1920x1200 or 1920x1080 does it matter

[sasquatch182]

I've been researching new monitors for what seems like days.

I don't want to spend more than about $275 each but want to get two for dual display.

I'm a casual gamer (COD:MW2) but mostly surfing, programming and website dev work. So I need want crisp clean text.

I'm currently on 21" hitachi CRTs but want to dump these monster heat producers.

So, I see a lot of 22-24" LCDs. Some are 1920x1200 and some are 1920x1080 does it really matter?

Also, it seems that since I do a bit of gaming that refresh is important with 5ms being the high end of the scale and 2ms is better.

I know IPS is priced too high but choosing a good TN seems really tough with all the choices.

My original thoughts were
Samsung T240HD
Dell S2209X2 (which is S2209W but 2 monitors) Now I read that these are not the same as 2209WA monitors
Dell ST2410
Dell P2310

I've also heard good things about the asus monitors. How in the world does someone pick?

Thanks for any advice on the choices above or any others in the under $300 price range.

 

[holinger]

Okay so before everyone jumps on you. . . Everyone on this forum is going to say 1920x1200!!! . . . but here is how it is. . .. 1920x1200 obviously has more pixels, so it has a tiny bit more real estate. . . Also, if your comparing say 2 monitors, both 22 inches, and one is 1920x1200 and the other is 1920x1080. . . the area of the 1920x1200 screen is literally bigger (you can solve it with a simple trig/geometry function) the 1920x1200 screen is roughly 5 % larger area. HOWEVER. . . I find that its all opinion. If you like having the screen wider, go for it. If you plan on playing xbox,ps3, or watching tv on it. . . feel free to go 1920x1080. . . So as far as the monitors you listed, I don't have a clue. As far as shape, depends on your use.

also. if your getting 2 monitors I don't know that I would suggest getting the 1920x1080s. . For two monitors I'd maybe consider 1 that is 16:10 and 1 that is 16:9 and have them be the same vertical height. . (is a 23 inch 16:9 and a 22 inch 16:10 same height? I would think so) . .. then you could have the best of both worlds. . . otherwise if your getting 2 get both as 1920x1200 I would think.

 

[CRSharff]

I like 16:10 better than 16:9 for computer use but it is up to personal preference.
I know when I go monitor shopping in a year or two I will be looking at 1920x1200.

 

[CutterX]

I like 16x10 better than 16x9 for computer use but it is up to personal preference.
I know when I go monitor shopping in a year or two I will be looking at 1920x1200.

I don't see why anyone would prefer having less vertical space on the desktop.

 

[CRSharff]

I don't see why anyone would prefer having less vertical space on the desktop.

Well for some of the reasons listed above, if someone is watching lots of movies, and hooking it up to a console etc. If you are using it for a lot of 16:9 material I can see where a 16:9 monitor may suit someone better.

 

[Mr_Coffee]

Even if you use the screen exclusively for 16:9 video you could still use those extra pixels for subtitles

This is all somewhat moot though since the industry has decided that "HD" is the way to go. If you're presented with identical 16:9 and 16:10 monitors the choice is obvious but with the newer/better/cheaper panels being produced it's tough to hold back. The new 27" iMac and 23" 2048x1152 panels are good examples of this. The 27" IPS is nice and the 23" provided an incredible amount of pixels for your dollar but they both are cut from their 3:4 and/or 16:10 counterparts.

 

[Walker]

Personally, I think the 16:9 aspect ratio is too wide for computer monitors as I don't find the horizontal space that much useful. I used my CRT at 1600x1200 10 years a go and then after that bought a 17" LCD that had the vertical resolution of 1024. Now you have all those large screens that are only 1080p, basically no improvement in vertical space. Unfortunetaly, it seems the market is moving toward 16:9 and 1920x1200 will be hard to find in not so distant future. It annoys me that if you want to have a decent vertical resolution, it seems you're going to have to go with 27" or bigger screens when that happens.