Monitor purchase on a Budget

[Gentleman First]

My friend has decided that since she soon turns 30, she is going back to school, and try to do something more with her life.

She will be spending a lot of time on her computer, and has a really old and crappy monitor now.
She updated her computer about 2 years ago, and its fine, so just the monitor.
Funding is limited ( she did not say what her limit is, but i would guess maybe $300 ish) what would you all recommend for a good monitor on a tight budget.

Thanks

 

[gravitas]

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1754958&CatId=0

 

[FuZzYknUckLeS]

I prefer CRT's over the LCD, if you have the space. I find the detail better and they're less straining on the eyes. IMO, nothing beats Viewsonic. This would be my suggestion:

http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productID=20712436

The 19" size is incredible, especially if you work with graphics alot.

If ya want stylin', and insist on a flatpanel unit, I'd go with this:

http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productID=950016363

Ya sacrifice a couple inches for looks, but both fit your budget.

 

[maverick73]

I also still prefer CRT... only drawback is deskspace and weight... but if you're not moving it around, and performance is your #1 criteria, CRT is still king. LCD still can't do movement as well as CRT... Viewsonic is nice, but I've always preferred the Sonys... I've had NEC before as well, but Sony has always been my favourite for monitors.

 

[Randy Whorewald]

You can get a nice 19" Viewsonic here for under $280.

http://www.anitec.ca/subcategory/92/crt_monitors/

I have bought lots of stuff from Anitec. Their prices are pretty good.

 

[threepeat]

A vote for LCD

If you shop around, you should be able to get a decent 19" flat panel for <$300. Here's an example: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18049&vpn=FP92G+SB&manufacture=BENQ&promoid=1068. This sale ends in a couple of days, but NCIX always has sales going on. BenQ makes good stuff on a budget, I have personally used the Acer AL1916 and I thought it was fine. The other big names, Samsung, Viewsonic, and LG, all have entry level monitors at this price point.

I like LCD monitors because they are easier on the eyes; they take up less space and look nicer on the desk; and consume less power. Yes, the response rate can be a little choppier than a good CRT, but they're getting better all the time. If your friend is not a hardcore gamer, I don't think response rate is a big deal anyway. If you're just displaying text and surfing the web, that is the forte of the LCD.

 

[hitrack]

For me this is way to complicated to sum up with quick advice. Finding models I like, the researching reviews and forums on line to see which I narrow down to the best. This doesn't take days, but it does take an afternoon of hardcore googling.

On the other hand if coin is tight then a 19" crt is the way to go.

 

[Randy Whorewald]

LCD would be my preference too. Anitec has 19 inchers for under $270. I recently bought two of them. An LG and a Viewsonic. So there is hardly any difference in price when you're talking about 19" monitors LCD or CRT.

http://www.anitec.ca/subcategory/93/lcd_monitors/

 

[sdw]

The choice between CRT and LCD is no longer about price. It's about application.

Choose CRT if you:
Are a serious games player. (LCD is almost there)
Work with Pictures or Documents where true colour is important. (you can't tweek the colour on an LCD the way you can on a CRT)

Choose LCD if you:
Have eyes that tire easily. (you need eye correction, glasses, contacts; you spend long hours in applications)
Have limited space.

 

[Gentleman First]

Thanks very much to all of you

I really appreciate how helpful the PERB folks are.

I am going to go with her this Saturday, and see what we can find her.
If she is a little short on cash, I will pay part of it, and call it a back to school gift for her.

Thanks again

GF

 

[threepeat]

If the unit was damaged during shipping, it would be a bit of a pain to fix. You would either have to file a claim with the shipping company, or get a return (RMA) from the place you bought it from. Even if the store accepts your return, you still have to pay to ship it back to them, so you will be out of pocket $20-$25. LCDs are a little more fragile than CRTs, and can have dead pixels on them, which are basically little black spots on your display. That being said, I have had bought two LCD monitors online and never had any problems. You are rolling the dice a bit with any online purchase, but in my opinion it's an acceptable risk, especially if you find a price you like. After all, all LCD monitors have to be packaged well enough to survive getting transported to the store to begin with.

If an Internet store is charging $100-$150 less than a regular store, chances are you are getting ripped off at the regular store. I'm guessing you looked at either Future Shop, Best Buy, CompuSmart, London Drugs, etc.?

The cheapest places by far to buy stuff will be the independent computer stores where you have a lonely nerd working there, sitting in the corner, eating McDonald's, and saying, "I hate my life, I hate my life..." That's where you get the best deals.

Here's a couple of places I found in Victoria. I can't speak to their service, but their prices are decent. Just pick a name brand like Acer, BenQ, Samsung, LG, Viewsonic, Philips, etc.:
http://cstore.uvic.ca/products/prod...&-session=cstore:449502FE0c6da2E89AlOhS684DA7
http://www.sneakerscomputers.com/parts/category.cfm?Cat_ID=12
For other places, just Google "computer stores Victoria"

Hope that helps

 

[Sexy BBW]

I really appreciate how helpful the PERB folks are.

I am going to go with her this Saturday, and see what we can find her.
If she is a little short on cash, I will pay part of it, and call it a back to school gift for her.

Thanks again

GF

That just sounds so sweet, nice of you to do that for her

 

[westwoody]

Heed sdw's advice. I would recommend seeing the actual monitor if you can so you can assess the image quality for yourself. We have Viewsonics at work, a whole pallet full of identical models, but mine is still a little different from the others. An LCD is great if you have to look at it a lot.

 

[sdw]

I am also in the market for a 19" flatscreen (LCD thanks to sdw for explaining the difference) but I do have a quick question...

The deals from the online ordering links posted above are better (by $100-$150) than what I have seen in the stores, however, what happens if the unit delivered was damaged during shipping?? Isn't it a pain to return it? Would it truly be safer (ie less hassle) to buy locally and spend the extra $100+?

Just curious, I'm hoping prices will drop b4 I buy, instead of just after, lol.

Take a great deal of care. If it's too good to be true - it isn't true.

There is a big difference between a Viewsonic G90 and a Viewsonic B90. If the site just shows a price for a 19" Viewsonic, they are going to send a B90.

If you pay by Credit Card, you enjoy some specific protections. Always pay for online stuff by Credit Card.

This doesn't mean that you will like the online company's defination on how many dead pixels are acceptable on a LCD monitor. A dead pixel in the center of the screen is a lot more annoying than a dead pixel on the edge of the monitor. Check out the maker's warranties on dead pixels also.

If an unit is DOA (Dead on Arrival) because of shipping damage, that is the responsibility of the shipping company. That's why I pay the extra to have it shipped via FedEX.

 

[hitrack]

If I were you I would fukk the on line buying. Plenty of stores that sell comp shit in Vancouver. I do not recommend the little shit hole computer stores, even though mabe $50 or so bucks cheaper. Staples, F-Shop and the like let you bring back shit in 14 days just for no other reason that you don't like it.

This dirty whore goes on sale I'm gonna be all over it's ass like a cheap suit.

 

[Walk Softly]

My $.02

I've had a Viewsonic Pro series CRT for about 7 years now and it still looks great. I'd definitely go with a Viewsonic again! Good hunting! WS.