Good 27-inch monitors for $500?

[Darin Boville]

I'm looking for a good 27-inch or bigger wide-gamut monitor to run off of my 2011 Macbook Pro. Anyone have any recommendations for something nice for $500 or so?

--Darin

[Ari]

You can certainly get something much fancier, but I like using a regular Dell monitor that's been calibrated.
Mine has served me well for almost ten years, and I calibrate it once a year.

[jp]

I'd go for a refurb Dell U2713HM to keep it in your budget. New is a little above your budget.

[Jmarmck]

It is a pit out of your price range but I use a HP Z series 27" monitor with a higher resolution. I love it and wish I had one at home.

[Darin Boville]

I confess I find all these different models of monitors bewildering.

What is the difference between the various Dell U2713 flavors, for example? U2713, U2713H, U2713HM???

I see the Dell outlet page but no refurbs on the HM version (if that is what I want). Anywhere else to look?

--Darin

[Darin Boville]

Dell has what looks to be a nice 4k screen for $500:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1106149-REG/dell_p2715q_27_3840x2160_dh.html

Or what appears to be the new version of the Dell U2713HM--the 15H--for about the same price:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1098888-REG/dell_u2715h_27_2560x1440_widescreen_led_monitor.html

Here's the U2713HM for reference:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=U2713HM&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Thoughts on the two other B&H monitors for photo editing?

--Darin

[jp]

Amazon had some refurbs.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1106149-REG/dell_p2715q_27_3840x2160_dh.html
really gets me excited... i'd be all over that and buy it new.

[jp]

I ended up getting one of those Dell 4k $500 monitors. It's temporarily hooked up at work on my workstation using a displayport cable and a new ATI Radeon R7 video card to support the higher res. About $100 for the video card.

I haven't edited photos with it yet, but it's REALLY sharp and color/contrast looks nice out of the box. It's so detailed and makes text so small it will be not ideal for general web browsing and computing. For big spreadsheets or image editing, a 4K display like this seems very nice. Next week I'll bring it home (and calibrate it) and bring my u2711 monitor to work where the 2560 x 1440 will be good for my work needs. So if anyone gets one, know it's for image editing and detailed work foremost.

[Willie]

Are ViewSonic graphic arts series any good these days?

[Michael Graves]

Refurb Dell 28" UltraHD P2815Q for $475.00.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/AccessoriesAndWarranties.aspx?AccessoryNum=2314920&CategoryId=MO&c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&Flag=2&brandId=222806&suid=5838208f

[HMG]

dellrefurbished.com regularly has 40-50% off "specials". Right now: 50% off items $399 & up or 30% off items $59-$398, Plus free ground shipping.

But I don't remember ever seeing any of the Dell Ultrasharps over 24". Right now the 24" (grade A) is $359 less 30%. But with only 30% off at dellrefurbished, the Dell outlet price for that same model is better assuming equivalent condition.

[Darin Boville]

I ended up buying the 27-inch 4k Dell screen mentioned above from B&H for $499. I only have had a chance to use it for one day (and I'm out of town all next week) but it does look very nice. I also found the vertical rotation very useful in viewing a vertical image I'm working on--so much bigger than having the screen horizontal with that same image. Running it off a 2011 Macbook Pro with the higher end graphics card. No problems.

Thanks for all the advice.

--Darin

[Tin Can]

Anyone know who makes the Dell monitors?

[Doug_Morse]

Dell makes them using an ODM. Most PCs and peripherals are made by ODMs or contract manufacturers. Unless you are in the business you wouldn't know the names of the actual manufacturers. But it is not like another well known name makes them for Dell. You really want to know what the panel is they use and who makes that and what the technology is. IGZO panels by Sharp are very good but make for more expensive monitors. In general Dell UltraSharp are better panels with better colour calibration than cheaper models. I had the cheaper Dell 4K on my desk side by side with an ASUS which had an IGZO panel, the ASUS got all my attention. It also cost 5x the price. Beautiful bright rich colours. The Dell is also p30 which makes it somewhat 'laggy' with mouse movements. This might frustrate users where fine movements are required.

[SergeiR]

or you can just pay ~190$ and get decent korean monitor that uses same IPS as Apple Thunderburd in 27"..

[jp]

SergeiR, the monitor/keyboard/mouse are what people most often cheap out on when buying computer gear. It's what you see/use/touch on the computer and I like to get something great (without overpaying of course) The Dell is a good deal compared to something Apple or other high end. I also have a nice keyboard I enjoy that sells for $100 USED. These are things that last for multiple computers if you get quality/reliability/comfort.

[Tin Can]

Dell makes them using an ODM. Most PCs and peripherals are made by ODMs or contract manufacturers. Unless you are in the business you wouldn't know the names of the actual manufacturers. But it is not like another well known name makes them for Dell. You really want to know what the panel is they use and who makes that and what the technology is. IGZO panels by Sharp are very good but make for more expensive monitors. In general Dell UltraSharp are better panels with better colour calibration than cheaper models. I had the cheaper Dell 4K on my desk side by side with an ASUS which had an IGZO panel, the ASUS got all my attention. It also cost 5x the price. Beautiful bright rich colours. The Dell is also p30 which makes it somewhat 'laggy' with mouse movements. This might frustrate users where fine movements are required.

Thanks and makes me think when I upgrade I will continue with ASUS, as my 2 ASUS Pro Art have been wonderful.