Flat screen suggestions/reccomendations?
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
Yes! Absolutely. After a *lot* of research I bought a Samsung SyncMaster 711T and it's absolutely perfect. We then outfitted the entire office with them after just one day of trying mine out. The difference is astounding from a crt. It's really easy to adjust it in nearly any direction and it's picture is very nice. They are one of the few manufacturers that actually make their own lcd panels. There are something like 4 manufacturers and every brand you see in the store is made by one of those 4 no matter what the label says. Keep in mind that you will want to use the digital connection if possible, so your video card should have a special connector just for that (many new ones do) and the monitor will then need a digital connection as well. If you don't go digital you can still use a new lcd, but the analog signal needs to be translated back to digital again by the CRT so just avoid the loss of quality and go directly digital all the way. This is very important: you must have a video card capable of matching the native resolution of the display which in a 17'' is 1280X1024. If you set your video card to anything other than the exact native resolution of the display you will get a blurry display. If you have a new computer I'm sure you have that already but just be sure by testing beforehand. You will find that the 17'' is much larger in display area than a typical 19''crt and the sweet spot for pricing right now is the 17''lcd's anyway so I would not recommend any larger.
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Yes! Absolutely. After a *lot* of research I bought a Samsung SyncMaster 711T and it's absolutely perfect. We then outfitted the entire office with them after just one day of trying mine out. The difference is astounding from a crt. It's really easy to adjust it in nearly any direction and it's picture is very nice. They are one of the few manufacturers that actually make their own lcd panels. There are something like 4 manufacturers and every brand you see in the store is made by one of those 4 no matter what the label says. Keep in mind that you will want to use the digital connection if possible, so your video card should have a special connector just for that (many new ones do) and the monitor will then need a digital connection as well. If you don't go digital you can still use a new lcd, but the analog signal needs to be translated back to digital again by the CRT so just avoid the loss of quality and go directly digital all the way. This is very important: you must have a video card capable of matching the native resolution of the display which in a 17'' is 1280X1024. If you set your video card to anything other than the exact native resolution of the display you will get a blurry display. If you have a new computer I'm sure you have that already but just be sure by testing beforehand. You will find that the 17'' is much larger in display area than a typical 19''crt and the sweet spot for pricing right now is the 17''lcd's anyway so I would not recommend any larger.
My video card should be OK, I got a nVidia FX5500 with 256MB of RAM. So 1280X1024 is definitely no problem. The card has both VGA and DVI outputs - so from what you're saying I want to use the DVI output, NOT the VGA one? John Cardinal wrote: so I would not recommend any larger. OK, sounds good - still can't help lusting after a 21" though - must the macho testosterone effect of "bigger is better" coming into play :) ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
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My video card should be OK, I got a nVidia FX5500 with 256MB of RAM. So 1280X1024 is definitely no problem. The card has both VGA and DVI outputs - so from what you're saying I want to use the DVI output, NOT the VGA one? John Cardinal wrote: so I would not recommend any larger. OK, sounds good - still can't help lusting after a 21" though - must the macho testosterone effect of "bigger is better" coming into play :) ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
Jim Crafton wrote: The card has both VGA and DVI outputs - so from what you're saying I want to use the DVI output, NOT the VGA one? Yup, absolutely, and you shouldn't need to configure the card at all, just plug it in and startup the computer and you're in business. The DVI interface is all digital so there is no translating the video from the computer into something analog that describes where to shoot an electron gun etc etc. Only downside to the DVI interface is that you need a digital input lcd monitor which is slightly more expensive than the cheap vga only ones, but keep in mind that's also a dividing line in terms of overall quality of the monitor etc. My Samsung has both VGA and DVI input capability and came with the DVI cable in the box, but I ordered it online and all the info didn't mention the DVI cable so I redundantly ordered an extra one. Make sure of whether there is a cable or not before you leave the store. Jim Crafton wrote: OK, sounds good - still can't help lusting after a 21" though - must the macho testosterone effect of "bigger is better" coming into play It depends upon what you use it for of course, but with my 17'' sitting about 12 inches away it pretty much takes up a good chunk of my field of view. If you go any larger you start to get into issues of response time where some monitors can't paint all the different colour pixels as quickly as other colours, so if you are scrolling fast (for example) you might see wierd colour afterimages, or in games or watching movies you might see some colour ghosting effects. Most of the newer monitors over 17'' are now fast enough that it's not as much of an issue, but keep it in mind if you do want to go that big.
