Is now a BAD time to buy an LCD monitor?

[VBboy]

I want to buy an LCD, but are there any new/better ones coming out soon? I can wait for a month or a little more if something definitely better than the current models will become available.

Anyone got any insight information on the nearest future of the LCD technology and pricing?

 

[Biggs]

THG

 

[The Sauce]

In all cases, it's clear what is happening - prices have been on the rise since last Christmas. Yes, of course tomorrow's screens will be better, but there's no question that they will also be more expensive.

Good article but is this statement correct? I don't remember being able to buy a 15 inch LCD for $250 last X-Mas...or a 19" for $700. I have not been paying real close attention but it has seemed like prices have been coming down.

 

[Booster]

LCD technology will progress in years, not a couple of months. And there's definately nothing drastically better coming out anytime soon.

 

[murphy55d]

I just bit the bullet myself. Went with a 19 inch Planar from Dell. Haven't gotten it yet but I think it'll be worth the $ once it gets here.

 

[anthrax]

LCD technology has definately got much better over the last few years...
I just got a brand new 15inch LCD last week and yeah I could tell that the technology behind it has advance alot...
My old Sony CPD L-133 (13.3 inch model) from 3 years ago can't compare with my LCD flat pannel in terms of brightness, clarity, and colour.......My old Sony CPD 100ES also can't compete with it in terms of brightness and colour.......However, I won't claim that it looks better than my Mitsubshi Diamond Pro 730........
Here is one thing for sure, if you are only goin to do office work with your LCD ( word processing ).....Current LCD + winXP's cleartype fonts = super sharp text !!!..........

Here is a summary of what I think of the lastest gerneration of LCD technology compared to decent quality CRT mon
the Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 730 ( DiamondTronNF)

Contrast : Good but not as good as the DP 730
Text Sharpness: Good with especially with cleartype font...
Brightness : Insane, more than you will ever need
Response : Ghosting noticeable with lighter colours....(using my mon at 100% contrast 10% brightness)
Colour: White is whiter than white, Black is pretty much black....The colour look right and are much more vivid than what I expected......
Size: My new LCD takes about 1/4 of the DP 730

 

[MadRat]

15" screens are dropping in price with the move by laptop makers to a new 16-17" screen.

 

[anthrax]

from what i understand, the the desktop flatpanel parts are different from the notebook ones..not just in size.....They are usually made on a completely different production line...

Notebook LCD modules typically only have 1 backlight while Desktop Moniters have up to 4.....

 

[VBboy]

Thanks for all your feedback, guys. I appreciate it.

One thing I noticed, though, is that Dell wanted to charge me TAX when I tried to buy their LCD. Wtf?..

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: VBboy
Thanks for all your feedback, guys. I appreciate it.

One thing I noticed, though, is that Dell wanted to charge me TAX when I tried to buy their LCD. Wtf?..

Buy through the small business part of Dell's website. Their Home section charges tax on most people where the small business doesn't charge tax on most people.

 

[Bluga]

I just got a Samsung today, although it's NOT as good as my original Sony monitor, the LCD has improved alot but they still don't look "natural". Plus the response time is just, well........

 

[zephyrprime]

Mitsubishi is introducing feed forward LCD technology next year (supposedly) and that's supposed to improve response time a lot.

 

[anthrax]

I just got a Samsung today, although it's NOT as good as my original Sony monitor, the LCD has improved alot but they still don't look "natural". Plus the response time is just, well........

Which samsung is it?
Typically, the lastest technology is applied to the smallest pannel sizes first.....then slowly migrate up the sizes.....
belive the latest 15 out it the sync master ...152T

 

[azkiwi]

Typically, the lastest technology is applied to the smallest pannel sizes first.....then slowly migrate up the sizes.....

I think the opposite - the latest tech comes out in the biggest screens first because the manufacturer wants to get a premium for it and knows he can ream the high end purchaser. As the tech becomes more refined, yields rise and economies of scale are realised they can afford to put it in the economy section.