Any one able to help pick a good monitor

[ACtion]

Hey All,

I just about have all the parts for my new computer.

ABit KT7A-Raid MB
1.2G 266/Athlon CPU w/ThermoEngine cooler
256 MB/133Hz Crucial Ram
Full Tower Case
2 WD 20G /7200RPM HD's w/round cables
HP CD12R cd/rw
Cannon N1220u scanner
WWW Via cable

I would really appreciate any help (or horror story) in picking a good flat screen. Anything look good in the 15"/17" : $400/$500 price range. I heard prices will drop a lot by November. Should I wait? Prefer a flat screen because I don't have much desktop but suggestions on reg screen 17"/19" also appreciated. I will be replacing a 13" Gateway crystalscan that hasn't skipped a dpi since I got it in 1993.

Appreciate your comments
ACtion

[Tiretool]

One of the best monitors in the "bang for your buck" dept. would be the KDS line found at Office Depot and Wal Mart. I use a KDS Visual Sensations 19" and it's super! Only cost me $299 but now they're down to $259. It is not a flat screen monitor, but is of good quality nevertheless.

[morriswindgate]

At this link is a special at Compusa on an Envision 19" .25 pitch unit that is $149.99 after instant savings and Mail-in rebate.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?prodzip=&product_code=280664

[Tiretool]

Plus shipping and handling.... ouch.

[mrjohnsonjr]

i have one of those 19 inch envision monitors....so far i like it....wasn't sure about it because it was so cheap. i researched it and it turns out to be a very capable monitor.. i enjoy having 19 inches of monitors...makes ur eyes big like saucers :)

[HAL9000]

I have sold many AOC monitors (they manufacture the Envision) and they were very reliable, but, I found the colour consistancy was a little off. The only reason that I noticed this was when I watched TV with my AIW card. Every time I started the program, I had to change the colour/contrast/brightness settings. Not to turn anyone away from this monitor, but it's something to be aware of. Like I said, they had awesome reliability.

[glc]

I have seen KDS VS-19sn (short neck) for as low as $199. This is a conventional 19" with a stubby yoke that doesnt take up a lot of space behind it. KDS has a real nice 15" LCD flatscreen (RAD-5) for $349.

[RJ]

I have the Philips Brilliance 150P since May 2000 and it's an excellent 15,1" flat screen (comparable to a 17" CRT). It has both analog (VGA) and digital (DVI) inputs, so you don't have to change the graphics card right now to a digital one, but you can do it later if you want.
All philips TFTs contain both inputs.
Other good ones are from Samsung, Scott and NEC which are pretty good, too.

You should also know that the most 15" TFTs only diplay a max. res. of 1024x768 and offer the sharpest picture only at this resolution.
If you also play a lot of games and watch DVDs then be sure that the reponse time is low. Mine has 50ms. It's good, but there are faster TFTs out there now (40ms, 35ms, 25ms).
If you've got enough money buy the 18" TFT with 25ms response time.

RJ

[ACtion]

Hey,
Thanks alot for the information. All good leads. Much appreciated.

ACtion

[AndyM]

One more thing. I've had a 19" Mitsubishi that I bought as a refurb at UBID for 2 years now. I had to wait a couple months to find what I wanted but I bought one for myself and one for my son. We have had no problems so far with our excellent monitors that cost total of $385.00 each, shipped. Check UBID and wait for a deal if you have the time and patience. I got the tip here...so I know others have had the same success as me.