Why does my Samsung LCD have a HORRIBLE viewing angle?

[NeoPTLD]

I'm using the computer at school's lab and I just realized this 17" Dell 1702FP has a viewing angle like that of a CRT. Brightness doesn't change much regardless of what angle I look at.

The Samsung 710M I have at home on the other hand, changes brightness massively with changing vertical viewing angle.

Why is this?

 

[Dimos]

It looks like your tft monitor has a TN Panel and the Dell at your school a PVA or IPS panel. You can see the difference for your self, maybe there are more panels out there, but as far as I have read LG and Philips use IPS, in some models, other manufacturers use SPVA or MPVA, which are boosted PVA panels, in some models as well.

 

[Ike0069]

Yea, one drawback of TN panels is a reduced viewing angle. If you're the only one looking at it though, it shouldn't really matter.
Now if you're using it to watch DVD's with friends and family gathered around, then you shouldn't go with a TN panel anyways.