monitor recommendations

[alfio]

hello all

i need to buy a monitor (or two) and i'm having a difficult time with the decision so i thought i'd reach out for some advice.

here's the story: i'm writing my dissertation and it is based on data that is found on approximately 15,000 jpegs. basically i'm going to be on the computer for the rest of my life anyhow, i need lots of screen real estate in order to have the pics opened to the largest possible size as well as a word processing page where i'm transcribing the data on the pics. basically the screen on my T43 is too small and i desperately need more screen.

here are the questions: should i be looking to go with one big monitor or two smaller monitors? what specs do i need to focus on in making my choice? as you can probably tell by now, i'm not a realy savy shopper when it comes to screens so any help would be appreciated.

alfio

ps: i have a docking station for the T43 and it will run two monitors without a problem (i've done it before one a couple CRTs)

[dr_st]

Well, it depends on:

1) Your budget - first and foremost
2) Your desk space - how large it is and how far you sit from it

Typically, two smaller monitors will give more screen estate than one large monitor, at least per $$$ spent (thus, I would compare two 19" monitors to a single 22-24" or two 24" monitors to a single 30".

Depending on the applications and personal usage patterns, one monitor may be more convenient than two, or vice versa.

But this is in general. It will be hard to recommend anything specific until you answer 1) and 2) above.

[alfio]

Well, it depends on:

1) Your budget - first and foremost
2) Your desk space - how large it is and how far you sit from it

1) about $300 at most, around $250 more realistically. 2) i have a huge amount of physical desktop space. two desks, one is 4' x 7', the other a bit small but much more adjustable for height.


thanks for helping me think on this

alfio

[RealBlackStuff]

Dell E2209W 22" widescreen, brand new, $149.99 each
http://www.pcsurplusonline.com/index.cf ... rentCat=35

[pianowizard]

Get a used Dell 2407WFP (24" 1920x1200) on eBay. I love this model and own three. Unlike most LCD monitors out there which use crappy TN panels, this Dell uses either IPS or PVA technology, which you would definitely appreciate. In addition, it includes 4 USB ports, 2 card readers, and you can adjust both its tilt and height. I haven't checked their prices lately but it shouldn't be hard to find one for under $300 shipped on eBay. If you are lucky, you might even find a Dell 2408WFP for that price. It's virtually identical to the 2407WFP but is newer.

P.S. This thread has photos of my rigs: http://67.214.227.38/~thinkpad/forum/vi ... 21&t=52525

[ssd_thinkpad]

Get a used Dell 2407WFP (24" 1920x1200) on eBay.

This is a SPVA monitor with 1000:1 contrast. Very good panel. I use these panels since years and can't go back - even the T60 Flexview panel does not come in the area of these panels.

[dr_st]

Additionally, if you cannot find the 2407WFP/2408WFP for a good price, consider the DELL 2209WA. It's a 22" 1680x1050 eIPS panel, quite a nice one. It's being discontinued, but you should still be able to get it now and it should be much cheaper than the 24" models.

[alfio]

this is really tough! i'm looking all over for a non TN panel that i can actually afford and am not having too much luck.

[RealBlackStuff]

For a very short time only:
ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers
With HDCP support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... _-24236049

[pianowizard]

this is really tough! i'm looking all over for a non TN panel that i can actually afford and am not having too much luck.

Be patient and check for "(2407WFP,2408WFP)" on eBay multiple times a day (copy-and-paste everything within the quotation marks into the search box). Sooner or later, you'll find one with a Buy-It-Now price of under $300. I bought my third 2407WFP on eBay for $115 shipped! But be sure to check the seller's feedback history before purchasing.

For a very short time only:
ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers
With HDCP support

The response time of 2ms indicates that this is a TN panel though.

[alfio]

thanks for all the feedback /comments / advice all

patience is not a problem but i would prefer to purchase new rather than used.

i found this unit which is about the right size, has the right features, and even rotates (a plus for me) but i can't find many reviews on it. what do you all think?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824001332

alfio

ps: i also found it priced below this newegg price

[hausman]

You may find these links useful.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/panelsearch.htm
http://lcdtech.no-ip.info/en/data/lcd.p ... nitors.htm

I don't know how up-to-date or comprehensive these are but they'll confirm what panel technology a particular LCD monitor uses.

BTW while I realize you said you didn't want to buy used you may want to see if Dell sells refurbished off-lease monitors in the US. They do so here in Canada. When they have larger LCD models in stock they sell out quickly because they're quite inexpensive and covered by a 1-year warranty.

[pianowizard]

patience is not a problem but i would prefer to purchase new rather than used.

