Best 4:3 monitor for Classic Macs

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2012, June 7 - 9:47pm

ClassicGentleman

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Joined: 2012 Mar 27

Best 4:3 monitor for Classic Macs

Hello,

I would like to ask kind folks here whether anyone has experience with some of the following 4:3 LCDs:

* Dell 2007FP
* NEC 2190UXp
* HP LP2065

These are those that are easily available here.

I would like to use the monitor with my MDDs running Mac OS 9, and also to use it with my gaming rig for some old school 4:3 titles (so I would not have to pillarbox them or mess around with adjusting FOV etc.). I guess that response time and latency is no big deal with old Mac classic games, but I would also like to be able to play some PC games as well.

Is that a good idea to get either one of those 4:3 LCDs or is it better to get a CRT for MDDs and 24"/27" LCD for old PC titles (as even pillarboxing on 24" (16:10) / 27" (16:10 or 16:9) essentially means playing on the same screen estate as playing on 4:3 20")?

Thank you for your kind advice.
CG

Comments

2012, June 8 - 6:30am

MikeTomTom

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Joined: 2009 Dec 7

I haven't used any of those monitors, but I do think NEC makes a good monitor.

I (personally) would not like to use a CRT type monitor again if I can help it. I currently use a ViewSonic VP2130b LCD (21" 1600x1200 4:3 LCD display), which I share between a Quicksilver 2002, a DA Mac G4 & an old Pentium 4 via a DVI-KVMP switch box. Its a setup that works well with these three computers. The QS 2002 is the Mac model range before the MDD's.

2012, June 9 - 5:09am

bertyboy

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Joined: 2009 Jun 14

I haven't used any of those, but any recent non-CRT displays will be fine, and that includes anything since about 2007. Remember the MDD was sold with the Apple Studio Display and Apple Cinema Display.

Got to agree about using CRT displays again, they're slow, extremely heavy and you'll lose half your desk.

When I get the chance to use my DA's and MDD with a monitor (all run headless just now) I conenct them to my old Sony Bravia, which my son loves - Nanosaur in 40".

2012, June 9 - 11:46am

(Reply to #3) #4

MikeTomTom

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Joined: 2009 Dec 7

I conenct them to my old Sony Bravia, which my son loves - Nanosaur in 40".

Lucky little sod! Good one, bertboy. Nanosaur must be awesome on the Bravia.

2012, June 10 - 12:31am

bertyboy

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Joined: 2009 Jun 14

It's just one of the TV's we brought from the UK, so the built-in digital receiver (for the UK) doesn't work here. As a plus for us, it's the only VGA "monitor" I have so I had to bring it and can't get rid of it.
Now he's playing "The Spongebob Squarepants Game" on it.

2012, August 4 - 5:52pm

IWishTodayWasSt...

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Joined: 2012 May 25

These expensive 20" and 21" LCD monitors might only be preferred for the 1600x1200 screen resolution, but since some "extra features" in these monitors such as USB ports on the monitor probably doesn't work with old Macintosh computers, therefore only adding a few watts of electricity consumed, and there's probably no software from 2005 and earlier that requires a screen resolution larger than 1024x768, the old HP L1506 LCD monitor might be the best.

Also, don't think about buying a CRT monitor just because "LCD monitors always cost at least $400 which is too expensive" because only the newest LCD monitors with "extra features" that probably won't work with old Macintosh computers cost more than $400. The old HP L1506 monitor can be bought today for as low as $100, near the same as an old CRT monitor you would be looking for, and the old HP L1506 monitor actually consumes less watts of electricity than the newest LCD monitors while old CRT monitors actually consume more watts of electricity than even the $400+ LCD monitors

2012, August 7 - 7:19pm

soudesune

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Joined: 2009 Dec 19

Hi IWish...
I have a secondhand 1600x1200 IBM LCD monitor. It is wonderfully sharp on DVI connections at its native resolution. On VGA connections it is fuzzy. I find 19" LCD monitors from HP good (I use a HP L1950g) with my IIfx at 1178xwhatever. Philips' LCD monitors with a VGA-connection aren't bad either at standard max mac resolutions.