Upgrade monitor?

[stevierose]

Hello friends
I am in the process of upgrading my computer to a new 2018 Mac Mini and am wondering whether there is any need to consider upgrading my monitor. I presently use a NEC MultiSync PA241W-BK-SV 24.1" Widescreen LCD Monitor with included SpectraViewII Color Calibration Solution (including an Xrite sensor) which I purchased in 2011. At the time I bought it it was specified to have a gamut equal to 98% of the Adobe 1998 RGB color space. As far as I can tell it still works fine. However, 7 years is a long time in "Moore's Law tech years", so I wonder what, if anything, the newest monitors have to offer that my present monitor does not? It appears from the descriptions that some have higher resolution and some have "internal calibration" that allows you to switch from Adobe 1998 RGB to SRGB by pushing a button. What else has improved in monitor technology, and do you see any reason for me to upgrade? I use the set up for photo editing.

Many thanks!
Steve Rosenblum
Ann Arbor, Michigan

[digitaldog]

IF it works fine, leave it alone.
But if you have want bumps for a new SpectraView, the new PA271Q is a winner. Or maybe you can find the older 272W for a bit less. I've got both.
You can find the hours used by your display in the OSD panel which may be worth looking at but again, if it's working as intended, stick with it.

[elliot_n]

Maybe stick with what you've got — it seems that some users are having problems using Photoshop with the new mini hooked up to a 4K screen:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-2018-intel-uhd-graphics-630-pros-and-cons.2150795/page-6#post-26789022

[BradSmith]

Two possible changes......newer technology and larger screen.  My experience is 8 years with an 27" NEC 2690 that died and a new technology NEC 272 W.   I saw no difference in their performance.   You won't really tell a difference with newer technology, but will have an obviously better "user experience" with a larger monitor.  If you decide to replace your current working 24", I think that 27" is now the sweet spot from a size vs cost comparison. 
Brad

[dchew]

Steve,
I have been using the same PA241W, and for about the same time. I recently purchased the PA271Q that Andrew mentioned, driven by a new MBP. Both screens are in-use side by side. No question the new monitor is an improvement, but I don't think it is significant enough to warrant replacing the PA241W if it is working fine for you. If you want a second monitor and plan to keep using the 241W, I think they are good companions. Here are some differences I've noticed:

• The 271Q is bigger. I know, duh. But this is the most dramatic difference, and it isn't THAT much bigger.
• The 271Q "warms up" faster. My 241W has a noticeable lightening around the edges when it fires up, a slight reverse-vignetting if you will. This goes away after a few minutes.
• In order to get the two monitors to appear the same, the 241W is @140 cd/m2 and the 271Q @ 150 cd/m2.
• I adjusted the white point on the 241W slightly to match the 271Q. That doesn't mean the 241W was wrong; I just chose to adjust the old monitor to the new one.
• The 271Q profile has a slightly larger gamut, mostly in the red/yellow ranges. 1.42M vs 1.28M. See image below (271Q is the wireframe). I haven't found this noticeable in an image yet.
• The 271Q has some nice upgraded features and connections that may or may not be helpful to you.

Dave