Please hold my hand...

S

Shawnasee

Gawd
Joined
Jun 24, 2008
Messages
689
and help me to make a decision.

I have been looking for a display for quite some time (you can read these two threads for history, but it's not needed - http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1331484 and http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1328186 )and now that I have my system nailed down and ready to order I need to bring my full attention to bear on getting a monitor I will be happy with.

I have narrowed it down to 4.
Price and resolutions vary greatly.

Here is the system I am getting:

Apevia (Aspire) X-CRUISER Silver Steel ATX
2x Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E
Vantec SF8025L 80mm Ball Bearing Quiet Case Fan
Corsair TX-750W SLI/Crossfire Capable
Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550 3.6GHz
Tuniq Tower 120
GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4
GSkill DDR2-1000 4GB (2 x 2G CL5
Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA2 7200rpm 16MB
Samsung SH-S223Q LightScribe 20X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW SATA Drive
Samsung SH-S223F 22X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW SATA Drive
VisionTek Radeon HD4870X2 2GB
Microsoft Vista Home Premium 64-bit



1. Dell Crystal
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=223-5647

For the sheer beauty, we love this one. I can get it for $894 w/free shipping through an ebay store. It is only sporting 1680x1200 resolution, however, so realize it is purely form over function. I am pretty sure my system is overkill for this monitor but it sure would look great in our living room and I know for sure I would be able to turn everything to high no matter what new game I get.
I don't play Crysis or FPS's...well, for the most part.


2. The BenQ V2400W or G2400W
http://www.buy.com/prod/benq-v2400w-widescreen-lcd-monitor-24-1920-x-1200-5ms-0-27mm-250-1/q/loc/101/207993612.html

I can get the V2400W for $413.99 w free shipping and the G2400W for $375.00 w/free shipping. I really dig the look of the V2400W. It's a bit tall, and no height adjustment but it's got great reviews right here in these forums.
Its a shame because I really want to take it off it's stand and put it on one of those arms.
The G2400W is so plain it puts me to sleep but again, it's got good reviews here at [H].


3. Lenovo L220X
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4241
Can get this for $377.19 w/free shipping.
This is perhaps my favorite because it's unique as it is the only 22" desktop monitor with 1920x1200 resolution. It has a very tank looking feel to it, which I like, and I like the portrait aspect of it.


4. The Gateway FHD2400 or FHD2401
http://www.pcworld.com/article/146706/gateway_fhd2400_24inch_widescreen_lcd_monitor.html

I can get the 2400 for $335.96 to $439.99 and the 2401 for $426.80.
Can anyone tell me the difference between these two monitors? The only thing I could see what that the 2nd one isn't as flexible.
I really dig this one too because of the PiP, the resolution and the look of it. It's stylish and has the portrait mode if we choose to use it. If I can find it for under $400 dollars that would be awesome. I know that sounds weird when I am considering unloading almost $900 on a lesser display just cause it looks good, but the thing has to be somewhat aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

It's part of the decor of our living room. It won't be hidden away in a basement or home office but will be on view for the whole world to see.

We're going to see the Gateway and the Crystal tonight. I told my wife yesterday that we weren't getting the crystal, it's too much money for not-a-lot except looking really, really great, but this morning when I woke up it was on my mind.

See! I need to purchase! I can't be waking up thinking about monitors, I am sure it's not healthy.

So please, hold my hand and take me to the aisle of displays that I'm allowed to choose from.



In addition if anyone knows of a 24" that has the following features, please point me in that direction. You can see what my budget is.

- Picture in Picture
- Full stand adjustability or VESA mountable
- Built in Webcam (I have a USB one, so this is just for convenience and aesthetic purposes)
- 1920x1200 resolution (do I even need 1920x1200 res?)
- Don't care about viewing from an angle so TN is fine with me.
- Portrait mode capable
- Not plain looking.
- Good for gaming.
 
+1 for FHD2400, glossy screen, some people love it some hate it, But the 92% widecolor and glossy combination makes it absolutely beautiful. Been using it for a year now, great monitor. Does need some calibration out of the box tho, so keep that in mind.
 
my vote is 2400, too. the dell crystal makes too many comprises in the name of style, imo.
 
Yeah the Crystal is out.
Just can't justify the price vs performance. If Lenovo can squeeze 1920x1200 into a 22 inch for $400 then Dell should have been able to as well, especially for $1200.

So 2 for the Gateway.
 
id be tempted to go for the lenovo, Ive never heard of a 22" with that high a resolution, it must look sharp as anything!
 
I think it's over now.

The Gateway has everything I want.
-somewhat stylish
-portrait rotation
-Picture in Picture
-1920x1200 res
-Height adjustable and VESA mount
-Every input imaginable

and it's cheap.

Thanks for the hand hold everyone! Thanks for all of your input over the last few months. I really appreciate it.

Cheers! :)
 
me too..I ordered my FP241VW last wednesday and right now UPS' last scan was leaving california 5 days ago. They have no idea where the package is and its scheduled for delivery today....:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
 
Shawnasee said:
a
- Don't care about viewing from an angle so TN is fine with me.
- Portrait mode capable
Click to expand...

I doubt you have tried to use a TN panel in portrait mode.

I am one of the first to defend TN panels when people slam them unreasonably. But turning my TN into portrait mode is barf inducing.
 
