Computer gurus...I need some help

[TrustAndObey]

My monitor caught on fire this morning, and now I'm looking for a new one.

I want a flat screen, and I'd like for it to be pretty easy on my eyes since I'm old.

What type of resolution should I look for on a 19" screen?

I know very little about flat screens, so are there any features that I should be sure to look for with them that I wouldn't with a regular monitor?

I'm going to get one that has speakers built in so I can kill two birds with one stone.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Mankin]

How did your monitor catch on fire? If you get a Dell moniter, you can pretty much get anything you want on it.

 

[JonMiller]

Get at least 1024x768. It is preferrible to get better though. Additionally, widescreen isn't really needed for a lot of computer uses (but they will try to sell it, if it is cheaper get it, but don't consider it a bonus).

Make sure the response time is fast enough. Many manufacturers tell a white lie about their response time (don't consider the full cycle). Additionally, make sure you are happy with the colors and viewing angles.

I buy many things online, but this is one I would want to at least look in a store first. (I personally like at least 1900x1200, and so got a very large monitor, but those are still very expensive) (additionally, I play FPS, so needed fast response times, that also increases the expense)

JM

 

[TrustAndObey]

I really don't know what caused it to implode, but it sure did.

It was a gift from an ex-boyfriend and it lasted over 9 years. My ex-boyfriend was evil, so I'm pretty sure it carried over to the monitor.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Jon, is 8ms response time good?

 

[TrustAndObey]

I see one I think I like, so please tell me if these specs are good:

Display
Diagonal Size:
19"
Response Time:
8 ms
Dot Pitch / Pixel Pitch:
0.294 mm
Max Resolution:
1280 x 1024
Color Support:
24-bit (16.7 million colors) Is that good?
Image
Image Contrast Ratio:
500:1
Image Brightness:
300 cd/m2
Image Max H-View Angle:
140
Image Max V-View Angle:
140
General
Display Type:
Flat panel display / TFT active matrix
Enclosure Color:
Silver
Weight:
10.6 lbs
Depth:
8.3 in
Height:
16.9 in
Width:
16.8 in
Expansion / Connectivity
Interfaces:
1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
Manufacturer Warranty

 

[NightEternal]

I have a Samsung flat-screen monitor, e-machines CPU and a Hewlett Packard printer in my home office.

I have had them for almost five years now, and have never had any problems. Good, affordable brands.

I shouldn't even be responding in this thread, because a computer guru I am not.

Case in point: When my wife and I went computer shopping for our present model at Future Shop, we were computer virgins. Not even a clue, let me tell you.

Anyhow, the sales associate for electronics comes over to assist us, and he starts showing us different CPU's. So there I am, carefully inspecting the CPU and he's watching me. He's probably thinking: 'Yes, here is a discerning technophile, knows what he wants, looking to see if this model has all the latest in CPU features.'
Of course, I then go and open my stupid mouth and obliterate any perceptions on his part that his assumptions may be accurate.

(Drum-roll please):

"Uhh-where is the floppy disk drive on this thing?"



Behold as my wife places her face in her hands in complete embarrasment and the sales associate smirks, thinking of the huge sales commission he is going to squeeze out of this pigeon.

Yeah, so-don't expect much from me on this one Trust.

 

[TrustAndObey]

CPUs don't have floppy disk drives?

WHAT?!!!

Come on Night....even *I* knew that! hahahahahaha

 

[JonMiller]

I would recommend reading things. Chrck out www.anandtech.com/displays/

The 8 ms response time is probably OK for your needs.

JM

 

[reddogs]

I see one I think I like, so please tell me if these specs are good:

Display
Diagonal Size:
19"
Response Time:
8 ms
Dot Pitch / Pixel Pitch:
0.294 mm
Max Resolution:
1280 x 1024
Color Support:
24-bit (16.7 million colors) Is that good?
Image
Image Contrast Ratio:
500:1
Image Brightness:
300 cd/m2
Image Max H-View Angle:
140
Image Max V-View Angle:
140
General
Display Type:
Flat panel display / TFT active matrix
Enclosure Color:
Silver
Weight:
10.6 lbs
Depth:
8.3 in
Height:
16.9 in
Width:
16.8 in
Expansion / Connectivity
Interfaces:
1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
Manufacturer Warranty

Go with DELL, after COMPAQ was bought out by HP weve been buying DELL for servers, monitors and desktops and havent been disapointed....

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=4009&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

[NightEternal]

:o

 

[tall73]

Consider buying online, if you are not already. The prices are often cheaper. The only thing you have to look for is dead pixels, but I have never had that problem.

Check ecost.com They tend to run pretty good deals. The "Bargain Countdown" is the place to look. You might also check newegg.com as they have good shipping and great prices on some items...not sure if monitors are among them.

Check out this crazy deal:

http://www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?edp=37554841


or this one:

http://www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?edp=37911529


or this one:

http://www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?edp=37546568


Incidentally, the lower the response time the better if you plan to use it for any movies, etc. 8 is probably fine, but many of these have lower.

 

[TrustAndObey]

The very DAY I bought my first computer (Pentium I), they came out with Pentium II.

When I upgraded and bought a Pentium II, they came out with Pentium III.

My husband built the computer we have now and it's still way above what most computers offer, even though it's about 7 years old now.

However, he partitioned two huge hard drives into three and we got a virus called "CPU Killer" that wiped out drives D & E. Those drives had ALL our pictures and important documents on them.

I do NOT have good luck with computers.

 

[reddogs]

Dont go for the cheap brands, when it comes to electronics that dependability and as I beat like a drum into my father every time he goes to buy hardware, home white products, and cars.....'quality', 'quality', and if all else fails 'quality'............

 

[TrustAndObey]

Consider buying online, if you are not already. The prices are often cheaper. The only thing you have to look for is dead pixels, but I have never had that problem.

Check ecost.com They tend to run pretty good deals. The "Bargain Countdown" is the place to look. You might also check newegg.com as they have good shipping and great prices on some items...not sure if monitors are among them.

Honestly, I'm pretty much stuck buying from Wal-Mart (because of prices and the fact that my parents have stock in Wal-Mart). HA! Seriously, when they know I've been to Dollar General or some place else, I get the "you do know your inheritance just went down, right?!"

My mother-in-law just e-mailed me and said she'd give me her old flat screen. I'm just speechless!

Problem solved!!!

 

[TrustAndObey]

I didn't give this day a snowball's chance in Haiti (ha) after that monitor experience, but it has turned out pretty darn good!

I just found out I got an extra scholarship from my college that I never even applied for because of my grades!

 

[djconklin]

where is the floppy disk drive on this thing?"

At least, you didn't ask "Where's the cup holder?"!

 

[sentipente]

I just found out I got an extra scholarship from my college that I never even applied for because of my grades!

I rejoice with you.

 

[OntheDL]

My monitor caught on fire this morning, and now I'm looking for a new one.

I want a flat screen, and I'd like for it to be pretty easy on my eyes since I'm old.

What type of resolution should I look for on a 19" screen?

I know very little about flat screens, so are there any features that I should be sure to look for with them that I wouldn't with a regular monitor?

I'm going to get one that has speakers built in so I can kill two birds with one stone.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Hi,

Get a wide screen. For a 19 inch, 1280x800 is a good resolution. You don't need to worry about the reponse time since I doubt you have the time to play graphic intensive games.

Also make sure your graphic card can support that resolution.

 

[OntheDL]

My husband built the computer we have now and it's still way above what most computers offer, even though it's about 7 years old now.

How can that be? Most computers are obsolete by the time they arrive at the retail store.