Help with choosing a 19 inch monitor

epod · Sep 10, 2001

Hi everyone, I've been reading the forum most of the day, and I've found it very helpful. I just recently purchased a new athlon DDR system and things are wonderful. Now all I need to finish it up is a monitor. I can't ever seem to decide on which monitor to choose from since there are so many monitors out there.

I plan on using my computer doing a variety of things. I will probably be programming & browsing tutorials on the web frequently meaning I want text to be very sharp. I plan on also running my desktop at 1280x1024 with sometimes going to 1600x1200 for Maya or 3DsMax. Also I am a frequent game player of course. So basically I need my monitor to do the works. I have rounded up my choices to three monitors.

Samsung 900NF - $400
NEC/Mitsubishi DP920 - $400
Sony CPD-G400 - $440

The Samsung 900NF was recommended at SharkyExtreme as a very good monitor. It uses the same tube as the NEC/Mitsubishi which is the Diamondtron and a has a .25 mm dot pitch. From reviews it is a pretty good monitor. Supporting a pretty damn high resolution of 1880 x 1440 or something like that at a pretty decent Hz, but that makes no difference to me since I won't ever run it past 1600 x 1200.

The NEC/Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 920, also uses a Diamondtron monitor. But this one has a uniform dot pitch of .24 mm! I've been leaning towards this monitor because it does what I need perfectly. And from the uniform .24 mm dot pitch it seems that this would be the sharpest monitor. The monitor itself also has a very sleek design and takes up the less space too! It's also the newest one.

Then there's the Sony one. This one is $40 more and I don't think it's that justified. I have heard the color on a Sony Trinitron is very nice. Like more vivid then the diamond trons, but crispness wise the diamondtrons win because of their uniform .24 dot pitch. The Sony CPD-G400 has a variable, not uniform .24-.25 dot pitch. Also this model has been around since 1998 almost and it's quite bulky compared to the other ones. I have also heard horror stories of Sony warranty on this product and defects with this one.

I was wondering for any user input I can get regarding which monitor I should choose. Thanks a lot for hearing me out =)

Beerinator · Sep 10, 2001

First of all I would personally go for the Sony, their monitors are almost always the superior product. But in my case I didn't want to spend all that god awful money, so I did some major research and got the NEC95f. This monitor I am quite happy with. Its a flatscreen, it doesn't take up too much room, it has great picture and color, and lastly you can't beat it for the 190 bucks I got it for. But too bad you can't get it for 190 bucks no more because I did it when dell did their 20% off deal on monitors and I added a 30 off coupon and they also free shipped it to me.

But you can get this monitor for about 250-300 shipped though, so if you looking to save some mola get the NEC95F (comes with 3 year warrenty), but if not definitly get the Sony because I would of if I had the dough.

Scouzer · Sep 10, 2001

Just FYI if you don't already know, all of those monitors will have 2 (3?) faint lines going across the screen that you can see quite clearly on white backgrounds. There all Aperature Grille I believe...but personally I'd shy away from Sony, their products (IMO) aren't justified for the heavy price tag.

epod · Sep 10, 2001

The NEC 95F has some pretty decent reviews. It employs that invar shadow mask technology to emulate flatness but it isn't nearly as flat as the trinitron / diamondtron. I know that Sony monitors are extremely good at the 21 inch level and probably the 17 inch level. I have heard that a lot of people are having problems with this 19 inch model though, so it's confusing. And the monitor is so old, someone must've made something better. We all know Sony for it's name and it's quality, but it's now been 3 yrs now since the first make of this model, companies have had to caught on and made something better! Just need to find out what =)

GT578 · Sep 10, 2001

I don't know about the new NEC monitor but I have had the samsung for over a year now and its been great. I've always used Samsung monitors and have had no problems with them. I'm using a Radeon so the text is very nice at 1280x1024. The text is clear even at 1600x1200 but I don't want my eyes to go bad so I don't use that resolution ....although I do try it once in a while just for the hell of it. I think you'll be happy with either the NEC or the Samsung...although I am partial to samsung. Sonys.....have short warranty and have crappy packaging as I saw when someone I know got the E400.

epod · Sep 10, 2001

Aah the infamous lines across an aperture grill. Is there any better technology than an aperture grill though?

