Flat panels - good time to buy, but know what you need it for
Aug 07 '01 (Updated Mar 17 '02)
The Bottom Line Flat panels are excellent for office programs and the internet, but are not as good as CRTs for movies/graphics/animation. Evaluate your computer usage and budget to choose what to buy.
Flat panel monitors have been dropping in price rapidly over the last two years, and have now come to the point where they are within the reach of many consumers. Before you go out and grab one, though, make sure you know if a flat panel is right for you, and which size screen you should get:
What am I using my monitor for?
If you mostly use your computer for office programs and the internet, then a flat panel is a very good choice. They do very well with these types of programs, with excellent text quality and decent image reproduction.
If you use many graphics and animation programs (Photoshop, 3DSMAX, etc.), then a flat panel may not be for you. Flat panels tend not to be ideal in high-motion situations, as the pixels refresh you may see some blurring or lag, creating motion artifacts. Flat panels also tend not to be that good when used outside of the native resolution (usuallly 1024x768 for 15", 1280x1024 for 17" and 18"), as images have to stretch or shrink across pixels. If you plan to use your computer for graphics or movies, I suggest going with a quality CRT monitor, as they are still superior to LCDs in high-motion images.
What size LCD monitor should I get, and how much do they cost?
Price:
15" LCD ranges from $350-$500
17" LCD ranges from $500-$900
18" LCD and up are fairly expensive, with most starting at $1100 and up
Size:
15" LCD is about equivalent to a 17" CRT
17" LCD is about equivalent to a 19" CRT
What details should I look for when choosing an LCD monitor?
Brightness and Contrast: These are important as they help make sure your images are bright and vivid. I suggest that LCDs have a minimum brightness ratio of 200:1, and a contrast ratio of 350:1.
Input type: All LCDs have the standard 15 pin analog connector, but some have a digital DVI connector. Digital flat panels generally have better image quality than analogs, but analog flat panels have become very good and the difference in quality between analog and digital is very slight. Digital inputs will only work with a video card that has digital output (All-In-Wonder Radeon, some Geforce 2/Geforce 3/Geforce 4, Radeon VE or Radeon 7500/8500, etc.) If you are extremely picky about image quality, then make sure you have a video card that has DVI connectivity, and get a flat panel with digital input. Analog flat panels should be excellent for most people.
Dead Pixels: Look at the LCD monitor and see if it has any pixels that do not change color, or are constantly black. These are dead pixels and can get quite annoying. Most LCD flat panels will have none, although some will have one or two. Do not settle for one that has any more than 2 dead pixels.
Watch a DVD: This is an excellent way to test a flat panel. Ask to see if you can view a DVD on the flat panel(s) you are considering, and see if the images are sharp and nothing seems blurry or slow.
TV tuner: Samsung offers two models with TV tuners, the 150MP and 170MP. They are a bit pricier, but if you would like your monitor to dual up as a TV, this is an option to check out.
Trust your eyes: Is text sharp? Are images not vivid enough, too dark, or blurry? Make sure you're pleased with what you see before you make your investment in an LCD.
Where should I buy a Flat Panel?
You can buy a flat panel at your local electronics store, although lower prices are almost always online. Do a search with a place like ZDNET's Computer Shopper or some other price comparison site to see the lowest prices on the monitor you're looking at. Also look for rebates on Flat Panels, as manufacturers do offer them from time to time.
Suggestions
15" LCD:
Samsung Syncmaster 570v (analog): Has had very good reviews, and price after rebate is tough to beat
KDS Rad-5 (analog): Had a chance to look at it in a local Sam's Club, it looks pretty good
17" LCD:
Samsung 770TFT (analog)
Samsung 170T (analog/digital): Both of the Samsung monitors are very good. I personally use a 170T, and it is excellent. Take a look at my review on the 170T for more information: http://www.epinions.com/content_34438155908
Apple LCDs:
The 15" looks excellent, and I imagine the 17" is also very good. They are only compatible with the newer Apple G4's, so if you're lucky enough to have one of these computers you should get an Apple LCD.
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