Monitors..

[lopri]

I'm looking to get a few 22~24" monitors. I currently have a 30" LCD as a main monitor and it has served me for over 3 years despite me being a 2nd owner. It's now started showing its age so I was looking to replace it for some time.

In an agonizing turn of event, I'm looking for multiple 1920x1200 or 1920x1080 panels. I never thought I'd go back to lower resolutions, but looking around the market today things have changed a lot.

1) Price. I purchased my 30" for $1,100 (its MSRP was $1,800) and these 30 inchers haven't gone down in price much. Decent ones are still at $1,200~1,500 range. On the other hand, 22~24" monitors' prices are less than half of what they were 3 years ago. I think I can buy 3 x 1080p screens for less than a 1600p screen today.

2) My computing habit changed. I'm doing more things simultaneously on my PCs than I used to. While 2560x1600 is a huge real estate, I feel the need for more room, preferably in an organizable fashion. Having more than one screen would help in that regard.

So I'm in the market for a few 22~24" displays. I'm not the most picky person when it comes to monitors, I do have some criteria. (in no particular order)

1. I personally prefer 1920x1200 over 1920x1080 but only slightly. I'd pick 1920x1200 if everything else is equal.
2. LED is strongly preferred because of its form factor and lower power/heat.
3. Good color accuracy and VERY GOOD contrast. (IPS panel preferred, but if price is prohibitively high factoring in LED, I could compromise somewhat)
4. Response time isn't the most critical, but obviously the lower the better.
5. I'm not looking for 26~27" panels due to their higher dot pitches and higher cost.
6. At least two types of digital inputs and one type of analog input per display. The more the merrier. 1 DVI + 1 HDMI + 1 Displayport + 1 VGA + 1 Component would be ideal but I'm not holding my breadth.
7. I wouldn't mind optional speakers to be rid of cables.
8. Whatever else might be more future-proofing, such as 120 Hz or what not, would be a plus. I'm not too versed in this new type of display so any input would be appreciated. My 30" (HP LP3065) has had such a long life-span. (it still sells for more than what I paid for 3 years ago)
9. I have a strong brand preference - not because I'm loyal or anything but because I'm likely to get better deals for the following brands: Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, and Toshiba. (they're rather known for TV, I know, hence the deals)
10. No glossy screen unless it's Apple quality. I prefer matte finish.

Thank you in advance.

 

[ViRGE]

Do you have a specific price range you'd like to be in? If money is no object, then given your color requirements the Dell U2410 or a similar 24" IPS monitor would be ideal. They're about $500 each though, which means 3 of them would be spendy.

 

[Gillbot]

I have three screens on my main rig now. Two 19's and a 21", I'll never go back to a single screen. That said though, mine are older and only do 1280x1024 on the 19's and 1600x1200 on the 21 but for the price I can't complain. I'd love to upgrade myself to 2-4 21" at 1600x1200 (or whatever the wide screen equivalent is now) but I can't see spending that much money.

 

[Dribble]

If you aren't planning to do triple monitor gaming there's nothing forcing you to get identical monitors - e.g. you could buy one really expensive one with very good colours/contrast for photo work, a 120hz one to game on, perhaps even a 3rd cheap one if you felt two 24 inch monitors wasn't enough screen space.

 

[Puffnstuff]

The dell monitors are hard to beat these days. I just got my son a 23" IPS for $309 from dell and even though it doesn't have led's the power draw is around 30w. Check their sales as the products are always changing. Dell has what is probably the best lcd warranty on the market right now and 1 dead pixel is grounds for exchange.

 

[solofly]

You need to tell us how much you're willing to spend...

 

[CurseTheSky]

I recommend the NEC EA231WMi. It's a cheaper 23", 1920x1080 E-IPS monitor, but it generally fits the bill and doesn't cost much ($270-330 street price).

I personally prefer 1920x1200 over 1920x1080 but only slightly. I'd pick 1920x1200 if everything else is equal.
It's 1920x1080.

LED is strongly preferred because of its form factor and lower power/heat.
To my knowledge, the only LED non-TN panel around is the Apple 27", which is what, $900ish?

Good color accuracy and VERY GOOD contrast. (IPS panel preferred, but if price is prohibitively high factoring in LED, I could compromise somewhat)
The panel type is E-IPS, which is related to other IPS types (H-IPS / S-IPS, etc.). It allows more light through than other IPS types, which increases brightness and lowers response time. Read here. The color accuracy seems far better than my 2408WFP, though black levels aren't as good (PVA has the best black levels, so that's to be expected) and whites look either a bit too warm or too cool. Overall, I doubt you're going to find something with better colors for less than $500 or so.

Response time isn't the most critical, but obviously the lower the better.
Response time on the EA231WMi is generally good.

I'm not looking for 26~27" panels due to their higher dot pitches and higher cost.
It's 23".

At least two types of digital inputs and one type of analog input per display. The more the merrier. 1 DVI + 1 HDMI + 1 Displayport + 1 VGA + 1 Component would be ideal but I'm not holding my breadth.
It has VGA, DVI, and DisplayPort. No HDMI unfortunately, but DisplayPort makes up for the lack of it, IMO.

