I am looking to replace a CRT monitor that died. I am currently borrowing a friends old CRT, and I need to get it back to him fairly soon.
I have a decent computer, and have upgraded things on it a bit, but I am not a hardcore gamer. I don't need, nor can I afford, a top of the line monitor, but I don't want a piece of junk either.
Any suggestions? I am probably looking to spend about $200, and am probably looking at the 17" ones, although I have seen a few good deals for 19" as well.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
I don't own this, but this BenQ 20.1 inch LCD is $200 plus $14 shipping if you use the code BENQFP202W9403 at checkout. Not sure when that expires, though. Seems to have pretty decent reviews by the buyers at Newegg.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
I would suggest Viewsonic. They're relatively cheap (depending upon who you get it from), great quality, and usually adjustable. I have this 19" and absolutely love it.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I was just looking at Newegg before I checked back here.
The lower the ms the better the response time is,,and the better the picture is, right? So overall a 4ms response time is better than a 12ms one, and an 8 is inbetween?
Is ViewSonic a decent company? Their products seem to have very decent reviews, and are in my price range.
I have heard varying things about Acer, so I tend to avoid them.
Is there any brand I should stay away from?
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kwea:
The lower the ms the better the response time is,,and the better the picture is, right? So overall a 4ms response time is better than a 12ms one, and an 8 is inbetween?
Yep, that's right. That is, the lower the number the faster the picture updates. It's importance depends on what you want to do with your computer - games, film, word processing...
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Ars has a great guide about flat panels, what all the numbers mean and how important they are.
Here's more at Anandtech. They like Samsung over BenQ in general but had them 1-2 for gaming panels.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Best Buy is going to have some amazing deals on monitors on black friday:
Heck, a 22" one with decent stats will be within your $200 budget, if you're willing to brave the day. Be warned, that's not the best company, but its an okay monitor (and a spectacular one for that price).
For non-black friday monitors, this one's a little beyond your price range, but you might look at its relatives. I intend to have it for a second monitor someday when I have money to spare: http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/11/dell-busts-out-e207wfp-20-inch-lcd-for-the-budget-set/ Its one of the best bang for your buck monitors out there in that size range.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Best Buy on Black Friday = 10 in stock, 300 people waiting in line for them.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
What about MAG as a brand? BB has a 17' one for $79....
How about Acer? I read some reviews on Newegg and they were very positive, and the price is right as well...
I am working, at 5 am, on Black Friday. Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
Dude, forget the 22" for $200...they have a freaking 32" for $479?!
Well, I know what I'm doing on black friday. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Good...but $200 is maxed out for me. Not only do I not need more, and really can't afford more right now.
Here is a link to newegg to some 19" ones. I don't really care if I get a 19" or a 17", but I really don't know anything about these brad names at all.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
In the long run you'll be a lot happier with a 19" if you can swing it.
Yeah, its good to avoid off-brands in monitors, and its often hard to tell which is and which isn't. Given the reviews linked, though, I'd suggest this monitor:
also, i have some problems with my lcd, it now makes a popping sound and the screen fades to black like a dark hole, and will randomnly work it does this after I turn off both the screen and the computer.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
One is a 19", and the other is a 20.1, the one linked to above. The promo code still works on the one that is 20.1, so it is $200...but it has a 8ms refresh rate. The 19" has a 2ms refresh rate.....but is 1.1 inches smaller.
As long as the promo code hold true, they are dead even right now.
Any preferences?
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
The 19" real refresh rate is probably more like 5 to 7, but yeah, its faster. How much gaming do you do? If the answer is not much, then get the 20.1". Space helps a lot in productivity applications (and another 1.1" diagonal is quite a bit of space), but response time is very important in keeping fast-paced gaming fluid.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I don't powergame by any means, but I do play some games.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I checked ebay, and there are people selling that code (or trying to, anyway) for the BenQ.
I am leaning towards the 19", just because what I mostly do is not productive...meaning I don't do work stuff at home. The widescreen factor of the 20.1 is nice, but not necessary.
Then again, a 8ms isn't bad for gaming, is it?
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
Good news, w00t to the rescue, today they're offering a 19" LCD monitor for $109 after a hundred dollar rebate. Just keep in mind, you have to act quickly, assuming you see this today.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kwea:
Then again, a 8ms isn't bad for gaming, is it?
Sure, that's actually very good.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Beaten to the punch by dantesparadigm . . .
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
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