Other Thoughts
One possibility that we didn't even touch on yet is the option to use an LCD HDTV in place of a computer monitor. There are pros and cons to taking such a route, but if it's something that you're interested in doing there's nothing to stop you. HDTVs do have a few really nice features compared to computer monitors, like built-in speakers that actually sound decent if not great, numerous input options, and a remote control for those times when you want to sit back in your chair. Perhaps one of the best reasons to consider an HDTV is that you can get a 32" 1080P LCD for a lot less than a 30" computer LCD, and you also get larger pixels so text might not be quite as difficult to read. Speaking from experience, those without great eyesight may find 2560x1600 on a 30" display to be difficult on the eyes when reading text -- I usually work at 150% magnification in Microsoft Word, for example. You could even go nuts and get a 50 inch or larger "display" and use a wireless mouse and keyboard from 5 to 10 feet away.
Right about now, you might be thinking that HDTVs as computer monitors sound like a great idea. While they certainly work, there are some important caveats that you need to remember before taking the plunge. First, LCD HDTVs typically don't have base stand with adjustable height/tilt, so you will need a desk that puts the display at eye level. Second, HDTV LCDs tend to weigh more than computer LCDs, in part because they include larger speakers and other features. Finally -- and potentially the real killer -- HDTVs often come with a large amount of the internal processing lag. 50 ms or even 250 ms really doesn't make any difference when you're just watching TV and videos, provided that the audio and video remain in sync. Before going out and purchasing an HDTV for computer use, you might want to browse around the web first and verify that processing lag is not an issue. Some HDTVs include a "game" mode to bypass the video processing, which is something else to consider.
Because of the type of environment most people expect when using a computer, we would stick with LCD HDTVs that are at most 32" -- although some people might be okay with up to 42" displays. Definitely stick with 1080P options, unless you don't mind having really big pixels. As far as particular models are concerned, Sharp makes some 32" LCDs that are quite popular for gaming/HDTV/computer use. Overall, HDTVs tend to excel in video playback but fall behind in other areas. Regardless, it's definitely an option to consider if you're looking for a large display. As usual, you get what you pay for, so don't just go out and grab the cheapest option you can find. The better HDTVs will use IPS panels, whereas inexpensive models again make use of TN panels.
To wrap things up, here's a table summarizing some of our LCD recommendations. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but we do feel all of the displays in the following table are at least worth considering.
| 2008 LCD Recommendation Summary | ||||
| LCD | Size | Resolution | Panel Tech | Price |
| Entry-Level | ||||
| Acer X223Wbd | 22" | 1680x1050 | TN | $170 |
| ASUS VH226H | 22" | 1920x1080 | TN | $210 |
| ASUS VW222U | 22" | 1680x1050 | TN | $230 |
| Midrange | ||||
| LG L226WTY | 22" | 1680x1050 | TN | $260 |
| BenQ E2200HD | 22" | 1920x1080 | TN | $265 |
| Samsung T220 | 22" | 1680x1050 | TN | $270 |
| ViewSonic X Series VX2260wm | 22" | 1920x1080 | TN | $280 |
| Acer X243Wbd | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $290 |
| BenQ E2400HD | 24" | 1920x1080 | TN | $330 |
| BenQ G2400WD | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $340 |
| Dell SP2309W | 23" | 2048x1152 | TN | $380 |
| Hanns-G HG-281DPB | 28" | 1920x1200 | TN | $380 |
| Acer G24 | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $390 |
| Samsung 2493HM | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $390 |
| Gateway FHD2401 | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $400 |
| High-End | ||||
| Dell 2408WFP | 24" | 1920x1200 | S-PVA | $482 |
| Lenovo L220X | 22" | 1920x1200 | S-PVA | $485 |
| HP LP2475w | 24" | 1920x1200 | S-IPS | $585 |
| BenQ FP241VW | 24" | 1920x1200 | S-MVA | $600 |
| Planar PX2611W | 26" | 1920x1200 | S-IPS | $765 |
| Dream | ||||
| DoubleSight DS-305W | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-IPS | $950 |
| NEC LCD2690WUXi | 26" | 1920x1200 | H-IPS | $1050 |
| Samsung 305T | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-PVA | $1125 |
| Dell 3007WFP-HC | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-IPS | $1200 |
| HP LP3065 | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-IPS | $1250 |
| NEC LCD3090WQXi | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-IPS | $2000 |
As a final thought, just remember that your computer display is one part of the computer that you constantly look at, so spending more money to get a higher quality display is definitely something your eyes will appreciate. Not only can it have an immediate and dramatic impact on how you use your computer, but also keep in mind the fact that computer displays tend to stay in use for five years or more, as opposed to being out of date the instant you buy them. That being the case, we recommend trying to spend more money and get a nicer display if at all possible.
