Irish's Sceptre X7 May Not Be A Spectre, But It Still Emits Little Energy...
Written: Sep 18 '03 (Updated Apr 01 '05)
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Pros: clarity; colors; wide viewing area; takes less room; energy-efficient; entertainment options
Cons: base doesn't swivel; bit hard to connect; need adjustment so screen doesn't go black?
The Bottom Line: This Sceptre looks rather like a Spectre, hehe. Much more room on my desk too!
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| jankp's Full Review: Sceptre X 7 Komodo II 17 inch LCD Monitor |
Author's Note--I actually bought this sceptacular flat panel monitor on Ebay (my first bidding win after months trying!), but my psychiatrist character Dr. Freudine doesn't own a computer and Irish needs to make points with her after "alienating" her. We pick up the story after Doc fainted at a bar into Irish's arms in my Slan book review.
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I must have slept a while because I now find myself shoeless on the same white couch I woke up on just yesterday. Irish's house! I bolt up and swing my legs, strangely heavy, to the floor, but suddenly the aftereffects of the Long Island Iced Tea cause me to see double. I pause, shaking my head a bit, hearing music in the lit-up computer room not far away. In a few minutes I drag myself off the couch, stubbing my big toe with a grimace, and sway fearlessly toward the light and some unidentified music.
In the doorless doorway I catch my breath at the sight of what appears to be a sharp cacophony of colors and shapes grooving to the beat of rock music on a table-sized movie screen. It transfixes me so that I just waver there stupidly until Irish notices me.
"Hey Doc!" He jumps out of his swivel chair to help me to an easy chair that I gratefully sink into. "I had to show you what I bought for only $247.50 plus thirty dollars for shipping/handling and insurance on Ebay. These Sceptre X7 Komodo II 17" Flat Panel Monitors are worth at least $150 more. A beaut, isn't she? There was only one other bidder 'cause the seller called it a Spectre, hehe."
I think I nodded, but I'm not sure. "What's a monitor? Like a TV?"
"What's a...!" Irish is incredulous. "Okay, this screen here connects to this desktop PC with an AC Adapter, which takes some coordination because the no-swivel base gets in the way, but it detaches from the panel and would mount easily on a wall..."
"PC?" I query.
"Oh, wow...A personal computer. Here, let me show you what it does. You can watch TV on it if you're hooked up to cable and movies on DVD. Play video games. I'm connected to the Internet and am going to the Ebay site, see, and where I bid on the monitor so you can, well, read about it if you want. It didn't come with a manual or speakers, only an AC Adapter, and I only have a thirty day warranty instead of a year, but that's okay. I got a real deal!"
I lean forward to scan the screen. Irish's monitor comes from Suntec Computers in Texas, a "used/refurbished tested monitor." The seller claims that the monitor presents a flicker-and-static free operation, emitting less radiation than VLMF standards require, whoever they are. He says it's easy to use with "simple plug-and-play (DDC1 and DD2B) connectivity through a basic 15-pin analog port." Well, okay, and it consumes 30 to 70 percent less energy than a comparable CRT (another monitor?).
Sounds great so far. The features don't make much sense to me.
· 1280 x 1024 resolution
· rich 400:1 contrast; 250-nit brightness
· wide 150-degree horizontal viewing angle
· color depth-24 bit (16.7M colors)
· .26 mm dot mix
"All I know is that I couldn't imagine a better-looking picture than this. I didn't see much of your thick old monitor, but this Sceptre seems to give a bigger, polished picture and just is really cool looking with a white frame."
He beams. "It is, isn't it? It's like I'd been looking through a dusty screen on my old Sony Trinitron and suddenly it's wiped clean and is crystal clear."
"Yeah, you got a pretty toy all right. I'm..." I yawn, covering my mouth. "...impressed."
"Hey, you can't be bored or sleepy yet. How 'bout checking out those depressed writers on Epinions? You need more clients. Oh, but first I have to show you these brilliant photographs. Just a second for them to come up, okay? There, look! Can you believe that sunset or that waterwheel scene? Doc?"
I rouse myself and smile at the pictures. "Does Sceptre make computers, too?"
"They're a leading force in the computer industry, trust me, but their monitor hooks up fine to my not-so-old emachines T1840 computer. The color scheme doesn't match, that's all."
"Hmm. I should be going, Irish. Two appointments in the morning, one new client."
"From Epinions?"
"You know that's confidential, silly." I stand with tingly, stockinged feet and he sighs before following me out. I glance back at the Sceptre X7 Komodo II 17" Flat Panel Monitor and it's gone black, says "No Video." Irish notes my interest.
"One bad thing about it is the mouse needs to be moved every few minutes or I'll lose the picture, even during a movie. I probably just need to adjust something? So there are your pumps if you feel steady enough. No more Long Island Ice Teas for you, okay, darlin'? Jan and I were just having fun with you..."
I pick up my black pumps and black fake leather handbag. "I'm certain of that! Oh, where's that book?"
"Here ya go...," Irish pulls Slan out of his back pocket and steps in to envelop me in his warm arms. Behind us the computer bleeps for attention.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 277.50/ebay
Operating System: Windows
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Epinions.com ID:
jankp
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 in Movies, Books |
 - Top 100 |
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Member: Jan Peregrine
Location: Lincoln, NE
Reviews written: 1570
Trusted by: 500 members
About Me:
Peregrine 10 write-off in progress: http://www.epinions.com/content_5367242884
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