Okay, I ordered the PX191 today and it should be here on Tuesday. Dell simply forwards the order to Planar and it's shipped directly from Planar's facility in Beaverton, Oregon. I know this because of my experience ordering from Dell and using the PL191 a few weeks back. So if it ships tomorrow, the day after my order like it did last time, it should arrive at my door here in Colorado on Tuesday.
I went with the silver rather than black bezel. I had the PL191 in black and thought it was.....well, I don't know exactly what I thought about it. I just think the silver bezel looks more elegant and stylish in the pictures I've seen of it, and I guess I'll find out when I have it sitting here in front of me in a few days.
And Snatchface, I know manufacturers can use just about whatever specs they want when describing LCD's (except for size and weight, which are obviously measurable), but I'd say the 25 ms is right on the money for Planar's rated response times. From what I've read, anything sub 20 ms. should be smear/ghost free, and the PL191 was ever so close. Again, it's one of those things you have to look for to see, rather than it obviously jumping out at you. So unless you're very very picky, the 25 ms. response on the PL or PX series should be just fine for most people and their gaming. If you're a perfectionist, the 17" PX171 and it's 16 ms. response time would be the way to go because there is NO ghosting ever, no matter how you look at it.
Below is a quote from a user over at Rage3d.com. who has a little insight, it seems, about LCD's. It lends to my position that Planar sells exquisite looking LCD's, and stands behind them with a 3 year warranty that not only covers the backlight (which many top mfg.'s don't), but they will also replace (not repair) a display with only 3 dead sub-pixels. A pixel is comprised of 3 sub-pixels. So all it takes is one completely dead pixel or 3 subs on different pixels for Planar to replace via their 2nd Day Air "Customer First" warranty, which also covers the shipping costs on both the one coming to you, and the bad one you're sending back.
Anyway, here's the quote. It's a long one, but worth the read if you're considering a LCD purchase:
The way it was explained to me...Certain companies purchase the grade 1 panels for themselves (usually look flawless in manufacturing). They make certain models out of those panels and then pass the grade 2 and grade 3 panels (where some panels will look flawless, but others will contain flaws to varying degrees). Example...Hitachi and Planar only use grade 1 screens on EVERY model they make. They have the 0 dead pixel policy because of it. Samsung will use the grade 1 panels on certain models (like 171P-The Porsche Model, the 171MP-Multimedia model). Then they will use grade 2 panels on numerous other models and let the grade 3 panels go to some off name brand. Certain "cheaper" brands are cheaper for a reason. They purchase grade 3 panels and will make, for example, 500 panels. Of the 500...they will get 100-150 perfect looking panels. The rest will have dead pixels, light vertical lines, etc. Most purchasers don't pay attention to flaws. On the other hand...I am the other end of the spectrum...I have had my Dell laptop with a 14.1" Hitachi screen for two years. NEVER one dead pixel on a screen with resolution 1400 x 1050. The screen is exquisite! Colorful and more. As a matter of fact, as I type on the CML174...I notice how vivid color is. In WinXP...the upper right hand X button is RED...on the Samsung and Viewsonic...it is a washed out red....Colors dance off the screen on this panel. Can't tell you how to tell the difference in companies...I purchased from MonitorsDirect.com and they have a comparison chart that you can run on all monitors. When comparing...one of the criteria is the Dead Pixel Policy. You can see it stated in black and white...many companies like Samsung, Viewsonic, CTX, and others will say No Policy Stated...which is not a good thing. Believe it or not..I think that Hercules buys mostly grade 1 panels from Samsung. Anyway...even the techs at MonitorsDirect say that one should first consider only the companies that are willing to stick their necks in the noose and state a dead pixel policy...they are usually the companies with the highest grade panels. Sort of put your money where your mouth is.
Sorry to ramble...thought it was good food for thought for anyone considering making a purchase...
Bob
I hope that was helpful....