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DorkMan - Saturday, December 20, 2008 - link
Sorry, guys, grease on my fingers from dinner. Replace "not" with "now" in the above post.Gunlance - Friday, December 19, 2008 - link
I always enjoy browsing the LCD suggestion thread on the anandtech forums. The best place for really narrowing down your options.I'm still rocking my Samsung SyncMaster 215TW :)
MalVeauX - Friday, December 19, 2008 - link
Heya,If you need a display larger than 28", it's time for you to just go up to an HDTV plasma with 1080p native res. It'll cost less than $2,000 that the 30" listed dream setups do. I have a 42" plasma that is 1080p and the text is actually crisp. No point in being limited to a small real estate screen size when a quality 1080p plasma can do the same thing for you.
If you're using your display to code all day, literally, then stick with LCD's (in fact, get a wide screen that does portrait mode and then use it like that so you can see more of your code). But if you're using your display for casual use, gaming, and even video watching, you don't need a little LCD. Get something big. Make those high end machines and graphics cards do something wonderful that fills your face, not just a $4,000 machine on a tiny little 22" box that display all it does.
Very best,
RagingDragon - Sunday, December 21, 2008 - link
The maximum resolution for an HDTV is 1920x1080 (1080p), while the 30" displays are all 2560x1600. Generally buyers of 30" displays are looking for the highest possible resolution at a reasonable pixel size (high cost, tiny pixels, and iffy hardware and software suppport make the 23" 3840x2400 displays impracticle for most buyers).Inq - Friday, December 19, 2008 - link
Actually the HP LP2475 does not have an S-IPS panel but an H-IPS one just like the 26 NEC. Great display btw, it beats the 2408WFP IMO.rdh - Friday, December 19, 2008 - link
My Westinghouse L2410NM was pretty well panned by everyone. But, you know, I have been using it as a monitor and an HDTV now since April and I love it. It has the real estate do serious Software development, and has HDMI/Component inputs for HDTV from my Dishnetwork HDDVR. My son's xbox360 looks great on it. It has a 1080p MVA screen, and a 1920x1200 base resolution.The time for Monitors + HDTV inputs and resolutions has come.
strikeback03 - Monday, December 22, 2008 - link
We have several of these for work. If you need the VGA input the scaling can be weird, one had a broken menu/input select button, and at least one has a dead pixel, and there is the really annoying fact that it goes to a blue screen instead of shutting off when using the HDMI input. But for the price they were ($350-400 at Newegg) the image quality is great and the selection of inputs nice. Too bad Newegg no longer has them and everywhere else seems to be more expensive.Kairos - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
I bought a Samsung SyncMaster 2443BWX about five days ago, from Costco. It was marked down to $279, and since I got the last one in the store (apparently Samsung is phasing the model out), the display model (never turned on, just sat on the shelf), I got a 10% discount off of it. Actually, I didn't, because no one working at the store could figure out what 10% off of $279 was, so they ended up giving it to me for $200.It's a fairly bare-bones monitor (a panel on a stand with a DVI port and a VGA port, basically), but the panel quality is pretty good, and for $200 it's an amazing deal. I'm very satisfied with it, overall. Costco, in my experience, has always been a great place to shop for monitors. They'll often run really good clearance deals on old models, so you can get something nice for not much money.
Wineohe - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
Just received my 2408WFP today, although I paid a little more when I purchased it late Monday night.I set it up in a dual display configuration with the 1901FP it replaced, which is almost exactly 5 years old. I am shocked by how dim and off the colors are on the 1901FP. And to think I was debating the purchase. I can't believe I was actually editing family photos with it.
DrewAK - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
Newegg has the gateway 30" for $999.00 right now.