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Old 08-01-2008, 05:57 PM   #1
MonsieurFish
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Default Help buying a new monitor

Hey, so my monitor just died on me today and it looks like I have to buy a new one. I was hoping to get some input on cp to recommend a good one. I also have some questions:

1. Is it worth getting a wide screen or a dual screen or whatever they are called?

2. Does a bigger monitor make the pixels just seem bigger... making the overall quality of the image worse?

3. Where should i buy this monitor from?

4. How does this one look? http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

Thanks

Last edited by MonsieurFish; 08-01-2008 at 06:01 PM.
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Old 08-01-2008, 06:18 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MonsieurFish View Post
Hey, so my monitor just died on me today and it looks like I have to buy a new one. I was hoping to get some input on cp to recommend a good one. I also have some questions:

1. Is it worth getting a wide screen or a dual screen or whatever they are called?

2. Does a bigger monitor make the pixels just seem bigger... making the overall quality of the image worse?

3. Where should i buy this monitor from?

4. How does this one look? http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

Thanks
1. Widescreen is good for watching HD movies, if you're going to do that. Dual screen is good for multitasking.

2. Since you're likely getting and LCD, generally no. In fact, to get more pixels you have to go for a bigger monitor. I.e. 1920x1200 (perfect for 1080p) = 24" (what I have), 1650 x 1080 = 20"-22". The pixel size stays roughly the same.

3. No clue. I got mine from Futureshop.

4. That one looks good. Mine's a Samsung and I like it. If you want to watch HD videos on it you might want 1920 x 1200, but that would take you into a different price range.
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Old 08-01-2008, 06:20 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MonsieurFish View Post
1. Is it worth getting a wide screen or a dual screen or whatever they are called?
Widescreen monitors are nice. I really enjoy using them a lot more then just a standard square monitor.

Dual screen means two monitors :P

Quote:
2. Does a bigger monitor make the pixels just seem bigger... making the overall quality of the image worse?
lol no. The resolution of the monitor is increased which makes the image fit the monitor.

Quote:
3. Where should i buy this monitor from?
Anywhere really, just do some price checking. Are you looking for local or online?



Quote:
4. How does this one look? http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN
Looks decent to me. Basically, you want to check out the max resolution, the contrast ratio, and the response time. The resolution is pretty standard fare for that monitor, and the contrast ratio and response time are quite nice.

But really, you can read all the stats online and not get a feel for it. Go to the store and see if there are any models on display. And also check it out on www.cnet.com to see if its been reviewed and make sure there are not any glaring issues with it. I couldn't find this product on cnet, but there was a similar one that didn't appear to have anything bad about it.
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Old 08-01-2008, 06:24 PM   #4
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Unless you are a programmer or graphic designer, a widescreen is probably better than dual screen, or better yet two wide screens

When using two screens keep in mind that playing a movie or a game only one screen will be used.

LCD monitors come in set resolutions and larger does mean more pixels (which means more usable area), but they usually go up in jumps.. so in widescreen monitors they start at 1440 x 900 for 17" and 19" ones.. 20" to 22" ones are usually 1680 x 1050.. 24" to 27" usually 1920 x 1200 (or sometimes 1920x1080), and then 30" is 2560 x 1600.

So between monitors with the same resolution, bigger monitors will just mean bigger pixels, though usually not enough so to make the image "worse", but it's a subjective thing.

I usually suggest getting monitors from places like FS or BB just because you can return it if you don't like it and try something else, but usually they don't have the monitors that I like, but I'm picky.

Something like that Samsung is not bad, personally since I game and do some graphics work I won't go for a monitor like that since the image quality is going to be not as good as monitors that use a superior technology, but it always depends on what you are doing with it.. many people are fine with that kind of monitor.
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Old 08-01-2008, 06:33 PM   #5
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Quote:
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When using two screens keep in mind that playing a movie or a game only one screen will be used.
Unless it's Supreme Commander.

Also, if you're using SLI (although I don't get the impression that you would be), dual monitor isn't supported at all.

Windows, however, is more friendly towards dual monitor than widescreen for opening different programs side-by-side (e.g. Firefox + Word).
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Old 08-01-2008, 08:46 PM   #6
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Thanks guys. I just hit up futureshop, and i believe it is now between these two:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10099507&catid=

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10093981&catid=

the second one has a reflective screen... so you can see behind you like a mirror if you focus right. the first one doesn't.

Any professional opinions? All i can see is the 3000:1 vs. the 8000:1 contrast ratio, which i doubt makes difference, the 0.4 " difference, and the gloss factor.
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Old 08-01-2008, 09:59 PM   #7
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The first one has DVI and the second one only analog, if you ever want to hook up an HDMI source then the first one is a better choice, and typically DVI (digital) is associated with a better quality image but at that resolution there's probably no difference.
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Old 08-02-2008, 02:18 AM   #8
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I just bought 2 of the 21.6" samsungs earlier this week. I only have one hooked up right now and I'm really happy with it. Running in 1650x1200 is pretty sweet (was using a 17" 5 year old lcd before though). 2ms response time is a good feature as well, although they both have it. For $50 the marginally larger screen wasn't worth it for me.

I give it my lowest rating: 7 thumbs up.
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Old 08-02-2008, 05:10 PM   #9
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Woot. Bought the 21.6" one about an hour ago. Posting from it now... and so far very impressed. Thanks for the help.
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Old 08-06-2008, 08:44 PM   #10
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Sorry to semi post something OT, but I figured it sorta fit.

Just posting on my new 24' LCD Samsung, 1920x1200 res, that I bought today, man, when I pulled it out of the box and put it on my desk, I was actually a little stunned at the size. Seemed huge.

After using it for a couple of hours, its pretty nice (General websurfing, word processing was my greatest fear of the large monitor), as I primarily bought it for gaming/movies. Have actually yet to try any games yet *Stupid Warhammer beta patches*, but overall love it, huge jump in size for me going from 17' to 24.
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Old 08-07-2008, 12:22 PM   #11
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Did you buy one yet? If not you should check out memory express just to compare.

I have one of these:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...20087(ME).aspx

and I LOVE it.
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Old 08-07-2008, 02:07 PM   #12
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I have a Dell 27" WS and a Samsung 20".

For me I like the dual screens so that I can see msn while I am playing a game.

Anone interested in the Dell, Its very very very very very nice (also very $).
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