Hey guys, I'm looking for some support and advice on which LCD to choose. First time buyer here, and the only LCD I use is my laptop's (IBM T30) Like all of you, I don't want to spend more than I need to. Ok, that description might not encompass everyone but we like our dollars well spent .
I plan to use the monitor for lots and lots of text reading. I do a lot of reading, and very little gaming (close to zero, so non-native resolutions, ghosting, and all those motion reproduction problems in games are bunk to me). So 25ms response time is fine with me I think. But I do appreciate dark blacks, some sort of accurate color (some graphics work/3d modeling), and crisp text.
I have a Matrox G400 and an ATI R8500 (two comps, haven't decided on which the monitor would go to), both being pretty decent in 2D output but no DVI. I am free to upgrade to a DVI based video card if need be. I have a pretty good 19" CRT AG monitor.
I know that the specs on these four monitors are not equal, but if there is a dramatic/noticable difference between the numbers, then please point it out (ie. 800:1 vs 500:1 contrast ratio... are these just marketing BS or worth noting?)
First question, should I get a 19" over the 17"? All of them, the 1905FP, 1704FPV, E193FP, and the E173FP all have a 1280x1024 resolution. I am not concerned about desktop space or size. Is the extra physical screen real estate worth it?
Second, is it worth skimping out on the DVI connection for larger LCD displays?
Is the default normal size Windows text smallish (or a little hard to read) with 17"? I'd rather not strain to read the letters, and I don't have a LCD monitor to try this out on so you guys will have to tell me.
Basically I can't figure out if DVI is worth skipping over and if 19" is really worthwhile over the 17". I am willing to spend a bit more, but if the returns aren't worth it then I'd rather put the money into more RAM or upgrade other internals.
For text reading, no games, I want decent-good blacks, monitor does not have to be the best, I don't think viewing angle matters.
Let me know!
I plan to use the monitor for lots and lots of text reading. I do a lot of reading, and very little gaming (close to zero, so non-native resolutions, ghosting, and all those motion reproduction problems in games are bunk to me). So 25ms response time is fine with me I think. But I do appreciate dark blacks, some sort of accurate color (some graphics work/3d modeling), and crisp text.
I have a Matrox G400 and an ATI R8500 (two comps, haven't decided on which the monitor would go to), both being pretty decent in 2D output but no DVI. I am free to upgrade to a DVI based video card if need be. I have a pretty good 19" CRT AG monitor.
I know that the specs on these four monitors are not equal, but if there is a dramatic/noticable difference between the numbers, then please point it out (ie. 800:1 vs 500:1 contrast ratio... are these just marketing BS or worth noting?)
First question, should I get a 19" over the 17"? All of them, the 1905FP, 1704FPV, E193FP, and the E173FP all have a 1280x1024 resolution. I am not concerned about desktop space or size. Is the extra physical screen real estate worth it?
Second, is it worth skimping out on the DVI connection for larger LCD displays?
Is the default normal size Windows text smallish (or a little hard to read) with 17"? I'd rather not strain to read the letters, and I don't have a LCD monitor to try this out on so you guys will have to tell me.
Basically I can't figure out if DVI is worth skipping over and if 19" is really worthwhile over the 17". I am willing to spend a bit more, but if the returns aren't worth it then I'd rather put the money into more RAM or upgrade other internals.
For text reading, no games, I want decent-good blacks, monitor does not have to be the best, I don't think viewing angle matters.
Let me know!