Scouzer · Sep 10, 2001

<< I don't know about the new NEC monitor but I have had the samsung for over a year now and its been great. I've always used Samsung monitors and have had no problems with them. I'm using a Radeon so the text is very nice at 1280x1024. The text is clear even at 1600x1200 but I don't want my eyes to go bad so I don't use that resolution ....although I do try it once in a while just for the hell of it. I think you'll be happy with either the NEC or the Samsung...although I am partial to samsung. Sonys.....have short warranty and have crappy packaging as I saw when someone I know got the E400. >>

Eyes go bad? Clarification please? I'm using my Samsung 950P @ 1600x1200 with a first generation Asus Geforce II MX which is supposedly reknowned for its horrid image quality yada yada...but all the text is clear and the colours are great. Some people are partial to brands and blow things way outta proportion...

Scouzer · Sep 10, 2001

<< Aah the infamous lines across an aperture grill. Is there any better technology than an aperture grill though? >>

Well like so many people will tell you I'm sure, monitors look different to the eyes of the beholder. There's Invar Shadow Mask for one...

snowairg · Sep 10, 2001

Dell has 15% off Dell branded products right now. Check out the P991 (same as Sony G400 I think) for under $450.

Beerinator · Sep 10, 2001

Well heres 2 coupons for ya purchase.

1.)10% off of dell accessories expires 9/11. This coupon is good for all their non-branded dell products coupon code - FB9D11746EDE

2.)This one is from staples for 30 bucks off 150 or more coupon code - 91577

Both websites have a huge selection of monitors so u better get serching before those coupons end.

jaggrey · Sep 10, 2001

P991 has the Sony FD Trinitron tube, as does my monitor (IBM P96). Beautiful!!! Buy it!!! Actually I'm selling mine...I'm going for an LCD. I still love this monitor!!! I'd keep it if I didn't need the money for the LCD.

spanky · Sep 10, 2001

i like the samsung

ChipNOW · Sep 10, 2001

Apparently the Iiyama VisionPro or whatever it is is very good also

gdelph · Sep 10, 2001

Another vote here for the 19" NEC AccuSync 95F. I've had mine for about a year and been very pleased. I'm sure the Samsung's are good too. Sony was just a bit too far out of my price range. However, keep in mind that your monitor is prolly the most important piece of equipment you can buy for your PC- since that's what you'll be looking at all the time. So you need something that will be easy on your eyes- ie. high quality, flicker-free, picture. (I know, Mr. Obvious here!!)

blstriker · Sep 10, 2001

You can get a Viewsonic PF790 for about that price, prolly a bit cheaper, but great picture. I'm getting one in a few days. =D

Snutten · Sep 10, 2001

HI, I own a Sony G200 and have seen the Samsung NF series of monitors. I selected the Sony because it was a bit sharper. Also it has a kind of silky picture that is really nice! However, it was also more expensive so it should be. Anyway, I think you should try to compare them in real life before you buy. If you can't do that go for what you can afford. Remember that the monitor is maybe the most important component in your system.
About the problems you wrote about with Sony: You should not buy a monitor by mailorder but in a store, and check the one you get in the store (set it up to a computer) if possible, otherwise you should be living close to the store if you have to change it!
I bought a Philips before my Sony (it uses the same tube as Samsung) and had to return it and that was a lot of trouble, believe me!!
The Sony I also bought online (had no choice) and although its very good I have noticed a bit of uneven level of brightness on it ( it goes a bit darker from right to left of the screen) but I doesn't bother me since I got a good price.
Good luck with your monitor!

Random Variable · Sep 10, 2001

The Samsung 900NF, in my opinion, is the best of the three. You might also want to look at the NEC FP955.

samooer · Sep 10, 2001

I've owned a Samsung 900NF for half a year now, and am very pleased with quality.

Fandango · Sep 10, 2001

I use a 900NF currently, it's great, one more vote for the Samsung.

epod · Sep 10, 2001

I just bought the Samsung 900NF for $415 after shipping. I couldn't seem to find a better price or place where they had it in stock. Hopefully everything turns out well =)

CraigRT · Sep 10, 2001

Samsung rocks.. I just love my Sync-Master 900IFT !

good stuff!

Help with choosing a 19 inch monitor

Member

Member

Lifer

Member

Senior member

Member

Lifer

Lifer

Senior member

Member

Golden Member

Lifer

Senior member

Member

Golden Member

Member

Lifer

Member

Member

Member

Lifer