Using desk top monitor with a lap top computer: I have gotten to the point where it is becoming necessary to get a bigger screen to view my pics. What recommendations can anyone offer?

Onquest Loc: Just Wandering

I have gotten to the point where it is becoming necessary to get a bigger screen to view my pics. What recommendations can anyone offer? New or used? Size? Any particular brands better than others? Or any suggestions where to look for one where I'm not paying through the nose?
Thanks for any input.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

Onquest wrote:

I have gotten to the point where it is becoming necessary to get a bigger screen to view my pics. What recommendations can anyone offer? New or used? Size? Any particular brands better than others? Or any suggestions where to look for one where I'm not paying through the nose?
Thanks for any input.

What kind of PC, laptop?
What kind of monitor inputs do you have, HDMI, DVI Analog,
Do you print photos either at home or send them out?
What size do you have now?

Off the cuff without knowing the above, buy the biggest best monitor you can afford.

Onquest Loc: Just Wandering

Capture48 wrote:

What kind of PC, laptop?
What kind of monitor inputs do you have, HDMI, DVI Analog,
Do you print photos either at home or send them out?
What size do you have now?

Off the cuff without knowing the above, buy the biggest best monitor you can afford.

See, Capture, this is why I need this group - technology is the bane of my life. Here's what I know about my computer:
Acer lap top, 15 inch screen, HDMI, and I send photos out for printing. I also know that there is an adapter available which enables a pc moniter to work on an apple computer and vice versa.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

Onquest wrote:

See, Capture, this is why I need this group - technology is the bane of my life. Here's what I know about my computer:
Acer lap top, 15 inch screen, HDMI, and I send photos out for printing. I also know that there is an adapter available which enables a pc moniter to work on an apple computer and vice versa.

If you mean you want to run the monitor on a MAC, and a PC. You can do that but not at the same time unless you have a UlttraWide LG 34UM95 like I do, it can take two inputs from two computers at the same time and segment the screen. Other wise you just need a monitor that has two HDMI inputs, and you just switch inputs depending on which computer you want to use it on. On a MAC depending on your model, you may need a display port to HDMI adapter.

Now, if you send photos out for printing if you want to control the color, you need a monitor that can be calibrated (most newer ones can). Just buy the best you can afford if you are editing and controlling color.

JPL

An IPS monitor would be the best for you for your photography work. Those monitors are more expensive than normal monitors. What you are paying extra for is pro grade and true colors.
Here is a link to IPS monitors at BH.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=ips+monitor&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

picpiper Loc: California

Onquest wrote:

I have gotten to the point where it is becoming necessary to get a bigger screen to view my pics. What recommendations can anyone offer? New or used? Size? Any particular brands better than others? Or any suggestions where to look for one where I'm not paying through the nose?
Thanks for any input.

If your primary interest is in viewing photos AND you have an LCD TV with HDMI inputs you could start out by buying an HDMI cable that is long enough to reach the TV.

I use our laptop as our "home theater PC" connected to our 42" Sony. To avoid having a 12' cable stretched across the living room I bought a Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 ($28 on Amazon) and it works great.

Onquest Loc: Just Wandering

Thanks. I am just interested in viewing my images on a larger screen for editing. I would need to have it be able to be calibrated by I don't need bells and whistles - or to spend vast amounts of moolah.

Dan821 Loc: Traveling........

Onquest wrote:

I have gotten to the point where it is becoming necessary to get a bigger screen to view my pics. What recommendations can anyone offer? New or used? Size? Any particular brands better than others? Or any suggestions where to look for one where I'm not paying through the nose?
Thanks for any input.

What is your budget?
I use a Dell UltraSharp which is offered in various sizes from 21"-30", depending on how much you wish to spend. They are good quality, offer good resolution, good color, and multiple inputs so that you can use it for desktop or laptop.

Onquest Loc: Just Wandering

Dan821 wrote:

What is your budget?
I use a Dell UltraSharp which is offered in various sizes from 21"-30", depending on how much you wish to spend. They are good quality, offer good resolution, good color, and multiple inputs so that you can use it for desktop or laptop.

Thanks, Dan. Not wanting to spend too much but good to know what brands have the better quality. I'd probably shoot for a 23-24inch range.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Onquest wrote:

Thanks, Dan. Not wanting to spend too much but good to know what brands have the better quality. I'd probably shoot for a 23-24inch range.

You can get a monitor in the 23/24.9 inch range at Best Buy for anywhere from $100.00 to $1,101.00. There are 41 monitors listed for less than $325.00.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Capture48 wrote:

If you mean you want to run the monitor on a MAC, ... (show quote)

There's lots of monitors out there that allow split screen with multiple inputs, and many are far better than your suggestion.

You want the best...then buy an Eizo....You want economical, then there's ASUS, DELL, and lots of others that will do the job. Just make sure you get one that's calibratable and is IPS.
Any laptop can output HiRes 1080 format.

asaya Loc: Syracuse, NY

I use an ACER laptop and a Dell Ultra sharp 2412 it's an IPS panel works great I also print at home with an Epson 2880. I calibrate the monitor using a Spyder 4

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

What is the maximum graphic resolution your laptop can generate? Match your external monitor selection to that.

Victor S Loc: SouthCoast MA

I have a Dell HD Ultra 27". Perfect size for really seeing detail and editing.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Onquest wrote:

Thanks. I am just interested in viewing my images on a larger screen for editing. I would need to have it be able to be calibrated by I don't need bells and whistles - or to spend vast amounts of moolah.

You can't have it both ways. The cheap monitors don't provide the settings needed to calibrate them, and don't perform well enough to meet minimum (sRGB) calibration standards. So, you need an IPS monitor And the Calibration probe/software. If you have an inexpensive laptop, don't be surprised if the above two items cost more than your laptop did.