Computer LCD monitor recommendations/experiences

velvet jones · 12-15-2005, 08:15 AM

Group,

I am looking to replace an aging and bulky 19" CRT with a 19" LCD monitor for my home computer. 80% of its intended usage will be for web browsing and word processing applications. However, I do not want to greatly compromise gaming and video display quality.

Does anyone have any recommendations and/or experiences for a good, all-around performer around a $300 price point?

Thanks for the assistance.

Aaron

cowtown · 12-15-2005, 08:51 AM

I've got a 19" Princeton from Costco. It was around $350 a year ago, less now.

I don't play any games on it, but you want a fast display for games - I think 12ms is the minimum acceptable. They're down to 5-6 at the high end. I'm really pleased with the Princeton for general office/Web in my garage. 19" 911 parts diagrams are cool. It's got a digital interface in addition to analog. Zero eyestrain compared to CRTs.

CamB · CamB's Garage

Does this help:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/11/04/do_the_new_19/

If you can't be bothered reading it all, they recommend a $500 Viewsonic or this $300 Hyundai:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/11/04/do_the_new_19/page14.html

I'm posting this from the 17" version of the Philips one right nowz and it seems great, but I've got no real reference points. FWIW, I use a massive 20" crt at home for gaming (ain't broke, so wife won't let me fix it).

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

I got a 26" Syntax Olevia on Black Friday for $499. DVI interface to the Powerbook, and the picture is pretty spectacular.

Getting a TV with computer inputs is a good way to go, IMHO.

Venetian · 12-15-2005, 06:02 PM

I recently went from a 15"? CRT to a Dell 19" LCD. Although the size is nice, I find the image(printing) is not as sharp. My computer is 4 yrs old so I"m not sure if that is a factor. Is this typical of a larger screen?

jriera · 12-15-2005, 06:11 PM

Tiger Direct (www.tigerdirect.com) has some very good deals on 19" LCD monitors (from around $200) with DVI, speakers, etc. Just got one a couple of weeks ago to replace an old 19" Sun CRT monitor

velvet jones · 12-15-2005, 06:28 PM

Thanks everyone. I've come across a few of the models people have suggested, but still have more research to do.

Hopefully I can pull the trigger on a new monitor in a week or so.

Aaron

K.B. · 12-15-2005, 06:32 PM

Two months ago I bought a 19" sony "xbrite". Last week I bought 2 more - 1 for work and 1 for my daughters computer. I got "spoiled" by the better screen. I wouldn't want one of those $200 cheapos for free. Go compare in a store near you. There is a $100 or $150 rebate going on. They are over $500 but I got a deal on 2 for $700 after all the rebate stuff. You might find a good price on amazon.

I also hooked up dual monitors. Easy to do. I can't go back to a single monitor at this point either. I used my old VGA's for the second monitor.

campbellcj · 12-15-2005, 07:50 PM

I was a high-end CRT bigot for years, but I've bought a number of Viewsonic LCD's and have been very pleased.

It makes a BIG difference if you have a video card with a digital output (DVI) and can/will run the monitor in its native LCD resolution. Any other setup will not look as sharp.

Joeaksa · 12-15-2005, 10:00 PM

Hey guys, lets cut to the chase!

www.pricewatch.com

Monitors are here: http://www.pricewatch.com/m-34.htm

Take a look there, they "harvest" the internet and usually show some of the best deals out there. Have used them for years and never unhappy.

For the record, I have 2 19" View Sonic flat panel monitors, and one 20" VS flat panel in the center. They are a bit more expensive but the quality is excellent and they stand behind their product.

JoeA

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

My wife is a bookkeeper and was looking at getting a dual screen setup for her office. I shopped this 19" wide-screen at Buy.com and urchased it.

According to her, it's the best computer upgrade she's ever made.

Randy