Looking for monitor recommendations.

[l33tc0w]

I did read through the LCD guide, and actually put a post like this one in there, but then I thought, well, it is 86 pages, so it'd probably be smarter to make a new thread for this:

I'd like to spend about $400, and would like the resolution to be 1600x1200. Mostly I'll be using it for gaming and reading, and a little unprofessional web design and photo editing. It would be nice for colors to be reasonably accurate. It's annoying to look at a webpage on two different computers and see completely different images and wonder which one is right.

The internet seems to like the Planar PL2010M and the Samsung 204-T. Are either of those good, or is there some other favorite, given what I want?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[kuya1284]

Check out the Samsung 204B. Outpost.com has it for $329 after MIR. Check out this dude's review:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1045482&highlight=204b

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: kuya1284
Check out the Samsung 204B. Outpost.com has it for $329 after MIR. Check out this dude's review:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1045482&highlight=204b

FYI, the 204b is also available for $299 AR at Circuit City this week. I picked one up yesterday, though I haven't had a chance to install it yet. Newegg had/has it for $289 AR this past week, but I went with the CC deal in case I don't like it.

 

[l33tc0w]

Thanks for the responses!

I did consider the 204b, but it seems to get a lot of negative reviews, and since it's about $100 cheaper than the rest of the uxga screens, I kinda wonder why it's that much cheaper. Keep in mind that I'd be using the monitor for general sorts of use more than gaming, though I do game a bit.

I was thinking I might be willing to spring for the Viewsonic VP2030b as well if it's a step above the others that I'm looking at.

PS. Does anyone know what kind of response time that Planar monitor has? Looking around the internet I'm seeing 8ms and 25ms...

I think I'd be a little sensitive to viewing angle too. This thinkpad (an x24) has pretty lousy viewing angles, and if the 204b is even half as bad, it'd get on my nerves pretty often.

 

[cockeyed]

A few months ago, I was thinking of getting a 20" LCD to replace my 19"er. From what I found, the 204T is one of the best based on reviews I read. The Planar PL2010 also got good reviews and was a little less expensive. I think that either of these would be a good choice.

The 204B is a 6-bit color LCD, so that might be why it is cheaper. The LCD's mentioned above are 8-bit color.

My choice would be the 21" Samsung 214T, but it is in the $650 range. It is also 1600x1200. If I were to buy a new LCD now, this would be the one. 1600x1200 on a 20" display makes things a little to small for my likes. If you could stretch your budget a bit, the ViewSonic VP2130b 21" can be had in the $580 range. It is similiar to the VP2030b.

 

[l33tc0w]

I'm afraid my budget isn't very stretchy right now. Definately not willing to go above $500, and $400 is better. Out of those three -- the 204T, VP2030b, and PL2010, which would you recommend? (Unless you want to throw in another for comparison

Forgot to mention: Size isn't a big worry for me. I've used 15.4" WUXGAs before. Those were slightly small for my tastes. 15.4" WSXGA is very comfortable in terms of size, though on my desktop I'd go for the 4:3 resolution in deference to the older games I play, and because it's the highest resolution I can get for the price.

 

[cockeyed]

My choice would be the 204T for $399.