HP W2408?

[amheck]

Hey gang,

I'm looking for a 24" widescreen (who isn't these days, right?)

I don't have too big of requirements. I don't plan to watch HDTV, or use it for PS3/XBOX. And I really don't game all that much. I would like to more, but 2 kids, etc, takes time away from that. I'm really just looking for a nice, all around 24" monitor.

I saw the HP in Circuit City and thought it looked really nice. The shiney screen and black bezel really set it off nicely. But....the reviews seem to be so-so and it doesn't seem to get mentioned here much at all. But I think you guys are much more demanding of your hardware than I.

So if I was to considering some other monitors that have the same glossy look at the HP, which ones would you look at?

Thanks!
Aaron

 

[PClark99]

Its not glossy but I have a Dell 2407 and it is excellent.

 

[amheck]

Yeah, I've sorta been following the 24" threads off and on, and the overall value and performance seems to go to the Dell. I'd always thought I'd get a 2407 (have the 20" now) but something about that HP just blew me away. I think the glossyness just made it real appealing.

 

[Modular]

http://anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3188

I haven't read through this at all, but noticed it and saw this thread. Maybe it can help you make a decision. Looks like a sweet monitor for sure.

 

[amheck]

thanks for that link. Pretty much sums up what I've heard already.

Amazon has this monitor for a pretty nice price. I wouldn't mind paying a few bucks more for a more feature-rich monitor (that looks like the HP). But maybe there isn't such a thing.

 

[Miklebud]

The stands alone are worth some extra dough, when comparing it to other monitors. I spent the extra money on my W2207 because of the versatility of the stand over other 22" monitors. Plus, that glossy screen is absolutely sexy!!

 

[RedWolf]

Did you ever decide on an LCD? I love the glossy look of the HP and ordered one from Amazon. Then I started reading reviews and it made me wonder if I should go with something else. The only other option for a 24" glossy LCD that I know of is the Gateway FHD2400. It has a lot more inputs (hdmi, svideo, component, dvi, vga). The touch sensitive controls are really cool as well. Considering Amazon's $440 price for the HP and the $550 price of the gateway, it makes for a tough decision.

The HP will be delivered tomorrow and I can refuse shipment and purchase the gateway from Best Buy. So, I wanted to know if you'd purchased an lcd yet and, if so, which one and what made you decide.

 

[amheck]

I stil have not decided on a monitor. My decision is a little easier - I don't really need all of the extra inputs, so the HP would most likely work well for me. And like you said, the price at Amazon is pretty nice.

I'll take a look at the Gateway next time I'm at BB. THe extra inputs would certainly be nice (just incase) but not necessasry. I was in Office Depot the other day, just cruising thru the PC section, and a monitor caught my eye. It was the 20" HP. Just something about them.....

I'm pretty easy as far as tech requirements. IPS versus TN versus 4AA versus no AA, etc. As long as it looks ok, I'm happy with it. I don't look for those 1-2 dead pixels on my new monitors. Point being, I wish the reports on the HP were a little better, but the negatives probably won't affect me too much

Aaron

 

[qbfx]

In my opinion if you really want a glossy screen go with the HP, there's no sense in spending 550$ for a TN! The HP also has extended gamut (like the FHD2400) so it's supposed to deliver richer colors but that's controversial and some people say they're very tough to calibrate. Here's a good review of the HP - http://prad.de/en/monitore/rev.../review-hp-w2408h.html Another extended gamut monitor is the Dell E248WFP which currently sells for 399$ at Costco. Personally I would recommend the 245BW - good specs, nice design, nice image quality, fully adjustable stand, 399$ at Costco. Good luck

 

[RedWolf]

The Gateway also has picture in picture, which the HP does not. Overall, if your requirements are fairly modest, I think you'll be happy with the HP. I think if I had not seen the gateway I'd be more than happy with the HP. Dell recently released a 22" monitor for $299 with a glossy coating. Perhaps it won't be long before they release a 24" monitor with the glossy coating.

