LCD monitors

[robot180]

I am thinking of getting an LCD monitor for my computer. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for buying LCD monitors, like what type to get, where, etc. Also, I found some good prices on some 15 inch ones with max resolution of 1024 by 768, but I normally use the next higher resolution (1152 by something) and I have a 19 inch monitor. Would 15 inch be too small? Also, is it even worth getting an LCD monitor right now?

I know it depends on what you do so I use my computer non-stop. I very rarely do gaming and if I do, I don't need the best picture. I do a lot of programming and web design and like the look of laptop monitors. I don't want a monitor that is too small, but don't want to spend a lot of money on it.

Thanks for comments.

[KenWittlief]

17" monitors are very affordable right now.

They take much less power than a CRT, and save a lot of space on your desk or table

and if you need to carry your PC somewhere the only thing better would be a laptop

[Wetzel]

I have a 19" LCD and a 17" CRT.
If you are used to a 19", you will kick yourself if you get a 15".

Wetzel

[JohnBoucher]

How many of you are using two monitors? From what I'm reading, it's the way to go.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Jon,
You won't be happy going to a smaller screen even if it is an LCD. We are using NEC's here at work for systems screens (audio consoles, transmitter remote, etc.) The NEC's are a little more expensive but we keep everything on 24/7 and they have yet to fail us.

[Jason Rudolph]

Originally Posted by JohnBoucher

How many of you are using two monitors? From what I'm reading, it's the way to go.

definitely the way to go. My current setup is a 23" lcd with either a 17" or 20" lcd next to it, depending on what I am working on.

I would suggest the samsung 712N, its a very good all-around monitor, and cdw has it for 289, you might be able to shop around more for it, but I really like the quality of this monitor for the price.

[ahecht]

Going from a 19" monitor to a 15" LCD will be a bit of a downgrade. In general, with an LCD, you get an extra inch or so (since a CRT's size is the tube size, which is larger than the screen), but 15" is still pretty small. You will also be disappointed by the resolution. I have a 15", but I use it as a second monitor only.

I'm a big fan of the 1280x1024 19" monitors that have a rotating stand. This allows you to view web pages and documents in portrait mode, even those programs and pages designed for 1024x768 monitors. I personally have a Dell 1905FP which I love (if you find coupons, you can get them for as low as $300).

Just be aware that you get what you pay for, and that $150 17" lcd you get from the bargain store may end up being very blurry and washed out. You screen is your primary method of interfacing with your computer, so it makes sense to spend a little more on it.

[Elgin Clock]

As far as purchasing one when the time comes, try doing that around the holidays.

There are some awesome electronics deals between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Keep and eye to the weekly store flyers that come in the Sunday paper, and you'll find some good deals.

[Stu Bloom]

If you haven't already figured this out, the designated size of an LCD screen is equal to the diagonal measurement of the viewing area BUT with a CRT monitor a portion of the picture tube is covered by the bezel/trim so you are losing nearly 2 inches. Thus a 15" LCD is approximately equivalent to a 17" CRT, a 17" LCD is approximately equivalent (viewing area) to a 19" CRT ... etc ...

Also (and unfortunately I think this sale ended this past Saturday) Best Buy had a Westinghouse 17" wide screen LCD monitor on sale for $199 - they were sold out so I got a raincheck ($229 on web, currently back-ordered) ...

OOPS ... I STARTED MY REPLY BEFORE SEEING ZAN'S ANSWER ...

[KenWittlief]

if your going to buy an LCD monitor, goto comp usa or best buy, and look at them before you put your money down

some have excellent color and contrast, and a wide viewing angle

and some: NOT!

you can always buy the same model somewhere else if you get a better price, but beware of buying an unknown LCD monitor without checking the image quality. There is a lot of variation between manufacturers.

[CJO]

I have considered buying a 21" bigger monitor for some time, but instead have stuck to 2x 19" LCD. 17" and 19" LCD's are very good, and you can dual monitor wiht them for less than it would cost to buy most 21+ monitors.

If you want to spend a few bucks, the SGI 1600SW are gorgeous 17" monitors, with native 1600x1200 resolution, but they are expensive, and can only be purchased on e-bay or similar (but, WOW on picture quality).

If I have money to spend, I get viewsonic or NEC stuff, it has always worked well for me. Dells are also good.

At the cheaper end, Princeton and Rosewill work, but tend to have higher latency/fewer features.

Finally, I love Newegg.com.

[robot180]

Ok. I think I have a better idea now. Thanks for the tips. The problem is that I think my parents might buy one for me for my birthday, depending on if they can find a good deal. I don't know if I will get to pick it out. A lot of people suggested Viewsonic. Also, tigerdirect.com seems popular for good prices. I agree that it would seem better to see them in a store and see the picture quality.

[KTorak]

Kudos to Dell on their LCDs. I was just in my schools Comp Lab and they just got brand new Dells with 17inch (seems about that size) LCDs with Speakers. I havent used the speakers, but the monitors were excellent.

[robot180]

I wouldn't use the speakers because I have a subwhoofer with its own speakers.

After some more research, I found one problem that was mentioned about some LCD monitors in some customer reviews. A few people complained of "burn out". For example, one guy said that he left his computer on for about a half hour with a web browser open. When he came back and closed the window the webpage could still be seen slightly because it was on the screen so long. He says he sees this "ghost effect" after moving an icon on the desktop and after turning his computer on, he can see what he was last working on.

Has anyone noticed this with your LCD monitor and if so, how bad is it?

[KenWittlief]

Originally Posted by robot180

Has anyone noticed this with your LCD monitor and if so, how bad is it?

Its called 'image stick' - all LCDs will do this if you leave a static image on the screen for 20 minutes or so

thats one of the reasons Windows comes with a 'screen saver' funtion.

after you use the LCD for several minutes the stuck image will be gone.

BTW - check out the black-friday-sales link in the 'help me find this' thead. Lots of LCD monitors will be cheap this friday if you dont mind the insane crowds in the stores.