Need Widescreen Purchase Advice

[Franchise]

Due to my city waiving the almost 10% sales tax next weekend I figured that would be the best time to jump to widescreen. I've rounded up the most talked about ones on the board that they actually sell in my town, which isn't much.
They are,
Samsung 215TW | ViewSonic VX2025wm | Acer AL2032wd | Gateway FPD2185W
Also one that hasn't been mentioned, Westinghouse 22" LCM-22W2.
Any insight would appreciated.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Franchise
Due to my city waiving the almost 10% sales tax next weekend I figured that would be the best time to jump to widescreen. I've rounded up the most talked about ones on the board that they actually sell in my town, which isn't much.
They are,
Samsung 215TW | ViewSonic VX2025wm | Acer AL2032wd | Gateway FPD2185W
Also one that hasn't been mentioned, Westinghouse 22" LCM-22W2.
Any insight would appreciated.

IMO, the bolded ones are not made by reliable mfgs. The others are very good, jr's sells the viewsonic for $280 shipped AR, the lowest price on the samsung and the gateway are ~$450. There is definetly a disparity, in quality/performance? Maybe not. I'm not sure if the samsung has a built in tv tuner, it has av inputs and just about every input you could want, and the gateway is a solid monitor as well, though overpriced. They all will perform well in games.

 

[adairusmc]

I just made the jump to widescreen myself last week, with a Viewsonic VX2025wm, and I highly reccomend that monitor. Very awesome, even compared to the VX922 I had before.

 

[Fadey]

ViewSonic VX2025wm

 

[OBCT]

I've had several Acer monitors, and never had a problem with any of them. They get a thumbs up from me. :thumbsup:

 

[HomeyFoos]

I have the Dell 2007FPW (1680x1050) and it is a really nice monitor. Got it for $344 from Dell and it is currently displaying my HTPC. What I like about it is there isn't alot of plastic to take your eye off the screen. Small frame, great picture, nice resolution.

If you don't like Dell or can't get them in your locale (not sure if you are stateside or elsewhere), I also have a ViewSonic N2750W (only displays 1280x720 as it's an HDTV w/ D-sub and DVI) and I REALLY like the quality. My only knock on it would be the speakers mounted into the case and the extra plastic around the frame of the screen. Oh, and the resolution, but at the time I bought it I needed a monitor/tv with PiP. Now that I have the HTPC I don't need the PiP and will likely upgrade this to a Dell 2407FPW (1920x1200 like my laptop).

I came very close to buying the Viewsonic 20" but my brother has the 2007FPW as well and he loved it. I saw his and made my decision.


good luck,

 

[josh6079]

The VX2025WM is a great monitor so long as the DVI port doesn't go bad in it, which they've had a notorious time with. Mine went out today in fact. Went to the store and replaced it straight up since it hadn't even been 21 days after I bought it. I'll plug the new one in tonight when I get home and see how long it lasts.

I've heard good things about Acer though, and that Samsung wouldn't be bad except that it isn't suitable for gaming.

 

[XJustMeX21]

Gateway FPD2185 here and i love the monitor. I went with the gateway for the componet in ports though. i run my pc and 360 though this monitor and it works great for both.

 

[Raloth]

What's the dead pixel policy at Jr's?

 

[Franchise]

Thanks for the replys. The VX2025wm can be had here for around $360. I also can get the dell 2007fpw for $415 but when I went on the site there were 2 versions. Does anyone know the difference between the 2007W3Y and 2007W4Y monitors besides the part number and 40 bucks.

 

[HomeyFoos]

Yes, the difference is the number of years of warranty you have. 3Y and 4Y indicate 3 and 4 year warranties.

I must sound like a Dell spokesman but I've spent quite a bit of money there the last few weeks (e1705 and 2007FPW) and I have been extremely satisfied w/ my stuff. I only say this because I had such POOR opinion of Dell for the longest time until my little brother picked up that monitor.

The resolution is nice and if there is a $50 price difference between 1440x900 and 1680x1050, spend the money. For the rest of the time you own that monitor you will be wishing it had the better rez.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: josh6079
The VX2025WM is a great monitor so long as the DVI port doesn't go bad in it, which they've had a notorious time with. Mine went out today in fact. Went to the store and replaced it straight up since it hadn't even been 21 days after I bought it. I'll plug the new one in tonight when I get home and see how long it lasts.

I've heard good things about Acer though, and that Samsung wouldn't be bad except that it isn't suitable for gaming.

I though the samsung was a gaming lcd? Does it come with a tv tuner built in?

 

[trikster2]

westinghouse owner: The screen looks great. Worth a buy to BB to check it out. It makes the 20" look small, not bad for $399...

 

[kuya1284]

In terms of gaming, Samsung 205BW > Viewsonic VX2025WM.