Finally narrowed it down...

[d2arcturus]

First let me explain my needs and expectations. I prefer flat screen CRTs, but it's not totally necessary. My desktop environtment is always at 1280x1024, and I like a 85Hz refresh rate (which I think all of these monitors run). I may move my desktop to 1600x1200 if my eyes can handle it, and a 75Hz refresh is the minimum rate I would go for that. Currently I play games at 1280x1024 too, but hope to do some 1600x1200 gaming (especially after next year's cpu upgrade). I want this monitor to last me a couple years before I have to replace or upgrade it.

Ok, in my search for a new 19" CRT, I've narrowed it down between 3 (+1*) choices, and I want help picking out the best one:

This one i really like, especially the two-tone colors, 1920x1440 max res, and it's flat (Samsung SyncMaster 997DF DynaFlat):
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=24-001-166&depa=1

This one is the easiest on the wallet, I've heard it's good, but it's not flat (NEC AS900):
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=24-002-248&depa=1

Another NEC, similar to the AS900 i think, but it's flat and has a higher max res (NEC FE990):
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=24-002-044&depa=1


*Or should i just bite down and go for the NEC FE991SB SuperBright Diamondtron, though the $$ may be a problem...
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=24-002-037&depa=1

 

[CraigRT]

Both of those brands I can highly recommend.. I have both NEC and Samsung in my house, and they are awesome, both of them! I don't think you can go wrong, butI am not going to recommend one out of those, because I am not sure which is best.. I just know they are both very solid brands.

 

[d2arcturus]

Yeah I've heard really good things about these, that's why I chose them. My cousin constantly raves about the NECs he's had, and my friend's Samsung is beautiful...but it's so hard to choose!

 

[amol]

i like the samsung . . . first, its a GREAT COMPANY (i havn't had ANY complaints about them, and we have 2 monitors, a tv, and a refrigerator from them)

second, it looks BEAUTIFUL!

third, the depth is smaller than the other 3

fourth, great resoultions

you cant go wrong with a samsung (lol, i am NOT a samsung fanboy )

i do like the NEC, dont get me wrong

i just personally like the samsung more

 

[RussianSensation]

I am just curious, how much do monitor specifications actually matter?

I have Viewsonic G90F which isnt the best by any means and here are the specs:

Max / Optimal resolution: 1920x1440 @ 64Hz / 1280x1024 @ 90Hz

However, I can manually adjust the refresh rate to 120hz at 1280x1024 and the monitor easily handles it.

Also when I play games at 1600x1200@75hz I dont notice any degradation due to poorer refresh rate? I do dislike anything below 85 when I am working on the desktop, but when I am playing games I cant tell the difference between 60 and 120.

Hmmm....

The text is hard to read at 1600x1200, but then again i havent seen 1 19inch monitor that can display clear and easy to read text at 1600x1200. Besides due to small size of the actual screen, I wouldn't imagine anyone using 1600x1200 for reading, internet and office work => I say at least 22 Inch CRT for that resolution to be comfortable for office apps.

 

[d2arcturus]

bump