24" or 27" for image editing

goinggreynow

goinggreynow

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Would appreciate any help or guidance with the above.
I currently have a DELL 2209WA and am looking for a larger screen. My main use is image editing, with the usual office app. usage, e-mails & browsing. I do not game or watch movies.
My problem is getting my head around exactly how much more I would benefit from a 27" 16:9 screen (2560*1440) as compared to a 24" 16:10 (1920*1200).
The info I have read suggests an actual screen height of around 12.8" for the 24" and just over 13.2" for the 27". I have done the maths and have estimated what this would mean in terms of actual image size on screen when I am editing in DPP. At present, I am thinking that the 2 are so close that i might as well opt for the 24".
Has anyone else gone through this exercise or is there perhaps someone out there with both size screens who might be able to give some advice?
I am also aware of the fact that the 27" also has a smaller pixel pitch, but again I am struggling to understand what this would mean in real terms when I am editing photos.
Thanks in advance for any help or comments.
 
Personally prefer the 16:10 ratio but you will get significantly more real estate with the 27" (approx one third more)
 
bigger = better - if you can go for 30"

smaller pixels = you don't have to sit as far back to see smooth image. If you had seen new iPad or rMBP, the 27" is not a miracle in that department.

You will need displayport / Thunderbolt / dual link DVI to connect to anything over 1920p. If you only have HDMI, your only choice is 24"
If you only have VGA you should really run to buy a new PC or graphics card.
 
I don't like 16:9 screens. You will only have around 200 pixels more height with a 27" 16:9 over a 24" 16:10. You'll have more width, sure, but it's a less than ideal format. You will have significantly more width though.

Pixel pitch means everything is smaller.. text on screen, menus, icons etc. This leaves more room for the image itself. The image will be finer, and smoother in appearance.

I've no idea what your budget is, but I'd save for a 30" 16:10. If you want big, a 30" ticks the box nicely :)

The down side is cost. There's only really the Dell U30xx series of screens that's reasonably priced. Eizo have stopped making 30" screens now ( I probably got one of the last they ever sold) which really leaves NEC and Dell only worth considering.

Upon reflection... I'd get a Dell U3010. It's about to be replaced by the U3013 in March, so you should be able to get a bargain. Failing that, the Dell U2711 16:9 would still give you considerably more screen real estate than a 24", but mainly in the horizontal plane.

As stated above though, check you have a dual link DVI out on your graphics adaptor, otherwise you'll not be able to run a 27" or 30" at native resolution.

And... if you're spending a reasonable amount of cash on a screen.... budget for a means of calibrating it. Seems silly to have a nice screen and not have it calibrated.
 
You'll get a great experience with either model but personally I'd spend the extra and get the 27" model.
 
Very many thanks for all replies.
Would love to go for a 30" screen but well outside of my budget, sadly.
 
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