19-inch LCD Monitor

[CS Chua]

I am looking to buy a 19-inch LCD monitor for my notebook. I am thinking of either Dell or Samsung. This is my first time purchasing a LCD monitor. Any recommendation as to which is the market leader? Or which brand to avoid?

[mlkok]

Are you looking for a normal or wide-screen. For the same price, I'd go for the Samsung, which has a more vibrant display.
But then Dell has a better warranty policy. They will replace it if there's a dead pixel, whereas Samsung's policy is 5 dead pixels.
You might also want to look at the Asus and LG monitors. The display quality is quite good.

[racheljansz]

...I'd go for the Samsung, which has a more vibrant display.
But then Dell has a better warranty policy. They will replace it if there's a dead pixel, whereas Samsung's policy is 5 dead pixels.
You might also want to look at the Asus and LG monitors. The display quality is quite good.What do you meant dell has a better warranty policy beside the 5 dead pixel policy?

[CS Chua]

I was shown a Samsung 19-inch for $750 at Subang Parade. But the dealer said it is a limited warranty, which means, certain parts qualify for 3 years only, not every part. The advantage for Samsung is that their service center is nearby so one can easily take it there for repairs and get it back quickly, unlike other brands, so said the dealer.

[bslee]

The advantage for Samsung is that their service center is nearby so one can easily take it there for repairs and get it back quickly, unlike other brands, so said the dealer.

Yep..they're along the Federal Highway..where VW and Cycle & Carraige Bintang showrooms location.

It always occurs to me that Samsung have the edge in its build quality over others..even their nearest competitor LG falls out a bit. To me LCD panel vibrance and performance is secondary..unless one is into serious gaming..otherwise its not critical. Serious flers now oogle over the latest 22" WS panels.. imagine in those days we had the luxury of only an average 21" TV at home

[FineTuned]

Anyone interested in this? Samsung SyncMaster 940UX with Displaylink. Haven't seen it in the local market yet. Finally can get matching twin display (or more) on a notebook! It's going to be pricey....but true 4:3 aspect ratio on a 19" screen is just what has been missing from the LCD market for years so it will be quite worth it if you are into SD video editing.

[CS Chua]

I went to Carrefour and saw the Samsung 19" monitor. It's contrast is 2000:1 compare to Dell's 1000:1. LG's is 5000:1 but it is not tiltable. Samsung's could tilt forward and backward and that is important to me. The staff assures me that it is full warranty for all parts for 3 years. I guess I will take Samsung.

BTW, the Edifier speaker M3400 is on promotion with a good price. I am so tempted.

[willyleect]

I was shown a Samsung 19-inch for $750 at Subang Parade.

I wonder whether the abovementioned LCD is the same model as the one which I bought from Thundermatch (4th Floor) Lowyat Plaza for RM675, about two weeks ago. The model which I bought is Samsung 931BW (19" wide). However, Thundermatch's pricelist (Lowyat) now shows the price for the same model at RM695. Thundermatch's price in Carrefour Subang Jaya is RM740 for the unit, if I remember correctly.

If it is the same model that you are looking for, you should check out All It Hypermarket. Their price list shows the price at RM679 for the unit and apart from Lowyat Plaza, they also have a big shop at Digital Mall, Section 14, PJ. (tel. 03-79582636)

[bslee]

I had a browse through Care4 IT dept recently and noticed the prices (except maybe those on offer) are certainly MORE expensive than Low Yat where peripheral prices is always a reference. Oh well, perhaps Care4 takes a cut..and assuming Subang Jayaians are a loaded lot...so retail prices are blatantly higher here, not that Subang is divided by the South China Sea.

[avusblue]

Just a note if you're getting a WS 19" LCD monitor. Make sure your notebook has drivers available to support its native resolution of 1440x900. If your notebook is a bit older, or is an obscure brand, finding the drivers might be downright difficult if not impossible. Most notebooks with on-board graphic cards may face this problem. Newer notebooks should be able to support it.

[CS Chua]

I bought the Samsung 19" monitor and ran into problems right away. I followed their instructions and downloaded their Magictunes softwares from their website for my Vista and it caused my Dell XPS 1330 to shut down twice. I thought my installation was faulty so I had uninstalled and re-installed Magictunes. Apparently there is a conflict.

And, whether it is due to that or not, I do not know, my graphic card decided to give up the ghost. It decided to display straight lines whenever I booted up and stayed there. So I called Dell and they verified that the graphic card is kaput. I am waiting for them to change it and along with it the motherboard as it is solder together.

Interestingly, the Dell support person said I do not have to download or install anything for the external monitor. Just plug in, press FN and F8 and it will work. No drivers, no Magictunes or any of that. Interesting.

