Looking for LCD suggestions

[imported_bum]

Hey guys,

I going to buy a new LCD monitor for my dad's house, but I haven't payed much attention to LCDs lately. I shopped and bit and did some searches, but I'd still like some personal suggestions. The main requirements are :

- Very clear image, most importantly text. My dad will be working on text and graphic documents at home and blurry text would be an annoyance.
- under $300 (cheaper is better, but in the end quality counts)
- Acceptable for gaming. Nothing too much, but FPS and other games will be played occasionaly.

We are probably looking at a 17 inch monitor here, just because of price restrictons. DVI input would be nice, but isn't a deciding factor. I have browsed over some options from Viewsonic and BenQ, any other recommendations are welcome and appreciated. There are lots of choices out there, so keep in mind clear text is the first priority.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

i hear dells are nice, a lot of people here seem to like getting them when there are coupons at least. hot deals? there are other good name brands but they will be expensive. don't be tempted by el cheapo lcd's cause they often have dead pixels that you get stuck with and/or crappy picture

 

[imported_bum]

I think the Dell's would be better options if I wanted a bigger screen, such and the 19+ inch models. I don't think the 17 inch monitors are so attractive in terms of pricing. Unless someone can grab me a great deal, the Samsung 710N is what I'm looking at. The only issue is no DVI. Is that a big deal?

 

[symbol]

Originally posted by: bum
I don't think the 17 inch monitors are so attractive in terms of pricing. Unless someone can grab me a great deal, the Samsung 710N is what I'm looking at. The only issue is no DVI. Is that a big deal?

I have a 17 inch Dell 1704FPV. I think it's great. I think a 19 inch LCD is overkill unless you're a gamer or movie watcher.

Don't ever get a LCD which doesn't support DVI. I bought my Dell a month ago and hooked it up via analog because my new DVI video card hadn't arrived yet. The text was murky, it had a bizarre green tint, text scrolling was blurry, colors were off, white colors were too bright, and my conjunctivitis returned. Messing around with my nVidia contrast, brightness, and gamma settings were pointless. This awful experience occured within the first hour and never disappeared. I was seriously pissed and ready to return this piece of crap to Dell. I knew I should've bought a Samsung.

A few days later I switched the video cards and swapped the cables from analog to DVI; the increase in quality was enormous. All of the problems I quoted disappeared and haven't returned.

I originally got the Dell due to PC World ranking it #2 out of 10 as well as some of the good marks members of anandtech forums gave it.

If you must get a 19" BensBargains posted a coupon to get a Dell for $299 shipped:
http://www.bensbargains.net/ktalk/1113677098,89955,.shtml

Keep in mind the response rate is 20ms. My 17" has a 20ms response rate and it's alright with me; avi/mpg/dvd playback is smooth.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

http://www.passwird.com

$300 Dell 19" LCD
20ms response time (you can get away with games here, but sub-16 is what you want for gaming)
DVI
Native resolution is same as 17" LCDs so 19" is preferable

Originally posted by: bum
I think the Dell's would be better options if I wanted a bigger screen, such and the 19+ inch models. I don't think the 17 inch monitors are so attractive in terms of pricing. Unless someone can grab me a great deal, the Samsung 710N is what I'm looking at. The only issue is no DVI. Is that a big deal?

If you read reviews of most Samsung LCDs they generally agree that their panels are much much better on DVI than analog. I would go out and find a 710T. I am using one and love it. The 910Ts (19" LCD) unfortunately have a 20ms response time and are a diff variety panel that is not so great for gaming. Typically low response time panels are TN, and have not so great color reproduction while others (the letters escape me) have much better quality color but at a steep cost of response time. For the OPs uses, going with the TN low reponse time variety is most definitely the better choice (the color only matters if you really do some graphics work, and if you are, you shouldnt be on an LCD)

Read this, and know much much more!!!! 100% HELPFUL
http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=1855

 

[imported_bum]

Thanks for the help. The 19 inch for only 300 looks temping, but I'm not sure if it's necesary. I think I'll look around for deals on the 17 inch model first. There are some good deals online and at CompUSA for similar Samsung models, but none with DVI.

edit : The 1704FPV only has 25ms response time. Can anyone testify about its movie and gaming ability?

 

[symbol]

Originally posted by: bum
edit : The 1704FPV only has 25ms response time. Can anyone testify about its movie and gaming ability?

Movie quality playback is great. Like someone else said, if you plan to use this for gaming, then it's best you steer clear. I've read other forums regarding the 1704FPV and "some" users reported slight ghosting during gaming.