KDS or Microtek

[Colonel Sanders]

Well, my 21" CRT is a bit too big to go to college, they gave me a small desk there. So I'm about to get an LCD monitor, most likely just something cheap from Walmart.

Now, Walmart has KDS 17" monitors for $430, and a Microtek 18" monitor for $450 ($398 if you buy online and pay a lot of shipping...). Are either Microtek or KDS brands that I should avoid? If all Wal-mart LCDs are overpriced junk, what should I look for?

TIA, L J

[mbossman2]

unless things have changed rather dramatically, KDS warranties kick butt.

[HAL9000]

I'll second the KDS

[thorlo6]

Well, my 21" CRT is a bit too big to go to college, they gave me a small desk there. So I'm about to get an LCD monitor, most likely just something cheap from Walmart.

Now, Walmart has KDS 17" monitors for $430, and a Microtek 18" monitor for $450 ($398 if you buy online and pay a lot of shipping...). Are either Microtek or KDS brands that I should avoid? If all Wal-mart LCDs are overpriced junk, what should I look for?

TIA, L J
Well, I'll put it like this, I purchased a 13" Spectre LCD monitor for my son, and it is VERY nice! Only paid $222 with taxes and S/H. Without any hesitation I can guarantee you that they do not carry junk. If I thought they were carrying junk I would buy from them. :) thorlo6

[glc]

KDS has been in the monitor business for years. Microtek is a scanner manufacturer. KDS warranties are not anywhere near as good as they used to be, but at least they have a toll-free phone that someone actually answers. Microtek has a history of poor support. Get the KDS if the choice is between these 2.

Looks to me like you can save close to $100 if you order one of the lower priced 17 inchers from Newegg - shipping is either free or 10 bucks on most of them. Look at this one, for example: (There are others that are also decent)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=24-014-041&depa=0

[Colonel Sanders]

That is a very nice loking montior GLC! I didn't know if BenQ was a good brand or not.

I actually somehow missed the monitor section of newegg, I'll have to look their some. :)

L J

[GaryRouth]

Not sure if you've bought your LCD yet, and not sure how many stores are in "the middle of nowhere" - but sometimes the local shops can have good deals - I've always liked the screen quality of the Samsung, Sony, and ViewSonic lines - but they come at a premium . . . some vendors offer academic discounts, if you'll be in the educator ranks. Dell's higher-quality 17inch won some reviews, and might have an academic discount [there are two models, the more expensive one is the prize-winner] ... It takes a lot of luck to find a Sony on sale, they tend to stay pricey longer than others

& Among the economy LCDs getting good reviews here in the Southland: the Envision models

[glc]

BenQ is the new name for Acer Peripherals. They have always had fairly decent products and warranties. Envision is decent as is Sceptre (but check the warranties carefully). The low price end at Newegg seems to be full of off the wall brands - they may very well be good, but I kinda want a company with a known good name behind anything I buy, there's nothing as frustrating as trying to get customer service from a company that can't even put up a website in English that will consistently load - and have a phone number that's not in Taiwan.

The KDS you are looking at is a very good product, but not at that price.