New display advise?

[sebrowns]

Hello,

There seems to be a lot of people here who are VERY knowledgeable about displays. I was hoping to get some advice about a monitor purchase I am about to make for my home office.

I am looking to purchase 2 ~24" VESA-compatible displays for my home office. I would like to spend no more than ~ $250/monitor. I will mostly be using these monitors for computer programming. Two options I was considering are:

1. ASUS VH238H 23-Inch LED Monitor
2. ASUS VE258Q 25-Inch LED Monitor

Does anyone have an opinion on what I should get? Does anyone have any other suggestions on other good displays? Thanks for your time.

 

[sebrowns]

Bump?

 

[tombaker]

Look at this one, its IPS....its 280 but without Tax
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VP2365WB-23-Inch-IPS-Monitor/dp/B002R0JJYO"]Amazon.com: ViewSonic VP2365WB 23-Inch IPS LCD Monitor: Computer & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41mEKeLlHZL.@@AMEPARAM@@41mEKeLlHZL[/ame]

 

[cvgd]

If you're thinking about using one (or both) of your monitors in portrait mode, the quality of the underlying panel will matter. TN panels have very limited viewing angles in portrait, and are difficult to use even for text.

The Samsung 2333t has a cPVA panel that works well in portrait. It's asymmetrical bezel is a problem, though. There are a few other monitors that use the same panel, but they are a bit out of your price range. The $300 NEC EX231W is a new offering that should be a good fit.

You've also got a number of IPS options that are near your price range. Some dislike the antiglare coating on the IPS monitors; depending on your office's lighting conditions and your preferences, it may be an issue. The cPVA panels have a softer antiglare coating.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005234
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005232
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824002578

If you're really interested in using a monitor in portrait mode, you might want to consider a monitor with 1200 vertical pixels, either 1920x1200 or 1600x1200. The 1200 pixels, the horizontal width in portrait, let you fit more code into a single line, generally improving the coding experience. The 1920x1200 panels are out of your price range, with the HP ZR24W the cheapest, usually available for ~$400. For 1600x1200, you're going to have to move toward a refurb. Dell often has the 2007FP available at either the outlet store or at dfsdirectsales.com.

 

[sebrowns]

Wow, thank you for the help. I was actually just researching the HP ZR24W.

I also went to the local Best Buy to look at a few options that they had in stock. I was struck by how weird the 16:9 ration looks. I current have a 2007 20" Apple Cinema Display, so I'm not used to the change in aspect ratios. This is what got me looking at the HP ZR24W's 16:10. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear VESA compatible, but I could live with this given the 16:10 format and 1920 x 1200 resolution.

Do people feel that the increased cost of the HP ZR24W(~$350) is worth it over cheaper TN displays like the Asus VE258Q (~$250). Thanks in advance for the opinions/help!

 

[cvgd]

The HP zr24w is definitely VESA compatible. The stand is nice enough, though, that you may just leave it.

The two main issues with the HP are that it doesn't have a scaler, so is poor for non computer uses (ie, console gaming), and some people have struggled with inadequate black levels. There is a large thread on [H] discussing the monitor.

You can also read this very detailed review: http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2010/review-hp-zr24w.html

Honestly, at $350, it's a very good deal.

 

[sebrowns]

Thanks for the help cvgd. I think I will buy two HP zr24W displays. I really don't want to spend any more than $350/display and I'm happy to get 16:10 and 1920 x 1200 resolution. I mainly need them for coding and web browsing. Gaming/movies are not really a concern because I have a home theater system. I'll post a link to my setup once they arrive.

 

[joeshmoe]

If you're coming from an Apple display TN should be the last on your list lol