Gaming monitor needed. CRT or LCD

[akolozvary]

Hi,

 

My aging Gateway2000 Vivitron 1776 17 inch monitor needs to be replaced. This sucker has been chugging since 1995. Suprised it still works. Anyway, I can go with an LCD or CRT...doesn't matter. I just want something that'll be good for gaming. I don't want to spend more than $250 for one.

 

I live in the Orlando area. If anyone knows a website or store where I could purchase one, that'd be great.

:2wiggle::2wiggle::2wiggle:

[RossMAN]

Hi akolozvary,

 

Welcome to the GottaDeal forums, I see you found our emoticons

 

I like you already.

 

I would look for a used Dell 1800FP LCD or buy a new 19" CRT.

[akolozvary]

Hello Peter....what's happening?

 

Did you get the memo about the new TPS report?

 

 

Thanks for the tip. I checked out eBay for the monitor, found some O.K. prices. But I don' t think I can afford $300+ price tag for the 1800FP LCD monitor. Althought it does look very tempting to use my plastic on this baby. I just don't know. I see a bunch of monitors going up for sale for BF, but when I check them out...they don't list too many specs for the monitors. I don't want to grab a monitor that's cheap in quality.

[Brad]

akolozvary,

 

I have a Dell coupon for 25% off any LCD monitor. Using this coupon you could get one of the following:

 

Dell 173FP 17" LCD - $339 - 25% = $254

Dell 1703FP 17" LCD - $399 - 25% = $299

 

The 1703 is a better model as it has a DVI input and a better stand. If you are interested in getting either of these, PM me and I'll send you the coupon code.

 

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productlisting.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=210&first=true

 

Brad

[akolozvary]

Not bad...not bad at all. Anyone know if Dell will be having a special discount for tomororw? I think I might have to break down and get this. Will the coupon still be good for tomorrow, if so I'll take it.

 

I'm gonna try to find a review for these monitors. If they're good I just might have to buy one.

[Brad]

If they have a discount, it won't be compatible with the coupons most likely. Most of their promotions are "either-or" so it would just take whichever was better, and there's no way they are offering more than 25% off.

[RossMAN]

akolozvary,

 

Sorry the fax machine ate my TPS reports (again)!

 

Unfortunately most of the LCD's available for Black Friday are all lower end models.

 

I would take up Brad on his generous offer for 25% off coupon code

 

Happy Holidays,

Ross

[akolozvary]

Here are some reviews I've found.

 

Monitor doesn't really have too many negative points. Only probably that I see is that it's a tad bit too bright and some of the colors appear to be washed out. I'm not an artist in Photoshop, so the precise colors don't have to be a big plus. Sounds like a good monitor from what I read. If you still have the coupon, I'll take it.

 

 

I don't mind getting a CRT monitor though, noticed DELL has a few of those on their website. Would you guys recommend getting that instead of the LCD? The amount of space that the CRT will take doesn't really matter. I got a pretty good sized desk for it.

 

 

C-NET

7.7 stars out of 10 {GOOD}

Dell packs a lot into the highly adjustable, 17-inch 1703FP and decorates it with a reasonable $500 price tag (it's also included with Dell's OptiPlex SX270 desktop system). Displaying at 1,280x1,024 resolution, the screen gives you a full view of text documents and does justice to color graphics. Except for a few minor missteps, this is one of the better pivot displays we have come across--a solid choice for home and office users alike.

 

The 1703FP's design is both discreetly stylish and convenient. Its black, cylindrical neck rests securely on an 11-inch-wide, silver semicircle, and it telescopes to give the display an additional 4 inches of height. The panel tilts forward and backward, swivels about 90 degrees left to right, and pivots between Landscape and Portrait modes. The 1703FP accepts analog and DVI signals (both cables are included) and has four USB ports on the panel, two on its left side and two in back. For an additional $39, you can help get the party started with Dell's Sound Bar--stereo speakers that snap onto the bottom edge of the bezel (in Landscape mode). Three small, silver buttons control the 1703FP's onscreen menus. When connected to two PCs, one of the buttons toggles between them.

