Recommend a monitor!

[Knocks]

Hey guys. Looking for a new monitor and thought I'd ask for recommendations on AnandTech. The following features are must-haves, anything else is a bonus:

Must have:
- 27 inches
- 1920x1080
- Speakers built in
- Not curved

Would be nice:
- modern/slim design
- thin bezels
- matte screen

I bought a Samsung from Staples two months ago (about $300, forget which model), and it was a gorgeous monitor with great sound, but I work on documents a lot, and the text looked distorted on the edges because it was a curved screen, so I took it back. Samsung only makes that model curved, and it looks like I need a flat screen.

 

[4K_shmoorK]

How about the BenQ EW2750ZL?

• 27" AMVA 1080p
• High contrast
• Thin Bezels
• Matte Screen
• Speakers

$200 on Newegg. Also has low-bluelight mode and can do 75Hz with no dropped frames.

Here's a pcmonitors.info review of the panel.

If not, really any well reviewed (professional or consumer based) 27" 1080p panel from a reputable brand would probably work out for you. This is an interesting choice, mainly for its > 3000:1 static contrast. Will really make the display 'pop'. Also has no PWM or bleed as noted in the review. Response times/lag isnt top notch but if you aren't doing any high-end gaming, then you should be fine playing games too.

 

[Knocks]

Thanks for the recommendation! I have put that BenQ on my list, although several reviewers are complaining about the quality of the speakers (I don't need high-end audio but still want decent sound for YouTube videos and what not).

Also added this Asus MX series refurb to my list. Only $154.99 with free shipping from Newegg, 6 month warranty (doubled to 1 year by Visa/Mastercard). A brand-new version is $260, also an option.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236606&cm_re=MX279H-_-24-236-606-_-Product

 

[4K_shmoorK]

Thanks for the recommendation! I have put that BenQ on my list, although several reviewers are complaining about the quality of the speakers (I don't need high-end audio but still want decent sound for YouTube videos and what not).

Also added this Asus MX series refurb to my list. Only $154.99 with free shipping from Newegg, 6 month warranty (doubled to 1 year by Visa/Mastercard). A brand-new version is $260, also an option.

Sure. In general, I do try to stay clear of refurb displays. In my experience, there are a fair amount of 'refurbs' that were actually just returns. That ASUS is an AHVA panel, notorious for IPS glow (excessive orange tint in dark scenes in the corners of the panel).

Not to say that will be the case, but I have gotten panels with glow and/or dead pixels when purchased as refurbs.

Also, a cheap pair of satellites will blow away whatever built-in speakers can offer. Can get these for $30

 

[Knocks]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind about refurb AHVA panels. My desk space is extremely limited, so I'm pretty set on internal speakers.