Im in the process of planning to buy a new machine.

Atm im looking at buying 2 x 24 dell 2408 (the higher end model) but as i think about it more perhaps i should get 1 x 30" instead ? i think i like the idea of having 2 monitors over one larger one.

What i want to no is are 30" lcd good from a web and print graphic design perspective and more specifically the apple 30" and the 30" dell.

i have established that the 23" ACD are just not as good as the 24" dell but i would LOVE to no what everyone thinks here. The more information and opinions given the better

Personally, I'd rather have 2x 24" LCDs than a single 30" - dual 24" gives you a lot more screen real-estate

thanks decryption.
yeah . especially for someone like me who uses bootcamp few times and multiple apps ect ect ect. i just think having 2 x 24 it would be pretty good.

i guess the main question is dell or apple ?

If you're doing web graphics, choice really doesn't matter. If you're doing print, look at Eizo and/or NEC rather then Apple or Dell.

I've got dual 23" Apples, and while it's cool from the Apple Fanboy perspective (which I am), thats about as far as it goes. I hate where the damn power button is on my apple screens though..

Dell 24" screens are much better on the hip pocket.

I know you get more real estate, but I'm not a fan of dual displays unless you have a very specific need (ie. you're using Final Cut Pro and you only edit on one but see the output on the second display). I think having a huge bar down the middle of your working area (the bezel and gap between the screens) is not smart.

Give me one big screen any day.

So I vote for 1x really good 24" or 1x 30".

I'm a developer so I have code on my right screen and browser on the left, I find I'm only ever looking at one screen at a time and not trying to look at both - I don't even notice the center bezel.

Up front disclaimer; I just bought one of these but I'm not involved with the seller.

If you decide to go for the 24" option you may wish to consider a HP LP2465 instead of the Dell.

They are available on ebay for $725+ ~$20 postage as a 'buy it now' from saber-solutions.

Linky to their ebay shop -> "http://stores.ebay.com.au/saber-solutions"

They have a 100% feedback rating and based on my experience with them, they deserve it.

Apologies if I sound like a fanboi, but I'm kinda stoked with mine.

yeah.. yeah i think its just a comfort thing of having 2 monitors its being able to multi task easier

which in particular do you recommend

I second this.
Just got a Eizo here.
Fantastic screen - wouldn't consider a lesser monitor (inc Apple) now.
If colour is critical to you - do yourself a favour....

The Eizo FlexScans are the bee's nuts when it comes to colour accuracy, however they aren't cheap because they have their LCD panels specially-made for them. NEC are a close second, but are also pricey for exactly the same reasons.

The Apple, Dell and HP screens are a somewhat distant third in the colour accuracy stakes, but you can overcome most of their particular quirks by using a hardware calibrator -- the Spyder3 isn't that expensive.

yeah i intend of buying the spyder3 .... so i guess its dell 24 all the way.
i mean i will do some print work but mainly digital design so a colour critical monitor isnt that incredibly important. i guess i can get away with just using a spyder after all.

I'd rather 2 x 24" dells. Each individual monitor is big enough to hold any single application on it - so having the gap and bezel in the middle isn't really an issue like it would be with 2 x 17" or something.

Or you should just man up like Al Gore and get 3 x 30"

Just for the sake of accuracy - the FlexScan Eizo's are their "standard" monitors and the ColourEdge Eizo's are the top quality monitors.
Eizo have a small showroom at Artarmon. I don't think it's publicly available but just make contact with them through the eizo.com.au website and you'll get assistance.
Especially look @ their ex-demo models (that's how I ended up with my ColourEdge). Big savings.
EMail them for a list.
It really is worth it.