Best (and biggest) LCD sub $300

judasmachine

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2002
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I know for the price that I am getting a TN panel, and I know what that entails. That said what is the biggest and best sub $300 LCD? I have a 22" Acer that is 16:10 and ain't too bad, but I have NO IDEA what to ask my of girlfriend for Xmas. I do some picture/video editing (very little), gaming, and surf.

HDMI is a must...

I like the look of this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824176126
(this one can be had for $259 with free shipping direct from HP)


And am considering this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-340-_-Product

Possibly this one too:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236066

Any advise is appreciated.
 
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Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
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If you keep an eye on techbargains, they have the 25.5" Samsung 1920x1200 LCD frequently for $299 or so. I think it's totally worth it to get the increase in horizontal screen space, unless all you do is watch 16:9 videos.

EDIT : Don't even think about that 2nd one, the resolution is far too low to make any sense. $209 will easily get you a 22" 1680x1050, if not a 24" when the really hot deals come through.
 

judasmachine

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2002
8,515
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I have until the 18th to decide. I've been to BB to look at them in person, read the LCD sticky and still I am confused. I guess what I want to know is subjective. And thanks for warning off the Sammy if it's that bad.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
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That's indeed a good (great, really) deal, but doesn't include HDMI (OP wants it I guess), and speaking from experience, going from a 22" to 24" isn't a huge jump.

This is currently expired, but the unit seems to pop up nearly daily on techbargains right now :

http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/188671

"Samsung T260HD 25.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ Built-In HD Tuner for a low $299.95 Free Shipping. Tax in 20 states, excluding CA.

Good alternative for those wanting both a TV and a computer monitor in one unit.

1920x1200 @ 1080p; 10000:1 (Dynamic Contrast); 300nits; DVI, HDMI & VGA; ATSC & NTSC TV Tuner"
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
8,539
1,652
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BUT the OP didn't really mention why HDMI is important. The models linked have built-in speakers making HDMI useful, but at the same time it's rather trivial to run an analog audio cable along side a HDMI-DVI cable or HDMI-HDMI with inline adapter, and you won't notice the difference between digi or analog audibly with poor sounding built-in monitor speakers.

If the plan is to use the built in speakers then which monitors have the best speakers could be important but unfortunately I don't know as I never use monitor speakers.
 

judasmachine

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2002
8,515
3
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HDMI isn't really important, just thought I'd put the native HDMI port on my graphics card to use, and to make it an 'upgrade.' I also have an ATi HDTV card in my system, so the tuner in a monitor is kind of silly. I guess since I was at a loss as to what to ask for, I decided to go with the biggest monitor I can find, so long as it isn't a POS.
 
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Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Got it. Well that Samsung 25.5" has gotten overall great reviews, and the size is definitely a step up from the 22" - 24" range.

Having the HDMI, Tuner, and remote will be handy in the case that you replace it with a 30" Monitor down the line sometime. You'll be able to just use the 25" as a spare TV for a kid or the kitchen/study/whatever.
 

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
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I got 2 of these right after Thanksgiving, for $200 each: Samsung SyncMaster 2343BWX. They're back up to $220, but I still don't think that's a bad price. I love the high resolution, and the color seems pretty good, too - better than the HP W2007 that they replaced, at least :)

Nathan
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
That's a killer deal, and although the 16:9 is somewhat regrettable outside of movies, it's better than 1920x1080 ;)
 

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
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That's a killer deal, and although the 16:9 is somewhat regrettable outside of movies, it's better than 1920x1080 ;)

Being a programmer, the (nearly) market-wide movement to widescreen didn't sit too well with me, either. Not that I can do a whole lot about it :p One thing that did help was getting an 'after-market' stand for one of the screens - one that can pivot 180 degrees. So if I am working on code or something similar that requires a lot of vertical realestate, I can flip the screen up and get nearly 2x as much space to work with :)

Nathan