I think I'm going to give the HP a shot. The Gateway will be $120 more than the HP and I don't have a PS3 or a 360 (and would likely hook them up to a projector if I purchased one). So the extra inputs aren't that big of a deal. PiP would be useful but not worth the extra money. I did like the stand of the gateway better. It seems more smooth and easier to rotate. The Gateway also seems to issues with vertical viewing angles and they didn't seem much different when I looked at them at bestbuy. So it comes down to the touch sensitive controls, PiP, better stand, and extra inputs.

 

[qbfx]

Originally posted by: RedWolf
The Gateway also has picture in picture, which the HP does not. Overall, if your requirements are fairly modest, I think you'll be happy with the HP. I think if I had not seen the gateway I'd be more than happy with the HP. Dell recently released a 22" monitor for $299 with a glossy coating. Perhaps it won't be long before they release a 24" monitor with the glossy coating.

I think I'm going to give the HP a shot. The Gateway will be $120 more than the HP and I don't have a PS3 or a 360 (and would likely hook them up to a projector if I purchased one). So the extra inputs aren't that big of a deal. PiP would be useful but not worth the extra money. I did like the stand of the gateway better. It seems more smooth and easier to rotate. The Gateway also seems to issues with vertical viewing angles and they didn't seem much different when I looked at them at bestbuy. So it comes down to the touch sensitive controls, PiP, better stand, and extra inputs.

Are touch sensitive controls something to pay that much for ? Why would you need PiP or additional inputs if you don't have a console and if purchased you would plug it in a projector ? Why pay so much more for the "better" stand if the HP one is fully adjustable and I'm sure you wont be using it that much anyway ? And in the end this is a TN monitor - paying 550$ for one doesn't make sense to me since good VAs cost just a little bit more... That's just my opinion though.

 

[hans007]

i think th eonly think the HP has going for it is the glossy coating.

Its TN and $550 for a 24" TN is pretty ridiculous

that said, i wish someone made a 24" glossy coated non TN panel as it would be the next thing to get and i love the look on my 20wmgx2.

 

[qbfx]

Originally posted by: hans007
i think th eonly think the HP has going for it is the glossy coating.

Its TN and $550 for a 24" TN is pretty ridiculous

that said, i wish someone made a 24" glossy coated non TN panel as it would be the next thing to get and i love the look on my 20wmgx2.

I personally prefer the matte coating. My lappy screen is glossy and while it delivers nice colors and contrast, I think matte would be better especially for a laptop (used in various lighting conditions). On the other hand if your room doesn't have any light sources behind you which could reflect in the screen I suppose glossy would be ok.

 

[RedWolf]

The HP is $440 at Amazon. It's more at Best Buy, Newegg, etcetera. I'd never pay $570 for it. I have to admit that I'm paying extra for the glossy coating, better quality stand, usb, and roatation. The touch sensitive controls on the Gateway are worth more because of their uniqueness and the adjustments on the Gateway are better than the HP. I looked at other 24" panels and kept going back to the Gateway and HP and thinking how much more vibrant they looked. Some people just really like the glossy coating and I'm one of them. I guess I'm a sucker for shiny things.

The PiP would be useful for connecting a second machine. I have a media computer that I'd like to run headless. Sometimes I need to use the machine while the projector is doing something else. I don't think the PiP is a major thing but would still be useful.

 

[qbfx]

Originally posted by: RedWolf
The HP is $440 at Amazon. It's more at Best Buy, Newegg, etcetera. I'd never pay $570 for it. I have to admit that I'm paying extra for the glossy coating, better quality stand, usb, and roatation. The touch sensitive controls on the Gateway are worth more because of their uniqueness and the adjustments on the Gateway are better than the HP. I looked at other 24" panels and kept going back to the Gateway and HP and thinking how much more vibrant they looked. Some people just really like the glossy coating and I'm one of them. I guess I'm a sucker for shiny things.

