Any opinions on ~27in, "cheap" monitors?

[ZeroOne]

So I "accidentally" started clicking around on newegg one day... and now... "need" a new monitor.

With so much out there, it struck me as odd that a 27-27.5" could be so cheap. (Red flag, right?) I know it is not a high-rez Dell or similar... not LED backlit, not 120hz, but... I'm on a very small budget. It IS 1900x1200, 27.5", and the screen it would be taking the place of are side-by-side 20" 4:3 viewsonic vp201b @ 1600x1200, 16ms response, 400:1 contrast, 250 cd/m2 brightness. So tired of the 4:3 aspect ratio.

Is there anything particularly WRONG with this choice, considering what I'm replacing?? Is there something similar in the same price range that could be better? I'm a light gamer, and only really play things like TF2, Portal and whatnot. Just want more screen real-estate and to set up a 3rd / main screen to push the 4:3 20's to the sides.

OLD monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...285R-_-Product

New:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254052

Thanks!! (sorry for such a generic question....)

[cubemaster27]

nothing is "wrong" with that monitor imo

although I would like to point out these features: contrast ratio and response time are not that great, they are for the price range but not great for doing graphic design or watching movies.

I'm also looking for a new monitor for doing graphic design and movies and I was going to go with this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001379

70000 contrast ratio VS 15000
2m/s response time VS 3m/s
Samsung VS Hanns-G

So for $30 more its a MUCH better deal because of those 3 rounds and Samsung is number 1 in the industry for displays so you are buying a quality product that will last you a while.

I am torn between two worlds right now, I either want a 27" or dual 24" - I can't make up my daum mind....

[Johnny87au]

why not go with the 26" asus vw266h monitor, 1920x1200 @ 2ms.. great monitor!

[RacingTurtle]

Agree with both of the above. As soon as I saw the thread I thought of the Samsung P2770H which is a fantastic monitor.

In the long run you'll probably regret buying that Hans G when you couldve spent $30 more and gotten a MUCH better display.

I was seconds away from buying one when I got the go-ahead from my boss (wife) to buy the Dell u2711!

[ZeroOne]

Definitely trying to stay with the 1200 height (16x10) ratio. Thank you for the suggestions... an extra $30 isn't that big an issue, for the quality difference. That's what I was paranoid about... missing out on features for a small price bump.

The 25.5" asus looks good.... 27.5" sounds better on paper but I'd like a decent quality as well. The bezel on that 25.5 looks reasonably thin as well. Nice for side by side displays.

I am torn between two worlds right now, I either want a 27" or dual 24" - I can't make up my daum mind....

That's a tough decision... after using dual monitors for like 6 years, I could never go back. Not even for the bigger screen... (which is why this upgrade will just have to sit between the two older 20's.)

[cubemaster27]

Yeah lol it is a tough decision so I asked a good 20+ people their opinions and literally all 20 said to go with dual. So dual it is, I just have to find something that totals under $500 and most def samsung brand.

Any suggestions for 24"??

[RacingTurtle]

Dual 24":

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001378

Or if you really want LED backlighting and it'll go a touch over $500 but dont care about HDMI:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001389

[YukonTrooper]

The Viewsonic VP201b uses an S-IPS panel and that Asus 27" uses a TN panel. There's a good chance you might puke all over it, especially considering it's size, since the off-axis viewing for such a large TN is horrible, unless you'll be sitting 6 feet away.

That's not necessarily a small budget you're working with. Go with a PVA/MVA/IPS @ 24". Way better quality all around.

[ZeroOne]

The Viewsonic VP201b uses an S-IPS panel and that Asus 27" uses a TN panel. There's a good chance you might puke all over it, especially considering it's size, since the off-axis viewing for such a large TN is horrible, unless you'll be sitting 6 feet away.

That's not necessarily a small budget you're working with. Go with a PVA/MVA/IPS @ 24". Way better quality all around.

Wow, so the old viewsonics had good screens... good to know. How can I find that info on the actual panel type? Any good pages with info?

I'm fine with something like a 25" if it has a higher quality screen. Is this screen TN?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...047&Tpk=vw266h

I guess some more googling is in order.


EDIT:
I'm sitting here at work with a laptop hooked in to a Syncmaster 226bw which is TN. I think I see what you mean... the center of the screen has great color, but the edges (because I'm only a foot away from it) seem different. The color seems off, until I re-center myself. It's not bad... maybe a little more yellowish until re-centered by leaning.... great... now I'm watching for it.

[ZeroOne]

Ummmm... yeah... forget IPS for now. I'll live with the color change.

Here is the IPS version that compare to the smaller viewsonics...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824116422

$900 vs. $280-350 for 1920x1200 in ~25.5-27.5 size.

Looks like I'll be living with TN for a while... cheap screen real estate is better than none! Liking that Asus 25.5...

[YukonTrooper]

You definitely don't need to spend $900.

Here's the Dell U2410 which is a real nice unit: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=320-8277

You can usually find it for about $100 less when Dell has them on sale.

[ZeroOne]

^^^ Agreed... was just trying to compare similar sizes. I'd love to have the quality of the old 4:3 20" screens I have, but in a 16:10 25-ish.


I found this one that seems nice... though its only a 24". I can't figure out why it's $100 MORE than the Asus 25.5". Is there a huge quality difference in teh brands? Both are TN it seems. Height adjustable is nice though, and the bezel looks much thinner on the Samsung.

