[Pc_Support] 20" monitors

[Bryan J. Smith]

Homer wrote:
> Are 20 inch LCD monitors worth the extra cost?

Depends on the brand, model, etc...

Widescreen (~16:10 aspect) is typically more costly than standard (~4:3 aspect).
Most 20-21" LCDs are widescreen, whereas most 17-19" LCDs are standard.
A new crop of 19" LCD widescreens are becoming available though.

2 years ago I bought my wife the Dell 2005FPW 20.1" widescreen LCD for $600.
It has a resolution of 1680x1050.  She loves it more than any other monitor.

On my desk, I have two (2) standard Sceptre X9g series 19" LCDs.
They have resolutions of 1200x1024 each.

> If so, what are the primary considerations to be concerned with in the
> spec's?

Most 17-19" standard LCDs have a resolution of 1280x1024 (near 4:3).
A few cheaper 17" standard LCDs, and all 15" LCDs, offer only 1024x768 (4:3).

Most 20-21" widescreen LCDs have a resolution of 1680x1050 (16:10).
Newer 19" widescreen LCDs have a resolution of 1440x900 (16:10).

There are also costly 21-22" standard LCDs with resolutions of 1600x1200 (4:3).
They are nice because you can perfectly downgrade to 800x600 res (1/4th).

Even more costly are 23-34" widescreen LCDs with resolutions of
1920x1200 (16:10).
Anything bigger is either a "TV" (only 1280x720-1366x768 and not very
sharp), or a very expensive 30" widescreen LCD with 2560x1600 (16:10).

> Are there any best choice (of any size) that should be considered?

First off, when you go LCD, you _want_ DVI.  That means a DVI output
video card with a DVI input LCD panel.  As long as you don't go higher
than 1920x1200, you don't need a dual-link DVI output.

Secondly, it really all depends on what _you_ want.  You should go to
the store and inspect ...

19" standard LCDs at 1280x1024 that start below $200.
19" or 20" widescreen LCDs at 1440x900 to 1680x1050 that start at $200.

Unless you are buying a cheap 15" or 17", you want DVI.  But even 19"
standard LCDs with DVI can be had for as low as $100 after rebate at
times.

> Any input on your latest research would be welcomed.

I like portable LCDs.  For that, Dell FP/FPW models are the absolute
worst (they have heavy bases for their rotatable panels), and Sceptre
X9g (and similar designs) with folding basis (you never
remove/assemble).