Which 19in monitor?

[Evilmage]

My viewsonic 21in just died on my. Thats a first if I say so, its had it time, got it as a gift(boy was I happy), but I can't afford one myself.

I'm looking for a 19 inch monitor that is the following: (In order of importance)

1 - Easy on the eyes, I use the computer way too much, and my eyes are bad enough, don't need to go blind.
2 - Image Quality

Things that don't matter
1 - Price (As long as its not crazy)
2 - Size
3 - Company

Many have recommended the Samsung 950P, but that series is discontinued. Which is the replacement? 955DF? Its pretty cheap and the specs are the same, so I was hesitant to get it.

Any monitor that rivals the Samsung 753DF is my friend, I have fallen head over toes over this monitor ever since I got it for my son. But its not quite big enough for me. The image quality on this thing rocks(got it on a deal last summer for $90 in hot deals forum).

I like viewsonic also, but they're pretty pricey, and I'm sure there's some that are equal or even better then them. I just haven't went monitor shopping for so long.

BTW - What's the desired refresh rate for the eyes? I run at 1024x768, since any higher seems to irritate the eyes (probably just the bad refresh)

 

[Daovonnaex]

The Hitachi CM721F the best image quality I've ever seen, and it's about $250. It's a shadow mask, so no annoying wires.

 

[MizadChizad]

Try NEC's 19" MultiSync FE950+. You can find them for around $300 on pricewatch.com. Fantastic monitor, very sleek looking too (especially in black). It's the same monitor that Alienware uses by the way.

 

Samsung 900nf, second only to the top sony imo.

 

[Evilmage]

oh man, so much for the usual one-sided tip

in cpus, its AMD, INTEL
in mobos, its ABIT, ASUS
in Cases, its Antec, Tai

What's a good place to see the monitors? Compusa has a limited quanity of low quality monitors. A bunch of compusa and no name branded 15 and 17 inches.

 

[jiffylube1024]

How old was that Viewsonic that died? I'm curious as to how many years you got out of it (if it's below 3 years, it's still under warranty I believe).

The "easiest image on the eyes" is clean, non flickery (high refresh rate) text that you can read (ie. not tiny text that you have to squint and distort your vision to see).

 

[Evilmage]

Nah, my friend/mentor had it for 2 years at least, and I've had it for 2, so that equals about 4 or more

 

[nRollo]

If you want a bright monitor for gaming, get a Sony. I've been seeing things in games I didn't know were there w/o having to crank up the gamma and wash it out. I've been running my monitor brightness at 40-50%, which I've never been able to do with a shadow mask.
You can see the damper wires when you have a flat white screen, very faint, but you never will in a game.

 

[DJediMaster]

I would go for Sony if $ is not a concern. Nec or samsung otherwise. Neoseeker recently put up a roundup of 17"/19" monitors.

 

[PEZCORE]

I have the Samsung 955DF, its a great quality monitor for the price

 

[ConnyG]

I have seen two Hitachi CM772 and a Samsung 950p in action. Both are shadowmask CRTs and with both I noticed a barely visible "pattern", however my eyes got strained after looking at the screen for some time. I don't know if this is an effect of fine-pitched shadow masks (never saw it on my 17", has seen it on all 19" and some never 17" shadow mask CRTs I've seen) or if it is because of my eye problems.

Anyway, I have a Samsung 959NF (replaces the older 900NF) now and I love it. I only notice the lines if I am looking for them, but that is quite personal. Some never notice them and some are bothered by them all the time.

Compared to my 5 year old monitor almost any new monitor gives lightyears better sharpness and clarity. I had to adjust the image slightly to get it perfect but now is is sharp, bright and stable. I can definately recommend it!

If you have the possibility, go to a store (or friends) and look at a few different monitors, both shadowmask and trinitron/diamondtron and see which type you are most comfortable with. And make sure whoever your are buying from has a decent return policy so you can return it if it isn't top notch.

Specifications for Samsung 959NF
19" (18" Viewable)
Face: FST Deflection: 90o Pitch: 0.25mm (H)
Video Signal: separate H/V, composite SOG (BNC Option)
Horizontal Frequency: 30 - 110 KHz Vertical
Frequency: 50 - 160 Hz
Max Resolution (based on VESA GTF Timing): 1920 x 1440 @ 73Hz
Recommended: 1280 x 1024 @ 85Hz
Factory/User modes: 8/10
Display Size: Typical: 352 x 264 Max: 366 x 275
Power:AC90-264VAC, 50/60Hz
Power consumption: 110W
Standby Mode: < 3 watts Regulation: EPA/Energy 2000/VESA DPMS
User Control (Display Director): Brightness, Contrast, Position, Size, Zoom, Rotation, Pinbalance, Corner Focus, Moire, Side Pin Corner, Degauss,
Input Type (D-Sub/BNC), Recall, Languages, OSD Lock/un-lock Plug & Play: DDC 2B/2Bi/GTF
Safety and EMC: TUV GS,MPRII, TCO99
Windows: 98, ME, 2000 compatible. Highlight Zone
Set Size (WxHxD) (mm): 440 x 454 x 461 Weight (Kg): Set/packaging: 19.0/21.5
Acessories: Install driver, manual, natural colour software
Options: USB Hub

Good luck!