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LCD Monitor Recommendations/Help

B

b3b0p

Senior member
After switching to the Mac a year ago, I am back to the PC World (sold my 17" Powerbook yesterday - just could not justify the cost anymore compared to PC). Anyway, I am building a new Desktop system and I am having a heck of time trying to find the perfect (ok not perfect, but nice) LCD Monitor. Right now I am torn between the Dell 1800FP, NEC 18/1760NX, or the Samsung 172T/W.

Since I really can't see them in person, but people seem to say they are all good. I was wondering if anyone who has seen/used 1, 2, or all 3 of them if they could just post their opinion. I am just looking for someone elses opinion before I lay down the cash for one or the other.

One thing I am confused/worried about is the Dell claims to be only 350:1 Contrast while the NEC 1760 is 450:1. Is the Dell really that much better despite the numbers? It seems everyone just raves about the Dell FP models. Is it just because the 1760 is smaller (the 1860 also has 350:1 Contrast).

Sorry for all the questions. When your away for so long from the pc world you forget so much and have to learn about all the new stuff at the same time of trying to rember the old.

Any other recommendations for LCD monitors is also appreciated as well as tips on what to look for. I really dont' want to spend more then what the Dell 1800FP costs right now (~$540), and actually would prefer to spend less (hence NEC 1760NX interest for ~$455 from NewEgg).

Is anyone able to comment on the Samsung 172W LCD? That looks interesting.

Thanks,
Chris
 
Have you considered the Viewsonic VP171B? It has a 500:1 contrast ratio and a 16ms response time. I just switched to it from a Sony 19"crt. I wouldn't go back.
 
I have the Samsung 172t. It works and looks awesome. No ghosting in games for me at all, and is super bright and clear.
 
You should visit the Hot Deals forum, and look for any Dell specials. I think there is one running now.
 
Me and a buddy both have the 1760NX. Very nice LCD. Advertised contrast ratios are nowhere near accurate, so dont worry about that spec.
 
I've been test-driving the Samsung 172W 17" widescreen LCD for a couple weeks.

IMO, it's strongpoints are nice streamlined ergonomics (more pleasant than I've run across anywhere else so far), crisp picture quality through the DVI input, and the 450 cd/m2 brightness.

I can't overwhelmingly recommend it though. The viewing angles are weak, especially vertically. There is a noticeable glow around the edges of the screen, especially when working in low ambient light conditions. And I wish the blacks (contrast ratio?) were stronger. I thought a widescreen LCD would be cool, since most of my apps involve widescreen video. But after using it for awhile, I think I'd prefer the additional resolution (the 172W is only 768 pixels vertically) and headroom of a 4:3.

I haven't seen the Samsung 172T firsthand, but the specs on it look better than the 172W with respect to the above. According to reviews I've read, it has much wider viewing angles (170 in both directions), better contrast, and finer pixel pitch (~.27 instead of the 172W's ~.29) which are my main gripes with the 172W. Both models run about the same cost, so my inclination would be to go for the "T" over the "W". The max brightness on the 172T is lower than the 172W, but I rarely find myself using that high brightness.

If you're seriously interested in a widescreen display though, I think there's a 17" Viewsonic model that looks better than the 172W, but at higher cost. And it may also have some video inputs on it.

I don't know how the Samsung 172T would compare to the NEC or Dell though.
 
Thanks Everyone!

Right now I have narrowed it down to the Dell 1800FP or the Samsung 172T.

New, the Dell website says 3+ weeks for the 1800FP. But I see I can get a refurbished 1800FP for $508 right away. Is it safe to go refurbished on these or our they most likely returns because of dead pixels?

Thanks,
Chris
 
Well I Personallly have a NEC Multisync LCD1760V, and i really love this. The Refresh rate is good and the Response time is perfect for videos, and games.
I would reccomend this to ya, but it all really depends on what you want, and of course the price...
 
One other minor note on the Samsung 172's....

The cable attachments on the base may be a novel idea which liberates the screen from alot of the bulkiness of other LCDs, giving them a more elegant feel, but since the attachments are on the rear (good for hiding cables), they also enlarge the overall footprint of the display by a couple inches. It's not a deal breaker IMO though, and they do also come with wall mounts if space is particularly at a premium.
 
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