Snowdog said:
I doubt you have tried to use a TN panel in portrait mode.

I am one of the first to defend TN panels when people slam them unreasonably. But turning my TN into portrait mode is barf inducing.
Click to expand...

Why is this?


Also, Circuit City is ZERO balance everywhere for the Gateway at $335. :mad:
 
I vote for Lenovo L220x. I use this monitor since 6 months. And i’m very happily. It’s a great monitor.Excellent colors and viewing angles. :cool:
 
Shawnasee said:
Why is this?


Also, Circuit City is ZERO balance everywhere for the Gateway at $335. :mad:
Click to expand...

I like TN panels I have one. But the have a pronounced up-down image shift and I mean very pronounced. Yet this doesn't bother me at all. I barely notice unless I am trying to edit images. For the most part it is fine.

Turn it into portrait mode and it goes from unobtrusive vertical shift to an in-your-face wallop of side to side shifting mess. Two factors, yours eyes (you likely have two), the shift will always look messed up to at least one eye and different to each eye. It is a real mess.

I just bought a new IPS panel (very nice, but very expensive) my old TN would match height nicely if in portrait mode. I tried it for all of 10 seconds, it is too awful to contemplate even for a side panel that will be used sparingly.

I seem to be more sensitive to this than most, but I seriously doubt you will enjoy using a TN panel in portrait mode.
 
Snowdog said:
I like TN panels I have one. But the have a pronounced up-down image shift and I mean very pronounced. Yet this doesn't bother me at all. I barely notice unless I am trying to edit images. For the most part it is fine.

Turn it into portrait mode and it goes from unobtrusive vertical shift to an in-your-face wallop of side to side shifting mess. Two factors, yours eyes (you likely have two), the shift will always look messed up to at least one eye and different to each eye. It is a real mess.

I just bought a new IPS panel (very nice, but very expensive) my old TN would match height nicely if in portrait mode. I tried it for all of 10 seconds, it is too awful to contemplate even for a side panel that will be used sparingly.

I seem to be more sensitive to this than most, but I seriously doubt you will enjoy using a TN panel in portrait mode.
Click to expand...

Has anyone else experienced this?

On another note, Gateway is dumb.

I called them last night to see if the optional speaker bar for the 2400 will fit on the 2401. When I called Gateway a person from Tiger Direct answered the phone, who is now sponsored partner. I asked the guy and he said to call gateway.
I called Gateway...again...and the lady said she didn't know but would transfer me to someone who did...she transferred me back to Tiger Direct.
This guy said they were always doing that and my question would have to be answered by Gateway.
So I called them...AGAIN...and although the lady was very nice and helpful, she couldn't answer the frickin question either! She said the merger between them and Acer messed up the way they can find things in their system.
Dumb.

Also, if you go to Gateways site and look at the product you are interested in, it has a button that says "Buy Online" so when I clicked it for the speaker bar it took me to a list(Circuit City) of places that sold it. So I clicked on the CC link and I got this message:
"we cannot find the item you are looking for"

Again, I say...dumb.

hmm, sorry about the rant.
 
hey shawn...did you manage to get a hold of the fhd2400? if you did, how much did u get it for and how do you like it?
 
gotkilled said:
hey shawn...did you manage to get a hold of the fhd2400? if you did, how much did u get it for and how do you like it?
Click to expand...

Well, I have kind of been ruined on this monitor. When you google it and you go to the shopping comparison thing, Circuit City shows it as $335 and everyone else (all three stores) are $100 or more. It grates on me that I will be spending close to $460 for this thing when CC had it at MUCH less.

I also called 6 best buys between Kansas and Oklahoma and only one store had it, and it was on sale for $388 but it was a display model and the place was three hours from me.

You could get $30 off of $439 by getting an Amazon Visa but that's alot of hassle.

E-Bay has a couple buy-it-nows but they are only about $20 to $30 cheaper than TigerDirect, which is $439.

NO ONE has the optional speaker bar. Not even Gateway could direct me to a store who still carries them.

Biges,
The wife has NOT seen it yet however I plan to circumvent any thing she might have to say by printing out the e-mail in which she said I could get whatever I want and framing it and setting it next to the monitor.
I may not get any for a couple weeks, but I think thats worth it.

.........................hmmm, I hope she never reads this.........................
 
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I see the Audio bar for the F2438 or whatever it is. I have also seen the bar for the 22" Gateway but nothing for the FHD2400.

I will keep checking though.
 
gotkilled said:
links to speakerbars on ebay for fhd2400

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gateway-DTSS2410-Speaker-Bar-for-24-inch-FPD2400-LCD-S_W0QQitemZ270269253820QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270269253820&_trkparms=72%3A392|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14


http://cgi.ebay.com/Gateway-DTSS2400-Speaker-Bar-for-24-inch-FPD2485W-LCD-S_W0QQitemZ270269253324QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270269253324&_trkparms=72%3A392|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Click to expand...


Thanks Got!

Checked out the links and I put in a bid for one. One of the others is already up to $61!
Only those two that I saw and they are both from the same seller.

Also saw an FHD2400 AND the speaker bar(both unboxed and the monitor didn't have the stand) sitting at a bid of $26 and in about 2 hours it jumped to $150. I might bid on it still and have two of them.

Thanks for the heads up.:)
 
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