New LCD Monitor or A Projector?

[neonplanet40]

Hey guys. Im currently deciding on which parts to buy for my new computer etc and which latop to get. Another thing that has come up is a new screen.I currently have a 19" viewsonic which is great but iw as wonding.

Should i upgrade to one of dells widescreen monitors or should i get a projector? If so which one? It would have to be able to play games do everyday work and be good for films. I know nothing about projectors so your help is greatly needed.

Thanx all

Mark

[iMc]

If the 19" you have already got is good enough for everyday use then get a projector especially for playing games and movies.

That would be my prefered setup, however I wouldn't know which to recommend sorry.

[BrynS]

I'm not very clued up on the latest projectors, although I believe they can be great additions to an HTPC, especially if you're a film/DVD nut, as well as for a bit of gaming. They're not particularly suited to typical day-to-day tasks and desktop use and require a decent size room. The bulbs are also typically quite expensive and need to be replaced quite regularly, e.g. every 500 hours of use depending on make/model. For more info and to find the best projector in your price range I would recommend looking at AVS Forum

If you can afford Dell's 2405FPW you should definately get one -- I know I would buy one right now if I had the spare cash -- it really is a stonking monitor from all accounts. If you're a big gamer, especially of the latest FPS's, I would recommend the fastest GPU(s) you can get your hands on, at least a 7800GT or X1800XL and preferably a 7800GTX or two in SLI or an X1800XT, to run games in it's massive 1920x1200 native resolution. If your system struggles with a game at that res, the monitor's scaling is apparently quite good, but you'll want the fastest card you can get. The monitor's price seems to have jumped significantly on Dell's own site over the last few weeks, currently costing £942.35 incl VAT & Shipping direct from Dell, however there are some good deals about -- there was a link in Hexus.Bargains recently offering the monitor for £530 inc, but I'm not sure if it still stands -- worth looking around.

I haven't looked into the laptop scene for a while either, but have read good things about AMD's Turion processor, so if I was buying a laptop now I would probably look for a Turion equipped model. If you're looking for thin and light though I don't believe that the ULV Centrino's can be beat and Dell always have pretty amazing deals right the way through to high-end gaming DTR's.

Cheers,


BrynS

[DeludedGuy]

Projectors are a lot more expensive in the long run.

My m8 decided to get one and loved it for the first few months, then he ended up spending another £350 6 months later to replace the bulb.

He has replaced the bulb a further two times since purchasing it 2 years ago. He uses it all the time, he hates it now.

He has an Epson btw.

[neonplanet40]

£350 for a bulb? Screw that. Id rather get 2 Tft's tbh

Mark

[Workaholic]

Even though hyou can get a large picture with a projector, the bulbs can cost more than the projector and are not easy to get hold of, last year they were sold for £600-£700 each whereas you could get a new projector for that price.

So unless you have a company paying for your outgoing expenditure, get monitors instead and work with a smaller desktop or even better, a 52" or 60" plasma screen!

[obvious]

I'd wait for some true HD ready HDMI 1080i native LCD TVs are available and the price comes down. Give it another year at the outside.

I have the Dell 2405fpw at the moment for PC use and it really is a corker. I think there are some deals floating about for around the £500 price point on this monitor

[Dark Horse]

If you've like to do a bit of modding why not combine the two? When I get a bit of spare cash this is my next project

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20041113/index.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20041201/index.html

[DR]

I would get one as an addition not as a primary - for the pure reason you wouldn't want to get through bulbs and they also take time to warm up.

I have an AE700 - which rocks, but I don't use it as a PC display - its for my HTPC

[neonplanet40]

I would really like one but i mean i watch a lot of films and i dont want to be shelling that much out for a bulb every few months. I mean for the prices of them bulbs i could get the new gen of ati graphics or a dell 20" lcd etc.

Mark