Can you recommend a monitor or monitors?

[Mitchp]

Ok, I could post this in computers and gadgets, but I would prefer the perspective of photographers and users who possibly employ a calibrated work flow.

I'm in the process of upgrading my current workstation, and I'm trying to decide on monitors. Currently I have two 2001WFP Dell ultrasharp (20") monitors (and a small widescreen Dell just for emails etc) which has served me well since 2004, but i think they are getting dull (whites appear yellow) My work entails 3D visualisation, photography post production and graphic design.

I like working on multiple monitors because it logically divides my workspace when I am operating several applications, but I am open to the idea of a larger single monitor. The single monitor approach might be my only option as it seems most manufacturers only do wide panels now, and I don't want a dual wide setup.

So my question is - can you recommend a very good, easy to calibrate dual 4:3 or single <30" screen(s). I've heard that IPS panels are very good but dont offer such deep blacks as the older TN type panels.

Any advice would be appreciated

Cheers

Mitch

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I've recently moved from CRTs to a pair of Dell Ultrasharp U2410 24" panels. I looked at a couple of relatively high-end alternatives, but decided that I couldn't justify the extra cost for a relatively small benefit. One day I'll have a couple of LED-backlit IPS screens, but these are fine for now.

Things I've noticed:

- I thought my desktop was big enough before, but having 3840x1200 to play with is great.

- The Dell panels vary in quality. I rejected one, and of the pair I ended up with one is certainly weaker than the other. As a result I do Photoshop work on one, and use the other for palettes and surfing.

- The limited viewing angle of the TN screen on my laptop makes it impossible to do accurate colour work. The Dells are IPS panels, and have a fantastic viewing angle - comparable to my old LaCie Electron Blues.

- Having a really wide colour gamut isn't all good - I'm seeing colours my clients can't which I need to make allowances for. Web colours looked weird too, until I found out how to fix Firefox.

- The blacks aren't fantasticaly deep, but they're perfectly useable - a viewing hood is a good idea.

Have a look at these LCD test pages - the Dells do really well on almost all of them: http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

[gingerpaul]

I've got an HP LP2475w and I think it's excellent. My number one priority was an IPS panel so the choice was fairly slim. If I remember correctly it was choice between the HP and a Dell. Apple do great screens but they were too much money for me. Mine's at least 18 months old, maybe more, and it's as good as the day it arrived. A bonus is that it has 6 USB ports and just about any video connector you can think of on it.

[FlossyThePig]

Get hold of the latest copy of PC Pro as they are reviewing large monitors (2560 x 1600). Some cost over £1000.

[Mitchp]

Thanks for the advice guys. Very useful.

I do have the older 2405WFP (older Dell 24" Ultrasharp) at home, but I'm not particularly impressed with it (might just have a bad one) the colours have always seemed overly saturated and it doesnt seem as sharp as the 2001wfp. think I'll have a look at PC Pro and also see if the local pc world (think they have a flagship store at Cabot Circus) have any on display.

Mitch

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I'm 10 minutes from Cabot Circus if you're close by during working hours.