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Rightly, next on my list of "New bits of hardware I need, and must therefore learn about" is a monitor.
I've done a bit of reading, but I'm bound to have missed a few things.
First off... what type to go for?
I can see my main choices are TFT or CRT...
If I go for CRT, I'll likely get a much bigger screen for the same price, able to support a higher resolution, but also there's slight distortion at the edges and a smaller-than-listed *actual* viewing area. Not sure how this is affected in a flat screen CRT?
TFT will be a smaller screen, but a smaller, lighter, and much nicer looking monitor. Also it's not bombarding light at you, so there's not the same eye-strain, and I do use my computer an awful lot, so this could be a big factor. I've also heard that TFT's tend to be designed for a certain resolution, and don't quite resize perfectly, or something like that. Can anyone elaborate on that?
Cost is an obvious factor... TFT's have been dropping in price fairly rapidly for the last couple of years. Is it worth perhaps waiting another six months, or have they stabilised?
What should I look out for if I'm going for either one?
I know I need to check the refresh rate at different resolutions and the supported resolutions for whichever I go for. Also viewing angles on TFT's. Anything else which is important?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
I've done a bit of reading, but I'm bound to have missed a few things.
First off... what type to go for?
I can see my main choices are TFT or CRT...
If I go for CRT, I'll likely get a much bigger screen for the same price, able to support a higher resolution, but also there's slight distortion at the edges and a smaller-than-listed *actual* viewing area. Not sure how this is affected in a flat screen CRT?
TFT will be a smaller screen, but a smaller, lighter, and much nicer looking monitor. Also it's not bombarding light at you, so there's not the same eye-strain, and I do use my computer an awful lot, so this could be a big factor. I've also heard that TFT's tend to be designed for a certain resolution, and don't quite resize perfectly, or something like that. Can anyone elaborate on that?
Cost is an obvious factor... TFT's have been dropping in price fairly rapidly for the last couple of years. Is it worth perhaps waiting another six months, or have they stabilised?
What should I look out for if I'm going for either one?
I know I need to check the refresh rate at different resolutions and the supported resolutions for whichever I go for. Also viewing angles on TFT's. Anything else which is important?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
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Hitachi are a good make, their TFT's are some of the best around. But, they are a bit pricy.
Turbonutter wrote:
> cookie monster wrote:
> Anything over 1024*768 is pretty unnessecary.
>
> Ha that is such tripe!
I tend to live on 1280x1024 which is ample for most things, but My Mac is set to 1600x1200 for print, 3D and proofing work
> cookie monster wrote:
> Anything over 1024*768 is pretty unnessecary.
>
> Ha that is such tripe!
I tend to live on 1280x1024 which is ample for most things, but My Mac is set to 1600x1200 for print, 3D and proofing work
cookie monster wrote:
> Anything over 1024*768 is pretty unnessecary.
Ha that is such tripe!
> Anything over 1024*768 is pretty unnessecary.
Ha that is such tripe!
I'm surprised Alan's the only person to have mentioned response time - it's a fairly major issue if you're looking to watch DVDs/play games. I'd agree with 16ms, mixed experiences with anything higher than that, though 20ms is usually fine. I believe most other important things have been said - I'm looking for one myself at some point, I'd love a 17" at 1280. I can't bare looking at 17" screens running at 1600, Rob's the only person I know to actually do so, so the resolutions the screens are designed for aren't too much of an issue imo.
Personally I'd go for a 17" Samsung, LG or possibly NEC, as long as the response is 16ms and the res is 1280x1024 (should be £300-£400)
Personally I'd go for a 17" Samsung, LG or possibly NEC, as long as the response is 16ms and the res is 1280x1024 (should be £300-£400)
Turbonutter wrote:
> That's not strictly true - I don't do artwork and I love my 1600x1200.
> Whether you need to squint or no is up to you though, heh.
>
> This is a 17" by the way. And it's crystal clear to me.
Its just me then - I find some text too small to read. And some previously easy buttons to click on, like the little icons in the system tray, are now a nightmare. Just me though.
> That's not strictly true - I don't do artwork and I love my 1600x1200.
> Whether you need to squint or no is up to you though, heh.
>
> This is a 17" by the way. And it's crystal clear to me.
Its just me then - I find some text too small to read. And some previously easy buttons to click on, like the little icons in the system tray, are now a nightmare. Just me though.
Meant to add that I have a Dell 15" TFT screen, can't fault it at all, even for games it's great :)
umm, the 17" or 19" CRT Monitors do require planning permission from some local councils.
If you want a TFT then you should be buying them now. We were talking about them in my local PC shop and the prices are set to rise because demand is outstripping supply.
As far as the whole CRT's have higher resolutions argument goes, it really doesnt matter. Anything over 1024*768 is pretty unnessecary.
They really are the bees knees in comparison to a CRT, i couldnt go back. I save so much space.
As far as the whole CRT's have higher resolutions argument goes, it really doesnt matter. Anything over 1024*768 is pretty unnessecary.
They really are the bees knees in comparison to a CRT, i couldnt go back. I save so much space.
Check out prices on ebuyer.co.uk before parting with your cash.
Id reccommend TFT any day. I have two of them:
LG 1701B 17inch 1280x1024 DVI 75hz 16ms response time (voted best mid range TFT by What PC! for £349)
Dell 17" Basic TFT, VGA, 1280x1024 75hz 23ms response time, it does well as a second TFT for dual head! @ £299
FOr gaming you really need something with a 16ms response anything above causes problems. As for higher res, Iyama do a 19" TFT with a res of 1600x1200 for £499! I also recommend DVI for any TFT as the difference is quite remarkable.
LG 1701B 17inch 1280x1024 DVI 75hz 16ms response time (voted best mid range TFT by What PC! for £349)
Dell 17" Basic TFT, VGA, 1280x1024 75hz 23ms response time, it does well as a second TFT for dual head! @ £299
FOr gaming you really need something with a 16ms response anything above causes problems. As for higher res, Iyama do a 19" TFT with a res of 1600x1200 for £499! I also recommend DVI for any TFT as the difference is quite remarkable.
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