Need a really good monitor. Budget $250-$300.

college_student · 11-10-2012, 05:25 PM

Dear all,

You have all been really wonderful and have helped me build a really good computer. Now I want to call on you all again to help me get a monitor.

I will be using it mostly for (a) watching 1080p movies/TV shows, and (b) the screen real-estate needed for programming and multi-tasking.

Resolution: at least 1080p
Screen size: ~27'' (if better deals on 24'' then please let me know; dual smaller size monitors is an option). Yes, my PC supports two monitors at 1080p and better.
Budget: $250-$300 (but feel free to recommend me stuff outside this budget, i.e. I can get one 24'' now and one later for the dual monitor option).

The most important factors are: (a) quality/reliability, (b) cost, and (c) screen real estate.

Thanks all,
-DV

Blain · 11-11-2012, 05:52 AM

HP ZR2440w or Dell U2412M

Davidh373 · 11-11-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blain

HP ZR2440w or Dell U2412M

Absolutely. Looking and the U2412M myself!

lehtv · 11-11-2012, 01:01 PM

Agreed on Dell U2412M. 1920x1200 IPS for just under $300 on Amazon.

C1 · 11-11-2012, 01:17 PM

Last time I was looking in Frys Electronics, they had both U2412 and U2713. I did not give them a real careful evaluation, but just off hand they both looked good.

I see these also available now from newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Id=1&name=DELL

Both have received five star user ratings with substantially more user samples for 24".

OBLAMA2009 · 11-11-2012, 05:00 PM

since most monitors are still only 1920x1200 whats the point of getting bigger than 25". id just get a cheapo for 160(?) and buy a new one a year from now when reolutions are higher

mfenn · 11-11-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

Agreed on Dell U2412M. 1920x1200 IPS for just under $300 on Amazon.

OP, my thought is that there isn't much point in going above 24" unless you jump to 2560x1440. $350 is basically the going rate on Ebay for a 27" 1440p Catleap with DVI only and no OSD. Another $50 gets you better QC and the OSD/scaler board.

college_student · 11-11-2012, 10:12 PM

Thanks for all the help so far guys!

1. Do you think it's better to get one of the "cheaper" Acer/etc brand 27" monitors from newegg?

2. Should I look into saving up for a Dell Ultrasharp U27XX or is the U2412M the way to go? Do you think there will be any Black Friday deals on them?

Thanks,
-DV

lehtv · 11-12-2012, 03:23 AM

1. If you need a really good monitor, no. In principle though I don't think there's anything wrong with 27" 1080p, I have one myself and it's great for movies and gaming
2. Not really. Watching 1080p movies on a U2710/2712M would be pretty much the same as on a U2412M, and if you need more real estate then a dual monitor setup would be cheaper. Can't predict anything about black friday deals

Blain · 11-12-2012, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by college_student

1. Do you think it's better to get one of the "cheaper" Acer/etc brand 27" monitors from newegg?

2. Should I look into saving up for a Dell Ultrasharp U27XX or is the U2412M the way to go? Do you think there will be any Black Friday deals on them?

* no
* no, yes, there won't be...

college_student · 11-12-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

1. If you need a really good monitor, no. In principle though I don't think there's anything wrong with 27" 1080p, I have one myself and it's great for movies and gaming
2. Not really. Watching 1080p movies on a U2710/2712M would be pretty much the same as on a U2412M, and if you need more real estate then a dual monitor setup would be cheaper. Can't predict anything about black friday deals

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blain

* no
* no, yes, there won't be...

Great, thanks for the help guys! And yes, now that I think about it, dual U2412M are cheaper than a single U2712; and in principle are more pixels than the 27".

Thanks, since Black Friday is so close, I might wait and see. But I'll get the 24".

Thanks again,
-DV

aaksheytalwar · 11-12-2012, 08:36 AM

Personally kw old rather have 1 27" than 2 24". I can't stand bezels.

college_student · 11-12-2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaksheytalwar

Personally kw old rather have 1 27" than 2 24". I can't stand bezels.