The PiP would be useful for connecting a second machine. I have a media computer that I'd like to run headless. Sometimes I need to use the machine while the projector is doing something else. I don't think the PiP is a major thing but would still be useful.

Well it's your money, I just think Gateway isn't a brand to spend so much money on ... If you still want a Gateway with "unique" touch controls and ergonomic stand why don't you search for the FPD2485W http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2935 ? It has a S-PVA panel and a good range of connectors. Personally I think it has a better design too. Would be a far better choice ..

 

[Bacstar]

I have the HP 2408. I have no complaints. Like the review said, viewing angles are not all the great but I'm always sitting in front of my computer so it's a non-issue for me.

I went from a Sony 19" monitor to this and after comparing the two, the sony seems to have better picture quality, but I'm not doing anything other than playing games, web surfing or music editing on this screen.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: qbfx

Originally posted by: hans007
i think th eonly think the HP has going for it is the glossy coating.

Its TN and $550 for a 24" TN is pretty ridiculous

that said, i wish someone made a 24" glossy coated non TN panel as it would be the next thing to get and i love the look on my 20wmgx2.

I personally prefer the matte coating. My lappy screen is glossy and while it delivers nice colors and contrast, I think matte would be better especially for a laptop (used in various lighting conditions). On the other hand if your room doesn't have any light sources behind you which could reflect in the screen I suppose glossy would be ok.

yeah i wouldnt get glossy on a laptop either.

but on a desktop the glossy i think is worth it, since laptops get used in bright conference rooms, parks, etc.

 

[RedWolf]

Originally posted by: qbfx

Originally posted by: RedWolf
The HP is $440 at Amazon. It's more at Best Buy, Newegg, etcetera. I'd never pay $570 for it. I have to admit that I'm paying extra for the glossy coating, better quality stand, usb, and roatation. The touch sensitive controls on the Gateway are worth more because of their uniqueness and the adjustments on the Gateway are better than the HP. I looked at other 24" panels and kept going back to the Gateway and HP and thinking how much more vibrant they looked. Some people just really like the glossy coating and I'm one of them. I guess I'm a sucker for shiny things.

The PiP would be useful for connecting a second machine. I have a media computer that I'd like to run headless. Sometimes I need to use the machine while the projector is doing something else. I don't think the PiP is a major thing but would still be useful.

Well it's your money, I just think Gateway isn't a brand to spend so much money on ... If you still want a Gateway with "unique" touch controls and ergonomic stand why don't you search for the FPD2485W http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2935 ? It has a S-PVA panel and a good range of connectors. Personally I think it has a better design too. Would be a far better choice ..

I must not have been clear. I decided the Gateway was too much money and will give the HP a shot. At $440 it's quite a bit cheaper.

 

[qbfx]

I must not have been clear. I decided the Gateway was too much money and will give the HP a shot. At $440 it's quite a bit cheaper.

Sorry, I didn't understand it that way. Nice to hear you didn't spend 550$ for a TN!

 

[amheck]

maybe we can come up with a way to buy the Dell 2407 or a nice Samsung and then put some poly-urethane on it or something to get the nice glassy look.

 

[RedWolf]

I can't rememer the site but someone had a glossy sheet you could add to laptops. You had to tear your lcd apart to do it and it was somewhat expensive, though.

I did get the HP for $440 from Amazon. Looks very nice. No dead pixels. There is a very slight amount of backlight bleeding in the upper right (not noticable at all unless you have an all black background). The viewing angles vertically aren't very good but that isn't surprising. Overall, I'm quite happy.

 

[kmmatney]

My Soyo has been great so far (I bought it 4 months ago when it first went on sale). The picture is awesome (8-bit S-PVA ). After seeing mine, 2 of my friends went out and bought the same monitor. It's a steal for $299 at OfficeMax, or $338 with extended warranty.