Buying new is overrated IMO. I just bought a Dell 2408WFP on eBay with a Buy-It-Now price of $275 shipped last week, and received it this morning. It's in like-new condition. This seller has sold a bunch of 2408WFP's and may sell more in the near future. You may want to look him up periodically.

Now my main computer at work has two 2407WFP's and one 2408WFP, with two of them in portrait mode, i.e. 1200x1920!

[dr_st]

Buying new is overrated IMO.

Whenever we are talking about rare-to-fail products (such as monitors), with transferable warranties, and long remaining warranty periods, it sure is!

[BillMorrow]

buy.com has an acer 25 inch 1920x1200 display with very good specs..
about $250..
free shipping..
http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-vw266h-25- ... adid=17070

[Bookworm]

Some people are too snooty too go into such places, but I got a ViewSonic MB110 21" CRT monitor with a 4-port USB hub in the base, stereo speakers, and a built in microphone, for $2.00 at the Senior Center thrift shop.

It was on sale, and an unusual find, but if you watch for these things at places that sell second hand stuff, you can find some really good deals. You will also find a lot of junk, stuff that is worn out, etc., but it's worth looking, especially if you live in a big city.

[pianowizard]

I got a ViewSonic MB110 21" CRT monitor with a 4-port USB hub in the base, stereo speakers, and a built in microphone, for $2.00 at the Senior Center thrift shop.

If one needs the best image quality and doesn't mind the bulkiness of CRTs, a nice flat-screen CRT beats any LCD by miles. The problem is that most of the CRTs that we can get now are pretty old and are no longer in their original condition.

[Puppy]

Additionally, if you cannot find the 2407WFP/2408WFP for a good price, consider the DELL 2209WA. It's a 22" 1680x1050 eIPS panel, quite a nice one. It's being discontinued, but you should still be able to get it now and it should be much cheaper than the 24" models.

Samsung's response to e-IPS panels is called c-PVA: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/monito ... f2380.html

[Puppy]

a nice flat-screen CRT beats any LCD by miles.

No longer. I could compare my old 19" Sony G400P - FD Trinitron tube (the only CRT tube which was really flat even from inside in corners. Other tubes like Flatron etc. were normal CRT tubes with flat screen looking from outside only but ugly thick glass in corners) with NEC 2090 UXi monitor (A-TW-IPS panel) and I don't miss the CRT The only problem is the LCD black color in dark room but the Sony monitor black color was getting more brighter in time as well.

[ssd_thinkpad]

The only problem is the LCD black color in dark room (...)

The brand new eizos address this problem. They can even go down to a brightness of 3 cd/m^2.

[Robbyrobot]

anyhow, i need lots of screen real estate in order to have the pics opened to the largest possible size as well as a word processing page where i'm transcribing the data on the pics.

As a matter of curiosity, why transcribe anything? Modern OCR programs handle stuff like this without too much difficulty.

[alfio]

OCR won't work for the stuff i'm using, (1) they are all hand-written ledgers, (2) they are written in spanish. and, lastly (3) given the frailty of the original documents i was not able to scan anything so all i've got is thousands of jpegs.

alfio

ps: still looking for monitor - hey pianowizard, leave some for the needy

[alfio]

Buying new is overrated IMO. I just bought a Dell 2408WFP on eBay with a Buy-It-Now price of $275 shipped last week, and received it this morning. It's in like-new condition. This seller has sold a bunch of 2408WFP's and may sell more in the near future. You may want to look him up periodically.

Now my main computer at work has two 2407WFP's and one 2408WFP, with two of them in portrait mode, i.e. 1200x1920!

i dunno if you've seen this but you might want to check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNzHrNO8spo

this guy claims chrishonda123 sold him a refurbished 2408 with a 'fake' (i.e. non-Dell) PVA panel. no response from seller on negative feedback.

[pianowizard]

this guy claims chrishonda123 sold him a refurbished 2408 with a 'fake' (i.e. non-Dell) PVA panel. no response from seller on negative feedback.

Even if this YouTube guy is right, it doesn't bother me at all. Perhaps chrishonda123 buys 2408WFP's with broken screens for cheap, replaces the screens with new ones, and then resells them to make some money. I have an acquaintance who does the exact same thing (not 2408WFP's though, but instead all sorts of 19" SXGA LCDs). As long as the new screen is of the same quality as the original Dell screen, it's okay IMO. And indeed, the 2408WFP that I bought from chrishonda123 has a better screen than two of my three 2407WFP's (due to age) and is comparable to my nicest 2407WFP.

On the other hand, if this guy were putting crappy TN screens into these 2408WFP's and selling them for $275 each, then he should be put in jail!

[alfio]

search is over: pulled the trigger on a DELL 2209WA for $199 from dell outlet. now, to work

alfio