Looking for a new LCD monitor - suggestions?

[Browner]

Hey,

My old CRT is taking up waayy too much space on my desk (and creating a LOT of heat)... so I figure it's time to "upgrade". I figure I'll go with a 22" LCD.

I've been trying to look at customer reviews, but they're mostly "gamer" or "movie watcher" related... I did some searching around here (sign101) and came up with some vague answers from past posts, but nothing specific.

I think I've narrowed it down to Samsung vs LG... but which particular model has me a little befuddled (I haven't been able to figure out Samsung's model number system).

What monitors are YOU using? Would you buy it again? Is there something you wished you had bought instead? What features should I absolutely look for?

Thanks!

Chris

[insignia]

I'm quite happy with my Dell 3005W, the actual display is made by Samsung, colors are fairly close to output on our printer so it's as accurate as I could expect it to be. Every computer here except one has dell flatscreens, never a problem, price always seems good and you can usually get good coupon discounts if you look online. Would I buy it again? yes, without hesitation. Bigger is better.

[speedmedia]

I have a 22" Samsung LCD widescreen and I love it. Not sure on the model number as I am not by it but it sure is a nice monitor, i'd buy another one if I needed it.

Thanks,
Kurt Dietrich
Speed Media

[Replicator]

I just got a pair of HP w1907 Monitors for a dual setup . . .

They have the nicest quality screen display i've seen in years !

[Dice]

Dell is the way to go, they are great monitors. Just wait until they are on sale, and check out slickdeals for a coupon code or deal.

www.slickdeals.net

[juan45215]

Check to make sure your video card will support the wide screen. If not you may have figure in the cost of a new video card.

[Fred Weiss]

We've had a 20" Samsung for a while now and love it. We just ordered a new replacement for one of our CRTs and went with the 22" Samsung shown HERE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001262). Reading the reviews we decided that having the adjustable height was an important feature and like the fact that this model has built in speakers as well.

[Dice]

This is the thread that you'll want to watch for a dell coupon code.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=659092&page=67&highlight=dell

[GraphixCALC]

I've bought two in the last year or so and both are good. Both are 22" widescreens. First one is a Viewsonic Q22WB and the last one I got is an Acer AL2216WDB and both have been fine. These are being used on two different systems. The Viewsonic was no longer available from Newegg when I got this last one and that's essentially why they're different.

[signrios]

HP W1907 my best monitor so far.

[Capital Signs]

SyncMaster 245BW Samsung are the ones that I have. Best thing I have gotten, Got 3! Sweet setup.

[signage]

Wacom Cintque

http://www.wacom.com/index2.cfm?CMP=KNC-google&HBX_PK=wacom&HBX_OU=50&gclid=CM3k1-SjlZQCFQRksgodXw0vtw

[Conor Knoxx]

I'm a big fan of Samsung Monitors, when you want quality - though there's several good choices around.

I don't like Dell for the same reasons I won't shop at Wallmart :glasses: big guys tryin' to wipe out all the small companies... The biggest/most common "rant" I read on these forums are about taking "quality" over price - yet so many of us will flock to Wally-world to save 20 cents... anyway.. off topic, lol..

But look at features that might benefit you personally. Built in speakers, vertical sliders, the option to rotate your monitor (portrait instead of landscape view - very cool if you have a use for it) are worth considering.

Yes, make sure your video card supports the features - however sometimes its hard to tell, until you plug the sucker in! Most cards less than 3 years old support most features though.

Some less obvious features - refresh rates and brightness likely aren't big deals, since most of what you look at is pretty "static" (not gaming/movies/etc) - optimum viewing angles can varry a lot - which means how far from perfectly perpendicular to your monitor, you still get a perfect image. A non-issue with CRT's - very annoying with some LCD's...
Colour accuracy should be important - but hard to compare - read reviews for your best info there - you can also get some software to compensate - but again, in this business - "what you see is what you get" can be pretty important! Seeing orange on your screen, and getting red on your prints will never be "gotten used to"..

Then there's "max resolution" most monitors will be the same for their respective sizes.... but shop around, you'll see some have much better. This can give you a MUCH sharper image and clarity for small, fine lines, etc. - and one the single most important features for me. Mine is a 20inch that does 1200 x 1600 - not very common at all, and cost a fair bit more than most I was looking at, at the time.

Standard format vs wide format?
Personal preference really. Wide does allow you room to put all those tool bars at the sides, and still have a nice size/format workspace... but they also make the monitor "sound" bigger than it is... a 20inch wide doesn't seem nearly as big as a 20inch "standard" to me... because the height is about the same as a 17inch standard :P

Lastly, don't accept "factory settings"
Tweak it for your space / your eyes / etc.
I use a neat little free calibration program http://www.hex2bit.com/ which seems to work well.

Happy shopping!
Conor

[pacmn]

we just upgraded our 17" LCD with a 25.5" Samsung , colors are beautiful and non hurting to eyes we got it at newegg.com

2693hm

[Sign_Boy]

Any one use ViewSonic?

[ChicagoGraphics]

Thats all we use are ViewSonic's pro & graphic series, the widest screen being 36"

[SignBurst PCs]

I am a big fan of Samsung.

Did you know that there are only a handful of companies who actually manufacture LCD displays? Then, they get re-branded by everyone else.

Samsung is one of the leading manufacturers in LCD displays. Dell does sell some re-branded Samsung, but they are not all Samsungs, so check into which Dell model you are buying (if you are inclined to buy a Dell).

I believe that the Apple Cinema models are Samsungs as well.

I personally LOVE the 245BW.

245 = 24"
BW = a specific set of features.

It is a reasonably priced 24", good quality, display. You can usually pick up locally at your favorite electronics store.

