Hello everyone,

I am about to purchase a new mac system, and am not sure which route to go at the moment. I have the option of getting 2 30" Apple HD displays, or I was thinking about possibly getting a Wacom Cintiq as the second display instead. It would be a smaller screen at 21", but that still isn't really THAT small either. I'm thinking it would help increase the speed for things like rotoscoping and compositing, it would also come in handy with Maya too. I'm looking for any suggestions you guys might have, and if it's possible to use the Cintiq as the second display also.

Thanks in advance for any help.

You may want to consider Dell's offerings, they tend to be more affordable than the apple variety.

I'm already set on buying an Apple system. So I'm only considering the 2 30" displays, or 1 30" Apple HD display as the primary, and a Wacom Cintiq 21" for the secondary. It would be for things like rotoscoping, or photoshopping, and all sorts of other uses that I can think of.

I don't know why I'd switch to Dell when I'm already familiar with Final Cut Pro, which isn't available on Windows. Also, the Final Cut Studio package along with Shake, which is now ridiculously cheap, seems like an amazing combination, which I'll also be getting.

Basically, I was just wondering if there were particular advantages by going with 2 30" displays, or 1 and the Cintiq, which seems like a really sweet tool in itself.

Maybe I wasn't clear - just use dell monitors, not dell computers. When you buy an Apple LCD screen, many times you are basically paying a 10-30% premium for that tiny apple which appears on the rim of the monitor, as there are only a limited number of manufacturers which produce large size high-def LCD Panels.

http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2400

I just received my Dell 24" monitor today for $703 with free shipping. Its the 2407wfp and has 1900x1200 resolution with HD component video inputs for my HD cam.

That's my point - what's the 23" apple cinema display going for these days from apple.com, like 1,299.00 USD?

Does the Apple displays allow for a HD component video connection? That was a big "must" for me in getting the Dell.

Thanks for all the advice. But really I'm wondering if getting the Wacom Cintiq 21" is worth the lower resolution and desktop space, or if it even works as the second display. If anyone knows anything about that it would be greatly apreciated.

The Apple and Dell panels may not always be the same. The Apple 23" is an S-IPS panel, but I've read that the new Dell 2007 and 2407's are now S-PVA. Also, I've read that many have calibration troubles with the new Dell offerings.

You have to hand it to Dell. They've figured out that people really want text reading devices with larger screens and more pixels. This is similar to the drive for higher megapixel count on cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders. Though, what you really want is better light sensitivity for all of those.

Thanks for all the advice. But really I'm wondering if getting the Wacom Cintiq 21" is worth the lower resolution and desktop space, or if it even works as the second display. If anyone knows anything about that it would be greatly apreciated.

From what I've read, yes you can used the Cintiq as a second display, or as the main and run the apple as the second. Just keep in mind that if you mirror the displays, the 30" will only run at the resolution of the cintiq. As for the resoution difference, I would say yes it is noticeable, but having one 30" myself, I would opt for the Cintiq if I was getting another display as it has some great advantages that more resolution can't match, in my opinion.

If you play your cards right you can pick up the 2405 Dell for around $600 (check the Dell outlet). Not only is it cheaper but MANY people prefer the image to the Apple screens... I own 3 of the Dell 24" and 2 are used on Macs.




ash =o)

If you play your cards right you can pick up the 2405 Dell for around $600 (check the Dell outlet). Not only is it cheaper but MANY people prefer the image to the Apple screens... I own 3 of the Dell 24" and 2 are used on Macs.

ash =o)

I'm curious to know how many people actually read the whole thread, or even parts, before posting. I realze everybody is just trying to help but Brian has mentioned more than one that he wants an Apple monitor and that his questions are more related to the Cintiq yet nearly everybody wants to talk him into a Dell and debate about the differences between brands...

I'm curious to know how many people actually read the whole thread, or even parts, before posting. I realze everybody is just trying to help but Brian has mentioned more than one that he wants an Apple monitor and that his questions are more related to the Cintiq yet nearly everybody wants to talk him into a Dell and debate about the differences between brands...

I'd say either grab 2 apple displays (cause they are the same res and they would be consistant) or this Cintiq. I really like the idea of a monitor that you can draw on, sounds like a great concept! In the end its getting what YOU want and what fits YOU best. A product here that everyone here reccomends might not fit you and thats ok! Its about you being happy with what you own! You're the one thats going to be using it! As for anything dell I don't own any of their products and I don't plan on buying any of them anytime. Why? Don't even get me started....

James

They have some interesting applications for Cintiq at Pixar:

http://preview.millimeter.com/mag/video_tool_time_pixar/

Personally, I use an Intuitos graphics tablet for a lot of things and you really aren't taking full advantage of programs like Photoshop unless you have one. But the Cintiq seems really expensive and I'm not sure exactly why I'd need one or what new capabilities it would give me.

