Monitor recommendation.

Cheetah Designs

Cheetah Designs

Cheetah Designs

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I don't do any gaming but I do watch films. I've never invested in a proper monitor before but I feel now is as good a time as any.

Max budget of circa £200 but could be persuaded to buy something for more. However I'd prefer to spend less if possible. (I know you get what you pay for etc..)

Must have:
- At least 1440*900 resolution
- VESA mount
- USB ports
- Look good (yeah I know this is down to opinion)

Preferable:
- Speakers (they don't need to be good, just exist)
- 16:9 format.
 
It has an IPS panel which has better colour reproduction and viewing angles than standard TN panels. It is also 16:10 aspect ratio, which makes it more desirable as almost all monitors nowadays are 16:9 but 16:10 has more vertical pixels making it better for almost everything. And it's a dell who make great monitors.

I recommend it's little brother myself, The 2312HM. This is 16:9 so will be better for films (it's the one thing they are good for, and films are basically the reason why we have so many 16:9 monitors now), and it's cheaper, whilst still having the same features.
 
The IPS panel which gives you better colours/viewing angles and the 1920x1200 resolution are which make it special. It also has a fully height adjustable stand with pivot mode.
So basically it isn't the resolution you want and doesn't have speakers, which you could add using a Dell soundbar exceeding the budget even further and I'm guessing you would need to use the displayport to get the sound there? Not sure, perhaps it can be handled via USB.

I think this is one of the few cases where the BenQ EW2430 might actually be a good choice, it gives you a VA-panel with very high contrast ratio's and really deep blacks. It uses a light anti-glare coating so the colours don't get messed up too bad while reflections are still reduced quite a bit. It has 4 USB ports and with aluminum used in the construction it looks quite good.

PCMmonitors.org has a nice BenQ EW2430 review if you want to do some reading up first. Can't tell you the price as unfortunely OC UK only stocks its predecessor (the BenQ EW2420), I have however kept your budget in mind.
It also has speakers and multiple HDMI-in ports (to get the sound to the monitor).
Better colours than TN-panels, better viewing angles than TN-panels (but worse than IPS-panels) and matches all your criteria.
 
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Well, if i were you i would take a punt with this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-085-IY

Iiyama prolite 23" IPS monitor with speakers/vesa mount/HDMI, DVI and VGA inputs.
I don't own one these but I do have an LG IPS235 which has the same screen in it (e-IPS screen made by LG) and for colours and viewing angles it is great. The only problem i have with my monitor is backlight bleed in one corner but this seems to be the LG monitor bezel pinching the screen so that Iiyama will probably not suffer with it. So, for the price, can be found for £135 elsewhere but is £150 on OcUK, i would try it and if you dont like it send it back under DSR.

It does not have USB ports but is that such a big problem?
 
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USB is pretty important, but if it comes to 10's of pounds of difference, I can just get a USB hub.

People keep referring to viewing angles...surely its all the same if you are looking at it at less than 20 degrees each way.
 
Not really, try the lagom viewing angle test for yourself. Yes it is a worst case scenario but those are the best for pointing out flaws ;)

It's also one of the most easily notable differences between the current panel technologies. Everyone that has two different panels next to each other will be able to spot the differences, they all behave differently.
TN monitors will stand out the most for already showing major differences viewing the test without any angle... although my laptop screen is performing decently due to it being relatively small, the bigger the screen the bigger the problem.

I'm sticking to the BenQ 2430ew advice, it does/has everything you ask for and is well within your budget. It's one major flaw (response times) as you're not a gamer isn't really a flaw and deep blacks without black crush is sure to make movies enjoyable.
 
^ I have 2 different panels side by side

On the left I have an LG D2342 3D monitor (TN panel)
On the right I have an LG IPS235 (e-IPS panel)

I kind of slouch in a comfy chair in front of the monitors but my eyes are slightly below the middle of the monitors. The IPS screen is fine even without tilting it down but the TN screen has to be spot on center with my eyes or the top half of the screen can hardly be seen so i have had to tilt the left hand screen down. This also goes for the slightest movement from left to right as the colours on the TN screen go all weird as you move but the IPS screen is solid as a rock. Another issue, for me, having 2 different panels is that the IPS screen has dark inky blacks and crisp bright whites and all the colours in between are vivid. The TN screen on the other hand has dark grey blacks and kind of creamy whites and all the colours inbetween are a little washed out. You probably won't notice it as much with a single monitor but when you have them side by side you can see how much 'crisper' everything is with an IPS monitor.
 
Axeia said:
PCMmonitors.org has a nice BenQ EW2430 review if you want to do some reading up first. Can't tell you the price as unfortunely OC UK only stocks its predecessor (the BenQ EW2420), I have however kept your budget in mind.
It also has speakers and multiple HDMI-in ports (to get the sound to the monitor).
Better colours than TN-panels, better viewing angles than TN-panels (but worse than IPS-panels) and matches all your criteria.
Click to expand...

This monitor seems to have everything I want. I won't be gaming. Is there any reason NOT to go for it?
 
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