Buying new monitor for home computer.

**ppgt94** · 08-23-2005, 10:22 PM

I'm looking to get a new monitor for home/office use. I want something bigger than 19" and LCD. I do a lot of photography and do photo editing in PS. I'll also be viewing multiple documents (word processing, quickbooks, web browser) side-by-side. So I think wide screen would be a good feature and cost effective. I've been looking at the Dell 2405FPW 24" LCD Dell has been known to put out some very good monitors and I've heard lots of good things about this one. It's also in my price range (less than $1200).

I've seen a deal earlier this month where they were going for $789(+tax) free shipping! I'm patiently waiting for a deal like that to come around again. But in the mean time I've seen them on ebay for $740 + 100 shipping. I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and go with ebay?? I'm worried about the return policy and shipping. I've read that some batches of the 2405FPW had a high-pitch whine issue. This is easily covered in the Dell 30 day return policy (no shipping fees) but I'm not sure an Ebay seller would be so generous if I had an issue like that.

So anyways, that's one option. I definitely need size, quality, value, and LCD in a budget of under $1200. I see the Dell as the best option right now but any suggestions or ideas, I'm still open and would appreciate.

**Mad Ad** · 08-24-2005, 08:42 AM

23" L2335? (HP).

I love mine, s-ips panel, great colour repro, excellent in games too, half life 2 games in 1920x1200 are totally awesome, fills your field of view completely....best of all it ISNT a Dell.

**ppgt94** · 08-24-2005, 06:36 PM

*UPDATE* I just ordered a HP L2335 from Tiger Direct. We'll see how that goes.

**jjh221** · 08-24-2005, 07:01 PM

any one have one of these? http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0184686
or one of these
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...ct_id=0181950?

im working on getting one of these one day
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0181557

**Moneyfink** · 08-24-2005, 07:37 PM

For multiple documents, there is nothing i recommend more than multiple monitors. you could get two 19 inch monitors and a nice dual head mtrox video card for under 1000, and then for $29 download ultramon. It is a program that allows one touch two monitor spanning and other excelent uses. It is the best thing for those who have to multitask on their pc's

**ppgt94** · 08-24-2005, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by jjh221

any one have one of these? http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0184686
or one of these
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...ct_id=0181950?

im working on getting one of these one day
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0181557

1280x768? Not very high res. My current home theatre TV does better than that. Also not very practical for everyday office apps and long photo editing sessions. It would be nicer for something (that it's meant for) like a HDTV/home theatre though.

**ppgt94** · 08-24-2005, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Moneyfink

For multiple documents, there is nothing i recommend more than multiple monitors. you could get two 19 inch monitors and a nice dual head mtrox video card for under 1000, and then for $29 download ultramon. It is a program that allows one touch two monitor spanning and other excelent uses. It is the best thing for those who have to multitask on their pc's

I will still be running a dual monitor setup. I used to use two dual 19" CRTs. It was nice but took up LOTS of space. Plus only one was a actual GOOD monitor. I also didn't like the 3" gap between the two screens. With this new 23" wide screen ratio display will be a very nice upgrade from my mediocre (entry level) 17" LCD. I will be keeping it though and be using it as my secondary monitor running duals. It will be used for less graphic intense stuff like web-surfing and keeping Photoshop pallets and tools on it, etc. So I'll have one larger, high quality monitor and one run-of-the-mill for auxiliary.

**KyleYankan** · 08-24-2005, 10:58 PM

$1200?1?!?!?! Just buy 5 regular flat screens and sit em side by side

**ppgt94** · 08-25-2005, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by KyleYankan

$1200?1?!?!?! Just buy 5 regular flat screens and sit em side by side

It's getting late, I can get more into this one tomorrow. But basically there is a certain level of features, accuracy, and quality that I find important in a display for what I do. For others it isn't so important. Some would call me crazy for not going with something like a Eizo, LaCie, or Sony Artisan, etc. Trust me, $1200 is cheap for a *GOOD* larger-sized monitor. But you're right, if I were going for pure maximum screen real estate for around $1200, five "regular" flat panels would be much more economical.

**Mad Ad** · 08-25-2005, 08:27 AM

good choice

...... and yeah I agree, just because its a 23" doesnt mean a second screen isnt useful.... im using my 17" iiyama tft as my second screen (and finally ditched the 19" CRT I was using as the 2nd). Theres always something that you want seperate, if im gaming I want IRC/messengers on the spare, same if im making diagrams the tools work best on the 2nd, and 1920x1200 is still barely wide enough for 2 web pages.

Its a lush monitor but not enough to ditch the extra screen and since all videocards come with a 2nd output these days its silly not to use it.