Buying a LCD in the next day and need advice

[blakerwry]

typically vomit boxes come in 2 or 3 boxes... one for the computer, keyboard , mouse and software(the main system)... Then a seperate box for the monitor and another box for the printer... if you get a computer w/ a scanner I'd imagine that might come in yet another box or perhaps be bundled with the printer.

I've never seen a vomit box complete system sold in 1 box... I would think though that macs might be sold in a single box.. especially iMacs

 

[i]

I note that Amazon has low-end 14" LCDs on special for $150 right now, and I'm seeing low-end 17"s at around $300.

Wow...do you have a link? The cheapest one I could find on their site was a CTX at $250.

 

[Mercutio]

No link. The brand was Kogi.

I saw a 17" NEC .26dp 400nits at Sam's Club for $289 on Sunday.

 

[Handruin]

I fired up photoshop to run a quick pixel check and I noticed only one pixel that was stuck on when the screen is entirely black at the bottom left corner. (very hard to notice unless I was really looking for it)

I check each of the primary colors, white, and black and only black displayed a stuck pixel. I'll probably take it back, but my luck would bring another monitor with multiple stuck pixels.

Maybe You should try to test it ín the store?

You Americans always have much lower prices, plus the discounts. I didn't see 1760V anywhere here yet, so I can't compare. How much was the discount? We did have an offer for Medion 18,1"; 448 Euros. 1280x1024, 25 ms claimed. Don't know about the quality...

In comparison Samsung 172T is around 600 Euros, whereas Pricewatch has the cheapest prices around $550. [Hmm... I thought that the difference would be larger... Well, one $ isn't exactly one Euro...]

Cheers,

Jan

I'm not sure why it was so much cheaper here...but the rebate is for $50 USD.

 

[Handruin]

I don't think I would go through that much trouble for one pixel. Is it even noticable during normal usage? If not then do you really care?

The stuck pixel is not noticeable under normal use, and it's even hard to see with 100% black. It' about 1/4 inch from the bottom left edge of the screen. Truth is, I guess I don't really care, but knowing that it is there is bothersome...If this is the norm, so be it. I've never had an LCD, and I've never really looked for dead/stuck pixels so it may be way more common than I know.

I'm debating taking it back...I have 14 days so I'll try it out for a few more days to ensure no more become stuck. If they don't then maybe I'll keep it. Like I mentioned before, chances are the replacement may have more...

 

[Pradeep]

I would definitely return it if I had the option. I have a single stuck pixel on my i8200, fortunately the 133dpi makes it difficult to see. It appeared after the 30 day money back guarantee from Dell so I didn't have the option of exchange.

My 2000FP is pristine so far (touch wood).

 

[Fushigi]

Well, I was hoping to delay it a little longer but the old generic switchbox I've been using to switch monitors between my PC & my wifes is failing. This leaves me with two choices:

1. Buy a new KVM. A good one this time.
2. Buy a new monitor.

The PCs will be split apart eventually anyway so I'm leaning heavily away from getting the KVM as it'd be a temporary solution and a monitor would be needed later anyway.

So I'm starting to check out monitors. My desired specs:

1600x1200 capability. More would be nice.
80Hz refresh at max resolution if going CRT.
Flat screen.
3+ year warranty.
LCD preferred but not likely due to ...
$500ish price limit. I'll pay more if needed but would rather not.

It looks like a 20"+ CRT is what I'll wind up with. Any recommendations as to products/vendors to look at or avoid? I've no particluar loyalties at this point.

FYI, I've an aging GeForce2 GTS I've been using for a few years. That'll be the video card for the moment. At some point it'll be replaced with an AIW 9x00.

 

[Mercutio]

You might be able to get away with an 18" LCD at that price point, if you dropped the hard requirement for 1600x1200.

You could also do a flatscreen 21" CRT if you were willing to accept a lease returned display. In fact, I'd say that's you best bet.

 

[blakerwry]

I'd look at the better Mitusbishi/NEC or Samsung CRTs... CRT prices have gone down to hell lately, but you'll still pay a pretty penny for a top quality 20" CRT... my guess is you'll be spending most of that $500.

 

[Fushigi]

I don't really want to have to settle for 12x10 res. Even 16x12 is lower than what I want to run but is adequate. I'm a resolution junkie. :lol:

I've looked a little this morning and I may have to up to $600 to get what I'm after.

A couple of choices I've come up with so far include the Viewsonic P225f and the Iiyama Vision Master Pro 514. Both are around $600 street. The Iiyama has better specs but is harder to find.

Samsungs don't tend to have a high enough refresh rate; the ones I've seen are capping out at 70Hz or less and I definitely see flicker at anything less than 76Hz.

I'll see what NEC/Mitsu has to offer.

 

[mubs]

If you're open to reconditioned LCDs and 21" CRTs:

Merkortech

Overstock - $2.95 shipping, $15 coupons at techbargains

 

[CougTek]

The Samsung 900NF is able to display 1600x1200 on its aperture grill at 85Hz and it can be purchased for less than 300U$ at Legend Micro. Text will be quite small though, but if you're like Pradeep, it shouldn't bother you.