Samsung:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001371


Asus:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...047&Tpk=vw266h

[Johnny87au]

Ive owned both monitors well the 24" version of the samsungs, ended up getting 3x asus monitors, should see my setup its crazy 3x monitors.. As for performance the asus has better specs hands down!

[RacingTurtle]

I just have to find something that totals under $500 and most def samsung brand.

Any suggestions for 24"??

Budget is going WAAAAAAYYY over $500 guys...

[cubemaster27]

Dual 24":

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001378

Or if you really want LED backlighting and it'll go a touch over $500 but dont care about HDMI:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001389

I saw both those monitors and yes I need HDMI. I don't think I saw a single samsung display on newegg that I haven't read at least 20 reviews and studied its specs haha. And sorry Zero for "stealing" your thread lmao, I didn't mean to.

I think I am going to go with those P2450H monitors, now the question is where can I get them for a great deal. The cheapest retail I have seen was $240ish. Is there anywhere I can go for cheaper prices? (preferably not craigslist, already checked.)

[cubemaster27]

Okay so frys electronics sales add dropped today and there is a 23" lG monitor with the same specs as the samsung except for the contrast ratio. The lG is 50,000 VS 70,000 on the samsung. Price is greatly different, $120 difference PLUS you get a free color inkjet printer by rebate when you purchase the lG. If I do graphic design should I take the contrast ratio into consideration?

[RacingTurtle]

I might be wrong but i think most of the Samsung and LG panels are the same arent they?
Dont believe contrast ratio - its all marketing hype. Few can do better than the other - 1000 to 10000 is the max almost any LCD can do.

[YukonTrooper]

I might be wrong but i think most of the Samsung and LG panels are the same arent they?
Dont believe contrast ratio - its all marketing hype. Few can do better than the other - 1000 to 10000 is the max almost any LCD can do.

Yes, most of them are all cheap TN panels, which is the same for the majority of other companies; however, LG, in conjunction with Phillips, makes the IPS panels found in high-end monitors, such as the Dell U2410, HP LP2475W, many of the NEC professional monitors, etc. I do not believe Samsung has any IPS equipped monitors. Samsung, on the other hand, makes the PVA panels also found in high-end monitors, such as the Samsung 245T, Dell 2408WFP, etc. MVA panels, similar to PVA panels, are developed by AOU and are found in other various high-end monitors, such as the BenQ FP241V and my very own LG 245WP, both of which are from 2007 and still beat 90% of what's available on the market.

And, please, people, don't go by manufacturer specifications. Always go by measurements done with professional hardware. Most monitors fall in the 600:1 - 900:1 range.

[ZeroOne]

And sorry Zero for "stealing" your thread lmao, I didn't mean to.

No worries... I'm still trying to figure out what I want and hadn't ruled out 24s either... Trying to get as much info as I can.

[cubemaster27]

Yeah so I splurged and bought those LGs, kick my old monitors a$$. Hopefully they will be worth the price I paid for them. Now if only I can get the windows taskbar to extend the full length of both monitors....

[RacingTurtle]

Yes, most of them are all cheap TN panels, which is the same for the majority of other companies; however, LG, in conjunction with Phillips, makes the IPS panels found in high-end monitors, such as the Dell U2410, HP LP2475W, many of the NEC professional monitors, etc. I do not believe Samsung has any IPS equipped monitors. Samsung, on the other hand, makes the PVA panels also found in high-end monitors, such as the Samsung 245T, Dell 2408WFP, etc. MVA panels, similar to PVA panels, are developed by AOU and are found in other various high-end monitors, such as the BenQ FP241V and my very own LG 245WP, both of which are from 2007 and still beat 90% of what's available on the market.

Ah thanks - nice to have some more info. Seems like the monitor/display industry is in quite a mess, manufacturers are almost blatantly lying about specs and performance.

[RacingTurtle]

Yeah so I splurged and bought those LGs, kick my old monitors a$$. Hopefully they will be worth the price I paid for them. Now if only I can get the windows taskbar to extend the full length of both monitors....

Your software can do that for you....

[cubemaster27]

Your software can do that for you....

Yeah I downloaded MultiMon and it works great

[ZeroOne]

For anyone that is curious, I ended up getting the asus 25.5". Just hooked it up... been on for about 20min now.

It is pretty nice. Not as plastic-y as it looks online. The bezel is thinner than the images on newegg seem. The stand is a little wobbly, but, if it's not on a folding table, you'll be fine.

It is much brighter than the other monitors. Had to tone it down a bit. There is definitely a difference between the IPS panels to either side (tri mon) and this TN being in the middle. There is a slight color change off-center, mostly with vertical changes. Left to right isn't as bad. I planned on it being dead-center, so no big deal, but something to mention. As you move around in the seat, you can see, at the top corners of where the IPS and TN screens meet, the TN darkens and lightens as you move up and down in the seat, where the IPS looks exactly the same. For me, this isn't a big deal considering the price.

Also, the stand is not height adjustable and sits somewhat low compared to the other monitors. Going to find something to set it on, to give it an extra inch or two of height.

Haven't had a chance to do much else with it yet besides having a move play while typing a few things. So far so good though. Looking forward to TF2 on it.