Tips On Buying a New Display

Question

I've received many informative replies to my questions on this site, so I thought I would post my recent monitor research. The info presented is my opinion, and based on my experience - your results may vary:
The technology used in mid-priced panels is about the same - at least for displays offered by better-quality manufacturers. So, interestingly, it all comes down to the specifications of the videocard on one's computer. To save money, manufacturers of flat displays for residential/small business use, basically create, what I call, dumbPanels - they don't carry much, if any, circuitry that could boost their image processing capacity, so it all falls back on the computer's videocard.
If one looks at the pricepoint for a high-quality 22" LCD panel, it hovers just south of $1,000 plus tax. At a more reasonable pricepoint, you'll find LG and Samsung offering okay-quality panels. Bottom line: The better the videocard, the better the image it can 'drive' to the monitor. Additionally, one has to make sure the chosen display offers the kind of connector one's videocard favors.
It's also important one gets a special program - quite a few can be found on virus-checked, software download sites - called a 'Pixel Checker.' One runs it on their new LCD screen to see if there are any dead, or stuck, pixels.
Regarding where to buy, look for a place that offers at least a 14-day, no-questions-asked, no restocking fee, return policy.
I found the following display a good value for the price (About $340.00 plus tax):
LG L227WTG-PF 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor (1680 x 1050, 10,000:1, 2ms)
There's a cheaper LG that looks almost identical, but it's not the same one I'm referring to here; unscrupulous salespeople could unload one on you if you give them the chance.
Now, it does have a glossy screen, so can't be used in high ambient-light environments. Some say it has the best picture for under $350.00, even though its dynamic contrast ratio is half what the latest Samsung offers (Note: Supposedly, the LG in question, and the Samsung, both have the same static contrast ratio. See the following link to understand the difference:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Whatis_the_difference_between_contrast_ratio_and_dynamic_contrastratio
The next monitor is the latest from Samsung (Priced around $330.00 plus tax), and it's good for the buck; but I prefer the LG because the picture is a little sharper.
Samsung Touch Of Color T220 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor (1680 x1050, 20,000:1, 2ms)
All in all, videocards rule the roost. But, if one has a need to read small-fonted print, or can perceive the 'moving shadow' some people see in many low-to-mid priced LCD screens, then displays between $500 - $1,000 (plus using a high-end videocard to drive them) will be the only solution.
Hope this information helps with your research :>)
J.C.
P.S. Special thanks to BDAqua for his tip on Pixel Checkers.

Answer 1

Hi J.C.
Thanks for the submission.
The generic part of the tip looks good, like the pros an cons of glossy vs matte, insure the connections are correct, etc.
For User Tips however, we'd prefer not to have recommendations of specific makes and models. Model numbers and prices get out of date quickly and we prefer the User Tips to stand alone over time without the need for constant updates.
Could you make it a more generic "what to look for" tips article, without specific model recommendations?
Thank,
Nubz N.
Apple Discussions Staff