3 Monitors, One Choice

A

apt403

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Right, so for the past week I've been trying to decide on which 22" monitor to get. I've narrowed it down to 3 that are in my price range (~$350), the LG L226WT, the Sammy 226BW, and the HP W2207. 'Cource, I'm still open to suggestions.

They all seem to be in heavy use around here, so I figure this is the perfect place to ask about 'em.

This monitor is going to be hooked up to my main computer, so I'm going to be doing everything with it, gaming, web browsing, movie watching, ect. I might get a 2nd one, depending on how much I like the first. An 8800gts 320mb or 2600xt is going to be driving it. I don't care if the screen is glossy, 90% of the time my room is almost pitch black.

I'm on the brink of abondoning the 226BW, since with my luck I'll get the crappiest Chi Mei panel ever made. I'm not too keen on going back and forth to CC or BB until I get an S panel... The only thing that's keeping me from nixing it is all the talk of great image quality of the S panel models.

The L226WT seems to be having some major issues as well, but since I can tell if I'm getting an WT/WTX or WTQ just by looking at the side of the box it's still in the running.

I've just started researching the W2207, but so far it doesnt seem as problematic as the other two. I just started reading the HP w2207 vs. Samsung 226bw, and so far it seems like the W2207 is perfered over the 226BW.

So, L226WT, 226BW, W2207, or something else entirely?
 
Ok, I'm almost convinced I should get the W2207. I've heard nothing about it but praise.
 
apt403 said:
Ok, I'm almost convinced I should get the W2207. I've heard nothing about it but praise.
Click to expand...

You should know that the top area of the monitor is darker than the bottom; however, this is inherent with most of these TN displays. Have you not considered a 20" non-TN monitor?
 
The only LCDs I've ever used have been TN's, so I'm well aware of that problem.

I have looked into getting a 20" monitor, but 22" just sounds so much bigger then 20"! Stupid reason, I know, but still... Also, one of the main reasons I would get a non-TN 20" monitor instead TN 22" one is true 8 bit color, but most 8-bit 20" screens I've seen are either the same price or more expensive then a 6-bit with dithering 22". I can handle dithering for that extra 2". I mean, if there's a good 20" that has the same or higher res as the W2207, 8-bit color, similar response time, is a widescreen (kinda goes along with the res thing, but oh well.), and is under $300 (might as well get 2 if I'm going 20"), I'll definatly get it, but those are pretty strict requirements.
 
Yeah, i get your point. The extra size (despite being the same resolution) is difficult to resist. I'm now about to buy a HP w2207 over the NEC 20WGX2 my heart was set on; i guess i'm just a sucker for the extra 2 inches.
 
That's what she said...:p

I would go for a 20" instead of a TN panel, but it is your choice to make and you are the one who will be using it for who knows how many years.
 
In the electronics stores, the w2207 looked much better than the other two monitors you mentioned, but then you have to bear in mind that a glossy screen will always have much better looking colors in a highly-lit environment like a large store.

I ended up deciding on the w2207 because it had the best looking colors, had an all-around stylish look, and had some nice features such as pivot and USB hub functionality. I also didn't have to worry about playing the panel lottery with the HP. The potential drawbacks are that the glossy screen might produce a lot of glare if it is setup facing a light source and that the cost is a bit higher (although you can see my recent post in the official w2207 thread for a way to get it for <$300 after rebate if you order before Saturday).

For me, I didn't want to consider the 20" option because I was already using a 22" CRT, and I didn't want to downgrade the size, and higher quality 24" panels are out of my price range.
 
When I go to buy the W2207 I'll try to play around with a couple non-TN monitors as well, so I can see what they're like compared to the W2207.

I need a colorimeter as well. I was thinking about getting the Spyder2 Express or Spyder2 Suite, but then I read a review comparing the Express to a LaCie Blue Eye Pro. The LaCie pretty much destroyed to Spyder in terms of color accuracy. I mean, the Spyder knocked a couple points off the dE for most of colors, but the LaCie had almost everything down to the 1-2 range. I guess I could afford to get the LaCie or a Gretag Macbeth calibrator, but is the difference really noticable?
 
Sorry, I wasn't on the lookout for that model. I went specifically to compare the models the OP is looking at.
 
I was going to buy the sammy since everyone has been talking about it but I went to CC and saw it with the W2207. This was before I heard about the w2207 and the w2207 is MUCH better. I mean the glossy screen makes it much clearer screen and overall it is just a better looking picture.
 
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