Looking for a 15 or 17 inch LCD

[badxcow]

I'm planning to get one for college, but dont know much about LCDS. Can you guys recommend me a 15 and a 17 (still not sure what size to get thats why). I'm looking to spend less than 700 or 600 if possible. Thanks.

 

[microAmp]

I tried finding a thread I saw a bit ago about Samsung LCD's, someone was really loving them and said they were good for gaming too. It was a 171 or 181, can't remember.

 

[corkyg]

The main thing to look for are the performance specs. You want at least a contrast ratio of 300:1. You want at least a luminance of 200 nits - 250 is better. You want analog and digital input. I am currently shopping seriously, and what I see in the stores (BestBuy and CompUSA) are not impressive - text is not really sharp. That includes Samsung, Viewsonic and others. The best I saw was Sony. Usually the stores only have the low end models.

Example, Viewsonic has three overall grades - VE, VG and VP. Now they have added the VX = sort of in between VE and VG. From what I have seen, the new VX series is great - 500:1 contrast ratio and 250 nits. Very cool!

 

[Dre]

The Planar 17.4" LCD rocks. You can get them from Dell

 

[erub]

On the 17.4" Planar's from Dell - its $649 for either white or black with no digital connection, or $769 for a white one that is digital/analog, with a usb hub (which I dont need) or speakers (which I dont need). Would it be worth the extra $120 for a digital connection? I think Im gonna wait for a hot deal to come around.

 

[rockhard]

If your looking for a 15" LCD my recommendation would be for either the Eizo L365 or the NEC 1550M.
I have used both these models and they put other cheaper LCD's in the shade when i go perusing round my local PC shops.
Another one to look out for is the Compaq one with 20ms pixel refresh.
I currently have a pair of the NEC 1550M's running analogue on a Elsa GF2MX 400 PCI dual HD15 connections.
Text is very sharp with great brightness on par with the best CRT's and colours are great.
If your going to lay some cash on one of these you really need to go look at some in the flesh IMO FWIW.
One thing to bear in mind with recommendations is that everyone recommends what theyve got
I fell for this and when i finally got to see some of the more expensive 15" models in the flesh i realised the mistake i made following recommendations.
You really need to go looksee and make your own mind up unless you like playing monetray roulette :/

 

[badxcow]

has anyone had any experience with this: http://www.monitoroutlet.com/328739.html

also, does the dvi connection improve image quality a lot? my vid card currently does not support dvi, so im wondering if i need to buy a new vid card too.

thanks on the rplies guys

 

[stephpar]

Hey there rockhard..just wondering if you tried any of the 15" LCDs mentioned for gaming? I'd love to hear how they stood up to the test of ghosting?

Thx in advance
Steph

 

[rockhard]

Theyre great for gaming.
Theres no ghosting at all on the two models ive mentioned.
I play Quake 3 a lot so wouldnt be happy unless i felt it was acceptable.
The only thing you do notice is a kind of slight motion blur when you move really fast, though it is only very slight and you would not notice it unless you were looking for it.
I like my rail gun and am very happy.
I feel no different to when i play on my rig with a CRT.
If i was a serious gamer (which i am not) i would personally wait as NEC are bringing out a new LCD technology which is supposed to bring the pixel response of TFT's to a point where there should be no perceiveable difference between said TFT and CRT.
Also in the next 12 months prices of TFT's should start to drop as yields get better. Kind of like CPU's i guess.
If you must buy now then i would recommend you not go any higher than 25ms pixel refresh.
Also beware that some manufacturers state their pixel refresh as only the rise or the fall value which is only half the picture
My 1550M's have 15 rise and 10 fall giving their total 25ms.
Last thing to also be wary of, though this usually costs is what contrast and brightness the screen has.
Personally i would not be happy with anything less than the 450:1 contrast ratio my TFT's have as they give superb colour rendition.
The brightness too being 300cd/m2 gives a very good rendition of whites which can look really off white on the less bright models.
Only other thing i see mentioned a lot is to DVI or to HD15?
Personally i didnt fancy buying a new vid card just for the occasion as i already had an unusually good GF2MX which i wasnt going to get rid of so i wasnt bothered about DVI and since having seen DVI connected Eizo dont feel ive missed anything.
Even if you buy a DVI TFT you usually get an analogue input as well, and if not you can always buy special converter cables.
To sum up my mumblings, if i were going to buy a 15" LCD i think the Eizo L365 would be getting my money or maybe the Compaq with the 20ms refresh. Hehe - decisions, decisions.
You reads the specs and takes the roulette ride i guess
Heh, this post getting a bit long </end of rant>
Hope this info has been of some help

Warm Regards,

rockhard =)

 

[Dufusyte]

Monitors in stores always look bad because they are all hooked up to one giant shared input cable thingie which significantly degrades the picture.

When you bring it home and plug it into a single computer, the picture is much clearer. Don't judge pic quality by what you see in store if the monitor is on a giant synchronized cable setup.

 

[Dre]

Originally posted by: erub
On the 17.4" Planar's from Dell - its $649 for either white or black with no digital connection, or $769 for a white one that is digital/analog, with a usb hub (which I dont need) or speakers (which I dont need). Would it be worth the extra $120 for a digital connection? I think Im gonna wait for a hot deal to come around.

I got the 17.4 with DVI and analog connections for $580.00 shipped from Dell. Just look for their coupons to get this price. Right now, I know they have a 10% off and a $25.00 off coupon out that are stackable.

 

[187]

badcow is a whore

 

[badxcow]

thanks rockhard for the long reply. yeah the planar from dell looks pretty good right now, the price seems right with the rebates as well. i'm glad you all said the dvi is not a great improvement, im trying to save as muchmoney as i can and currently love my g2mx, even if its dated.
my friend said he saw the viewsonics in the store today and wasnt all impressed, said it was dark.
but as dufusyte said its hard to judge from the stores

 

[stephpar]

hey there Rockhard....have you had a look at any of the Samsung screens?

I've been looking at the Samsung 151s which has lower specs for brightness and contrast that the 1550M you mentioned, but it seems really good when i've seen it + it has a 25ms response time.

The other model, that is comparable in specs is the 151P...which has all the same specs as the 151P but looks great (Porsche designed..LOL)

Let me know if you've ever had a chance to look at these ones.

Steph

 

[rockhard]

stephpar - im afraid ive not had chance to see the samsungs in the flesh but from what ive heard from their owners they seem to be happy.

badxcow - You could always do what i do - Here in the UK it is LAW that any online retailer HAS to give a full refund to you if you return the goods within 7 days in the same condition you received it complete.
I find this great for buying my gear as i can get a monitor and try it out. If i dont like it then back it goes
You need to use reputable dealers for this as some of the smaller fly by night merchants can try and fob you off as they seem to think theyre above the LAW.
If the law is the same for you if you live in the USA then i would really recommend you do this instead of buying one from a store and being stuck with it.
If your unsure ring the retailer first and explain what ive said above to make sure they know your rights

Wish you luck in your screen hunting