

    A second, external, (fast) disk drive is also a better bet than a larger internal drive (IMHO) - You've got "Time Machine" on your Mac for automatic backups, and you can set it up to read from one and write to the other if you're "playing" with video for example.

    Incidentally, if you're set on going this route, you probably also want an external mouse and keyboard as well as the additional monitor. Which begs the question - Do you really "want" a laptop? - The iMacs are "better" bang for the buck if you don't need the portability......


    HTH, cheers,
    Ian
     
  3. Kami

    Kami Formula Junior

    Nov 28, 2006
    666
    St. Louis
    #3 Kami, Nov 28, 2008
    That's exactly what I'd been thinking, and agree that the extra ram from Apple is incredibly overpriced. Everything I've found has been right on with what you said about monitors v. TV's, just needed to hear it from a person. Thanks!
     
  4. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    Ian Anderson
    #4 Fast_ian, Nov 28, 2008
    You're welcome. But:

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  5. Kami

    Kami Formula Junior

    Nov 28, 2006
    666
    St. Louis
    #5 Kami, Nov 28, 2008
    I agree, but unfortunatly I need the portability. Otherwise, it'd be iMac hands down.
     
  6. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

    Jan 5, 2006
    6,948
    Springfield, MO
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #6 8 SNAKE, Nov 28, 2008
    Apple is selling the MacBook's for a $101 discount today (Black Friday). If you're considering one, today's a good day to pull the trigger.
     
  7. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2001
    26,517
    Panther City, Texas
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    WJHMH
    #7 WJHMH, Nov 28, 2008
    I just did some simple upgrades to my MBP 17" running 2 gigs of RAM & 250GB 7200-rpm hard drive, all for about $100. The newer Macs have a better video card so connecting it to your HDTV shouldn't be an issue, I haven't tried this with my new Sony 40" but I'm running a 2.16 GHz Duo Core processor from 2006. I think I'm only limited to 30" but I'll have to check on that.
     
  8. Pcar928fan

    Pcar928fan Formula 3

    Jan 21, 2008
    1,702
    Austin, TX
    #8 Pcar928fan, Nov 28, 2008
    Ian,

    Is right on the money here.

    I do have some HDTV/Mac experience. I have a Sony Plasma (yea, I know burn in is an issue) that is about 4 years old, so I guess it was a gen II or gen III plasma...might even be 5 years old now. 768 is the resolution on it so it is not even 1080. 1080 would be MUCH better btw. It is a 42" model and works fine (but I would certainly not say GREAT) with my Mac Mini! LOVE the Mac mini by the way! GREAT little computer...the base model is damn cheap too. I use my Mini with a wireless keyboard and a gyro mouse so I can surf the web, check email, etc. from bed! NICE! Though I must say that due to the screen res I can hardly read the typing in my emails from the bed...SUCK!

    Good luck! I was at the Apple store today getting some help at the Genius bar. AWESOME deal that is! Free and they can fix most problems...at least software probs. My problem was a dead hard drive in my G5. They said, go down to Fry's and buy one from them and we will walk you through the install here and then we will put the OS back on it for you. I bought a 1TB drive for $130!!! Installed it myself in about 8 minutes and then we hooked a drive up to it and in less than 30 min I had it ready to go. Brought it home, used my other Time Machine drive as the back up and FULLY matched up the G5 to the 24" iMac that I normally use (the G5 fans are to loud and it generates a TON of heat, so that is why I moved over to the iMac, which also takes up less room...)

    James
     

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