Computer Monitor

[AttyPops]

OK. Guess I'm forced into the 21st century. Time to give up my good 'ole VGA monitor. Can't really afford much though, but have to have something digital for graphics card (old one was dropped for support). So new card = new monitor since the new cards don't support VGA anymore. (DON'T get me going on that one...)

So....all the trusty review sites I've found are ....outdated. 2 or 3 year old stuff still listed as "top".

There are several 23" IPS and TN monitors monitors well under $200.00. The spot on my computer desk (with hutch) is 23" wide so a 23" diagonal measured monitor is fine for me...24" might work too depending on physical dimensions.

Anyway...
A) Anyone out there been really amazed or find deals on new monitors in this size?
B) Do you care about 3D capability???? (I don't think I do...but the higher refresh rates may be good, IDK)
C) LED, IPS or TN?
D) Response time (5 ms OK, or need 2 ms or better)?

Anyone disappointed in their monitor? Why? Gaming/video with reasonable frame rates OK or blurred?

I'm pretty sure I want 1080 lines or more....so ? x 900 is a no-go for me.

Come on...I KNOW you are all using something! Is 5ms response time OK, or push for more?

Thoughts? Need to keep it under $200.00. Sorry.

 

[FantWriter]

I was looking at the Office Max circular the other day and saw they're doing a clearance on monitors. I'm not in need of one at the moment, but I'm adding another computer soon, so checked the specs on some.

I settled on an Acer (I've had great luck with their monitors) 23.5". 1920 x something (I forget) resolution. $115. Now I have to work up the nerve to hit my credit card for that much for something I don't absolutely need.

Supposedly, the Office Max ads are for specific stores, but I revisited the ad three times, and that page was the same despite the site randomly assigning me to different cities. The prices are only good through Saturday (and I know from experience that if you go in on Sunday, no one at Office Max is authorized to give you the price it was the day before).

I'd hate to give actual advice, but it's something you might want to check out.

 

[Mac]

Pawn shop. You can probably score one for 30 -40 bucks.

 

[Mac]

Oh here's a refurb for $42 17" Samsung SyncMaster 740N LCD Monitor (Black) - B Samsung LS17HALJBY 740N

 

[Mac]

A bit more pricey but meets your stats. 24" Acer P6 P246HL 1080p Widescreen DVI LED LCD Monitor Acer UM.FP6AA.A01 P6 Series P246HL Abd

 

[antequinox]

Just noticed IPS or TN (IPS = Better Color / TN = Better Theoretical Response Time)

IPS Monitor Recommendation: $155
ASUS VS229H-P 22" Class Widescreen IPS Panel LED Monitor - 1920 x 1080, 16:9, 50000000:1 Dynamic, 5ms, HDMI, DVI, VGA, Energy Star

Flat Panel TFT-LCD Monitor Recommendation: $128
HP S2331A 23in Widescreen Flat Panel TFT-LCD Monitor
Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Response Time: 5 ms

 

[wacdenney]

I do tech support and work on computers all day and I honestly don't see much difference from monitor to monitor.

It seems like 22" is the sweet spot at the moment. We have switched from LCD to LED. I honestly don't notice much difference in picture quality.

Any decent video card should come with a DVI to VGA adapter and most monitors will support either input. Might as well go with DVI though.

 

[AttyPops]

Thx. wacdenney and everyone that replied.

Wac....the card WAS the problem. FYI (you probably already heard this)...the main video card makers are dropping support for VGA. So even a DVI->VGA coverter (that I already had on my old card) won't work on the new cards. They are all digital and don't implement the analog video pins needed for VGA coversion. And the old card is now "legacy" and not frequently updated if at all. And video codecs didn't work on the old card in Win 8.

Anyway...I have a monitor and all is good. (And it is DVI...and has a HDMI->DVI cable included so it's more-or-less HDMI too). 23" too.

I'm just adjusting to the WIIIIIIDE viewing style. lol. Better late than never I guess.

Thanks all again for the info.