New monitor time

[peterb]

The time has come to replace my existing 17" monitor. The main use will be standard office type apps, a bit of photo-editing, and occasional DVD watching.

The two I have looked are are these:

After Hours Computers - NEC MultiSync LCD2070NX White 20" LCD Monitor

which is a 20" NEC monitor with an S-IPS panel

After Hours Computers - NEC MultiSync LCD2070WNX 20" Monitor

Which appears to be the widescreen equivalent - although I can't find it on the NEC website, but I assume (for the price) that it is a TN panel.

Anyone used either of these, or have any thoughts on an alternative? (I'm not bothered about the built in hub - nice to have but not essential)

[staffsMike]

I believe I have used that NEC widescreen. Quite a nice screen but fairly expensive.

Is that the budget (£300 or less)?

Did you want standard or widescreen?

Do you want 20" or would you prefer bigger?

questions, questions

[Optical668]

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

This any good?

[this_is_gav]

Grab that 24" OcUK monitor. I know it's OcUK, which many don't like, but it's pretty much the definition of value of value for money.

[peterb]

Budget is around £300 or so - 20" is about the size - I don't want it to overpower my desk (I use a 17" at the moment - and a 17" NEC 1770NX at work - and it is very easy on the eyes! As for widescreen - I don't know!! It would be better for DVDs etc, but I don't anticipate using for that much - important aspect is clarity and brilliance. On the odd occasion I watch DVD's on the present monitor, I don't find the letterbox effect too distracting (and gives a bit of blank screen for the DVD palyer 'control panel'. Graphics card is a Nvidia based 7300.

[staffsMike]

I can thoroughly recommend my screen at that size,

Dell Ultrasharp 2007WFP 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Midnight Grey

it's getting on a bit now but it's still one of the best screen's i've used. It also has, DVI, VGA, S-Video and Composite components, PIP/PBP.. all in all I love the thing but I would prefer the 24" version.

You can also get a standard screen version
Dell Ultrasharp 2007FP 20.1" Performance LCD Monitor - Midnight Grey

[this_is_gav]

Budget is around £300 or so - 20" is about the size - I don't want it to overpower my desk (I use a 17" at the moment - and a 17" NEC 1770NX at work - and it is very easy on the eyes! As for widescreen - I don't know!! It would be better for DVDs etc, but I don't anticipate using for that much - important aspect is clarity and brilliance. On the odd occasion I watch DVD's on the present monitor, I don't find the letterbox effect too distracting (and gives a bit of blank screen for the DVD palyer 'control panel'. Graphics card is a Nvidia based 7300.

I know what you mean about widescreen, but the larger the resolution, the better widescreen is. At 24"+ and in some instances 19 and more commonly 20" you can have multiple applications all visible at any given time. For productivity work I find it a God-send. I struggle to work on my 19" monitor at work so much so that I had to get an old 17" to compliment it, and I'm not a big fan of multiple screen set ups.

It depends on how you want to go about it, but I'd bet that if you got a 24" screen you'd struggle to adapt to a lower res screen afterwards - it's hard to appreciate just how useful they are. At the sub-£300 price point I'd consider something else, but in the end if I bought something smaller I know I'd quickly start regretting not getting that 24" for the same money.

That said, for gaming I feel a 20" is ideal - 24" is very good, but there's just so much screen to look at it's probably a hindrance in fast-moving stuff. Gaming wise I only really play racing simulations, so it's of benefit to me as obviously I sit further away from the screen when using a wheel and pedals.

[peterb]

I know what you mean about widescreen, but the larger the resolution, the better widescreen is. At 24"+ and in some instances 19 and more commonly 20" you can have multiple applications all visible at any given time. For productivity work I find it a God-send. I struggle to work on my 19" monitor at work so much so that I had to get an old 17" to compliment it, and I'm not a big fan of multiple screen set ups.

I take your point - I use the multiple virtual desktops in linux all the time, and really miss them when I have to use windows. Any thoughts on the panel technologies? (The widescreen version is TN - the conventional aspect ratio is S-IPS)

[this_is_gav]

I'd consider anything other than a TN to be honest, and that includes a USB-controlled etch-o-sketch.

[peterb]

I'd consider anything other than a TN to be honest, and that includes a USB-controlled etch-o-sketch.

Well I had pretty much decided on the conventional aspect ratio on the wy home - until I saw your comment about the convenience of the WS - but the WS is TN! (Which I guess is why it is cheaper)

[godsdog]

dabs.com - HP "£35 Cashback" LP2065 20"TFT Panel (EF227AT#ABU)

^^ Quick heads up. TN but it's a nice view normal screen (despite the two user review moans - check other reviews out, I like it but went for the syncmaster 204B). If that's right and it's £35 cashback on £252 (usually 300) then it makes it a sweet deal. 31st deal turns to a pumpkin, I think.

[donkiddik]

Samsung syncmaster 206BW, 2ms 3000:1 contrast, great monitor and had no probs with at all.

[this_is_gav]

Samsung syncmaster 206BW, 2ms 3000:1 contrast, great monitor and had no probs with at all.

Panel lottery, and frankly at those 'specs', it's gotta be a TN.

[peterb]

looked at the Samsung - and the panel lottery and ruled it out.

[Sk!mD4Rk]

If you decide to go widescreen, consider one with swivel capabilities. Believe me, web browsing, PDF viewing, ebooks look sweet in vertical mode. I have the old Dell 2405 FPW which i bought from somebody off hexus (can't remember who) best bit of kit i ever bought.

[peterb]

Npot many mfrs state what the panel technologies are - the only widescreen NEC do that isn't TN is this one

After Hours Computers - NEC MultiSync LCD2470WNX Silver 24" LCD TFT

Which is a tad on the pricey side and a bit large. It doesn't swivel for a vertical format either (although looking at a vertical format in that size and the size of the stand would make it impractical.

So the next question is, how much of a difference in practice does using a TN screen, as opposed to S-PVA or the other technologies, make? (Given that I have quite happily used TN screens for the last 3 years or so)