Is a $600 2005fpw (20.1" Widescreen LCD) really worth it?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
L

Lorn

Banned
Nov 28, 2004
2,143
0
0
I'm a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. I also do music production for a small record label out of Madison, Wisconsin. I use applications like Reason, Cubase, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and you know a little quake 3 here and there ;). I really need a new monitor as I'm using an 18" Dell M990 (large, heavy, round screen, doesn't really cooperate with my PowerMac G5) and it just cannot get the job done. Everything is distorted at higher resolutions and hurts my eyes because of the low refresh rate. So I'm stuck at 1024 x 768 (-) and 100Hz (+). I need a big workspace but I just really don't know if $600 for a 20" widescreen is worth it.

What do you all think? Alternatives?
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
does color reproduction matter to you?

if not, then i'd go for it! :thumbsup:

<==== loves his 2005FPw

although, you may also like a 23 or 24" 1900x1200 . . . there's rumor that dell is going to release a 2405FPw
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
oh ok . . . i'd say get it if you can't wait . . .

you can also look at 1920x1200 23" or 24" LCDs . . . Dell will be coming out with the 2405FPw, HP has the L2335, Samsung (i think) also has one . ..
 
B

bjc112

Lifer
Dec 23, 2000
11,460
0
76
It has been worth it for me.

Even though I went through a replacement or two, i still love this monitor.

Blows my 21" Sony e540 out of the water.

:D

I will keep an eye on the price of that 2405!

 
TheLonelyPhoenix

TheLonelyPhoenix

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2004
5,594
1
0
Since you're a graphic designer, I'd say screen real-estate is probably something you can always use more of. :) I think its worth it, and it will be much easier on your eyes than what you're using now.
 
Boze

Boze

Senior member
Dec 20, 2004
634
14
91
I've been using one for a little over a week now NOLOVE, and let me tell you, it is amazing. Besides, you can always get color-calibration hardware if you need to color-calibrate this LCD to your printing equipment or needs. I don't know why people mention things like "Does color reproduction matter?" This is an LCD capable of displaying 16.7 million colors and once calibrated using the appropriate hardware devices, will display colors just as well as any $1000 CRT.
 
A

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: Boze
I've been using one for a little over a week now NOLOVE, and let me tell you, it is amazing. Besides, you can always get color-calibration hardware if you need to color-calibrate this LCD to your printing equipment or needs. I don't know why people mention things like "Does color reproduction matter?" This is an LCD capable of displaying 16.7 million colors and once calibrated using the appropriate hardware devices, will display colors just as well as any $1000 CRT.
Click to expand...

LCDs can't reproduce blacks as well as CRTs :roll:

and at an angle, my black screen looks reddish-purpleish
 
C

cbehnken

Golden Member
Aug 23, 2004
1,402
0
0
Originally posted by: Boze
I've been using one for a little over a week now NOLOVE, and let me tell you, it is amazing. Besides, you can always get color-calibration hardware if you need to color-calibrate this LCD to your printing equipment or needs. I don't know why people mention things like "Does color reproduction matter?" This is an LCD capable of displaying 16.7 million colors and once calibrated using the appropriate hardware devices, will display colors just as well as any $1000 CRT.
Click to expand...

You can't calibrate each individual color. You can only make general adjustments. If you have a screen that isn't accurate, no amount of calibration can completely correct that.
 
Zebo

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Since you're a graphic designer, I'd say screen real-estate is probably something you can always use more of. :) I think its worth it, and it will be much easier on your eyes than what you're using now.
Click to expand...

2005FPw is smaller than 2001FP.


OP -- I recommend a 22" NEC 2141 CRT 20x15 plus real colors and black..
 
C

cbehnken

Golden Member
Aug 23, 2004
1,402
0
0
OT: Any of you other guys have BIG problems with CRT's going out of focus in six months or less? I had a nice 19" Flat Nec that did this to me and really turned me away from CRTs. I even tried manually adjusting the focus with the Nokia software and a screwdriver :) Still wasn't as sharp as an LCD.

My boss does recording on the side and he recently changed to LCD. He said it's really saved his eyes. Just my thoughts..
 
T

TrocD

Member
May 4, 2001
43
0
0
Funny, I just switched from the M990 to a 2005fpw. I've had it for 3 weeks and had been going back and forth trying to decide if it was worth it (I paid $565) when I hooked up the old CRT and looked at them side to side. I was shocked at how dingy the M990 image was compared to the LCD and now I feel sure it was worth it. But I'm not sure if it is the ideal choice for a graphic designer. Most people seem to feel that the best CRTs are still better overall for graphics work. For an LCD, it probably is a good choice. I believe it uses an S-IPS panel and these have the best reputation for color reproduction among LCDs as well as good viewing angles. And the usual weakness of S-IPS panels, contrast, is fairly good on the 2005 (600:1) but still nowhere near as good as a quality CRT. I certainly find it much better than the M990 for my photo work, but that's just an amateur photographer's perspective.

Overall, I'm very happy with it. The only cons are it's backlighting issues, which on mine are tolerable, and the contrast which can make low contrast images or 3d scenes seem washed out a bit. 95% of what I do on the computer looks better now (this includes text, web stuff, photo and video editing, HDTV, movies and 3d games). And I love the features on the 2005 - being able to rotate easily is great for photos, and the USB ports are handy, as well as all the obvious advantages of the LCD over the CRT. I don't think I could have done better in an LCD, given the variety of uses I put it to.
 
J

JBT

Lifer
Nov 28, 2001
12,094
1
81
I love my 2001FP I think I would love a 2005FP just as much. Any newer monitor will beat the pants off what you've got I think getting a nice monitor is always a good place to spend the extra dough. I mean you interact with it the most don't you? Why not treat your self?
 
A

anthrax

Senior member
Feb 8, 2000
695
3
81
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Since you're a graphic designer, I'd say screen real-estate is probably something you can always use more of. :) I think its worth it, and it will be much easier on your eyes than what you're using now.
Click to expand...

2005FPw is smaller than 2001FP.


OP -- I recommend a 22" NEC 2141 CRT 20x15 plus real colors and black..
Click to expand...

Yes, with a 16:10 aspect ratio the FPW 2005FPw has 6.3% less viewing area than the 2001FP.

The 2005FPw will have 1.25 % more viewing area than a 19 inch 5:4 LCD screen.


In other words, get a decent video card that can run your applications/entertainment software decently at 1680 x 1080...with out it, You might as well get a 19 inch and put the money saved into a upgraded video card.
 
Zebo

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
JBT YGPM

I mean you interact with it the most don't you? Why not treat your self?
Click to expand...

That's right!! I'm constantly amazed here, seeing people with $300-900 CPU's, $150 mobo, $500 Video cards running some crap ass monitors with a crap case on a crap desk with crap KB and mouse.

Those should be the first items on your list since that's what you'll really "feel" and appreciate...being surrounded by beautiful and comfortable things makes comp experiance much nicer. What's inside is negliable inprovements for dollar spent and price does'nt scale w/ performance...unlike monitors.
 
S

SirOblivious

Member
Dec 29, 2004
72
0
0
I can never give up my crap ass KB. I love the crispness and crackaly sound of the keys. Its about a 15 year old IBM KB with NO WINDOWS KEYS (big point here to, hate them things)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom