20.1" Widescreen Decision

C

CRSharff

Gawd
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Jun 18, 2006
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I have been researching for almost a week now and still cant make a decision!! Its gotten to the point where it is making me upset and in a bad mood. There are all the different types, such as TN, P-MVA, MVA, IPS etc and then all the bleeding issues and 6 bit vs 8 bit etc. PLEASE please help me make a decision. I am a student so the lower the price the better but I am looking for a 20.1" WS monitor.

I have looked at many monitors and everytime that I think its the one someone reviewing it has problems with it and changes my mind.

Heres some of the ones ive looked at:

SAMSUNG 204BW http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001087
Looks good but a little pricey (for me) trying to save as much as possible but would like to spend a little extra to get quality

SCEPTRE X20WC-Gamer Black 20.1"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824112003
Decent monitor?

BenQ FP202W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824014105
Read many professional reviews confirming this monitor not too good...

Acer Gamers Line AL2051W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009105
A tad on the pricey side

So what do you guys say? Any other suggestions? Please help me decide.
I will be gaming on this monitor, doing some photo editing, movies/tv so I kinda need a "all-around" monitor.

Thank you for your input!
 
I'm in the same boat as this guy, I need a new monitor pronto and I'm looking at those exact ones. Anyone have any input?
 
i have the sceptre hooked up to my macbook and it looks great. I have noticed some backlight bleeding on black screens, but it dos'nt bother me. I bought it at costco, so i can bring it back whenever I want.

i like the fact that the base is easly removable(4 screws), i take mine off and put the monitor right on my desk leaning against the wall. it is wide enough to stand without the stand and it gives it a nice sleek look.

Overall i would say that for the price its great.
 
Looks like you are trying to stay under $300 so i don't have any further suggestions. However...
just going purely by panel technology I would choose either the Samsung (S-PVA) or the Acer (P-MVA) as I believe both the Sceptre and Benq use TN. My personal preference would be the P-MVA Acer but I don't know if it would truly be a better all around monitor than the Samsung.
 
Actually I believe that the "Gamer" version of the sceptre has MVA.

Someone mentioned that the Naga has TN the Gamer has MVA and the NAGA III has P-MVA. I'm not too sure but I am still looking for suggestions please!

I am leaning towards the Acer but might wait for a rebate or sale before buying.
 
I have the Acer <<Acer Gamers Line AL2051W>> I got this about 2 weeks ago. I was in the same boat as you just going crazy trying to decide. I was going to get a 22" WS for the real estate. I went into a compusa to look at the different panels to see how I would like them. They weren't horrible but I saw a HP 21" with 178deg viewing angles and I could tell an immediate difference. I'm not sure off hand what hte AL2051 uses panel wise, The viewing angles are 176/176 Degrees so I'm sure it's not a TN panel.
I absolutely love this monitor. Right now I only play vanguard on it and don't notice any ghosting. There's a slight blur with the grass and stuff when quickly turning. I'm not sure if this happens on an CRT too since I was really looking for it once I hooked up my LCD :D No dead pixels and I got this for 284 Shipped from Newegg. It's got the clear coat stuff on it which to me makes it look good. I don't have it setup where I have to worry about light from a window reflecting off it also. All in All I'm very pleased with my purchase. My roomy looked at it and is now considering going from a 21 CRT to this monitor. Hope that helps.

Also, don't have a digital camera any more so I won't be able to post photos since mine went to crap.
 
Same exact boat here. Need a 20" widescreen for my wife so she can join me in LotRO. She's reluctant so I want her to have a good experience and the Viewsonic 19" just isn't cutting it ghosting-wise.

I've got my eye on the Samsung 206BW.

The only cons seem to be that its base isn't height-adjustable. And, of course, it's $299 before mail-in rebate.

You might consider that one. And if anyone has any feedback on this model and doesn't mind a minor thread hijack (;)), please let me now.

H
 
get the samsung 206bw. I just bought one 2 nights ago and it is awesome. Also maximum pc did a review of 20" widescreen monitors and the samsung won.

***Also Circuit City has it on sale for 279.99. So see if a local store has it in stock then get the 10&#37; off coupon through ebay buy online and pickup in store. I just bought one more and the total price was $264.59
 
I'm also in the same boat...well was. I decided to pick up the ACER AL2051W from newegg. Should be here monday. 3 main reason's for me getting this monitor:

1. It's not a TN panel <shivers> (ACER is P - MVA) http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/

2. True 8-BiT color

3. Crystalbright - glossy finish

And really, the price isn't "that" bad. Looking forward to comming back with some more input.

OP, you do get what you pay for so a few extra bucks may be worth it.
 
