Which 22" LCD Monitor?

[elendil850]

I have been considering buying a 22" or so LCD to get a little more desktop real estate.

Ones that I have been considering include:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824252008

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824014139

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001095

I'm leaning towards the Samsung 206BW because I currently have a Samsung 740B and I like it pretty well, but was wondering what some of you guys think.

 

[Makaveli]

damnit fix your links first

 

[imported_K3N]

Out of those 3 id probably get the benq. From what i've read, the viewing angle of that chimei is actually pretty bad (ignore the specification saying 170/160 viewing angle) and the stand for it is very flimsy. Samsungs are just too overpriced in my humble opinion..

 

[elendil850]

Originally posted by: Makaveli
damnit fix your links first

Fixed for your convenience.

Also, I'm considering this monitor as well:

Acer Gamers Line AL2051W

 

[fluffmonster]

I paid too much for the 206bw, but i'm quite satisfied. I've no other lcd to compare it to though, so listen to me with a grain of salt there.

 

[Topweasel]

The I have a 22" samsung and I love it but if your looking for a 22" inch monitor then a 20" no matter how good will still leave you wishing for more.

I would take a look at this Monitor its a dell so you know its a good quality and its very cost efficient.

 

[Makaveli]

I agree the extra 2 inches does make a difference.

 

[jjzelinski]

Take a look at the Viewsonic 2230WM. I purchased one last month and I've been extremely impressed with the picture as it ranks amongst the top of the 22"ers in that regard. WHat really separates it from the rest of the pack though is the bezel and it's stand. The thing is rock sold and can spin about 355 degrees with nary a touch. It also telescopes about 8" up and down, which I find very hand for aligning it to my old NEC 1760v that I run in tandem.

 

[BernardP]

You have to decide if you are going 20 or 22 inches.

In the 22-inch class, why not Acer 2223Wd?

Low price, good user ratings, no obvious problems

 

[cKGunslinger]

Samsung 226BW

Good luck finding one.


edit: I stand corrected: NewEgg in Stock

 

[cKGunslinger]

Although, saving ~$80 on that 22" Dell is looking pretty good, too.

 

[imported_RedStar]

well, i can now power my dell 22in monitor fully with my new system. I love it even MORE!!!

 

[Starbuck1975]

Most reviews I have read recommend steering clear of the 22" LCDs and saving your pennies for a 24". I believe that most 22" LCDs use a TN panels, which would explain why most come in at such an attractive price point.

I have found several forums that anticipate prices will drop on current 24" monitors by mid Spring.

I am waiting for Dell to run a special on the 2407. I considered going 22" at one point, but the advantages of 24" are definitely worth the higher price.

 

[aka1nas]

The prices on 24-inch panels are only going to drop because they will all be TN panels by then.

 

[Frintin]

It is a tough call to make right now because people with experience with big monitors are not happy with TN panels. That is not why I am holding out for a 24 inch monitor.

I have Dell 19" monitors on 3 computers at home and believe without a doubt that they are the highest quality of any 19" monitor that you can buy period. People have complained that the Dell 22" is not of such quality but the one I have at work is a sweet monitor. I miss it when I get home and turn on my miniature monitors...hehe. Bigger is better and just having a 22" at work makes me want and save for a 24" all the more.

Dude get a Dell.

 

[imported_Imp]

I also considered a 22", but just don't care for buying something that is essentially a placeholder. None of the 22" panels out now will last for more than a year or so before you want to upgrade, so why not just get the 'best' there is and keep it until it dies. The price for a 24" isn't that bad considering most 22"s cost about 5/8, and you probably won't have to upgrade again for a long time. Now, just waiting for Dell to stock the 2407 again in Canada and a sale...

 

[jjzelinski]

I'm not sure what exactly is so bad about a TN 6-bit panel that makes it worth spending >[EDIT] 73% for something that translates to truly marginal improvement. You've really got to be splitting hairs when you start to judge the effectiveness of a monitor by whether or not you can percieve banding on a screen shot if you really look for it (we're talking of fractions of milimeters here in most cases.) That's it. That's the worst you're going to get with a 22" TN. If carefully looking at screenshots for minor imperfections are your thing then by all means spend twice as much on the next biggest step up (24") or do without the extra 17% of viewable area and go for screenshot-suitable 20" for the same price as a 22" (or more, for a really good one.) It's just like anything else in life; if you're willing to pay a disproportionate expense for a premium product (though however marginally so) then treat yourself and go for it. If you're more interested in ensuring your purchase meets all of your needs and most of your wants at a significantly better value then go for a good 22". I just hope people keep in mind that the vast majority would be tickled pink once they stepped up from a 17" or 19" to a 22", even enthusiasts like myself.

 

[imported_Imp]

Don't forget the terrible viewing angle and colour. Other panels are supposefly marginally better in terms of angle, but having spent years with colours that change by moving an inch up/down gets to you. As for colour, can't say 6-bit vs. 8-bit will make that big a difference personally.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Imp
Don't forget the terrible viewing angle and colour. Other panels are supposefly marginally better in terms of angle, but having spent years with colours that change by moving an inch up/down gets to you. As for colour, can't say 6-bit vs. 8-bit will make that big a difference personally.

