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Shopping for a New Monitor?

Posted by Cliff on from the for-the-discriminating-consumer dept.

Cecil asks: "Well, I've looked through the reviews and found several good displays. The problem is that quality can vary drastically from unit to unit. Just because the reviewer got a good screen doesn't mean you will. A lot of people say that it's a bad idea to buy a display device sight-unseen and from experience I have to agree. There are the big chain stores that will have monitors on display, but they will typically only have the 'value' models. So, what is your monitor buying process? What do you do to make sure you get the sort of high-quality display that'll last you through the next couple hardware upgrades?"

5 of 604 comments (clear)

  1. You could go for refurb/used and see before buying by jbridges · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I shop at a local clone/junk store that sells tons of refurbished monitors. They are hooked up so you can look at them. Generally the large brand name (like NEC) monitors seem to hold up well.

    Maybe not as sharp or flat as some newer monitors, but they seem to last forever and are relatively cheap (less than a new noname piece of junk).

  2. The simple way WAS (I want a roll up monitor) by segoy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The only way to purchase a monitor:

    1) Find a store that has a policy that will allow you to bring it back.
    2) Pick up what you're salivating over in the store.
    3) Take home: word process, hack, frag, or whatever floats your boat.
    4) Repeat as necessary for n - 5 days (where n is the length of time you have to return it). I say minus five since I always miss the date by a day or two.
    5) If you are in love with the monitor, keep it. Otherwise, take it back, chose another monitor.
    6) Lather, rinse, repeat.

    I did that at Fry's when I was looking for a new LCD monitor. I purchased something that looked great (and the salesperson said rocked) at the store, but when I brought it home- ugh.

    I took it back and picked up a 16" Sony LCD. Zero defective pixels. Excellent res and definition. Zero regrets.

    1. Re:The simple way WAS (I want a roll up monitor) by zurab · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I took it back and picked up a 16" Sony LCD. Zero defective pixels. Excellent res and definition. Zero regrets.

      I've had a good experience with Sony too. I bought a 19 or 20 inch (can't remember) LCD as a present 3 years back at monitoroutlet.com (I neither work or represent these guys) - they were very helpful and made some suggestions and good recommendations. You can easily talk to a live person toll-free who knows what he's talking about too.

      Anyway, couple of years later the monitor screen died, and it turned out we had lost the receipt. The monitor was still under Sony warranty, so after e-mailing Monitor outlet guys, they promptly looked up our record and re-issued the receipt; Sony also promptly fixed the monitor, also fixed the 2 or 3 dead pixels, and returned it in a timely fashion, no charge.

      I have to say that monitor has clearest picture I've seen, is very easy on the eyes, and has been turned on every day at least 10 hours a day going on 4 years now. BTW, it hasn't gotten any more dead pixels since then.

      So, my opinion - if you are looking for LCD, I would definitely recommend Sony, and monitoroutlet.com as a place to consider buying one.

      Disclaimer (again): I am in no way associated with monitoroutlet.com other than what I stated above.

  3. Look out for warranty by bromba · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The parent poster is right - look out for dead pixels. And before you buy - look out for the monitor with the right warranty.

    Recently I bought 15" Philips 150B3T panel, with 3 yrs warranty. After I asked for this model, the shop assistant tried to peddle to me an Philips 150F4 or something like this, claiming the same technical parameters. Fortunately I refused and insisten on the one I have seen on display. At home it turned out that the one they wanted to sell me had a warrany that kicks in only if the monitor has at least 5 bright pixels or 10 black pixes. OTherwise it;s considered OK. On the other hand The one I got (for the same price) is guaranteed to have 0 bright pixels and less than 5 black ones (mine has 0/0, luckily).

  4. Re:devsdeals.com & Dell by Sethb · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Dell ones are great, I just got my dream screen yesterday, the 20" Dell 2000FP, it's sweet. 1600x1200 native resolution, and it puts my old 21" Trinitron CRT to shame for clarity. I've got 3 screens hooked up to my PC now, the big 2000FP in the middle, and two Dell 1504 15" LCDs on the sides.

    They aren't flashy, but they're reasonably priced, and fairly rugged, you can't go wrong with the Dell screens.

    --
    When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. --Robert A. Heinlein