What happened to the Samsung 215tw?

[Aquila76]

Great. I finally need a new display (CRT is finally dying after 12+ years) and the LCD I decide on after weeks of research is basically all-but unavailable, way over MSRP, or non-refundable/exchangeable. I've been told by a couple vendors (CompUSA & NewEgg) that this model has been discontinued by Samsung. I did see it available at ZZF, but there's no refund / exchange if I'm unhappy with it. All the local stores are out with no shipments coming in or only have the floor model that is either unsellable or somehow damaged.

Is there anything else like this monitor available under $500? Basically I want at least 1680x1050, widescreen, height / tilt / pivot (tall vs. wide), and DVI / component input. I'm not too keen on the LCDs with OptiBrite or equivalent as my PC is in my living room and usually gets hit by either the sun or room lights.

If enough 215tw owners say I should just buy the damn thing, I'll pull the trigger on it. By way of background, this'll be my first LCD, I mostly watch DVDs/videos, and like to play a gamut of games (Half-Life, Need for Speed, Oblivion, Tomb Raider, etc.). I'll most likely be getting an 8800GTS or ATI competition in a bit, so I don't think the resolution will be an issue.

Thanks in advance!

 

[WaTaGuMp]

IMHO this is the best monitor in the area of size quality and price hands down. There was info about it being discontinued a month or so back and places like Office Depot were blowing them out at insane prices. If you can get one I give it a reccomendation, I was one of the early buyers to post here about how I thought it was a good monitor. The 8800 series also really makes this thing look good, being a new GTX owner I am glad I got the card over a 24" monitor, which I will still get down the road. Below is some info on new ones coming also.


Text

 

[gpgofast]

According to our Dell salesman for our Corp., Samsung is in the middle of fullfilling a HUGE federal order for the 21 Inch Monitors. We ordered 50 of them in November and Dell was unable to fill the order untill February at the earliest...they replaced our order with Dell 2407 widescrreens

 

[imported_Wolfkin]

Odd, just checked four of our largest computer webshops in Sweden and all of them got several in stock.

 

[IlllI]

my guess is they are getting discontinued due to the cheaper 22 inch models. not everyone is tech-savvy. people probably go for larger and cheaper with little idea why the smaller 21 inch model is more expensive..

 

[McArra]

It's a superb monitor, I just love it.

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
IMHO this is the best monitor in the area of size quality and price hands down. There was info about it being discontinued a month or so back and places like Office Depot were blowing them out at insane prices. If you can get one I give it a reccomendation, I was one of the early buyers to post here about how I thought it was a good monitor. The 8800 series also really makes this thing look good, being a new GTX owner I am glad I got the card over a 24" monitor, which I will still get down the road. Below is some info on new ones coming also.


Text

Good info. It doesn't look like those have the pivot function or component input, however; unless you get into the $700 24" model. Granted I can only base this on Google-translated Chinese websites. I think I'm gonna just go for it.

 

[Hadsus]

I also went from a CRT to LCD in October and really like my new Sammy 215tw. It doesn't kill your eyes like alot of LCDs with overbearing brightness and is a good transition for CRT users. Too bad you weren't in the market a few months ago because I bought it from Office Depot for $399 then they tacked on a $100 mail in rebate (which, BTW, they are still holding on to.....I hate what some of these companies do with rebates). Some people complain of input lag in games though I haven't seen it and it is slightly slow compared to a CRT for FPSs.

 

[Aquila76]

OK, I found that CompUSA near me had one they used in the training section that wasn't mangled. I'm planning on picking it up tonight. Last chance to talk me out of it!

 

[Hadsus]

Just make sure right away that it doesn't have input lag or it is something you're sensitive to. Also, make sure you get a DVI cable....those monitors come with one.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

No reason to talk you out of it since its Comp Usa, if ya dont like it you take it back easily.

 

[kef7]

I also picked one up at OD for around $325 after the rebate. I wasn't really in the market for an LCD but I picked it up and have no regrets. Mine has a slight amount of backlight bleeding but it isn't very noticeable.

