Guys,
I'd like some help in a "strategic" decision, in part involving Macs, but then gaming, screens ..... The objective ? making best use of my money :)

I need a new Mac, and I am looking to get a Mac Pro. Hence I will have to get a new display (well, in my case anyway).
I ordered a PS3 for some gaming and BR playback and need a display there as well. Here, ideally I would purchase a 1080p LCD.

Lots of money and I feel a bit uneasy about spending so much so quickly.

So, what would you think of getting just a 23" Apple display and, at least for now, use that for both my Mac stuff and the PS3 ? is this possible at all (now that I think about it, there's no HDMI on the Apple displays..DVI ?).

Another consideration is that Apple displays are way way overdue for some upgrades, so may be timing isn't perfect (I know, it never is).

I was thinking the other way around: just get a LCD panel and use that for both, but I would want that to be 42" and I suspect that for Mac stuff it would just be too big.

Any ideas. suggestions ?

I need a new Mac, and I am looking to get a Mac Pro. Hence I will have to get a new display (well, in my case anyway).
I ordered a PS3 for some gaming and BR playback and need a display there as well. Here, ideally I would purchase a 1080p LCD.Right on track with this

Lots of money and I feel a bit uneasy about spending so much so quickly.Well, if you are buying a MacPro AND a PS3, you've obviously already dropped some pretty pennies. No reason to detract from your purchase with a sub par display.

So, what would you think of getting just a 23" Apple display and, at least for now, use that for both my Mac stuff and the PS3 ? is this possible at all (now that I think about it, there's no HDMI on the Apple displays..DVI ?).23" Cinema displays are great. I use both a 20" and a 23" for work. But I have a 37" lcd 1080p display for an htpc display, and it works great. You can use an HDMI -> DVI adapter to hook the PS3 to the Cinema, but I'm not quite sure how the PS3 would handle the 1920x1200 Cinema (16:10) resolution. It isn't an HDCP compliant display, either.

Another consideration is that Apple displays are way way overdue for some upgrades, so may be timing isn't perfect (I know, it never is).Yep. Hopefully sometime this spring.

I was thinking the other way around: just get a LCD panel and use that for both, but I would want that to be 42" and I suspect that for Mac stuff it would just be too big.

Any ideas. suggestions ?Many of us have opted for a 37" 1080p, as it offers, in my mind, the best compromise between resolution and size for a combined game machine, computer monitor, and htpc display. Best viewed from 2-4 feet for computer work, and 4-7 feet for gaming and htpc.

I use a 37" Westinghouse 37W3. It has HDMI, 2 DVI, 2 component, VGA and s/video ports, so it is versatile. It is HDCP compliant on the HDMI and one of the DVI ports. And best of all, I got it for 2 bills under the list price of a 23" Cinema Display. :)

There are other 1080p lcd's that folks use in this scenario. Many of us just happen to believe that the 37" Westy has the best value in a 1080p display in this size and range of features/functions. You can spend a lot more, and get some better specs. But you also can spend the money you save on, say, a second display, or BD disks, or...

dude, great points, each one of them ! thank you.

Way too clearly (ahaah), the ideal situation would be a 23" Apple display for Mac work and a 37" (42" may be given my set-up) for viewing movies/ps3. Hmmmm, don't know if I can/should do this now all together. I can always do it in steps.

I might start from the LCD large TV for games/movies. PS3 is on its way already, whereas for the rest I do need some time to figure things out anyway. Many recommend waiting at least for NAB, and possibly MacWorld if I can wait that long.

ww
I want to be 100% hd and just sold my miniDV camera to purchase a hd model, this is why I pretty much need a Mac Pro, but it can wait a bit.

I use a 37" Westinghouse 37W3. It has HDMI, 2 DVI, 2 component, VGA and s/video ports, so it is versatile. It is HDCP compliant on the HDMI and one of the DVI ports. And best of all, I got it for 2 bills under the list price of a 23" Cinema Display.

and by the way how much is "2 bills" and where did you get it ?

and by the way how much is "2 bills" and where did you get it ?It was one of those Black Friday (day after thanksgiving) loss leaders at Shopko. I had already decided I wanted the westy, and when I saw in the flier that they had them at my local Shopko for $800, how could I not drag my butt out of bed at 4:30am, stand in line in a snow storm, get the next to last one (of 4), and then stand stupidly in the parking lot trying to figure out how to get it in my car. The Shopko guy just started jamming it into the hatchback, compressing the foam, and getting it stuck inside the car. it took me a half hour of unjamming the foam at home at 5:20am, standing outside in a blizzard, cause I just had to get it in to see how it looked. How crazy this HD stuff can make us! But it was well worth it. It makes a great computer monitor.

Hope you get your situation figured out. :)

wow, some great story dude !!!! and ... I would have done the same :)

Tomorrow I will go take a look at some of these lcd panels, hopefully that will do it.

ww.

I asked for very similar advice, here is a link to the thread. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=806003) I think you might find it useful.