Need help picking under $400 19" monitor

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markrb

Senior member
Nov 21, 2001
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I bought a Samsung 900NF from Staples a few months ago. Generally I liked it, but the one I got
was defective. I tried to hold onto it until they got more in to replace it, but the time came when I
had to move and since I could show a pattern of trying to get the monitor replaced Staples took the
defective one back even after over a month.
Now I have finished my move and I am looking to get a new 19" monitor. Dell has some decent deals
this weekend, but shows the 900NF as a 1-2 week ship time. This leads me to believe they very well
might be having supply issues just like Staples was. I don't want to sit in limbo for weeks.
The 955DF is in stock, but I am not sure it will suite me. I can get the 900IFT for close to what the 900NF
sells for, but that seems like an older lower spec monitor.

What should I be looking at in the under $400 or even better under $350 price range for a 19" monitor that
I might actually be able to get?

Thanks,
Mark
 
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badrocket

Junior Member
Sep 14, 2002
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i'd recommend a NEC FE991SB over the samsung model. it uses a superbright diamondtron tube, allowing for 3 levels of brightness. crisp white on black text on the standard level. and the higher levels make dvds and games look really amazing imo. should be under $300 online.
 
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markrb

Senior member
Nov 21, 2001
357
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That link goes to a subscriber only page. Do you have a non subscriber link?

Thanks,
Mark
 
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markrb

Senior member
Nov 21, 2001
357
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0
Just got back from a rather fruitless look for some of the monitors mentioned.
I went to Circuit City, Best Buy, CompUSA and Staples and out of all of those
only the Samsung 955DF was to be seen and I had already discounted it anyway.

The search continues. I am starting to learn towards the NEC or the Iiyama Vision Master Pro 454, if
I can find it at a good price.

Edit:

After reading the PcWorld article referenced above and other user reviews from Pricegrabber and elsewhere
I do think that the CTX might be my choice. I just wish I could see one before buying it and taking the chance
of shipping such a heavy item back if I don't like it.

Thanks,
Mark
 
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markrb

Senior member
Nov 21, 2001
357
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0
I have narrowed it down to these three choices.
In no particular order.

1. CTX PR960FL $345
2. Dell P992 $316
3. NEC FE991SB $230

All these prices are shipped until Monday only with Dell's current sale and the $25 off $200.
The CTX is not avaiable at Dell so I used Pricegrabber and pricewatch to get the price.

The CTX and Dell look very much alike. Both have good reviews and the only thing on the Dell was
the pre-sale price was considered very high, but now with over $60 off it is actually cheaper then the
CTX by a good bit. Are the Dell and CTX really worth $100 more?

Mark
 
ctk1981

ctk1981

Golden Member
Aug 17, 2001
1,464
1
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I have a FE771SB black cabinet model that I recently purchased. This has to be one of the best 17" monitors I have ever sat down in front of. My previous 17" monitor was a Dell trinitron model. The new FE models with superbright button are pretty cool really. It really makes a huge difference when you hit the button for DVD's and games. Super bright basically increases the brightness and contrast by 2X. They also have a program to lower the desktops brightness so you can leave it on all the time.

Now, since you asked about 19". Im sitting in front of a Sony G400 19" monitor that I picked up refurbished about a year ago. No problems what so ever, very nice monitor for the little money I gave for it. I dont know what else to say about it besides its worked great!


I would say the NEC FE991SB is a safe bet and will save you a bit of dough. Just my 2 cents!
 
CubicZirconia

CubicZirconia

Diamond Member
Nov 24, 2001
5,193
0
71
NEC FE991SB $230
Click to expand...

I'm going to be ordering the FE991SB tommorow at dell. I was going to get the 955DF, but I didn't like the low 1600x1200 refresh rate. The NEC has nice refresh rates and as a bonus its black (that will go good with the rest of my system).
 
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Telinar

Member
Feb 15, 2002
123
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Well, you will certainly get noticeably better quality with the CTX, but you have to judge what your money is worth to you. For those that have money to spend or need a high-quality monitor, then it would be worth spending the extra money. If cost is more important than quality, then the NEC does seem like a good monitor for the money.

I bought the Dell P991 with my Dell system a few years ago when it was still pretty expensive. I spent about 3k on my Dell and although the computer is really crappy compared to the systems being sold now, my monitor is still one of the better monitors around. I think what i'm trying to say is that a monitor is a more stable investment than any other computer component. The money you spend here will last the longest.

Even so, the NEC should last a while as well. It's up to you to decide whether it's cost or performance for you.
 
D

dejacky

Banned
Dec 17, 2000
1,598
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CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460 CORNERSTONE P1460.


-dejacky

p.s. Cornerstone p1460
 
Hauk

Hauk

Platinum Member
Nov 22, 2001
2,806
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0
I was in your shoes a few months ago. Was looking for a solid 19" monitor under $ 375.00. Quickly found that while local retail stores could meet that requirement with a name brand (Samsung, NEC, Sony), they were selling mid-level models, or models I found were close to extinction.

In any case, be well researched on the different screen technologies, Invar Shadow Mask, FD Trinitron, and Slit Mask Tubes, such as in the LG Flatrons. Then, pick a solid monitor from each technology. The CTX PR960F is an excellent choice using FD Trinitron technology.

I ended up going with a Flatron 915FT Plus from LG Electronics. A solid monitor combining the two conventional technologies to produce a "Slit-Mask," perfectly flat screen. Excellent specs, has the best anti-glare screen I've seen, and comes with an excellent warranty. Best of all, it can be had for under $300.00 incl. shipping. Opinions are like @$$holes, but do consider this one!

Learn more about various screen technologies and the Flatron at:

Read About Flatron Technology

LG 915FT Plus

Best Place to buy a Flatron!
 
D

dejacky

Banned
Dec 17, 2000
1,598
0
0
people, i've seen some of those lg & nec screens. The image on my p1460 is so stable and solid. Your eyes never get tired. The text is razor sharp as well as the graphics. Please take a look at it or buy a refurbished one from www.monitorsdirect.com. I promise you will not regret it. You will thank me later.

=-dejacky
 
Hauk

Hauk

Platinum Member
Nov 22, 2001
2,806
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0
Wow, you're right Breakbeat. The Viewsonic P95F was my "wish" monitor. When I was looking, they were priced around $ 489.00! What happend?!?

If that monitor is to be had for under $300.00, that's a SERIOUS contender...
 
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markrb

Senior member
Nov 21, 2001
357
0
0
I ended up going for the Dell P992. From everything I read it's almost the same
monitor as the CTX, if in fact just not a rebranded unit.
It has recieved very good reviews and with my eyes being able to give me headaches I didn't
want to play games over a few dollars. If what PCworld and others said about this monitor is
true then I won't be dissapointed. I tend to keep good monitors for years so this was less about
bottom line and more about quality. My 15" NEC I kept for about 5 years, but I also paid like
$450 at the time and I got it for store cost since I worked at CompUSA back in 92.
My first 19" I kept for less then 6 months since the quality was low and I bought purely on price.
A lesson well learned and $250 wasted.

BTW I did consider the Viewsonic and a higher end Sony, but in the end discounted them for various reasons.
For Viewsonic, personally I have never liked their stuff. My old work used to sell a ton of them
and there were many issues and I never thought the image was that great.

Thanks for all your help. I hope I made a good choice visually even if I might have spent a few dollars extra.
I never would have considered the Dell or the CTX if it wasn't for this thread. In fact it was the link to the
PcWorld article that got me into looking into these two.

Mark
 
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