[Pc_Support] Most portable LCD Monitors: Sceptre ...

[Bryan J. Smith]

Since I see a number of people still lugging CRTs to the InstallFests, I
assume maybe a few of you may be looking at LCD panels.

Being that I travel a lot, I have had the opportunity to try out several
LCDs.  I own Dell, Envision, Samsung and Sceptre LCDs.  If you are
looking to buy a LCD for travel or even just lugging around to
Installfests, let me point out that Sceptre is the best for this duty
for 2 reasons.

1.  No assembly/disassembly for base
2.  Goes back in the box just as it came out
3.  AC/DC power supply is _internal_ (only 3-prong cable needed)

#1 is my favorite.  Every other LCD monitor I have, from the heavy-base,
assembly/disassembly required Dell to the partial disassembly required
Envision/Samsung, have tall, heavy bases.  With some modification of the
styrofoam, I was able to get the Envision to go into its box without its
bottom-most plastic base.  But most of the others, especially the Dell
that has swivel options, is far to complex.

The Sceptre base has a 90 degree back, which hides the base just behind
the panel itself.  When you pull it out of the box the first time, it's
just a matter of pulling that base forward.  The only disadvantages of
this design is that it is short, and it doesn't swivel left to right,
only back and forward.  But for a portable LCD, it's the best.

This also goes along with #2, the styrofoam is designed to hold the
entire LCD intact.  You just push the base back behind the panel, and
then the styrofoam sides go back right over it.  And the box is opened
at the top, not the middle like most (at least my Envision and Samsungs,
the Dell was a more traditional box that is horizonal), so it's
completely reusable -- including the handle.

#3 is also really nice -- there is _no_ external AC/DC adapter.  The 3-
prong for the standard AC type PC cable is right into the back of the
unit (which has no cover, but the metal is well-hidden/not-viewable
except from underneath).  That means nothing to lose at all, and it
works out really nice for packaging/travel.  I just package the DVI and
AC cable (as well as the audio for the 1-2W speakers and 2-port USB hub
if I want, but I typically don't), and that's it!

I have the older X9G Komodo II* series which was a 25ms (but the best
25ms I've ever seen -- better than my 25ms Envision or Samsung).  But
now there are newer X9G Naga II which are also the same as the X9G Gamer
series with 12ms response times at Walmart.COM for $348:  
  http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3308020  

Of course there are 17" and 15" LCDs that are cheaper, and Sceptre sells
those too.  I can't vouche for them because I've only seen their 19"
models -- I own a Komodo II* and have seen the Naga II which I plan to
buy next.


-- 
Bryan J. Smith                   mailto:b.j.smith at ieee.org
----------------------------------------------------------
Beware of those who define their preferences in terms of
hate of another option, than on the merits of their choice