Widescreen monitor recommendations

[cpuchimp]

Dell are good. Hope you get what you want. Remember to come back with a review.

[MSIC]

Just so that you get a more rounded picture (although this may not help you to make a quick decision), have a wander around here:
www.widescreengamingforum.com

[fat jez]

I got my Belinea 10 20 35 W on Saturday and I love it. I've gone from dual 17" TFT's to a single 20" display and don't feel I need the extra screen now. Picture is very bright and clear, with some slight back light bleed around the corners (but nowhere near as bad as the NEC 1760 it replaced). Saying that, all TFT monitors seem to suffer from this to an extent.

Only gripe is that you can't adjust the height, but my desk has a shelve for the monitor anyway, so this isn't really a huge problem.

Did I mention that HL2 looks amazing on it?

I would concentrate more on finding a display with a good panel, rather than the manufacturer. There is some excellent information on thin different panel types and which displays use them here: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1039222

Cheers,
Stephen

[Pie_uk]

view sonic all the way

[davidstone28]

www.tftcentral.co.uk
www.behardware.com

[bigblue]

If you're possibly upping your budget I'd go for the NEC 20WGX2.

I've had one for a couple of weeks now and it's genuinely awesome. I know people on forums describe everything and anything as awesome but even my missus had her jaw thouroughly dropped when she used it. It's the most impressive bit of PC gear I've bought since my GeForce 2 GTS

I had always held off of buying a TFT of any sort and was one of those "you'll never catch me with a TFT" diehards but I've totally changed my tune now.

One of the things that put me off of TFT was the crappy black level. I dunno if it's because of the glossy screen on this one conning my feeble brain but it's pretty damn good. As is the reponse time, clarity, colour, PQ, etc., etc. ! I've ran a variety of banding tests, dead pixel tests, screen calibration utilities and I don't see any of the problems which have plagued other similar monitors. The other BIG thing for me was it's ability to display non-native resolutions without stretching them.

I had a couple of minor quibbles with mine and NEC have been first class. The warranty and support are a big deal to me when you're spending £300-400 on a single bit of kit and it's good knowing I've got 3 years with such great support.

Anyway, sorry to rant, I'm just a bit impressed and I've maybe had too much sugar today

[TomViolence]

I've had my Viewsonic about a week now from Scan and am very pleased with it. The picture is extremely sharp and clear and have done quiet a bt of gaming on it and not noticed any ghosting.
I agree with what was said by fat jez that HL2 looks great in widescreen.

[kreeeee]

Hmm... it is a tough decision. There have been a lot of quality control issues with the NEC monitors that I'd really not liek to get stung with.

Edit:

This puts me off a lot:

[bigblue]

I was slightly worried by that very pic (or one similar) but I needn't have been. The only time it's anything like that for me is before I switch the thing on In use I've never experienced anything like that. I'm now a big fan of glossy panels and don't think I'd switch back now.

I would actually have bought the VX2025 had my retailer offered it as I was wary of the gloss coating but in a couple of weeks use with the display sitting next to a window I'm yet to be bothered.

As for the quality control issues, you're worrying me now ! I wasn't aware of any. I've had a problem with image retention of a "burn-in menu". NEC couldn't have been any more helpful and have given me what I hope is a solution and they're more than happy to change it for me if it doesn't work out.

Best of luck with whatever you choose, it's a minefield out there !

[this_is_gav]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to hold out until the end of the month and check my financial situation. I must say I'm severely tempted by a 2407.

If you're gonna go for a 24" Dell, I'd recommened getting the 2405FPW. Older, yes, but there's less issues with it (there's been a lot of initial issues with the 2407), and you get much more versitile inputs on the older model.

The 2405 is only listed as 16ms, but there a bunch of mates have got one now too, and between us all, we're yet to see any ghosting at all. I'd get it over the 2407.

[kreeeee]

I don't think I'll go for the 24" because I'd have to wait too long and I'd like a monitor soone.

[davidstone28]

This puts me off a lot:

Nothing a good barber can't sort out

[kreeeee]

Is the difference between the viewsonic and the NEC contrast ratios noticeable?

[killkoy]

Is the difference between the viewsonic and the NEC contrast ratios noticeable?

I dont think that would be easy to tell unless someone has both monitors side by side, and i doubt anyones got that set up (stands by to be proved wrong)

[bigblue]

There's a fairly lengthy and informative thread over on HardForum about the NEC. I think some of the posters compare it to the Viewsonic near the bottom of page 10:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread....&page=10&pp=20

[kreeeee]

There's a fairly lengthy and informative thread over on HardForum about the NEC. I think some of the posters compare it to the Viewsonic near the bottom of page 10:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread....&page=10&pp=20

Thanks a lot. Is scan the cheapest place to get the NEC and are prices likely to drop anytime soon?