Monitor Opinion: 17" v 19"

[Freeze]

I am seeking opinions on a new monitor. I have about $300 to spend. Here is my dilemma. I am getting rid of my old 17" MagView (about 2.5 years old) and getting a new monitor. I am either going to go for a really nice 17" (flat screen) or a cheap 19" (like the KDS VS-190 or Optiquest Q952 ). I would really love to get the 19" for an upgrade, but given my price limit would I be better served with a real nice 17"? Thanks for any opinions.

 

[RoboTECH]

I'll gladly vouch for the KDS-VS195e. I have one, and it looks great with my 5500.

You can find the 195e for ~$300 in several places online.

 

[Freeze]

I forgot to mention that I have a Radeon 32 MB DDR (not AIW).

I'll check it out. Thanks

 

[LXi]

Why not get the Samsung SyncMaster 955DF or NEC AccuSync 95F? Both around $300, and flat screen 19".

 

[Stosh]

I'd go for the 19", especially if you into gaming. I own a CTX 19" monitor...it is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

 

[Guilty]

I second the Samsung 955DF, I have one and its excellent. It can be found on Onvia for $350 flat, and onvia always has some coupons floating around. When I got mine Samsung had a $30 mail-in rebate, but I'm pretty sure that's over now.

 

[lsd]

I also have a 17" Mag, but now i'm using a cheapo 19". I'd have to say Get the 19" inch

 

[RagingGuardian]

The mail in coupon is still hanging around but Onvia doesn't have any coupons available. You do get free shipping though.

 

[Freeze]

So, what's the difference between the KDS-VS195e, Samsung SyncMaster 955DF (or SL), Optiquest Q952, and NEC AccuSync 95F?

Those seem to be around $300. Primarily used for some gaming, web surfing and Word/office. Thanks

 

[chiwawa626]

hehe get the KDS Av-195 works great with voodos, geforces, and ati's

 

[Freeze]

any one know what the major differences are between the models? I don't really know much about monitor technology... Thanks

 

[duragezic]

The KDS AV-195TF isn't near $300. It's at least $400. Any good monitor will work fine with all video cards too.

I would second LXi's recommendations. I don't have a personal experience with either but I can tell you I hear those two being the best for that price range.

edit: I see what ya mean about not getting a crappy 19" but the 955DF and AS90 aren't crap from what I hear. The image quality is great on the 955DF and the only problem is low refresh rates though depending the resolution and preference it might not matter.

 

[CHiMPBizKiT]

samsung 955df is nice!

 

[Freeze]

I honestly hadn't looked around a lot for the 19"ers. I thought a decent one was going to cost a whole lot more coin than that... As for the Av-195, I meant the VS -195E (that was the one I saw. Didn't remeber the model number and assumed it was the one I as looking at). Yes I am a little slow.... heh.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep them in mind.

 

[RustyTucker]

Most flat monitors use trinitron to make the crt flat. These are the ones that have the lines in the screen about 25% from the top and 25% from the bottom. Samsung 955DF however, uses a different technology that they call shadow mask (I believe) and it does not have the lines. I have only seen two of these in stores (not that I look all the time) and one looked good, and the other looked okay, until I looked at the monitor it was next to. Then it looked pretty fuzzy. However, there were like 20 monitors on that display all running off of one puter and so the refresh rate was rather low and all the monitors looked a little bit odd. Plus everyone that I have talked to about the 955DF only has good to say about it. The other monitor that I have been looking at is the ViewSonic pf790, which I believe costs about the same as the 955DF. So for me, I am just trying to decide on which one looks better and wheather or not the lines in the trinitron on the ViewSonic bother me. And that's all I have to say about that.

 

[Looney]

Definitely go with a 19"... playing games on a 19" is just awesome (and i love being in 1600x1200 and being able to open 2 browsers side by side, makes surfing a lot easier).

Only problem with an 19", is if you want to lug it around, it's a pain in the ass... especially if you want to go to lan parties.

I'm thinking of a 21" sometime next yr, but the weight freaking scares me.

 

[LXi]

Freeze:

The major difference between the KDS VS-195e and the Samsung/NEC model, is the screen. The KDS and the Optiquest are both curved shadow masks, but the Samsung/NEC models are totally flat, the Samsung/NEC models also have sharper dot pitch. Other than there, there are differences in specs such as resolutions and refresh rates as well. Personally I'd choose Samsung or NEC, because they both use Samsung's new DynaFlat tube, they look real nice and sharp.



RustyTucker:

The ViewSonic PF790 is nearly $450, the Samsung SyncMaster 955DF after rebate is around $300. I dont know how that can be "cost about the same".

 

[RustyTucker]

You are correct. I had only looked at those two monitors in stores, where they do cost the same. (the 955DF is $425 at MicroCenter) Right after I posted I actaully looked *on the interenet* and I can get a 955DF for $295 (or $290 if you don't live in TX or CA) after the rebate. So yes, the 955DF is obviously the one to go for. Does anyone know where to get it cheaper than $290? Does anyone know where to get coupons for onvia. There are none at techbargians. Anyway, sorry for the mis-information.

 

[eyor]

I ordered the 955FD at amazon the other day-- $350-30(mir)-50(coupon)-free ship(till the 10th)=$270

 

[RustyTucker]

I just went and looked at the 955DF at amazon, but it was listed as "955DF FS". Is there such a thing? I looked at the samsung website, and they only list a DF, no DF FS. Does anybody know anything about this?

Thanks.

 

[eyor]

I just looked at amazon, and they have lowered the price! it is now $336, so it will come out to <$260!
Trucker: I think the FS might stand for &quot;Flat Screen&quot;

 

[RustyTucker]

yeah, yeah......

just cause I'm slow doesn't mean that anybody gets to make fun of me.

At least my mom thinks I'm cool!!