SGI's 1600SW 5 Years later

[Diablo6178]

Maximum PC in Jan, 1999 gave the SGI 1600SW LCD Monitor a 10 out of 10. Since reading that magizine I wanted that display. In the fall of 2002 I was give the opportinity, SGI was clearancing the remaining inventory on this monitor for $600 with the required PC adapter. Since owning this monitor for nearly 2 years I find it to be a great display. The question that I have to pose now is how does it stack up against the current comsumer level displays that are out. Granted the monitor is a bit odd when compared with a Dell 2001FP, there isn't a direct spec list to compare it against, it is a 16x9ish viewing angle, and SGI was very closed mouth about specs for the display regarding pixel response etc...

I imagine there are a few people out there who have this monitor like I do and are curious about how it would compare to a newer 17" or 20" display. What are your opinions on how this monitor stacks up today?

 

[Falloutboy]

looking at some reviews of the monitor it looks like its still a deceent monitor but my guess is the responce rate is a little lacking so it ghosts a bit during gaming. but for 500 bucks 2 years ago it was a steal and is still worth close to that

 

[Diablo6178]

I haven't noticed any ghosting on mine, but then again I'm more intent on playing the game then on seeing if pixel refresh is slow. Anyone notice it with theirs? Or know someone who has?

 

[jkresh]

Got mine in summer 2001 (price had dropped from 3200 to 1200, model was already discontinued). Haven?t noticed any legitimate ghosting (even when playing ut2003-2004, farcry...). As far as I can tell none of the current 17inch widescreens compare with it, possibly some of the 15inch notebook screens (wuxga,wsxga), and certainly the 22-24inch widescreens, but if you like widescreen (which I due) then no way to compete without spending upwards of $2000.

 

[Hadoken00]

I just bought an SGI 1600SW on Ebay and I am salivating to get it up and running. For those who have not kept up with this monitor, you can get it for around $250-$300. There are now 2 DVI converters that allow you to run this monitor with modern day DVI cards. Both cost roughly $275. So this is basically a $550 LCD widescreen PC monitor. The only other LCD monitor at 1600 pixels across (in this budget) is the Dell, which is at best $750. If you have to have widescreen and you are on a budget, this is it.

 

[Diablo6178]

It's good to hear that people are still interested in purchasing these and that I'm not alone in my lack of ghosting.

 

[Pete]

FYI, it was reviewed at GamePC.com, which rated its pixel refresh highly (despite a stated spec of 25ms, IIRC).

 

[Edgy]

I've had this monitor with multilink for about a year and still trying to figure out exactly what it needs to turn it into HDTV capable display.

The info on the web says you need an RGB adaptor, but there are so many different display adaptors out there, I can't figure out exactly what product they are referring to.

If anyone has a direct link to such an adaptor a post would be appreciated - and I hope it's not too expensive.

Otherwise, as a computer monitor, it is excellent. DVD movies, games, etc., I've very rarely noticed ghosting and when they do happen, it is brief and certainly not unbearable.

Btw, got lucky and got one that had a 3M touchscreen panel professionally installed (so it's a touchscreen, either by connected pen(more accurate) or anything else you wanna use (including finger)).