I am currently looking for a widescreen monitor.

I'm probably going for a 20" or 21" LCD monitor with 1680 x 1050 resolution. I may consider a 23" or 24" Widescreen but I doubt I want to spend the money.

I'm definitely not interested in the cheapest monitor but I also don't need a high end monitor for Photoshop or high end video editing work either!

I'm really looking for a good quality LCD monitor that displays text well because I'll be staring at this sucker eight hours a day or so!

I suspect that means I'll be looking at something in the mid-range which would mean a $600 to $700 MSRP.

It seems like they all have "super low" response rates blah blah blah but I know that response rates generally mean squat.

Anybody some research recently in this area and have some recommendations? (please no retail links and just MSRP or street pricing. Manufacturer links or review links are definitely welcome)

Thanks in advance
Hugh

I bought the Dell E228WFP 22''.

I have it hooked up to my PC with VGA and my 9200 via DVI. It works adequately for both. I also have a BenQ FP202W which does not look as good as the Dell. (And cost more).

I just purchased 4 Dell E228WFP 22 inch wide screen LCD.
native resolution is 1680 x1050. I bought them because the price was good. My only complaint, the stand is not telescopic like some of our other dells, other than that I could not believe the quality for the price.

OK, just did this myself recently. I ultimately went with 2 HP F2105 21" monitors which I got refurbed from Bestbuy for $295 each. I went with HPs because I saw them at SAMs club and they looked exceptional. After some research I learned that they used a better quality LCD panel than the Dell E monitors and HP also has a 0 dead pixel policy for this monitor. It is also HDCP compliant and comes with a USB hub and speakers

However, the HP does not seem to be readily available as I had quite a time trying to source it individually. You can find it often as part of a bundle package though.

Other options I almost went with: the aforementioned Dells, Samsung, LG and the Gateway 20 and 24 inch models also seem to get great reviews.

The Samsung

I recently needed a new monitor (that also doubles as a tv screen) and through my misadventures, I now know more about LCD panels than I ever wanted to know.

You won't need to spend $600-$700 I don't think.

I've learned that the 22" widescreen is *the* hottest monitor at the moment, with almost every manufacturer producing one in the $350-$450 range. Most of them use the same TN panel. They are very fast, but also don't reproduce colors the best. However, TNs are cheap.

Below this size at 20", some manufacturers I think use S-IPS panels. Which apparently reproduce color the best, but are more expensive.

Here's a page about LCD panel types http://www.lcdpaneltypes.net/

Anyway, most of these panels, when you look at them from the side, don't look too hot. And then there's the issue of backlight bleed, where when you are looking at a purely black screen, it won't look even. (try looking at the monitor with the lights off and showing only a black screen).

Then there's PVA panels which are used in the current crop of 24" panels. Great viewing angles. Try going to futureshop and compare the 24" LG to the 22" LG. Crouch down and look at it. The 24" panel will still look nice and bright and almost the same. The 22" panel will look all dark and muddy.

Anyway.... if you want to learn more about LCD panels than you'd ever want to... check out http://hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78 where enthusiasts dissect every aspect of their monitors.

As for me, after trying a Samsung 225BW (which was actually quite good - but ultimately sold to a friend because the monitor didn't handle 1080i signals), went with the Benq FP222WH because it had 1. HDMI, 2. could handle 1080i from the Rogers box. I've heard it handles 1080p too.

Samsung is known for good quality LCDs and they make their own panels. So, if you're looking for a 20", the new Samsung 206BW in piano black would do nicely. I had a Samsung 204BW (a 1600x1200 monitor) before this current one and it was beautiful (but went to my sister cause it wasn't HDCP).

My only other thought is if you're going to be looking at this thing 8 hours a day, I would suggest getting the biggest panel you can. At least a 22" (especially if your budget is $600 - they don't get expensive till you hit 24"). You won't regret it.

I bought the Gateway 21" FPD2185w from future shop about 6 months ago and have been very happy doing video editing and work related stuff.
The other side benefit is my bell exprees vu 6000 hooked up through component for HD viewing.
Bob

Thanks guys. Currently I have the Gateway 21" FPD2185w (for 14 months) and its failing!

The one I'm looking at now is the Samsung 226BW which has better specs than the Samsung 206BW but its not height adjustable

Hi Hugh,
I have been an avid reader of the site for a long time but have not posted very often, I wanted to thank you and the other posters for all there help.
Maybe I will get to test Future Shop's extended warranty on my Gateway. [hope not!]

Bob

Not to be off-topic but I bought it on Visa so I'm hoping that if it fails completely before Nov, that my extended warranty would cover it. (and thanks for the thanks!)

FS have the 22" Samsung on sale March 16-22.

well, I took awai_00's advice and read all the threads he recommended and some more. I spent several hours and am now thinking I might go for a higher end 4 x 3 montior with 1600 x 1200 resolution. It would give me higher resolution and I can get a better type of panel.

Still working!

I was in the same boat a couple months back. I bought 2x Dell 2007 widescreen's and set them up. While I enjoyed them I use my computer for mostly work and surfing so not alot of media is played on them. I sent the widecreens back and ordered 2x 2007FP and have not looked back. The extra resolution is a big advantage.

Hugh take a look at Toms Hardware. They talk about the actual manufacturing process and why some panels are better than others (technically) and why some 16:10 screen are actually less expensive to manufacture than 4:3 panels.

Yeah I always read Tom.

I bought a monitor a Viewsonic VG2230wm. Its in their graphics series so a little pricier but better quality.

I bought for $425 and right now am very pleased (although I`ve only been using for 30 minutes!)

Thanks for all the help. I`ll post more of a review after a few weeks.