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
Jim Crafton wrote: Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am using a BENQ model FP767. Last time I checked, it was a little less than $250.
"Opinions are neither right nor wrong. I cannot change your opinion. I can, however, change what influences your opinion." - David Crow
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My video card should be OK, I got a nVidia FX5500 with 256MB of RAM. So 1280X1024 is definitely no problem. The card has both VGA and DVI outputs - so from what you're saying I want to use the DVI output, NOT the VGA one? John Cardinal wrote: so I would not recommend any larger. OK, sounds good - still can't help lusting after a 21" though - must the macho testosterone effect of "bigger is better" coming into play :) ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
buy.com is having a sale on the Samsung SyncMaster 213T, only $650 after a $100 rebate.
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
I will second the choice of the Samsung SyncMaster 711T. I have one at home and it has yet to disappoint me. At work I prefer a larger monitor...I have a huge (as in lost desk space) 21" Sony. I wish I could replace it with a 21" flat panel. The reason I prefer the larger monitor at work has more to do with my advancing years. At 45, my eyes aren't what they used to be and there is less eye strain from looking at larger code text all day. Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot Me blog, You read
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
I have a 20" LCD monitor that is incredible. It's native resolution is 1600x1200 and it has a reasonbly fast response. It also scales to 1280x960 for games very well. The model I have is the Planar PL201M and I really like it. I noticed that Dell has (might be had now) a sale on their 20" LCD for $600 and that's really a great deal I think.
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
I've got a 19" Gigabyte LCD and it's awesome. Definitely go for 19" if you can. My old 19" Samsung SyncMaster 940p is at the office - great CRT! :baaaa!: Cheers, Simon sig ::
"Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.", Jackie Chan on career choices.
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
Definitely Dell UltraSharp 20" (2001FP I think). Great 1600x1200 resolution, great picture, DVI input etc. etc. I've had mine since May last year, no complaints. Actually, get as big monitor as you can afford, I am currently drooling over 23" or even 30" displays...
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
One thing I forgot to mention - whatever I get it will end up being used by both my PC and my G4 Mac. ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
Be sure to check out the monitor's viewing angle (both vertical and horizontal), and the contrast ratio. I'm working on saving up for the Apple 23" Cinema Display for my Dual G5 tower, and found all these people raving about Dell's new 24" for half the cost. The difference is because the Dell only has about a 90º viewing angle in both directions and the Apple has nearly 180º in both directions). Try having someone sit next to you and work with you on a monitor with a 90º viewing angle (hint: they'll continually ask you what you're looking at, much like an original gameboy). Contrast ratios are especially important if you like to work with graphics (including games). The bigger the better for a ratio.
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Be sure to check out the monitor's viewing angle (both vertical and horizontal), and the contrast ratio. I'm working on saving up for the Apple 23" Cinema Display for my Dual G5 tower, and found all these people raving about Dell's new 24" for half the cost. The difference is because the Dell only has about a 90º viewing angle in both directions and the Apple has nearly 180º in both directions). Try having someone sit next to you and work with you on a monitor with a 90º viewing angle (hint: they'll continually ask you what you're looking at, much like an original gameboy). Contrast ratios are especially important if you like to work with graphics (including games). The bigger the better for a ratio.
Yeah, I am going to avoid Dell. If for no other reason than I really don't think much of them as a company, and I'd prefer not to give them my business. ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
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Well after having finally gotten a new computer (after waiting 4 years!) I have discovered that my old CRT cable is going wacky (it has to be bent just the right way or the monitor is washed out in greens) and can't be replaced (it's connected directly to the monitor and doesn't appear to be able to be removed). So, this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend part of my new bonus on a new LCD flatscreen monitor! Anyone have any suggestions on brands sizes? I am initially looking at a 17" Sony or Samsung. Is it worth it to spend a little more and get a larger monitor? Any other things I should be looking at? ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
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Definitely Dell UltraSharp 20" (2001FP I think). Great 1600x1200 resolution, great picture, DVI input etc. etc. I've had mine since May last year, no complaints. Actually, get as big monitor as you can afford, I am currently drooling over 23" or even 30" displays...