Monitor advice, anyone?

The monitor for my G5 PowerMac (bought 2006) has died and I need to replace it. My local Mac dealership tells me that the graphics cards have changed (did I get that right?) and so I need to source a DVI monitor myself. They told me Samsung was good. I've found a few on the net, but I notice that a couple of customer reviews say that the monitors weren't compatible with their Macs. Can anyone recommend something compatible? Looking for 20" minimum and I don't need full DTP quality, just something easy to set up and use. Thanks.

Any and every DVI and VGA monitor is Mac compatible. You could just buy the cheapest one available, but it often pays to get a slightly nicer monitor with better image quality. I'd recommend the Dell UltraSharp 2209WA, a 22" screen with 1680x1050 resolution. Looks great, under $300.

A vote for Viewsonic brand Viewsonic » ViewSonic Visual Displays
I love the clarity of the images and the true colour rendition.

Thank you both, very reassuring. Will follow up both recommendations and see which can be delivered the quickest. And I won't pay too much attention to Amazon customer reviews in the future.

Charybdis said:

Thank you both, very reassuring. Will follow up both recommendations and see which can be delivered the quickest. And I won't pay too much attention to Amazon customer reviews in the future.

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They can be useful, just be wary whenever you hear someone say that something isn't "Mac compatible." Most non-Mac compatible stuff only has trouble on the software side of things, but the hardware should still work. It's entirely possible that someone had problems with their monitor, either setting it up or it was broken, and assumed it was because they had a Mac.

Dell UltraSharp 2209WA has an IPS panel that would deliver a much colorful picture than monitors with TN panel (most of the "lower price monitors are TN panels). IPS won't have those fast response times than TN does but it has a much better black level and a better viewing angle. Pictures have more natural colors.
Otherwise you could get a TN panel monitor with a glossy screen (I know that LG has some of those). The glossy screen intensifies the colors and also delivers a better black level. That means you pay less compared to a monitor with IPS (or VA) panel and you have somewhat comparable picture quality.
Usually glossy screens are not very recommended if you are working long hours in front of it because the mirroring (of course it depends how intense they are) on the surface might lead to headache (since the eyes continuously have to refocus).

- If you have to money, get a monitor with IPS/VN panel. Better picture but
lower response times. Especially if real natural colors are very important for
you.

- If you mainly play games, watch movies, probably get a TN Panel with
glossy screen.

- If you use it for work and a every day screen is enough, get a TN panel
with matte screen.

(At least that's my opinion).

I would stay away from Samsung myself. Both Samsung LCDs that I have had never quite lived up to the clarity expectations they promised. When I upgraded I went with a Westinghouse (yeah, who knew THEY mad monitors?) and it's fantastic.