 

We used the DVI signal to test the 1703FP and found that colors skewed very slightly from their proper hues at high brightness and saturation levels, a problem that shouldn't bother anyone except picky graphic artists. The panel accurately differentiates between close shades at the light and dark ends of the grayscale, and it draws crisp, sharp text. Connecting via the analog cable did not degrade image quality significantly.

 

Our beefs with the 1703FP are minor. The edge with two USB ports becomes the top in Portrait mode, so cords may dangle from on high (a plastic ring on the back of the neck helps corral cables). Also, if you attach the Sound Bar, the stereo speakers end up on one side in Portrait mode. Dell failed to include pivot software; you have to go into Windows' Display Control Panel to change modes. Philips's 170W4P, on the other hand, includes Portrait Displays' handy PivotPro.

 

Dell covers the 1703FP with a three-year warranty; the company sends out a temporary replacement when you call in a repair order, but you'll have to pay to ship your unit to Dell. The company does not have an explicit dead-pixel policy--issues are handled on a case-by-case basis. Lifetime tech support is available 24/7 on a toll-free line.

 

User Reviews:

------------------------------

"Great value, colors washed out a bit"

 

Pros: slick design, rotates easily, DVI and analog.

 

Cons: very bright - so much so that some colors, esp. greens, get washed out. Required tinkering with the video card gamma correction to get it close. Don't expect to do photo work with this one, but very capable otherwise.

----------------------------------

Thumbs Up "This is great!"

 

Pros: Great quality, value, and even looks nice. I like the built-in USB 2,0 hub, and the DVI support. No dead pixels!

 

Cons: none

---------------------

Thumbs Up "This monitor is outstanding!"

 

Pros: I love this monitor! The picture is so crisp and clear. You cant go wrong on this

---------------------------------

monitor. This is 100% recommended. Best monitor ever.

 

Cons: You have to pay alot for this monitor but thats alright because monitor is so good.

-------------------------------------

Thumbs Down "Textual documents very fuzzy"

 

Pros: None

 

Cons: None

-------------------------

Thumbs Up "Good quality/price-ratio"

 

Pros: stabile picture, good contrast

 

Cons: No speakers

---------------------------

Thumbs Down

 

Pros: wide range of brightness, USB hub, easy to connect

 

Cons: Fuzzy text

[Brad]

keep in mind that these reviews are mostly reviewing the monitor when it was $500+. there are a lot of people on this forum with Dell monitors (myself included - i have the 20" 2001fp) and we swear by their quality.

[RossMAN]

I own a Dell UltraSharp 1900FP (rebadged Samsung 191T) which I paid $690 for 2 years ago. Now you can buy a better and larger 2001FP for $554.

 

Even 2 years later when this might be considered an "old" model it's still one of the best purchases I have ever made.

 

With the Dell you get 3 advantages:

• Avoid the Black Friday crowds, parking and traffic nightmares
• 25% off Dell, that's a very generous discount.
• Peace of mind that comes with a 3 year warranty

I once had a Dell P991 19" FD Trinitron CRT die on me which was covered under warranty. After calling Dell, they sent out a brand new monitor via Airborne Express overnight with return shipping for the dead monitor. Total cost to me? $0

 

If you are a hard core gamer go for the Dell 1703FP which offers DVI (digital).

 

Hope this helps!

[akolozvary]

What is the policy for dead pixels for LCD monitors at Dell? I hope I don't get any, that would drive me bonkers.

 

-edit-

Does Dell not give that information out? I found this useful site at http://graphics.tomshardware.com/display/20030319/lcd_pixels-02.html tells you the dead pixel policy for all the major brand companies

-edit-

Alright, I'm going to head out. Thanks for all the helpful info guys. You've been a help. Hope you had a good Holiday. Later.