 

[Fushigi]

This Dell P1130 looks pretty nice @ $279 plus $55ish s/h. It comes with a 1 year warranty. Here's Dell's specs page.

While checking the lease-return IBM P260 at Merkor, I found it's been superceded by the P275, which looks really good and even does DVI. But the cheapest I see it at is around $650 including s/h for an 'open box' with a 3 year warranty.

So what me and my budget have to figure out now is, is it worth nearly double the price to get a moderately better monitor with a much better warranty?

 

[Fushigi]

So a few minutes ago I strolled into Microcenter and picked up a NEC/Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 930SB for $329 + tax. I could have saved $30 or so buying online but this way I avoid shipping damage issues and I get to hook it up tonight.

The used monitors were very tempting, and a good deal if I was insistent on a 21"er. But for just a few $ more the NEC/Mitsu is new and has a 3 year warranty. Power consumption & heat generation should be a little lower, which will recoup the cost difference over the useful life of the monitor.

I currently plan on running it @ 1600x1200 @ 88Hz and may goose the res up when doing image editing.

I also picked up an inexpensive Belkin 650VA/360W ($44 after rebate) to support my wife's PC in it's new location. I still have to repair/replace my SmartUPS 1000XL, whose battery died (again). What, are these batteries only good for 2 years nowadays? This on an (originally) $650 UPS?

 

[e_dawg]

The Samsung 900NF is able to display 1600x1200 on its aperture grill at 85Hz and it can be purchased for less than 300U$ at Legend Micro. Text will be quite small though, but if you're like Pradeep, it shouldn't bother you.

Would be too fuzzy at 1600x1200. Trust me.

The Mitsu DPro 930SB is based on the next generation DiamondTron aperture grille tube, I believe (the 900NF is based on the earlier version), which is a little brighter. I am not sure if it is sharper at high res, but I think the Mitsubishi electronics have a better reputation than Samsung's at high video bandwidths.

 

[e_dawg]

So a few minutes ago I strolled into Microcenter and picked up a I also picked up an inexpensive Belkin 650VA/360W ($44 after rebate) to support my wife's PC in it's new location. I still have to repair/replace my SmartUPS 1000XL, whose battery died (again). What, are these batteries only good for 2 years nowadays? This on an (originally) $650 UPS?

You got yours to work for 2 years? That's pretty good! Yup. The short life of UPS batteries is the reason I am not running any UPSes at the moment, and haven't been for quite a while now! (not to mention that with the exception of that freak power outage we had in August, the power grid has been absolutely rock solid; I can't remember the last time the power went out)

And, being in Canada, it's even worse. It's a PITA trying to order replacement batteries from the US. Most of the places that carry UPS batteries don't ship to Canada. And the ones that do probably don't have the battery you need in stock. In the end, it's cheaper and easier to buy a new UPS every 2 years... although I don't do it because it's expensive, downright wasteful, and harmful to the environment.

 

[blakerwry]

UPS batteries only last 2 years?

 

[Fushigi]

You got yours to work for 2 years? That's pretty good! Yup. The short life of UPS batteries is the reason I am not running any UPSes at the moment, and haven't been for quite a while now! (not to mention that with the exception of that freak power outage we had in August, the power grid has been absolutely rock solid; I can't remember the last time the power went out)

I live in ComEd territory. A good stiff breeze and power fluctuates. A UPS is practically mandatory.

I can get a replacement battery for $145, battery + new UPS warranty + app update for $190, or APC has a trade-in program (up to 40% off the replacement). Tax + shipping = $20. Or I can buy from another vendor. Futz, I don't need this expense right now.

BTW, if buying replacement batteries from APC they say they'll be environmentally sensitive about battery disposal and I do believe they'll ship to Canada. The trade-in is available in Canada.

 

[Howell]

I buy my batteries locally, at an electronics supply store. The last battery I purchased was for an APC and cost $15. I think it was a 240 or 420 VA.

 

[Pradeep]

I can get a replacement battery for $145, battery + new UPS warranty + app update for $190, or APC has a trade-in program (up to 40% off the replacement). Tax + shipping = $20. Or I can buy from another vendor. Futz, I don't need this expense right now.

Last I looked CompUseless had APC BackUPS XS 1500's for $200. Has six battery backup outlets and two surge outlets. It can also take an additional external battery to triple runtime. Works fine for me, lasts about 20 mins with the duallie on it. I got it for $150 when they had an instant savings.

 

[Handruin]

I think we've had UPS discussions in the past here, it might be worth searching. I've had good luck with my cyberpower 1250AVR. The panels says it has about 35 minutes run time with two machines and a monitor connected. I think it was around $120 after rebate when I bought it. I'll have to go check.

 

[e_dawg]

I just ordered the APC Back-UPS RS 1000VA unit from www.buyuptime.com . The best thing about them is that they offer free shipping on these heavy UPSes -- even to Canada! CDW was going to charge me $98 US to ship that unit to Canada via UPS (a UPS shipped via UPS? LOL...).