I'm looking for some advice/help in selecting an LCD monitor.
The main problem I have, is that I can only fit a certain sized LCD with my current desk setup. It's enclosed on the sides, where the monitor needs to go, so it limits the width, height is not an issue. The back is open, so depth is not an issue.
I'm looking at a 20" LCD, as that is what will fit, a 22" LCD is too big.
I've ruled out a IPS or VA panel at this point due to both price and availability.
I'm in Canada (specifically BC) and I'd prefer to get a monitor locally, so I can exchange, get repairs (if necessary) and try out different models with ease. Also, not having to pay shipping is helpful and no restocking fees at the stores I'm looking at purchasing from is also a bonus.
Also, the only reason I'd want to order online, is to try and get a IPS or VA panel which don't seem to be in stores anywhere locally. The ones I've are usually out of my price range at the moment and are often not available to order, like with the Dell LCD, which will take 3+ weeks to just ship. Not something I want to have to deal with if I need an exchange for any reason.
NCIX doesn't seem to have any and although tigerdirect, has some, the prices are all high, plus I have to pay $50 shipping from them, then add in tax and the $12 EHF for BC and you get the point. There are other online stores probably, but I can't find any at the moment and I want to deal with a trusted dealer, also like I mentioned before there are benefits to dealing locally (including time saved and no restocking fees). Not to mention you can return a monitor for ANY reason within 14 days.
Now to discount some models I've tried and returned already.
From the recommended list, I had the:
HP w2007.
Issues: 1 year warranty only. Also, what I'd describe as dithering issues maybe? Darker colours (especially grey) would show a checkerboard like pattern in video and even on the desktop, like in windows explorer, IE, firefox, etc. The bezel/frame on it would also make a strange cracking noise every 20 seconds or so and I couldn't make it stop. I didn't really like the bezel on it, besides the sound it made, it looked easily breakable.
I also tried the Samsung 206bw.
Issues: terrible colours, for example, light blue looked turquoise in Windows and I couldn't get it calibrated no matter how hard I tried. I probably needed a colour wheel and software, but I didn't have the money for that. It also seemed to run hot after only a short period of time, unlike other LCDs I had tested. The software made my computer crash on shutdown ever time as well. The back panel/cable cover didn't fit right and would fall off (not a huge deal), but did show the bad quality control of Samsung.
I also tried two LG monitors. The L222WT-BF (it fit on my desk, although it's a 21.6" screen, only some select LG in that size seem to have the right measurement to fit) and the L20WTQ-BF.
Issues: With the L20WTQ-BF, the 2ms response time came with RTC errors that I could clearly see in any video playback and also during some gaming. Other than that, it seemed like a decent monitor, but I couldn't stand having artifacts in video (lines down peoples face). The Samsung panel also had this, but it let you turn off the overdrive through its software, whereas LG's software won't let you.
With the L222WT-BF (I tried this because it had 5ms response time (no overdrive) and I was hoping it would be same quality as the L20WTQ aside from that. However, the picture was very washed out and the professional reviews I saw on it said the same. It also had the same dithering effect the HP monitor had (I'm wondering if that has anything to do with my video card, or if it's a normal problem because I haven't heard much about it from anyone else).
All of these monitors had the obvious TN viewing angle limitations and some backlight bleed, both of which I can live with. All of the preceding monitors were hooked up via DVI, although I also tried out the VGA on a couple.
So onto monitors I'm looking at now to try now maybe. Basically a list of monitors available to purchase that haven't been discounted (due to size limitations) or tried already.
Acer 20": X203WBD
Samsung 20": 2032GW
LG 22": L226WTQ (is 22", but has dimensions that will fit over any other 22" I've seen) I'm not sure about this monitor because I've been told by others who have had it that there are 3 different panel types and 4-5 different firmware revisions and it's basically a crap shoot to get the right one. If you get the wrong firmware version, you get RTC errors. I'm not sure on the colour quality of the panels themselves.
BenQ 20": G2000W
Dell 20": SP2008WP (probably discounted because xtknight says these are a cheap series of monitors).
Viewsonic 20": VA2026w (value series, not too keen on the sound of that)
I'd prefer a 20", but a couple 19" monitors:
ASUS 19": VW192T
VIEWSONIC 19": NX1932W (has a TV-tuner, supports 1440x900, but is more of a TV I believe with a computer connection available).
Any of these monitors even worth a look?
based on reviews or just opinion is fine.