Replacing a 215TW

[Ardan]

I was contemplating a replacement for my 215TW for pretty much the last 12 months, but I didn't like what I saw (I didn't want to drop $500+ for the U2410 or LP2475), so I waited. Well, I have been reading extensively about the XL2370 on here and elsewhere and found it at my local best buy (though they didn't have it hooked up yet). Some have suggested the 2209WA, but I know 3 people with those monitors and the backlight bleed through the corners looks really annoying on every single one, which is something I gradually began to notice with my 215TW after all these years (though I think it was much worse on the 2209WAs I saw). I can't really find much on the competing LG models (W2286L & the 24" model), however. I recently purchased a 47" Samsung LED TV (fantastic TV...very happy with it), so I think I can do away with looking at the more expensive models. I will still be watching movies on here at times (among other things), though.

I do realize that there is some bleed on the XL2370, like most monitors have. Does this look like a good replacement for a 215TW? I don't really know much about LG's monitors other than what their site says (as well as C|Net's findings), but it looks like everyone is very impressed with the XL2370. Now I just have to decide whether to buy Windows 7 first or a new monitor (new monitor most likely ).

 

[vjcsmoke]

I've also got a 215TW. Wonderful monitor except for the input lag.

If I were you, I'd step up to the new 23 inch NEC IPS for around $350. The slightly bigger 24 inch Dell U2410 or HP 2475 or also good choices but run about $500 each.

PS The XL2370 is based on TN technology and has a horrible stand and no VESA mounts. If the stand were adjustable like the 215TW, and you are a fellow owner so you know how nice the adjustability of that stand is, I could forgive it. If it allowed you to mount it on a monitor arm, that would also be acceptable. But it has NEITHER! And no pivot mode! I would avoid the XL2370 for those reasons.

 

[evilsofa]

And no pivot mode! I would avoid the XL2370 for those reasons.

TNs don't get pivot mode stands because TNs become unusable when pivoted. The 215TW is a VA panel and looks fine when pivoted.

 

[Ardan]

I've also got a 215TW. Wonderful monitor except for the input lag.

If I were you, I'd step up to the new 23 inch NEC IPS for around $350. The slightly bigger 24 inch Dell U2410 or HP 2475 or also good choices but run about $500 each.

PS The XL2370 is based on TN technology and has a horrible stand and no VESA mounts. If the stand were adjustable like the 215TW, and you are a fellow owner so you know how nice the adjustability of that stand is, I could forgive it. If it allowed you to mount it on a monitor arm, that would also be acceptable. But it has NEITHER! And no pivot mode! I would avoid the XL2370 for those reasons.

Yes of course the XL2370 is based on TN technology, I do know this. I mentioned the U2410 and the 2475 in my original post and that, while they are very good monitors, I don't want to spend $500+ on the monitor (I see $599 for the U2410 on Dell's site), nor do I need a monitor of that caliber anyway. I do realize that it isn't adjustable like the 215TW, but that wouldn't be a problem for the setup I have (and I will never need VESA mounts, that I know for a fact). Plus, while it was nifty how the 215TW could pivot, not once have I ever, ever used that feature. That is a feature that will see no use for me, thus it is not a negative . The 215TW is a good monitor, but I'm not throwing it away. It will still be used, just not on this computer. I will get a good look at this XL2370 and decide for myself, otherwise I may indeed look into the EA231WMi. I do play games more than I used to, so I plan to move away from a VA screen this time. The U2410 would be very cool to have, if only it didn't cost so much. I might just buy Windows 7 first, and then wait a little longer on the monitor.

 

[Uberbob102000]

Well if you playing games I'd recommend staying away from anything that's a *VA panel because they tend to have bad input lag. IPS and TNs are usually both very good for gaming and it just then depends on how much you'd like to spend and how much you value viewing angle and good colors.

The 2209WA is a great monitor if and only if you get a good one but Dell's pretty good about it if you get a crappy one
The new NEC IPS is a good monitor as well and I'd look into that.

 

[JohnleMVP]

Isn't input lag caused more by the internal scaler and overdrive methods rather then the panel type. The Dell 3007 had little input lag because it lacked an internal scaler.

 

[Ardan]

I was ultimately able to play just fine on that 215TW despite the input lag, but if I am to get a new monitor, I do indeed want to keep it between IPS and TN for those reasons. The 2209WA would be nice if I got a good one, I agree. I'm usually hesitant about buying online just in case I get a bad one, but I've never purchased from Dell so I wouldn't actually know ahead of time how well that process would go. Plus, I have noticed some videos online and in quite a few of them, they are watching movies and you can't notice the backlight bleed very much (but in some, it is horrendous). I'd pop in The Dark Knight (or others) and you could definitely see the backlight bleeding from the corners all the way into the scenes and it really ruined the movies. Its not that it was just simply bleeding through that irritated me, it was that it goes almost all the way into the center and is very visible on almost any movie I watch. I think the one I'll fall back on is that XL2370, but I'm going to look into the NEC model since I haven't checked that one out, but I may lean towards the 2209WA since it is cheaper and I'm having a hard time finding the NEC model (I do find it listed on Dell's store, though). However, either one of these e-IPS panels definitely would be nicer than a TN.