Budget LCD for Office Work/Light Multimedia

[HardwareSearcher]

Hello,

I am looking into buying a new LCD monitor (my first). Currently I have a CRT (far from high quality...just an old 17" that came with my present 5-year old HP comp). Space-consumption and eye-strain are really the only two reasons I wish to get a LCD now (if it wasn't for eye-strain, I would probably be waiting longer for better LCDs or by some miracle, consumer OLED, to finally be released). However, my options are limited because I am on a budget. And this isn't a budget that is suddenly going to significantly grow later on. Once I make a choice and buy a monitor, I am likely going to be stuck with it for a good while. So I do not wish to make any hasty uninformed decisions.

I also do NOT want to buy a monitor now if:
1. It is likely that a better deal (whether on an existing model or a future one) will be available in the near future.
AND/OR
2. None of the current "budget" monitors will adequately meet my requirements and it would just be better to wait for prices to come down and/or better models to be released instead of wasting my money on an inadequate one now.

I am perfectly willing to wait longer to get a new monitor if either or both of those above circumstances exist.

Another important factor is that I have heard way too many horror stories with buying LCD monitors, and I am completely unwilling to buy from anywhere (whether it is a local store or online) that refuses to accept returns for ONE dead pixel. I do not wish to gamble and get the monitor with that bright red one right in the very center of the screen.

So anyway...as I said, the main purpose of this monitor would be to take up less space on the desk and most of all, to reduce eye-strain. So that means easy-to-read, not too bright, etc... So I would think according to my uses/specs listed below, it would be best to get a LCD monitor listed in both the Office and Multimedia sections of The LCD Thread? And if the monitor isn't available from someone who accepts single-dead-pixel returns, it is automatically ruled out. I am also scared to death of all those ViewSonics, they seem to be too unreliable according to user reviews...I mean I know all monitors will have complaints...but viewsonic *seems* to have a widespread problem with monitor failures.

Uses: Microsoft Office, web browsing, web editing(nothing that requires a web-design/professional monitor), and light multimedia (I don't mean movies...I just mean web video like news websites or youtube, etc...). Gaming is completely a non-issue for this monitor - I will not be using it for gaming.
Screen size: Unimportant. I am willing to scroll.
Input Lag: Most likely I would be sensitive, so none of that please. Yes, I mean Input Lag; I am not talking about Refresh Rate.
Native Resolution: Unimportant (I don't want anything with extra resolution than normal for its screen size though - would be too much eye-strain). I am willing to scroll.
Inputs: Won't be using anything but VGA/DVI, don't need anything else.
Screen Type: NOT glossy/reflective.
Extras: Unimportant - I have speakers/headphones, never use microphone/webcam.

So what I have come up with so far is:
LG Flatron L226WTQ-BF
Best Buy $329.99

LG Flatron L226WTY-BF
NCIX $324.20 (including the extra warranty for no dead pixels)

Acer AL2216Wbd
Walmart $238.87
Staples $229.99

Would any of thse models be good for my purposes (and any opinions on which specific one to get)? And what are the true differences between the L226 WTY and WTQ? And are there any other models that I may have missed and/or any alternative opinions to The LCD Thread? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MarcVenice]

My acer al2016w has been fine, for watching movies, playing games and doing office work. Thing I noticed when so called LCD experts give their opinion, it's in fact just that, an expert opinion. Someone who has seen what a 500$ 8-bit, WG panel can do, and then compares it to a TN, 6 bit panel like an acer al2016w. I haven't seen those monitors, and I haven't played games on them. In other words, I don't know what I'm missing, but coming from CRT, then moving to LCD, 15" then to my new acer, I'm VERY VERY happy, and for the little money it costed me, I doubt I could be any happier. Colours look bright to me, no dead pixels, no input lag during any games, and I think I've played pretty much any new game out there... Widescreen really is a blessing for office work, being able to open two browsers/word documents and/or pdf's next to each other is awesome. Noticing how you are on a budget, I can't do anything else but recommend the AL2216Wbd.

 

[Skott]

Of the two LG I would get the WTQ simply because I know its a good LCD. I dont think there is much difference between the Q and Y series basically speaking. There's also a L227 about to launch if its not already out. Might want to wait and see what it does. But if you need one now and torn between the two LGs you mentioned my vote would go towards the WTQ. If you look at xtknight's stickied thread on the first page there are also other brands to choose from as well for your needs. The Acer AL2216WBD is a good alternate choice if cost is a factor.

 

[boomerang]

Keep using your CRT.

Prices are always falling on computer hardware in general, LCD monitors included. Thus, your criteria can never be met.

I'm not trying to be an ass, but you have outlined a scenario that is just plain unworkable in todays market. You need to wait until we're in a market of rising prices.

 

[Frintin]

Bought an Acer 22" monitor (AL2216W) and consider it one of the best bargains I have ever found online! Love the monitor and celebrate the price I paid every time I turn it on!

My Dell Monitor I bought back in the day of 19 inch goodness is a beautiful monitor to be compared to also...and the Acer holds its own!

 

[JustaGeek]

I am really happy with my ACER X221W. Have had it since March 2007.

For those who say ACER has a bit "washed-out" picture - it can easily be adjusted in NVidia Control Panel.