I have to agree with this. I can live with the inferior 6-bit w/dithering color. What gets me with TN panels is the vertical, and to a lesser degree, horizontal, color/darkness shift caused by the panel itself. The website is not dark red at the top and clear red at the bottom...It's the TN panel that creates this effect. Move your head and the darker band moves...

EDIT: People are posting pics of their 22-inch widescreens on HarForums, but many of these are from far away, which reduces off-angle viewing problems. And you never see a pic from below the screen. Let's show these screens from 18-inches away with the camera level with the bottom of the screen for a true test of viewing angles

This being said, I have looked at the new LG 226 in store and it looked better to me in that regard. I would have to bring one home to see if I can live with it though.

I am certain I could live with a 24-incher with a non-TN screen I can't resign myself to paying double the price of a 22-inch.

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: Imp
Don't forget the terrible viewing angle and colour. Other panels are supposefly marginally better in terms of angle, but having spent years with colours that change by moving an inch up/down gets to you. As for colour, can't say 6-bit vs. 8-bit will make that big a difference personally.

[edited for accidental yelling ] I sit~2' from my vg2230wm and I don't have any issue with viewing angle. Everyone should already know that horizontal viewing is just about flawless, and even the vertical is not noticeable at all at this distance.

You're correct in that vertical viewing area is not as strong as what you'd find on s-ips but according to my experience with a current 22" you either got a bad apple or you're blowing the viewing angle limitation way out of proportion.

On a side note I'm the kind of guy who can easily get a bad case of buyers remorse and I have tendency to be brutally honest about this sort of thing. Practically, however, the furor over TN image quality is becoming borderline-political in its irrationality and lack of factuality. THankfully it's really not that big of a deal as I think people could justifiably be totally pleased with their purchase either way (22" vs***)

 

[MadScientist]

I purchased the Chimei CMV 221D from NE last week for $270. AR shipped. The picture looks great and no dead or stuck pixels, but the stand sucks. Most of the 22" LCDs in this price range do not have any height adjustment. I have my Chimei monitor sitting on a couple of books. I'm going to purchase this Ergotron stand at Staples for $30.
I read that there are only a few companies, Chimei is one, that manufacture 22" TN panels. So I would assume then that the pictures on all of these 22" LCDs are going to have similar specs and look the same. The difference in price then would be in the build, warranty; and, for me a must, a height adjustable stand.

 

[Phlargo]

I recently purchased a Viewsonic 22" (VG2230wm) as a stopgap as my excellent(!) vp930b needed to take a little trip to Viewsonic RMA-ville. While looking straight on, the picture of the 22" TN panel is pretty nice. But as soon as you do <i>any</i> degree of vertical shift, the contrast and brightness appearance changes drastically. Now while I'll admit I'm a very sensitive person and have exceptional vision, the little color distortions (little red and green haloing around the pixels) that occur at greater than a 10 degree upward view are obnoxious compared to the P-MVA panel in the vp930b, which showed no such distortions. Good thing I bought it at Costco - when I return from my little vacation this week, I'm fully intending to go out and buy another panel. I only wish I could get an AS-IPS in a 22" as I do appreciate the slight extra pixel size for watching movies and so forth - it just feels more comfortable to have several people looking at.

While you'll certainly get a lot for your money with a 22", if you're like me, it may leave you feeling less than satisfied with more color sensitive applications. The best colorometer won't save you from viewing angle pixel color shift.

Good luck!

 

[imported_RedStar]

i have to wonder why you are bobbing your head to complain about the vertical angle of view

Looking at a monitor..it should be tilted back slightly and just below your line of vision sitting straight.

That said, you certainly can't have a friend watching your godly game performance on your 22 inch.

 

[QueBert]

bought a Westy 22" today. I was in awe of the 24" Gateway they had on display, but ultimately the price difference killed my hopes. $679 is a whole lot of "pennies" is the 24 better? it's bigger, sure it has better viewing angles and higher resolution. But I sit it one spot so viewing angles are pointless to me, and my x800 ain't new so higher resolution isn't something I care about. Hell, a lot of games won't run smooth for me in 1680x1050. I am very happy with this screen, my GF has had it for awhile and that's what pushed me to get one.

Obviously the 24" is a bigger beast, but the price premium makes it too much of a screen for me. You can get a nice 22" + a new MB & CPU for about what a 24" will cost you, and honestly on my desk I don't think I could push a 24" back enough to view it comfortably

but if you have the monies, the Gateway is damn sweet and how it rotates 90 degrees is cool.

I love this Westy though, it has every damn input you could imagine, probably gonna end up getting an Xbox 360 and maybe a DirecTV unit to hook to it. Anyone running DirecTV to a Westy 22"?

 

[jplb70]

Hi all
I recently upgraded from my old 19in crt to this 22in widescreen lcd from KDS. I bought it from a local guy for 280 USD. Now maybe my eyes are going but to me the thing looks great I do a lot of gaming and movie watching on it and I must say I couldn't be happier with my purchase. No ghosting the colors are vibrant and the screen is bright and crisp and no dead/stuck pixels. the only cons are the stand isn't very adjustible and it does have a LITTLE backlite bleed around the edges when the room is dark. IMO it is a great bargin for the price