Question, the Samsung 204BW vs the 206BW, the main difference seems to be the response time, 6ms vs 2ms. Will that be a noticable difference in gaming?
 
PCSurgeon said:
I'm also in the same boat...well was. I decided to pick up the ACER AL2051W from newegg. Should be here monday. 3 main reason's for me getting this monitor:

1. It's not a TN panel <shivers> (ACER is P - MVA) http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/

2. True 8-BiT color

3. Crystalbright - glossy finish

And really, the price isn't "that" bad. Looking forward to comming back with some more input.

OP, you do get what you pay for so a few extra bucks may be worth it.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I am just going to go ahead and put the extra money into the Acer.
Does Acer do mail in rebates often? Just wondering because I am not in a huge rush to buy one.

Thank you everyone for their input.

PS: I plan to hook up an Xbox 360 to it and was wondering if anyone had any experience with it.
 
Samsung 206bw 2ms 3000:1 contrast $265 pickup
Acer AL2051W 8ms 800:1 contrast $265 shipped

I would spent the cash on the samsung.
 
Okay annilation could you help me out:

In order to get the Samsung I should call up my local Circuit City then go online to ebay and buy it online after I get the 10% off coupon?

Could you give me a more thorough explanation because this seems like a good deal and may be interested.

Thank you for your help!

PS: What type of panel is the samsung?
 
I've found that the "glossy finish" on the LCD for my Sony laptop is actually very nice and I'd prefer that on what I'm going to buy. I note the Acer has one. Does Samsung (especially the 206bw) have it as well?
 
annilation said:
Samsung 206bw 2ms 3000:1 contrast $265 pickup
Acer AL2051W 8ms 800:1 contrast $265 shipped

I would spent the cash on the samsung.
Click to expand...

The samsung 206bw is a TN panel - 6-BiT (3000:1 contrast is not "true" contrast its "Dynamic" contrast. The real contrast is closer to 1000:1)

The samsung 205bw is also a 6-BiT TN panel

The ACER as mentioned before is a true 8-BiT panel. No "dithering"!!

8ms is plenty fast enough for gaming.


As for the samsung having the "glossy finish", I don't think they do....altho I could be wrong.
 
Hurin said:
I've found that the "glossy finish" on the LCD for my Sony laptop is actually very nice and I'd prefer that on what I'm going to buy. I note the Acer has one. Does Samsung (especially the 206bw) have it as well?
Click to expand...
No, Samsung doesn't have any glossy panels that I'm aware of. In addition to a Dell 2007WFP I also have an Acer F-20 and I can tell you that the glossy panel does make a difference with color saturation...and I prefer it.
 
This is the same panel mentioned previously in this thread with the the glossy panel, correct? Heh, this thing costs equivilent to about $400. Would this Acer AL2051W be better than, say, a Samsung 226BW?
 
Mansize_tissue said:
This is the same panel mentioned previously in this thread with the the glossy panel, correct? Heh, this thing costs equivilent to about $400. Would this Acer AL2051W be better than, say, a Samsung 226BW?
Click to expand...

Yes, same screen.

Would it be better? To me yes, as the Samsung would have been my other choice. But I'm a gamer who wants color accuracy (movies won't look blotchy), smaller dot pitch. To others, color accuracy may not be as important. I'm sure there are more than a few that get along just fine with their TN panels. In fact, I know a few. Simply comes down to what you want :)


Acer AL2051W Review
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,125927-page,1/article.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/Acer_AL2051W_flat_panel_display_TFT_20/4505-3174_7-31818969.html

http://www.behardware.com/articles/619-2/updated-survey-13-lcd-20-5-6-8-16-ms.html
 
i really like the dell 2005 fwp. just got rid of mine to upgrade to a 24" sold it for 250. check fleebay you might get lucky:)
 
Killing2Live said:
Okay annilation could you help me out:

In order to get the Samsung I should call up my local Circuit City then go online to ebay and buy it online after I get the 10% off coupon?

Could you give me a more thorough explanation because this seems like a good deal and may be interested.

Thank you for your help!

PS: What type of panel is the samsung?
Click to expand...

Go to circuitcity.com and make sure they have it in stock at the store you want to use. Then go onto ebay and find the 10% circuit city coupon. Buy it, mine cost me 1.$1.50. Once you recieve the coupon through email, takes 5 min. Go back to the Circuit city site and buy the monitor for in store pickup. While checking out it will ask you if you want to use a coupon. Say yes and use the code that is on the coupon that you got through ebay. After you purchase you get an email for reciept take it and go get your monitor.
 
PCSurgeon said:
The samsung 206bw is a TN panel - 6-BiT (3000:1 contrast is not "true" contrast its "Dynamic" contrast. The real contrast is closer to 1000:1)

The samsung 205bw is also a 6-BiT TN panel

The ACER as mentioned before is a true 8-BiT panel. No "dithering"!!