I wouldn't mind optional speakers to be rid of cables.
It comes with a couple of speakers built in. The sound quality sucks, but they'll get the job done for basic stuff.

Whatever else might be more future-proofing, such as 120 Hz or what not, would be a plus. I'm not too versed in this new type of display so any input would be appreciated. My 30" (HP LP3065) has had such a long life-span. (it still sells for more than what I paid for 3 years ago)
Like LED-backlighting, you're only going to find 120 Hz available in TN panel monitors for a sane price level at this point.

I have a strong brand preference - not because I'm loyal or anything but because I'm likely to get better deals for the following brands: Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, and Toshiba. (they're rather known for TV, I know, hence the deals)
It's made by NEC. They make extremely high quality professional monitors. My original EA231WMi died after about six months of use (after Googling it for similar cases, mine seems to be isolated), and NEC was more than happy to send me a replacement. In comparison, my Dell 2408WFP is about to go back for a second time due to dead pixels, screen flickering, and bad panel uniformity. I've heard of some people returning theirs five times or more.

Overall, the EA231WMi doesn't excel at any one thing; it's sort of the jack of all trades. You get good color accuracy and contrast, a decently large screen, 1080P resolution, a good stand, decent connectivity, and decent support all for under $350 (under $300 if you shop around). That's hard to beat when higher-end TN panel monitors (LED or 120 Hz) are often only $50 less.

 

[lopri]

Do you have a specific price range you'd like to be in? If money is no object, then given your color requirements the Dell U2410 or a similar 24" IPS monitor would be ideal. They're about $500 each though, which means 3 of them would be spendy.

I can't believe that I haven't thought of Dell.. I'm definitely getting old! Thank you for the pointer and it looks like the U2410 meets just about every criterion I listed except the LED part. I love all the input options, too. Do they go on sale occasionally?

I have three screens on my main rig now. Two 19's and a 21", I'll never go back to a single screen. That said though, mine are older and only do 1280x1024 on the 19's and 1600x1200 on the 21 but for the price I can't complain. I'd love to upgrade myself to 2-4 21" at 1600x1200 (or whatever the wide screen equivalent is now) but I can't see spending that much money.

I think I might feel the same way if I go with a 3 monitor setup, though I did have two screens (1600x1200 and 1280x1024) prior to this 30" and of course was floored by the 2560x1600 when I first got it. I still love it but practically I feel the need of more than one screen.. Wish I could afford THREE 2560x1600s.. Does anyone have a few 2560x1600's that are collecting dust without being turned on? :biggrin:

 

[lopri]

You need to tell us how much you're willing to spend...

I've gotta take a look at my book.. I have a brand new Samsung 40" LED TV to sell and am hoping that'd cover the part (or most) of the cost.

 

[lopri]

@CurseTheSky: thank you for the recommendation. I'm going to take a look the NEC EA231WMi later.

 

[s44]

Your options are the Dells, the NEC, and the HP ZR24w and Z22w. None have LED.

 

[lopri]

BTW, I forgot to add one more criterion: No glossy screen, unless if it's Apple quality. Gosh I just checked Apple 24" LED display and it's whooping $700 before tax/shipping. That's definitely out of my budget.

 

[Phynaz]

the U2410 meets just about every criterion I listed except the LED part. I love all the input options, too. Do they go on sale occasionally?

Yes, they do. Also look for coupons, and call! You can get some great pricing from Dell by talking to someone, especially if you get a US call center.

 

[Gillbot]

I think I might feel the same way if I go with a 3 monitor setup, though I did have two screens (1600x1200 and 1280x1024) prior to this 30" and of course was floored by the 2560x1600 when I first got it. I still love it but practically I feel the need of more than one screen.. Wish I could afford THREE 2560x1600s.. Does anyone have a few 2560x1600's that are collecting dust without being turned on? :biggrin:

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have more resolution but I simply refuse to pay for it.

I'd be happy with a small bump from 1280x1024 but to me i'd rather have another screen vs. paying a higher price for more res. I guess you just have to balance the lower resolution of more screens overall vs. a higher resolution on fewer screens and get a number that fits what you want and can afford.

 

[TheStu]

BTW, I forgot to add one more criterion: No glossy screen, unless if it's Apple quality. Gosh I just checked Apple 24" LED display and it's whooping $700 before tax/shipping. That's definitely out of my budget.

Yea, compared to the 27" ($900) that is coming out it is very expensive. The LED backlighting is nice, as is how well it complements an MBP... but whew...

 

[LokutusofBorg]

I have dual 2408WFPs at home, and dual U2410s at work. I looked hard for 24" 1920x1200 monitors, and the only real options are the U2410, the new HP eIPS (z22w? can't remember model number now) which has a few less features than the Dell, and then a couple TNs on Newegg that weren't much cheaper than the Dell.

With our business discount we got the U2410s for just over $400. If you shop coupons or get someone on the phone, as mentioned, you can usually get the same price as businesses get on discount.

I highly recommend the U2410. I love them. I'd like to replace my 2408s at home with them. They're much better.