Quick Q: Monitor for my Macbook Pro

edicionespanol · 07-21-2009, 10:17 PM

I'm choosing between two monitors - one from Samsung, the other by Acer. The Samsung one's resolution is 1366 x 768, brightness 250 cd/m2 and contrast ratio 15000:1 dynamic. The Acer is 1400 x 900, 300 cd/m2 and contrast ratio 2000:1. Samsung says inputs are 15pin D-sub, DVI-D (whatever that means) and Acer DVI w/HDCP.

So my two questions:

1) Is one significantly better than the other? Does the difference in resolution, brightness and contrast ratio make a difference? I'm not going to be using my computer for any heavy gaming and I don't plan on watching THAT many movies/TV shows on it.

2) Can I use both (regarding the inputs) with a Macbook Pro? Do I have to buy any separate cords?

aforautumn · 07-21-2009, 10:52 PM

i've always been told that samsung monitors were the best, but i cant confirm that.

as for the resolution, 1366:768 is 16:9 which would look better for movies, because 16:9 is an international standard for that kind of media. dunno about contrast ratio, but the samsung wins on resolution even though its slightly smaller.

edicionespanol · 07-21-2009, 11:06 PM

Thanks autumn! I was leaning Samsung too (b/c its cheaper lol)

Do I have to buy a separate cord to connect the monitor to my Macbook pro?

aforautumn · 07-21-2009, 11:40 PM

not if the monitor comes with a cable. i dont have a mbp so i cant verify the connector it has, but i think it does have a standard DVI-out.

as for the contrast ratio, i did some reading and its the contrast between bright colors and dark (white and black). if they were both the same brightness, the blacks would be darker and the whites would be brighter on the acer. but i think the lower brightness on the samsung compensates for this, and i dont think you really have to worry about that, especially if you're not going to be using it specifically for movies/tv.

Mclovin09 · 07-23-2009, 05:43 PM

^^^
I just bought a 15" MBP and unfortunately you do have to buy a separate cord. Apple actually invented their own universal mini display port on their computers so for around $25-30 you can buy the necessary cord you need. ( VGA or DVI)

khoagland · 11-04-2009, 09:55 PM

you're gonna have to get a Mini DisplayPort -> DVI-D adapter.

check monoprice.com for the best prices, apple.com's are overpriced.

BCEagle91 · 11-04-2009, 11:01 PM

I recently bought a Samsung 24 inch monitor at 1920x1200 and it's a wonderful and cheap monitor ($256 from Dell with coupon). I have an older MacBook Pro and didn't have to buy a cable.