Monitor questions

[llove]

You can see in my signature the info about my Mac mini. I am a newbie to Mac after having an iPod and iPad. Question is: absent getting the Thunderbolt display, what is the clearest and best monitor to get. I am now using an HP w2207h connected via HDMI. The text everywhere is not clear and pictures are dark. I have gone thru the calibration process to no avail. Would appreciate help in making this monitor work better or find a different one that is not as expensive and large as the Thunderbolt. Would prefer one around 20-22 inches.
Thank you.
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Mac mini 5.2; Intel core i7, 2.7GHz; L3 cache 4MB; Memory 8 GB
OS X 10.7.3

[blazer]

HP actually has a new 23" IPS-based LED display that's getting really good reviews. Good viewing angles and pixel pitch as well. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg either.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Accessories/Monitors/A9F77AA?HP-2311xi-23-inch-Diagonal-LED-Monitor

The Dell Ultrasharp displays are always a good starting point as well. I own the Dell UltraSharp U2410 and it's a beautiful IPS-based display with a ton of inputs. It will set you back around $550, but you can usually find Dell accessory coupon codes to bring it down some. I bought mine for around 20% less than the retail price.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-8277&~ck=baynoteSearch&baynote_bnrank=3&baynote_irrank=0

As far as your current display, have you tried lowering the gamma to 1.8 in System Preferences > Displays? The default in Lion and Snow Leopard was raised to 2.2 and that can look darker on some displays.
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1.42GHz Mac mini
2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini
2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini (2009)
2.5GHz Core i5 Mac mini (2011)
24" Dell LCD & 42" Sharp TV
EyeTV 250 Plus
1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G iPod nanos
16GB 3G iPhone

[llove]

[llove]

I have an older Dell Ultrasharp 1900 FP (mfd in 2002). I'm wondering if it will work satisfactorily. It has a DVI cable, so I think I have to get an adapter? Like DVI to HDMI? Appreciate your help.
Thanks
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Mac mini 5.2; Intel core i7, 2.7GHz; L3 cache 4MB; Memory 8 GB
OS X 10.7.3

[macmanmacman]

Honestly you might notice some weird issues with adapters like having to restart your mac mini several times in order to get a image to display on the screen i recommend adapters but honestly spend some money on the adapter cheaper is not always better.