I'm curious to know how many people actually read the whole thread, or even parts, before posting. I realze everybody is just trying to help but Brian has mentioned more than one that he wants an Apple monitor and that his questions are more related to the Cintiq yet nearly everybody wants to talk him into a Dell and debate about the differences between brands...

Because he can get 2 Dell Monitors for cheaper that actually look better =o)



ash =o)

I use a cintiq in conjunction with my old school 22" cinema display. The cintiq doesn't work well as a secondary monitor so I use it as my primary and the apple as my secondary.

I say this because if you're using the cintiq chances are you want to have all your toolbars right at hand. If the cintiq is your secondary monitor then the toolbars always default to the primary display.

If you mirror the displays then you can have the toolbars where they need to be, but then you don't really have enough screen room for multi-tasking.

Switching settings back and forth in the display menu often times requires a restart for the cursor to figure out what screen it's suppossed to be on.

hope this helps.

The "idea" of the cintiq, as a screen you can draw on, has great appeal and if you are used to using a tablet and/or you do lots of drawing and rotoscoping work, the cintiq sounds like a good idea. But as much as I like to draw with a graphics tablet, I find myself going back to a mouse and keyboard quickly for anything else.

The cintiq is very cool but unless you really need it a lot or are very comfortable using tablet pens for your general apps, you might want to see if you can spend time with a demo and see if its really a comfortable fit. Some people love 'em, some people just can't get used to them.

Because he can get 2 Dell Monitors for cheaper that actually look better =o)



ash =o)


I have the Apple 30 and the thought of buying a Dell would never cross my mind. I dont like cheap things and if it is affordable, why not have the best.

I dont like cheap things and if it is affordable, why not have the best.

Guys, lets keep it civil with our opinions.

Guys, lets keep it civil with our opinions.


I think you misunderstood the concept in which I wrote. Brian was asking about using 2 Apple displays and not whether he should buy Dell because he was after a cheaper option. Not everyone wants the cheaper product and as far as I am concerned, nothing comes close to the Apple. Brian, I say go for the 2 Apple 30' displays. Have the best

Rather than suggest brands and prices, I would ask exactly what use you are putting them to.

If, for example, you edit on one and view on the other, the size is not much of a concern. If, on the other hand, you use both for editing with split screen or putting pallets on different screens, which is what I usually do (and love), then it does make a slight difference.

I have a 20" next to a 19" and no matter how you pass between them you don't end up even or look right. It just looks odd sometimes, but that may not bother many editors, it is slightly distracting for me.

If you plan to edit on both, as I do, I would stay with two matching monitors. And if you get two 30" monitors I will surely be very jealous!!!!

Mike

Well, I ended up getting a 30" Apple display and the Cintiq 21UX. The Apple is dang big compared to what I had before hehe. So there's so much room to work on things. I don't really require 2 30"s, and I have plenty of workspace room with this setup. The Cintiq is used as my secondary display, and it's real easy to keep everything on that monitor for Photoshop work, which is amazing on the cintiq. It's really great and greatly improves speed and quality for rotoscoping in Shake too. I use the 30" for mostly the node view which gives me a ton of room there, and I put a viewer and some pallets, sometimes move parameters to the Cintiq's screen too. Rotoscoping is a ton faster, to manipulate the quick shapes, and any other task which requires hands on work. I also have a JVC production monitor hooked up via Multibridge Pro to always have my final output diplayed, so I have all my color corrections displayed properly. Basically this setup is just what I needed.

wow. would love to see ur setup whenever u get the chance!!

cheers

Actually, if you search the net you will find that not only is the Dell cheaper, but the picture is better, the build is sturdier. You pay a premium for Apple "style" The 30" gets a little more murky, both are pretty close, although the Dell is less $$$.



ash =o)

i just ordered another 2407WFP today.. the price dropped

i havent even rcvd the first one yet.

anyone want to excite me and show me their pics of dual 24in Dells?!

mahalos

Actually, if you search the net you will find that not only is the Dell cheaper, but the picture is better, the build is sturdier. You pay a premium for Apple "style" The 30" gets a little more murky, both are pretty close, although the Dell is less $$$.



ash =o)


As they say, you get what you pay for. Nothing wrong about Apple style.

Regarding the Cintiq, I saw them but was discouraged by the price. Neat idea. And handy for those who might find it difficult to develop that hand-eye coordination required for a graphics tablet.

However, I've been using a graphic tablet for years now and it's become second nature. The only other device I use is a track ball. The mouse is gathering dust somewhere on the desk.

Here's a sample of what I did with a graphics tablet just for laughs. The shark was done entirely by hand in Photoshop.

At a MacWorld convention an artist was showing what he'd done with Photoshop and a graphics tablet. His work was absolutely astounding.

nice. what kind of tablet are u using?

mahalos.

nice. what kind of tablet are u using?

It's an Intuos 2 6x9.

What really makes this thing magic is the pressure sensing capabilities. I used to do a lot of drawing way back when and this is a good simulation of what I used to do with a pencil.