27 or 30 for Photoshop

[Alexdi]

I'm looking to replace a Dell 2408WFP (PVA, aRGB) with a 2560x1440 or 2560x1600 screen for photo editing. Maybe two of them, though I'd ideally like one screen in sRGB and another in Adobe RGB. I've got that now with a 32" 1080p TV, but after a few months with a rMBP, the pixel density is getting too low to stomach.

Priorities:
* Color accuracy
* Cost < $700 (refurb OK, used from Amazon Warehouse OK)
* Matte
* Color/backlight uniformity
* Minimal or zero dead pixels
* VESA mount

Nice:
* Contrast ratio > 700:1
* Light coating (less is more, but I'm fine with my 2408 and I doubt it's a 'light' AG coating)
* sRGB gamut preferred or sRGB emulation w/ Adobe RGB panels, but either is fine
* Minimal PWM flickering

Don't care:
* Indifferent between 27 and 30
* Power use
* Backlight tech
* Lag

So far, I'm looking at these:

Asus PB278Q
Dell U2713HM
HP ZR30
Achieva Shimian QH300

Should I add (or subtract) from this list? Thanks!

 

[Alexdi]

No thoughts? I'm not very current on the favorites these days.

 

[NCX]

There are lots of threads about these. All of the 30" CCFL back-lit monitors use grainy matte coatings and are lucky to have 700:1 contrast ratios.

You want the BenQ BL2710PT ([H] Thread with my review and [H] owners experiences) or Viewsonic VP2770 ([H] Thread with reviews and [H] owners experiences). The Viewsonic VP2772 (TFT Central Review) is the only decent wide gamut 27". The U2713HM has tons of quality control issues and the PB278Q has a 240hz LED PWM Dimming frequency.

 

[Alexdi]

Thanks for the links and the notes, I appreciate it.

 

[CYB34]

If you want to consider U2713HM, make sure it's an A00 revision, manufactured after aug 2013.

This post makes an interesting comparison with U2711s Adobe RGB.

 

[Alexdi]

I ultimately decided on a QNIX 2710. It seems to match my requirements and doesn't have any obvious showstopping problems (save Mac incompatibility without a dual-link DVI converter), though I've no illusions it's better than 'name' screens based on the same panel. I've had some color and black-shift issues with my PVA Dell, so I nixed the BenQ. Too many QC reports on the Dell to choose that one. (Incidentally, my 2408 was actually my fourth Dell screen in a series of replacements that started with a 2407; these issues are not new to them).

Given the effective sRGB emulation in modern aRGB screens and that all decent graphics applications are color-aware with their own sRGB previews, I see no reason to prefer an exclusively sRGB screen save cost. Editing in aRGB is an advantage for work destined for print. I do mostly web though, so it's nice to have at least one screen exclusively in sRGB.