Monitors

[Justb]

Hey everyone,
I'm in the market for a new Computer Monitor. Don't really want to go any higher than $450-500 AUD. Does anyone out there know of a good performing LCD in that range. TIA

[surenj]

Depends on application but if you want generally good monitors (even for amateur photo editing) you can check DELL. They have great after sales service and cheapish prices. Good luck.

[kevinnugent]

ASUS also have a good range. I saw a very nice 24" for sale at JB HiFi the other day.

Kevin

[who]

What size are you wanting as there is a size v quality tradeoff.

Some LCD's are 6 bit panels, others are 8 bit (and attract a higher price).

I have a Dell 2407 WFP-HC Ultrasharp - a 24" widescreen 8 bit panel. You are lucky to get one of these for $700-800 though.

But you can choose either a 20"or 22" ultrasharp I believe.

A lot of other LCD monitors are 6 bit.

[ATJ]

I have just got a great monitor (and need to write something up in the equipment reviews) but it is a bit out of your price range - closer to $1,000. My work bought mine for me (I work from home) so I didn't have the pain of purchasing.

The monitor is the ThinkVision L220x from Lenovo. It is a 22" wide screen LCD that does 1920x1200 and has fantastic colour and contrast. It has been getting great reviews: PC World

[bouyant_clown]

Hi Justb,
i think that you may struggle to find what many will consider to be a great lcd monitor for photography for under $500. Generally you'll want to avoid the cheaper TN panel based screens as they are considered to have a poorer colour reproduction performance than other types (PVA, MVA & IPS).
It is at the stage where it is almost impossible to find anything but a TN based screen below a 24" size (and hence below $500).
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/
Can help you find screens utilizing the preferred panel types (and explain the differences in more depth).
As mentioned some of the larger dell screens (24"+) are good and on the cheaper end of the spectrum (when on sale). 'Hazro' are also a newer brand on the market (only in the UK at the moment i believe) that have a similar price point (they use the same panel manufacturer as apple use for their 'high end' screens)
cheers,

[Ivanerrol]

Aren't Dell just re- badged "other" suppliers screens?
They formerly re-badged Sony lower end CRT's.
Who is supplying their LCD's?

[who]

Aren't Dell just re- badged "other" suppliers screens?
They formerly re-badged Sony lower end CRT's.
Who is supplying their LCD's?

Don't know - but I think they manufacture their own LCD screens in Malaysia.

They source LCD panels from a variety of suppliers, I know in my laptop they have screens from both Samsung and LG Philips available (mine is a LG Philips).

Don't know who they get the panels for the 24" Ultrasharp monitors from.

[bouyant_clown]

I think that there is only a very limited number of companies that actually make the panel that fits into the LCD screen (around 5 or so world wide)
The Dell 24" screens use a panel made by Samsung.

[Justb]

thanks 4 all the tips. I ended up going with a Samsuntg 22". Very nice. Only wish i had a DVI output frmmy computher now. Scrolling Vertical lines ;-(

[wider]

justb if you have a desktop machine, pick up a cheap video card that is compatible with your computer. these days even the cheapest card is guaranteed to have a DVI connector. should only be around $50

[ATJ]

You shouldn't get vertical lines from using a VGA connector. I'm driving my 22" LCD from a VGA connector and the picture is perfect.