[bslee]

That Magictune program is entirely optional and it'll provide you ease of tuning your monitor adjustments via software with suggested presets or manual/custom settings, rather than fiddling with the monitor buttons...thats all. By right it shouldn't conflict with any other program on your computer and its not resident in memory...AFAIK. Its also of course that program doesn't work with another brand of monitor and that utility has different versions for different Samsung models...although a certain program version may support a few models at a time. It can be freely download by owners from Sansung support website. Me?..I don't need it although I did play play with it long ago,

[FineTuned]

CS Chua, did you use a normal CRT Monitor with your notebook prior to using the Samsung LCD?

[CS Chua]

CS Chua, did you use a normal CRT Monitor with your notebook prior to using the Samsung LCD?
Nope. This is my first time using an external monitor. Why?

[FineTuned]

Just wondering whether the notebook's graphics hardware was okay driving a normal monitor before the problem cropped up. Anyway, is the Samsung LCD Monitor still functioning properly?

[CS Chua]

I think so. Still wondering whether it is a coincidence or not. How could plugging in an external LCD monitor damaged the card? I am not worried as the notebook has a 3-year warranty but I lost a few days of work. :mad:

[cpleong]

I"m looking at ACER's 19" WLCD monitor. Low Yat sells for 615.
You guys think it is a good buy?

[bslee]

One point I've frequently noticed on "cheaper" monitors is the button switches. The buttons seem plasticky and felt harder to push. I know Samsung monitors have the edge in this department.
Don't think I'm ALWAYS biased towards Samsung but I've always felt they deserve the credit for its "better build quality" over its nearest competitors...even LG.
I would also highly recommend the higher priced SONY..but the prices they command is not entirely competitive. Other than the price..I'd shortlist SONY amongst the 2 brands I'd favor most.

[CS Chua]

In buying LCD monitor, I learnt 2 things: 2ms and contrast 2000:1. These are Samsung's specs. Compare to others like Dell's contrast 700:1 Samsung's much brighter. LG's better at 5000:1 but it is 5ms. So Samsung seems to have an edge.

[bslee]

In buying LCD monitor, I learnt 2 things: 2ms and contrast 2000:1. These are Samsung's specs. Compare to others like Dell's contrast 700:1 Samsung's much brighter. LG's better at 5000:1 but it is 5ms. So Samsung seems to have an edge.

For normal usage unless one is into extremes..IMHO, those figures are likely meaningless.
As long as its overall brightness and contrast is COMFORTABLE to one's eyes on long usage..any current monitor is acceptable. I remember having 1st hand the 1st generation of Samsung 19" Widescreen in my place (running it in for Jeff Ooi).. I was amazed it was very bright and contrasty..had to tone it down much more. It was already superb for DVD and most purpose and intent. That 19" WS specs is probably lagging behind current models right now.
Ensure you tune the monitor at place MOST comfortable to your eyes.. that's what those tuning buttons are for. All those figures are for marketing hype to sensationalize customer appeal.

We ALREADY know the BUDGET to spend..so practice a pragmatic approach when choosing consumer electronics or IT peripherals..not to be swayed by hyped up figures and specs.. YES! YES!..everyone wants bang for the buck, durian runtuh, cheapest and best quality..but you know, I know...25million others ALSO know its not Xmas everyday!..

[FineTuned]

IMHO, those figures are likely meaningless.
IMHO, I agree too.

And Samsung, unfortunately, is one of the biggest culprits in the art of using deceiving figures. They like to quote dynamic contrast ratio. You have to divide Samsung's contrast figures by 3 (or is it 4?) to do a proper comparison to other brands which use ANSI (static) contrast ratio figures. So when Samsung says 2000:1, it's about the same as Dell's 700:1.

The most noticeable factor in LCD displays is the color gamut. But you hardly see manufacturers stating this figure in their specs because it's so hard to understand. Watch out for the new generation of LED backlit LCDs with a CG in excess of 90%....that's what I would call eye-dazzling.

As for that impressive 2ms GTG, it comes at the expense of color depth. You're getting a 6 bit display (only 262,144 colors) instead of the nice 8 bits (16.7 million colors) a slower 6ms GTG screen is capable of.

The best way is to use your own eyes to compare and forget about the figures. But I'll make it clear, IMHO, Samsung still makes great LCD monitors. I just can't figure out why I still don't own one. :D

[CCY]

.......
As for that impressive 2ms GTG, it comes at the expense of color depth. You're getting a 6 bit display (only 262,144 colors) instead of the nice 8 bits (16.7 million colors) a slower 6ms GTG screen is capable of.

