22" Monitor Hunt Woes

Hi
I've spent the last 2 days researching 22" monitors and I feel like I'm getting nowhere fast.

I'll be using my monitor mostly for gaming, watching films and web browsing with the occasional work in photoshop/illustator (non professionally though).

I realise that all 22" use the TN technology but this doesn't bother me as I found out that I've only ever used TN monitors.

Anyway, I've managed to boil my choices down to 3 contenders, all similarly priced:

Samsung SM-226BW
Iiyama PLE2201W-B1
Dell E228WFP

The main problem here is the Samsung SM-226BW. The only thing stopping me from buying it is the supposed "panel lottery". I've read in many places that there are 4 types of panel for this model (A, C, S, and R). Many claim that there are massive differences between them whereas other claim that with a little jiggery pokery in the OSD settings they are all practically equal. I also understand that this panel does have input lag also. However, what I'm not sure about is whether this matters at all.

The Iiyama has always come second under the Samsung in most of the reviews I've read. It does, however, have zero input lag and I also know I'm not going to be entering into some panel lottery. It's supposedly very good for gaming, apparently more responsive than the samsung with less ghosting but the image quality is not as good.

The Dell is in the list but only because it has also faired well in many online reviews and as far as I can remember dell have a good reputation with monitors and customer service so these are also a bonus.

Interestingly I found this on scan.co.uk website: Link

What does the V2 in the item title mean? Does it gurantee a good panel? I haven't been able to find any mention of a V2 SM-226BW anywhere else so is this just scan cleverly marketing the monitor? I've e-mailed to ask them about it but it normally takes a good while for them to respond.

So, what would you do or what are your experiences of these monitors?

P.S. I don't want a 24" monitor. My 8800GT would probably struggle on some of the more recent games at 1900 x 1200 and anyway there isn't enough room on my desk for one either. The 22" samsung pebble is out of the question too as it is too tall and lacks VESA mount points for a replacement stand.

Many thanks!

also check out LG L227WTG-PF and Westy L2210NW($249) bestbuy has them.

both really nice and great for gaming.

Ah, I should have probably mentioned that I live in the UK. Both those models would be difficult to get over here without shipping from the US.

I have the Dell you listed, the only gripe I have with it is the backlight bleeding, when not at the desktop (startup, and the generic windowsxp screensaver)

Yeah, I'd read about that with the dell. Do you play many games with it?

I'm going to give the Hanns-G HW216DPB a try. I picked it up for about $180 after taxes when it was on-sale with coupons. It will be arriving tomorrow and I'll let you know how it does.

Cool. I've seen the haans G monitors on various sites. But I will say that I do use a 19" haans G at work and I'd say it's a quite basic monitor. Of course, it is pretty old though, one of the earlier models they released I think.

I have a CMO-panel Samsung 2232BW which I use for gaming and I think it's great. If a little bit of backlight bleed on all-black screens doesn't bother you then I wouldn't worry about the "panel lottery" issue. I ended up getting the worst but I am still very satisfied.

Indeed the CMO panel on my 226BW isn't noticeable really at all, i have heard the other panel is much better but if my panel is far worse then you really have nothing to fear since mine is not all that bad.

ive got a samsung 226bw and its been really good so far. great for gaming too and i havent noticed any "input lag".

Ghaarnok said:

The Dell is in the list but only because it has also faired well in many online reviews and as far as I can remember dell have a good reputation with monitors and customer service so these are also a bonus.

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Wait wait, As far as tech support this is what I got from dell with my last technical issue needing support "Oh sorry sir, I can not help you with that. So what I will do is transfer you to another department." OR "Sir, sir I can not understand you, please repeat it again." the latter of which I had to do like a dozen times for every sentence. Man their tech support sucks ass, nothing against the Indians but most know nothing about what they are trying to help you with.

The 226BW has been replaced by the 2253BW at least here in the US. Check that out if it's available for you the panels are a all the same and more consistent.

Can't seem to get the 2253BW in the UK as of yet. No word on when it will be available either.

In my travels I did spot the samsung 223BW though. What's the deal with this monitor? Can hardly find any info on it.

Ghaarnok said:

Yeah, I'd read about that with the dell. Do you play many games with it?

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I use it with a 360 and it does fine with no noticeable lag. I also used the Guitar Hero III lag test, and it tested with zero input lag, for what it's worth.

I've been really eying up the 22" HP W2207. I've noticed the high-def model being available on uk amazon, but that model is about 250 euros.