LCD Monitors.

[Matt H]

Well I just bought a shiny new computer-box from the computer-people but I need a good monitor to go with it.

Budget= $450 TOPS. Preferably less.

Must fit within a 53cm spot on my computer desk. (so that means actual dimensions, not screen size).

What are good things to look for in a monitor? I hear mutterings of "refresh rate", "frames per second" "mumble mumble". Is HD something to look for in a computer monitor?

I'll probably be getting a 19" due to aforementioned constraints...

Help would be much appreciated.

[Breaka]

You can get a descent 22" for $450, don't think that your budget will only allow for a 19".

I was in the same position as you a couple of months ago. After a bit of research from various sources this (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS22MEWSFV/XAA) one came out the winner. I've heard no real bad reports about it and it exceeds any of my expectations.

Check out the thread I created and I think that'll answer your tech related questions. http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=109296

[Spike-X]

Mate, you can get a decent 19" widescreen for half of what you've budgeted.

[Matt H]

19" is probably the biggest that will fit on my desk, lol. :o

[Spike-X]

Well there ya go, you'll have a couple hundred bucks left over.

[Matt H]

Spike-X - Sweet :D

[NH_]

dont get fooled for anything below 8ms refresh rate, because they dont actually do from black to black, they do grey to grey, not that you can notice any difference below about 16ms anyway

ive had a benq for years now, if i was to get another lcd it would defiantly be a benq, i even had to repaired for free under warranty a couple of months back, real good customer servers and so on

[Matt H]

Thoughts on the LG "L196WTP-BF"?

I think it'll probably be the go.

[Sov]

I just measured my 22" widescreen - an Asus vw222u. It's 51.5cm wide so would just fit on your desk.

I did a fair bit of research prior to purchasing and ended up buying it a few weeks ago for $320. If you're looking at 22" widescreens, the pick of the bunch from my research is the Samsung 226bw, closely followed by the Asus. The Samsung can typically be found around the $300 mark now (I should have waited!) Take a look at staticice:

http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=samsung+226bw

[wombat]

I've typing this on a 226BW now. It's definately a nice enough monitor, and the extra screen real estate is great (came from a Samsung 730BF 17").

I seem to have gotten a C-panel monitor though, and I'm quite glad I never paid the ~$700 rrp for it. The colour profile is pretty shitty, which worries me a bit when it comes to any graphics work. I've tried the colour calibration software that comes without much luck. I probably should invest in a hardware calibrator, but they're not cheap, and not something I can see myself using a lot.

For what it's worth, the backlight bleed is pretty bad on my monitor too, but that's something that really has no impact on me as I don't really use it in the dark.

For the $370 that it cost me (should have waited a couple of weeks and saved $40 bucks) I'm happy with it, but it's a shame that what was meant to be the standout in the class has actually been affected by the colour issues due to the panel changes.

[maxwolfie]

Yes, +1 for Samsung 226BW - It's 51.25cm in width so it will fit on your desk

Best LCD for the money

[ajay]

Yes, +1 for Samsung 226BW - It's 51.25cm in width so it will fit on your desk

Best LCD for the money

+2..............