What is the dead giveaway specs that will show that it is a 6bit panel now ? At one time it says that any panel faster than 12ms response n 130 degree viewangle is a 6bit.

[bslee]

I just can't figure out why I still don't own one. :D

Me too!.. am still hiding my head behind this 3 year 17" Samsung CRT which is somewhat worthless value in comparison..might as well use it till it goes kaput.
I'll not worry since same as LCD TV..this sort of thingy will become cheaper, and more advanced in future...so no really hurry to join the bandwagon...which I'd prefer to spend on hifi related stuff...music or otherwise.

Anyway, I remember viewing a gamut different models and brands many many months ago at a Low Yat store and it displayed a still flower picture on all. I noticed different color tones, vibrance and worst of all color bleed. Viewsonic was at the bottom of it all..with Philips, and Benq faring a bit better. I think LG was not too good either..but the SONY and Sammy was near best of the lot..(never IDEAL!). I'd give benefit of the doubt as there could be many reasons for less than satisfactory display..adjustments, video distribution loss and etc.. oh well..that was long ago.. I've not caught up since.

[CS Chua]

IMHO, I agree too.

And Samsung, unfortunately, is one of the biggest culprits in the art of using deceiving figures. They like to quote dynamic contrast ratio. You have to divide Samsung's contrast figures by 3 (or is it 4?) to do a proper comparison to other brands which use ANSI (static) contrast ratio figures. So when Samsung says 2000:1, it's about the same as Dell's 700:1.

The most noticeable factor in LCD displays is the color gamut. But you hardly see manufacturers stating this figure in their specs because it's so hard to understand. Watch out for the new generation of LED backlit LCDs with a CG in excess of 90%....that's what I would call eye-dazzling.

As for that impressive 2ms GTG, it comes at the expense of color depth. You're getting a 6 bit display (only 262,144 colors) instead of the nice 8 bits (16.7 million colors) a slower 6ms GTG screen is capable of.

The best way is to use your own eyes to compare and forget about the figures. But I'll make it clear, IMHO, Samsung still makes great LCD monitors. I just can't figure out why I still don't own one. :D
Wow! lots of things to learn here. Thanks for the technical explaination. It is like buying a hifi set with PMPO and RMS, right? Anyhow, I am quite happy with the Samsung monitor. Very sharp and clear. And definitely a big contrast to my 13" notebook. I love it. No wonder people like LCD TV. I can feel an itch somewhere....my wallet.

BTW, the Dell techie came and changed the motherboard and everything is back to normal. PTL.

[FineTuned]

It is like buying a hifi set with PMPO and RMS, right? ......BTW, the Dell techie came and changed the motherboard and everything is back to normal. PTL.
Ya, you've got the idea. As for me, unlike bslee, I fall for every trick in the market....every LCD monitor I've bought claims to be the best in specs and the one to have. But honestly, other than the resolution, I'm not convinced that the claimed specs matches my expectations. :D

Great to know your notie is back in action. So the problem was a likely rare coincidence.

BTW did you know that there is a LED backlit version of your XPS 1330? :drool:, :drool: Here I go again.

[CS Chua]

BTW did you know that there is a LED backlit version of your XPS 1330? :drool:, :drool: Here I go again.
Yes, I do and that is one of the reasons I bought this model. I had and have some complaints (like not XP friendly, heat etc) and they (Dell) are happy for me to exchange it back for any model I want. But I declined as I am happy with it inspite its flaws. Now that I have hooked an external keyboard and a monitor to it when I work at home, it is really great.

[FineTuned]

Yes, I do and that is one of the reasons I bought this model.
Wow, you got the LED backlit XPS? That's my dream machine!!!

But how come you are using an external monitor...isn't the notebook display superior?

[mlkok]

I'm using the XPS m1330 with LED backlit as well. :D
So far no problem dual-booting with XP and definitely no heat problems.
The only reason I'd use a larger display is for the extra real estate and also easier on the eye.

[CS Chua]

Wow, you got the LED backlit XPS? That's my dream machine!!!

But how come you are using an external monitor...isn't the notebook display superior?
Size does matter. With the 19" monitor I can work without my reading glasses.

[bslee]

Factually, LCD's ARE easier on the eye but still fatigueing if viewing for long hours at close quarters..morever if its often set at near maximum contrast and brightness. Its different than viewing an LCD TV..anyway, lets not confuse the 2 kinds of LCD.
If not mistaken, notebook LCD's are lower in contrast and brightness by design purely to be energy efficient otherwise I bet my bottom dollar you're gonna complain about its eating batteries for breakfast, whereas its brethren run on AC mains...no issue there.

[ng]

I am having a samsung syncmaster 932B plus.

no complaints so far.

anybody have anything similar ?