If you can't find the Samung you might want to try the Gateway2185wfp.
Here is a thread at slickdeals talking about this.

 

[sodcha0s]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
No reason to talk you out of it since its Comp Usa, if ya dont like it you take it back easily.

Yeah, after they tack on a 15%re-stocking fee if the item isn't defective. You gotta watch that place, they don't call it Comp USSR for nothing.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: kef7
I also picked one up at OD for around $325 after the rebate. I wasn't really in the market for an LCD but I picked it up and have no regrets. Mine has a slight amount of backlight bleeding but it isn't very noticeable.

If you can't find the Samung you might want to try the Gateway2185wfp.
Here is a thread at slickdeals talking about this.

They do bleed on all 4 corners but reduced by setting brightness and contrast down.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: sodcha0s

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
No reason to talk you out of it since its Comp Usa, if ya dont like it you take it back easily.

Yeah, after they tack on a 15%re-stocking fee if the item isn't defective. You gotta watch that place, they don't call it Comp USSR for nothing.

Hmm I have NEVER paid a restocking fee at Comp Usa, is this something on certain items cause I havent bought anything really priecy from them since my Geforce 4 days and even then I dont remember any restocking fees.

 

[Hadsus]

Originally posted by: sodcha0s

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
No reason to talk you out of it since its Comp Usa, if ya dont like it you take it back easily.

Yeah, after they tack on a 15%re-stocking fee if the item isn't defective. You gotta watch that place, they don't call it Comp USSR for nothing.

Actually I called CompUSA when I was researching this monitor last summer. They told me there *is* a restocking fee which is why I never paid them a visit. Of course what they say and what they do can be two different things.

 

[sodcha0s]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: sodcha0s

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
No reason to talk you out of it since its Comp Usa, if ya dont like it you take it back easily.

Yeah, after they tack on a 15%re-stocking fee if the item isn't defective. You gotta watch that place, they don't call it Comp USSR for nothing.

Hmm I have NEVER paid a restocking fee at Comp Usa, is this something on certain items cause I havent bought anything really priecy from them since my Geforce 4 days and even then I dont remember any restocking fees.

Yeah I think you're correct, it just so happens that monitors are one of the items. I bought mine there and paid ~$540 with tax. Just a week or so later is when Office Depot was clearing them out for $325 and I was stuck. I guess I actually still would have come out ahead even with the $81 or so restocking fee, but my monitor was (is) perfect and I just didn't want the hassle of returning it.

 

[Hadsus]

Speaking of Office Depot and their rebates....I sent mine in the first week of September (for $100....I said October earlier in the thread but I was wrong as I checked the receipt today). And it's still in processing. What a joke.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: sodcha0s

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: sodcha0s

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
No reason to talk you out of it since its Comp Usa, if ya dont like it you take it back easily.

Yeah, after they tack on a 15%re-stocking fee if the item isn't defective. You gotta watch that place, they don't call it Comp USSR for nothing.

Hmm I have NEVER paid a restocking fee at Comp Usa, is this something on certain items cause I havent bought anything really priecy from them since my Geforce 4 days and even then I dont remember any restocking fees.

Yeah I think you're correct, it just so happens that monitors are one of the items. I bought mine there and paid ~$540 with tax. Just a week or so later is when Office Depot was clearing them out for $325 and I was stuck. I guess I actually still would have come out ahead even with the $81 or so restocking fee, but my monitor was (is) perfect and I just didn't want the hassle of returning it.

Fees are so lame what ever happened to keeping customers happy so they bring back business.

 

[Aquila76]

Well, that was a disappointment. They wouldn't knock anything off the price of the heavily (but 'professionally' they told me) used 215tw.
In the meantime, I was able to grab a spare monitor from work today as I found out the office manager finally approved replacing the CRTs with LCDs.I'm a little dismayed that my work monitor is better than my home monitor, but meh. A crappy 19" is better than a dying 21".
Thanks for everyone's input, I'm sure I'll be back when March/April hits and the CES products are available!