24" with USB3 to go with MacBook Air

Ekim · 9 Sep 2012 at 14:38

I am looking for a new screen to go with my MacBook Air. It's been ages since I bought a screen so am well out of the loop on what is good and what is not. My requirements are:

USB3 hub on the monitor - it would be good to have an external HDD hooked up to the screen as well as keyboard and mouse so I can plug everything in to the Air with just one cable.

DisplayPort connection so that I can easily connect it to the laptop.

Same DPI as the MacBook screen (if possible). I have a screen at work that is a different DPI to my laptop screen and it always bothers me that the size of things between the two screens is so different.

Probably looking to spend no more than £250.

Thanks

Axeia · 9 Sep 2012 at 15:58

So uhm, what is the resolution/screen size of your MacBook Air? (although asking for a USB 3 hub is already too much I think - perhaps on the latest generation Samsungs but those are likely to be USB 2 as well).

AbsenceJam · 9 Sep 2012 at 17:06

Only the PA248Q has USB 3.0. You're not going to get the same pixel density, 24" monitors are 19x12 or 1080 which is 94/92 ppi vs 128/135 of the 11/13" Air. IF you want to get closer you need a 27" screen with 2560x1440 which is 109ppi.

Ekim · 9 Sep 2012 at 21:27

Perhaps I am being a bit ambitious then. Will probably be better off just getting a USB3 hub and then what ever the best value for money screen I can find.

Axeia · 9 Sep 2012 at 23:01

The 21.5" Full HD screens also have a fairly high pixel density so that might be a better option than looking for a 24"?

GeX · 10 Sep 2012 at 16:57

You're not going to tick all those boxes for £250 I don't think.

Decent screen with display port? U2412M

I have a pair of them for my setup.

They're 1900x1200 so only 93.63 PPI instead of 127.5 that the Air has. But this is why I have two of them, I couldn't be doing with a 94ppi screen next to the 221ppi of the MBP.

Ekim · 10 Sep 2012 at 17:52

Yeah, think that is the screen I am going to be going for. Found it for £215 which I think is a good price. Just kicking myself as I missed one on the trading post by a couple of days! Typical.

hazro · 11 Sep 2012 at 00:42

We're launching a 24.1" LED IPS (16:10) with Displayport only and 4x USB3.0 ports next month. Coming Soon in very small quantities to OCUK. Price = very cheap as it will have no OSD and just backlight up/down controls. It will be a no frills unit and budget allowing, we're looking to include an adjustable stand (but looking somewhat doubtful) as we want to hit a RRP of £189 inc. VAT and delivery.

This is a completely different unit to the multi-output 24.1" LED IPS we announced last month.