Flat Panel Monitor Recommendations...

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2006-07-18 05:14pm

The short of it is that my standard 21-inch flat screen CRT monitor is more or less shot after five years of use, due to handling and transport, so I've been looking into flat panel LCD monitors as a replacement, basically the same size as my current one.

Right now I've got my eye on an UltraSharp 1907FP 19-inch from Dell (we've bought a lot from Dell in the past and have had no problems with their products), which is selling at the moment for $263. Basically I'm looking for something that's the same size and roughly the same price, so if you know of anything to recommend with those criteria, please go ahead.

Thanks in advance.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-07-18 05:25pm

I like my Samsung. Lifetime no-dead warranty made me a fan for life, too.

Unfortunately, their models appear to be different between AU/US, so I can't reccommend anything specific.

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2006-07-18 05:43pm

I got myself a Dell 2007fpw, 20.1in widescreen for $350 a few weeks ago. Compared to my various 19 inch CTRs and my year old semi-junk 17" LCD my 2007fpw is fantastic. I've also heard some great things about viewsonic's LCDs as well. I found that reading the HardOCP forums display sub-section was helpful. Of course those guys seem to be gigantic videophiles, so if they think its good, it is.

I heard very good things this one, on the HardForums.

Shadowhawk · Post by **Shadowhawk** » 2006-07-18 05:46pm

I love my Dell Ultrasharp 2005FPW and 2405FPW monitors. Great pictures, no dead pixels, no notable ghosting in games on the 2405...

Say what you will about their computers, but Dell's monitors are excellent. Get the biggest one you can afford.

Elaro · Post by **Elaro** » 2006-07-18 07:02pm

What about the LG monitors? The ones with contrast ratios of 1400:1 (and more)? Take a look at these. (The 19'' models cost around 300$CAN at futureshop.)

Are they any good?

Meest · Post by **Meest** » 2006-07-18 08:26pm

I got this recently Viewsonic 19" widescreen , cheapest widescreen out there IIRC. 8ms response so does decent in gaming, haven't had any ghosting so far. Can find it for slightly over $200 with the 20inch version going for 300s.

Ypoknons · Post by **Ypoknons** » 2006-07-18 08:55pm

The newer Viewsonics, both the VX and the more expensive VB/VP series, are rated very highly on Tom's Hardware, and they have the most rigorous tests I've seen on the internet.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2006-07-19 09:37pm

Thanks for the help, guys. I've decided to go with the Dell model I mentioned in my OP. I'll be ordering it next week unless anything changed as the last minute.

In the meantime, I've switched to a tiny old 15' NEC Multisync 3V that can only support 800x600, because my monitor has gotten so bad in the past week that it practically goes to pure white during startup. I think it's a rather even temporary trade-off, really.

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2006-07-20 09:22am

InnocentBystander wrote:I got myself a Dell 2007fpw, 20.1in widescreen for $350 a few weeks ago. Compared to my various 19 inch CTRs and my year old semi-junk 17" LCD my 2007fpw is fantastic. I've also heard some great things about viewsonic's LCDs as well. I found that reading the HardOCP forums display sub-section was helpful. Of course those guys seem to be gigantic videophiles, so if they think its good, it is.

I heard very good things this one, on the HardForums.

I replaced my 2001FP with that exact same monitor, and I"m pleased with it.
I would have preferred the 24 inch version, but I couldn't justify the $300+ price increase.

The only Dell PC's I'd buy are laptops (I roll my own WRT desktop machines), but they have incredible deals on monitors.

Eleas · Post by **Eleas** » 2006-07-20 09:55am

Elaro wrote:What about the LG monitors? The ones with contrast ratios of 1400:1 (and more)? Take a look at these. (The 19'' models cost around 300$CAN at futureshop.)

Are they any good?

I can only recommend the one I've got, it's a LG Flatron L1920 P. 19", slick, stylish, and with preset configurations for different light levels (of course, you can tinker with that if you want). I've never experienced any ghosting and the image quality is admirable. Plus, I got the screen at a blowout sale, for a very cheap 2300 kr (which tallies to around 300 bucks).

EDIT: To clarify, the price is noteworthy because I got it in the spring, a time when said flatscreen would have cost a lot more than it would today.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2006-07-20 02:34pm

Hey, by the way, what does a "USB downstream port" signify? Because the 1907FP comes with four of them along with one Type-B USB upstream port.

Yeah, I is be teh dumb...

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2006-07-20 02:37pm

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Hey, by the way, what does a "USB downstream port" signify? Because the 1907FP comes with four of them along with one Type-B USB upstream port.

Yeah, I is be teh dumb...

It's a 4 port powered USB hub built into the monitor.
Damn convienent if you swap USB devices around a lot or have a machine without any free USB ports.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2006-07-20 02:40pm

Oh, well that's pretty bitchin'.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2006-07-20 06:07pm

Yes, say what you will about their computers, Dell monitors are nothing but quality.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-07-20 06:10pm

Get one with a glass overlay. You wouldn't believe how easy LCD monitors can get messed up. A good solid glass covering will protect your investment down the road.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2006-07-20 09:34pm

Do they come with those or is that something that can be added on?

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2006-07-21 07:48am

Well, I mean that the monitor viewing surface is a hard glass surface, rather than some soft surface.