[Capital Signs]

Once again, I own 3 of those Samsung 245BW, I am waiting on my fourth :) Cuadruple monitor display will get reallllllyyyyyy Nice!!!

[GraphixCALC]

Geez, whaddya got for a desk...a conference table?

[Fred Weiss]

I ordered a Samsung 2220WM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001262&Tpk=Samsund%2b2220WM) from Newegg that arrived yesterday. Beautiful display although (common to Samsungs) too bright at default settings. This particular model has built in speakers which seemed like a good idea but sound horrible ... so I just left my existing speakers hooked up. Still very pleased with the monitor.

Just now I decided to order another monitor for my personal workstation which currently has a 20" CRT on it. I ordered the Acer P243WA 24" unit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL070108&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL070108-_-LCDMonitors-_-L1A-_-24009125) which has a coupon on it good until 7-7-08 for an extra $30 off plus free shipping. That makes the delivered price of $359.99 about $100 less than the 24" Samsung I was going to buy. The coupon code for anyone interested is EMCAHABAE.

[Dice]

I have a 20% off Coupon for Dell UltraSharp if anyone is interested.

[weaselboogie]

Once again, I own 3 of those Samsung 245BW, I am waiting on my fourth :) Cuadruple monitor display will get reallllllyyyyyy Nice!!!

You've been putting your wallet through a workout lately! Cash or credit?

I've got a 24" and a 19" Dell. The smaller has better color, but I'm pleased with both.

[3dsignco]

I have had 4 Samsung 931'sfor about 2 years now and they are great . and funny you said the LG's as I just bought 2 of their Flatrons and I really like them also. They seem to have a tighter resolution/contrast at 5000:1 vs the Sammys and it might be me but the colors seem truer in Photoshop and Signlab with the same settings.

[Capital Signs]

Cash for the monitors, and Loan for the Mutoh/Graphtec/Seal... The owner of discountelectronics.com is a good friend of mine. I have done his company wrap on his truck, I also did some graphics on his windows, for partial trade, and he let them go to me for I think 300 a piece new with warranty... Not a bad price.

[TR1018]

Had a dual set up and went with a I-INC 28" have used now for 4 months and love it. Got it at tiger for $499.

[Capital Signs]

28"??? DAMN! Nice...

[Rick]

The Apple Cinema Display LCD screen is made by LG.-Philips

I have a 30" Apple Cinema, but I seriously looked at Samsung and almost bought one. I did a side by side with the 30" screens only but was very impressed with the 20"+ Samsung screens they had.

[SignBurst PCs]

The Apple Cinema Display LCD screen is made by LG.-Philips

I have a 30" Apple Cinema, but I seriously looked at Samsung and almost bought one. I did a side by side with the 30" screens only but was very impressed with the 20"+ Samsung screens they had.

I think that the 30" is currently made by LG. I know that some of the Apple Cinemas are using (or at least were using) Samsung LCD panels. I have seen the model #s on the panels.

Samsung, Sony, LG, and... uhmmmm (can't ever remember the last one), Sharp (I think) are the four major LCD manufacturers. I have seen LG and Samsung panels in several Apple screens (iMac, MacBook, and Cinema) and I have heard rumors of Sony panels in some of the Apple displays.

To make things even more confusing, I have seen reports (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/05/21/samsung-lg-to-buy-lcd-panels-from-each-other/) that Samsung and LG are buying LCD panels from each other.

[Checkers]

If you need to be color correct, don't look at the consumer level monitors. You really should plan to spend a few more $$ and go with the professional series of LCD's.

If you're anal about color, check these out...
http://www.lacie.com/products/range.htm?id=10016

MAGinnovision.com and NECdisplay.com used to make some very good CRT's, but they look as if they changed the markets they serve or I just can't find the right information on their websites.

I have a Viewsonic VA2226w 22" wide screen that I use as the primary monitor on this system. It's a "consumer" level monitor that has a 3 year warranty, but I don't use for color correction. I still have a 19" CRT that I use when color is an issue.

For the record, I still swear by the color accuracy of good old fashioned CRT's. You don't have near the problems of LCDs and they're easier and more accurate to calibrate.

Checkers

[EmpireGFX.com]

Any one use ViewSonic?

I just picked up a ViewSonic 22" Widescreen LCD last week for the shop.. I love it so far.. great colors.. nice big screen.. only downfall was I had to buy a new graphics card b/c the one that came with my PC didn't support the high resolution.. up side, I got the monitor for $248 and the card only cost me $150.
All in all.. not too bad for a nice upgrade :beer

[hammered]

I have an ACER LCD display and I gotta tell ya. Price and picture, cant be beat. I do a olot of gaming and the color is crisp and clean. the refresh is seamless. I can sit for hours staring into god knows what and never walk away with eye strain. I like my 2216

[GK]

If I had to say 3 it would be a 30" Apple Cinema Display (LG), Samsung SyncMaster 305T, or a LaCie Pro series monitor. They will all run you $1000 plus but the quality is awesome. The Samsung SyncMaster required a little more tweaking then the others but the bang for the buck is beyond worth it.

[Browner]

Picked up a samsung T220 for a steal of a deal. What a difference this new monitor makes. It's like I've got acres of workspace now!

[IVIilkman]

Samsung All the way I have 23 of them currently in Service and Never had a bad thing to say about any of them.

[Rooster]

I bought the Samsung 275T a few months ago. It displays about 90% of the Adobe RGB1998 gamut and was well under a grand.

I wanted the Apple 30", but couldn't justify the additional cost. Even after I used the money I saved to buy a copy of Coloreyes and a DTP94, I still had enough left over a weekend of craziness.