How do I choose a monitor?

nheather

nheather

nheather

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Toying with the idea of a new monitor for Christmas.

I currently have a Viewsonic 19" (4:3 aspect) (1280x1024) and am happy with it. This is a dilemma because whilst I would like a newer widescreen model I'm not sure whether the expense is worth it.

But assuming I go ahead, I've no idea what is a good monitor to get. My requirements are

At least 22" and upto 24"
Upto £200
Black
1920x1080 would be sufficient
Gaming

I quite like the gloss finish you get on laptop screens but I'm not sure that is appropriate or common for desktop screens.

Any recommendations?

Cheers,

Nigel
 
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You have a lot to learn if you are paying any attention to any figures that manufacturers give out. They are absolute best case response times that can occur in a given (probably highly unlikely) scenario. Read our review of the U2211H if you want to learn a bit more about how it handles games and what the responsiveness is like in the real world - it is better than some monitors quoted as having 2ms grey to grey response times. Do you like a glossy bezel (the bit around the screen) and generally 'attractive' looking screen or are you looking for something more functional? What kind of games do you play and what is the model of your current monitor?
 
If you fill that in with the OP's needs it comes up with the Samsung P2450H. That would be high on my list of recommended monitors for him to consider at the moment. :) It depends what his other monitor was, how he found it and what exactly he intends to do with it.
 
What about the Iiyama ProLite E2407HDS 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor.

I was looking on the OCUK shop and this one seemed to stick out

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-051-IY&tool=3


Supplementary Question.

This will be a monitor that I sit in front of at a desk. I currently have a 19" (4:3). I have tried my LG 22" TV in it's place for size and that is fine.

Just wondering what would be the most suitable size for this type of use - 22"? would 23 or 24" be too big?

Cheers,

Nigel
 
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PCM2 said:
You have a lot to learn if you are paying any attention to any figures that manufacturers give out. They are absolute best case response times that can occur in a given (probably highly unlikely) scenario. Read our review of the U2211H if you want to learn a bit more about how it handles games and what the responsiveness is like in the real world - it is better than some monitors quoted as having 2ms grey to grey response times. Do you like a glossy bezel (the bit around the screen) and generally 'attractive' looking screen or are you looking for something more functional? What kind of games do you play and what is the model of your current monitor?
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point taken pcm. by my own admission i know very little, but doing my best to learn :) in fact i have read through almost all of your thread on here about the benq EW2420 as well as the reviews of it and the dell on the site you have linked me to. and still i find myself in a quandary. i am perfectly willing to pay a slightly higher premium if it's worth it, but i am finding it hard to tell these apart from the samsung P2450H which i've also seen you endorsing quite highly on these forums, as well as having now used the above link, the ASUS MS236H which also seems like a fine monitor. it is so difficult to decide! given that i am happy to stretch my budget from 150 up to 250, out of your personal opinion which of these would be the best bet for someone whose major use will be gaming, who is happy with narrow viewing angles and no special features, but just wants good sharp graphics and rapid response times for rts and some fps?

p.s. apologies OP if it seems like i am hijacking your thread with my questions but i get the feeling think we're in the same position, and these all seem to be monitors fitting your description..
 
Walsandrew said:
point taken pcm. by my own admission i know very little, but doing my best to learn :) in fact i have read through almost all of your thread on here about the benq EW2420 as well as the reviews of it and the dell on the site you have linked me to. and still i find myself in a quandary. i am perfectly willing to pay a slightly higher premium if it's worth it, but i am finding it hard to tell these apart from the samsung P2450H which i've also seen you endorsing quite highly on these forums, as well as having now used the above link, the ASUS MS236H which also seems like a fine monitor. it is so difficult to decide! given that i am happy to stretch my budget from 150 up to 250, out of your personal opinion which of these would be the best bet for someone whose major use will be gaming, who is happy with narrow viewing angles and no special features, but just wants good sharp graphics and rapid response times for rts and some fps?

p.s. apologies OP if it seems like i am hijacking your thread with my questions but i get the feeling think we're in the same position, and these all seem to be monitors fitting your description..
Click to expand...

No problem. I didn't mean to sound patronising... I just get annoyed with these barmy figures the manufacturers come out with. They just confuse people (understandably) and make their job too difficult and it ticks me off. :) Given all of this I would say that the P2450H is your best bet at the moment. I do like the EW2420 a lot and it has a semi-glossy screen which you'll probably quite like. Contrast and colour reproduction is a bit better than the P2450H and the like but the responsiveness is not quite as good. The main issue is that there is huge inter-unit variability. Samsung seems a lot more consistent than other manufacturers, from my experience. What you see with the P2450H will be what you get. If you like the looks that's a big bonus, too. I also advise thinking about the B2430H as an alternative but it seems it costs a bit too much at the moment.
 
PCM2 said:
No problem. I didn't mean to sound patronising... I just get annoyed with these barmy figures the manufacturers come out with. They just confuse people (understandably) and make their job too difficult and it ticks me off. :) Given all of this I would say that the P2450H is your best bet at the moment. I do like the EW2420 a lot and it has a semi-glossy screen which you'll probably quite like. Contrast and colour reproduction is a bit better than the P2450H and the like but the responsiveness is not quite as good. The main issue is that there is huge inter-unit variability. Samsung seems a lot more consistent than other manufacturers, from my experience. What you see with the P2450H will be what you get. If you like the looks that's a big bonus, too. I also advise thinking about the B2430H as an alternative but it seems it costs a bit too much at the moment.
Click to expand...

not at all haha. your thread, those reviews and your own posts have all been a great help to me, and this is why these forums are such a fantastic and informative place. just makes me feel stupid why i left it so long before actually signing up! want to make sure to get it at the reduced price so will be ordering in the next couple hours. thanks again :)
 
Just to summarise, and to check my understanding, the suggestions so far are

Dell U221H (£238)
Samsung P2450 (£170)
BenQ EW2420 (£190)
Samsung B2430 (£160)

Of these, the Dell is too expensive and the BenQ is not a brand that I know so would be uncomfortable buying.

The other two look interesting though I'm confused about the B2430 because PCM2, who recommeded it, said it would be too expensive - so not sure I'm looking at the right monitor.

Any views on the Iiyama ProLite E2407HDS?

Cheers,

Nigel
 
The B2430H has rocketed up to around £200 from most places. The B2430L on Overclockers can be had for £160 or so which is a much better deal. It's the same panel but there's no HDMI port. That Iiyama has poor colour reproduction even for a panel of its type (it's around 2 years old, too).
 
Try a benq. I love my dell p2310h as it can turn on its side. You can probably get a full hd 22 inch for aroind 130ish just do a google search
 
Thanks for the info. I've actually gone off the Iiyama. I gravitated towards them because they are a reknowned brand but I'm put off by the fact that they have speakers.

I won't use them and would prefer that manufacturers would put their efforts and money into the video rather than dabbling with audio.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
Been looking more closely at the BenQ and the Samsung.

One thing that puzzles me about the Samsung P2450H is that it is described as Rose Red, or Rose Black on the Samsung site. The Samsung site also talks about it emitting a soft red hue that is very relaxing.

What is that all about - does the cabinet really have a red colour or red lights?

Cheers,

Nigel
 
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