New monitors

[johnriley1uk]

We are in the market now for new monitors, the problem being that we currently use better-than-average CRTs and I'm unhappy with most of the flat panels that I see. They are generally too harsh and the colour balance is ropey.

Thanks Mike for some initial research, I've continued to look since. The conclusion seems to be that the order of desireablility for photographic use is IPS, followed by PVA and with humble TN panels trailing last. Having said that, TN panels are useable, but the angle of view problem means a lot of care is needed.

NEC make some brilliant IPS panels at over £1000, so that's nice but out of the question, so I'm looking for some good but more realistic suggestions for specific models.

Ideas please, plus links if you can?

[Mike]

24" Screen - 178 viewing angle (vertical / horizontal). £649.

Combined IPS 21.5" screen with 178 viewing angle (vertical and horizontal) with computer. 4gb ram, 3.06 Core Duo 2 Intel processor, touch sensitive mouse. £969.

[johnriley1uk]

Ouch, the price, but....if that's what it takes....

Is that compatible with a PC by the way?

[Mike]

I believe that you have two options - best to check with an Apple store and your PC builder. The system should connect to any Mini Display Port, so build one in at the start or get an adapter at the Apple store. Best to check with the specialist. Google seems to suggest that they have standard DVI connectors and therefore any graphics card with DVI port will be fine.

I am still stunned that you are ignoring the Mac which comes with a very good monitor for only £69 more than you were planning to spend on your PC.

[johnriley1uk]

Well, add to that the cost of new software and it's a bit more than £69....

By the way, Dragonsfoot e-mail has been infected with a virus, so ignore any e-mails from admin@ and info@ and so on.

[Mike]

Does it come to more than the £1200-£2000 you were quoting from two new monitors?

[johnriley1uk]

Crikey, I'm not spening that much!

Budget would be nice at that level, but sadly has to be more like £500 for the two.

[Mike]

Crikey, I'm not spening that much!

Budget would be nice at that level, but sadly has to be more like £500 for the two.

Dell Monitor with IPS. I don't quite think that you will get two monitors for £500, this one was the cheapest on Micro Direct. Micro direct is a computer shop in Manchester which is relatively cheap and will not mess you about too much if there is a problem.

Direct from Dell two monitors on at £470 and one at £316. Slight size difference between the two 2" in total.

Try visiting the usual supsects and typing in IPS monitors, it seems to come back with a good number of results. I guess that the balence is between quality and size, although I don't know what size your current monitors are but I suspect that 24" would be great, 22" would be good and 19" would be acceptable (based on the fact work has 19" screens and you cant see much!).

[johnriley1uk]

Thanks, I'm starting to get a feel for the market now. The existing monitors are not good enough for the new computers, so we'll have to move on with this ASAP.

[johnriley1uk]

You've picked out a couple of highly recommended monitors there Mike! Spot on....

We may have to settle for one of the following:

Dell 2209WA Black - a very highly thought of 22" model.

HP LP2275w - £100 more expensive but also highly regarded.

These are expensive times...