How To Choose a Widescreen Monitor

[H3LL]

I've sold a collection on E-Bay that was difficult to part with in order to buy a new, flat, PC monitor, so want something good/special.

Use (In order of priority:


The usual sensible stuff browsing, OO, MS Office (when I must), AutoCAD and PhotoShop.
Playing DVDs smoothly.
Occasional games - Usually strategy, not fast action very often. Never driving games.24" is probably pushing it a bit, 22" seems the most sensible with 20" as an option to get top, top, super-top quality into the budget, if needed.

Running XP Pro with Vista Ultimate as the next change later this year ... probably.

I've read the other threads on monitors which were useful but want to know how best to choose from the available range.

Refresh speeds, resolutions and contrasts have jumped out as possible important candidates for comparison but I'm not sure and uncertain how to judge.

I'm leaning towards Samsung and/or Sony as they joined forces some time ago for R&D but I'm a bit out-of-date. Lots of brands but fewer 'guts' suppliers - Other cheaper brands may be worth looking at.

So, what features should I be looking at to get the best for my pennies?

Do you love your new monitor? Why?

Linkies to monitors you like would be nice.

Ta!

.

PS - Yes, a Mac would be nice but unlikely this decade. ;)

[Zax63]

I recently got a Westinghouse L2410NM 24" widescreen and I'm quite pleased with it. It's not my main monitor though. It's hooked up to a computer in the basement so I can watch DVDs and surf the web while I walk on my treadmill. I can't say the picture wowed me but I don't see any real difference between it and the 19" Viewsonics on my main system. It may not be the way to go if you are looking for absolute top quality picture but it scores pretty high in bang for the buck.

I got it for $360 after rebate from Newgg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824255001). It's still available at that price. Lot's of reviews on Newegg if you want to check them out.

Aside from the price I liked that is has lots of inputs (D-Sub, HDMI-HDCP, Composite, S-Video, YPbPr) so I can have the computer and a video game or DVD Or DVR attached at the same time and switch at the push of a button. It also has built in speakers but I haven't used them.

[Wudang]

This seems to have good reviews on ebuyer
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132860/show_product_reviews

[nimzov]

I find it much more interesting to have 2 monitors than a single monitor.

One year ago my 2 19" monitors cost me less than a 22" one.

My advice is to buy 2 smaller monitors that will give more surface than a larger single monitor and you will pay probably less.

Another advantage is that you do not need to use the same resolution on both monitors,

I would not go back to a single monitor.

nimzo

[H3LL]

I've always like the idea of a semi-cocoon of smaller monitors but not for my current situation.

I like what has been suggested so far but it still leaves me with the dilemma of how to select not what to select.

.

[Zax63]

Lots of links to info about monitors here - Digital Photography review forum post - New LCD recommendations - size, resolution, technology, etc (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1004&thread=27439239)

The anandtech link seems to have everything you need to know about LCD monitors. I also liked the digitalversus for comparison of monitors when you get your choices narrowed down.

[rebecca]

I have an Acer 22" that I got for pennies on sale at Staples. It works just swell for me (it acts as my TV and sometimes extra screen space) but then, I is dumb in the ways of the technology sometimes.

[Wudang]

Might be worth checking that your graphics card can drive the monitor. From what you've said I'd reckon Photoshop is the key - the rest should be okay on any halfway decent modern monitor but if you're photoshoppping you want good colour tones. I'd focus on reviews that focus on that.
This years bonus went on an HD TV and a landscape gardener but maybe next year.

[tkingdoll]

I have this for the PC in the lounge, and it's really great:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2007/08/08/HP-w2207-22in-LCD-Monitor/p1

[GodMark2]

I've sold a collection on E-Bay that was difficult to part with in order to buy a new, flat, PC monitor, so want something good/special.

Use (In order of priority:


The usual sensible stuff browsing, OO, MS Office (when I must), AutoCAD and PhotoShop.
Playing DVDs smoothly.
Occasional games - Usually strategy, not fast action very often. Never driving games.24" is probably pushing it a bit, 22" seems the most sensible with 20" as an option to get top, top, super-top quality into the budget, if needed.

Running XP Pro with Vista Ultimate as the next change later this year ... probably.

I've read the other threads on monitors which were useful but want to know how best to choose from the available range.

Refresh speeds, resolutions and contrasts have jumped out as possible important candidates for comparison but I'm not sure and uncertain how to judge.

I'm leaning towards Samsung and/or Sony as they joined forces some time ago for R&D but I'm a bit out-of-date. Lots of brands but fewer 'guts' suppliers - Other cheaper brands may be worth looking at.

So, what features should I be looking at to get the best for my pennies?

Do you love your new monitor? Why?

Linkies to monitors you like would be nice.

Ta!

.

PS - Yes, a Mac would be nice but unlikely this decade. ;)

The problem is, the stuff you really need to know for Photoshop isn't going to be published by the manufacturer. However, Tom's Hardware (http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/08/four-wide-screen-19-monitors-compared/) does test and publish that sort of thing. As well, the article explains what is being measured and why it's important. The only down side is that it's a year old now, and manufacturers change their products faster than testers can compare them.

[DoubtingStephen]

I use 2 of these 24" Dell displays (http://www.dvhardware.net/review93_dell_2407wfp.html), I'm very pleased with them.

[BOATGOD]

I have a Samsung 226BW and just added an HP w2207. I love the Samsung because of it's anti-glare properties. The HP is like a mirror, but is has on board speakers (don't use) and on board USB. Last check, the Samsung was $329.00 USD (after rebate) and the HP was $ 249.00 USD (tiger direct). Definately prefer dual monitors in this house.

[H3LL]

Samsung 2232 BW (http://www.flatpanels.dk/billeder/samsung2232bw-1l.jpg) now sitting proudly on my desk.

Very, very happy. Love MagicBright.

Thanks for all your tips, they made selection much easier.

.