I know what you mean, but in the end 2x24" has more screen real-estate, which is desired. Also, more importantly, it's a lot more affordable; I can get one now, and another later on.

Thanks though,
-DV

college_student · 11-12-2012, 10:59 AM

Dear all,

Looking at newegg, I saw this deal. Is this monitor any good?
Asus VS278Q-P

Deal expires today, so all help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
-DV

OBLAMA2009 · 11-12-2012, 11:16 AM

yeah dude go ahead and spend $300 for a 1900x1200 monitor, that looks like a great deal

college_student · 11-12-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OBLAMA2009

yeah dude go ahead and spend $300 for a 1900x1200 monitor, that looks like a great deal

The Dell is 24" 1980x1200 @ $300
The Asus is 27" 1980x1080 @ $280

Which one are you saying is a great deal?

Thanks,
-DV

Remobz · 11-12-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by college_student

Dear all,

Looking at newegg, I saw this deal. Is this monitor any good?
Asus VS278Q-P

Deal expires today, so all help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
-DV

This is a better deal.

***EDIT**

Your one is a 27inch monitor. Your deal is better for that monitor.

ElFenix · 11-12-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

Agreed on Dell U2412M. 1920x1200 IPS for just under $300 on Amazon.

i should just buy this now. my good ol' 2005FPW is losing it.

college_student · 11-12-2012, 11:35 AM

I'm really confused now about what people are saying is a better deal!! >.<

ElFenix · 11-12-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by college_student

I'm really confused now about what people are saying is a better deal!! >.<

that asus is just a big TN panel, those are about $300 every day. that dell hasn't been.

lehtv · 11-12-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by college_student

I'm really confused now about what people are saying is a better deal!! >.<

I think the Dell is definitely better deal. I'd much rather have 120 more vertical pixels, an IPS panel with great colors and viewing angles, and a height adjustable stand, rather than 3" more size.

college_student · 11-12-2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

I think the Dell is definitely better deal. I'd much rather have 120 more vertical pixels, an IPS panel with great colors and viewing angles, and a height adjustable stand, rather than 3" more size.

Well said. In that case, I think I'll stop second guessing myself and order this by next week (after looking at Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals).

Thanks all,
-DV

mfenn · 11-12-2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

I think the Dell is definitely better deal. I'd much rather have 120 more vertical pixels, an IPS panel with great colors and viewing angles, and a height adjustable stand, rather than 3" more size.

Agree. $300 is too much to pay for a big ol TN (strictly my opinion).

OP, two lower resolution monitors versus one high resolution monitor is an extremely personal choice that highly depends on your workflow and window management habits.

Personally, I am far more productive on a single 2560x1600 screen than on a pair of 1920x1200 screens because I virtually never maximize a window and really focus in on the center of the screen. Obviously that sucks when there is a bezel right in the middle of the screen area. So what I end up doing is picking one monitor to be the primary (usually the left) and not using the other monitor to its fullest. With a single big screen, I can keep all the action right in the middle without having the edges be too far away. That's just how I work though, everybody is different.

Blain · 11-13-2012, 04:24 AM

TN panels are for chumps or people that are "thrifty" or that don't demand a quality monitor experience or 13 year old gamers who's parents have put them on a very tight budget.

Eureka · 11-13-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by college_student

The Dell is 24" 1980x1200 @ $300
The Asus is 27" 1980x1080 @ $280

Which one are you saying is a great deal?

Thanks,
-DV

There's no contest, a 24" IPS with more pixels over a 27" TN with less pixels? You have more work "room" on the Dell, better picture quality and colors, and even though it's smaller things will be clearer.

1920x1200 24" IPS is the sweet spot right now. 30" 2560x1600 would be better but those are around $1000. Alternatively a cheap 27" 2560x1440 IPS can be had for $400 from Microcenter, but watch out for build quality.