8ms is plenty fast enough for gaming.


As for the samsung having the "glossy finish", I don't think they do....altho I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Alright I think I have decided after researching the samsung panel that I still want to go with the Acer.

I am sick of researching and just want to finally get the monitor!
 
Im in the same boat as OP. I've been looking at the Acer for some time now. It seems like the best out of the pack. I'm thinkin of pickin this up also.

Or take chance on a dell 2007WFP.

Anybody got any screens of these monitors next to each other?
 
samsung! for me. i have the 204b and image quality is excellent.
people buy dell like buying coke. i personally never seen a dell up close.
 
Coming down to my final decision and just as I was about to order the Acer I came across the:

CHIMEI 221D-NBC Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

It comes out to about the same price since it has free shipping. What Im wondering is what type of panel it is. Such as TN, MVA etc. It has 16.7million colors and says its a true 8bit and has 170degrees viewing angles so if its not TN I think im going to get it because it is 22" instead of 20"

So the Chimei or the Acer?

Heres the Acer again.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009105
 
EnforcerGT said:
Im in the same boat as OP. I've been looking at the Acer for some time now. It seems like the best out of the pack. I'm thinkin of pickin this up also.

Or take chance on a dell 2007WFP.

Anybody got any screens of these monitors next to each other?
Click to expand...
You see a lot of posts about the Dell monitors (good or bad) because they are popular for a reason. If you win the lottery (and get it for under $400) then you have the absolute, hands down best monitor in that price range. If you look for an IPS panel, fully adjustable stand, PiP/PbP, 1:1 pixel mapping, composite and S-video inputs, usb ports...the Dell 2007WFP is the only choice you have unless you spend a couple hundred more on a NEC 20WMGX2 or move up to a 24" panel.
 
Hurin said:
Same exact boat here. Need a 20" widescreen for my wife so she can join me in LotRO. She's reluctant so I want her to have a good experience and the Viewsonic 19" just isn't cutting it ghosting-wise.

I've got my eye on the Samsung 206BW.

The only cons seem to be that its base isn't height-adjustable. And, of course, it's $299 before mail-in rebate.

You might consider that one. And if anyone has any feedback on this model and doesn't mind a minor thread hijack (;)), please let me now.

H
Click to expand...

u can get a neo-flex (ergotron) lcd stand for 29 bucks from office max or 45 from circuit city ath does the height rotation tild and portrait i got the 206bw with the stand specifically for the protrait turn (2nd monitor to westy 37)
 
Chemei is pretty looking. another day i was browsing it, it is a chinese lcd i think, i wonder how is the image quality too?
 
Ive been investigating LCDs for a month now. Ive decided on the Sceptre X20WC. I dont like Newegg's return policy but its the only place to get one :(. But from all reviews it seems to have a very low probability of a dead or stuck pixel. A stuck sub pixel is my worst fear.

One thing to keep in mind about 22" LCDs...they ALL use TN panels.

3 reasons I decided on the X20WC

1. Cheap..$200
2. MVA panel
3. Glossy screen.
 
I posted earlier in this topic and I decided to go with the Sceptre, it is amazing. No dead/stuck pixels, the glossy screen is great, and its very bright. Its like night and day next to my old Acer 1912. You will not (problaby) be disappointed.
 
How good are those glossy screens? -Because i've been wondering whether the cost of the NEC 20" glossy monitor (i forget the model number) is justifiable.
 
i have one 19" gx2 nec, the glossy screen is fabulous. but i wouldn't recommend buying anything lower than a 1680x1050 resolution. at 1280x1024 things are big on a 19". and the colors are beautiful, better than my samsung 204b.
 
I love the glossy screen on my Acer. I think it looks just awesome. Might want to see if you can walk into a store to look at a comparison. From the research I've done before purchasing my monitor, people seem to either like it or not like it. I think you can look at a laptop with a glossy screen to get an idea of BB and such doesn't have one on display. I think the Sony Laptops pretty much use the glossy screens.
 
I have two benq fp202w and I love them.

I was definitely on a budget when I bought them. The size is great, the color is not as bad as everyone says. I did have to do a lot of tweaking to make the color acceptable. It is very cheap in price compared to other monitors.

If your a gamer on a budget, this is the monitor to get. If your into photoshop or video editing where color has to be top notch, this is not the monitor for you.
 
Shroomie said:
I bought the Samsung 206BW a couple weels ago, and I love it.
Click to expand...

I don't know whether to get this monitor, or the NEC NEC 20WGX2 glossy panel. How good is the Samsung, have you had anything to compare it to? Is it bright and vibrant enough for games?
 
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