Advice re buying a new monitor please

[Cyprus Hector]

I'm currently using a LG 22" TV as a monitor and it's fine. I've bought a new i7 HP Win7 Home PC which has HDMI & Blueray player, upgraded the graphics card (to a Radeon HD 5850) and now fancy having 2 monitors.

 

I'm retired so do play with my PC rather a lot for surfing, learning on how to use a PC i.e. Lynda.com, email, photo & video editing, Office 2010 documents, games (Call of Duty)

etc

 

Trouble is, looking at what monitor to buy is very confusing. I'm looking for a good quality 24" or larger monitor, hdmi & dv-i connections that will be the biz for what I want to use it for including playing blueray movies, games, video editing etc.

 

What specifications, makes etc should I go for? Really appreciate any views, advice.

[Dalo Harkin]

It all comes down to budget.....

 

The maximum HD res is 1080i or p (you cant physically notice the difference)

[Cyprus Hector]

There is much discussion on what spec for a PC but little on monitors. I don't mind paying extra for good quality because it usually worth it in the end.

[Dalo Harkin]

Still need a budget :)

[Cyprus Hector]

What would you buy around £400?

[Dalo Harkin]

I personally like Dell monitors 24'' would fall into that price range and leave you some left over, you wouldnt be disapointed anyway :)

[Jelly Bean]

I have dual Dells.

[Cyprus Hector]

"I have dual Dells"

Would you recommend them? How do you find having 2 monitors in practice? Is it 'how did I manage before?' Appreciate your comments.

[Dalo Harkin]

It depends on what you use the PCs for:-

 

I have servers and can remote desktop in on one and still work on the other monitor with my main PC whether it be browsing Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help or playing a game :)

 

Plus it looks cool when someone sees your setup with different wallpapers :D

 

I personally cant live without more than 1 at times I have 4

[Jelly Bean]

I have set my screens up as if it was one screen,it gives me the space I desire.

 

I can have a few pages open and they do not interfere in my work.

 

I will eventualy have three screens.

[Cyprus Hector]

I went into BestBuy today but the monitor section was sparse to say the least. I spoke to one of the 'Geek Squad' and his response was that the reason for lack of monitors was simply that most people simply bought a TV as a monitor as he had done. There was no market for plain monitors. I assume he is correct. Is there any point in buying a plain monitor or is a decent HD TV just as good?

[john111]

these look good to me Samsung P2450H 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black [LS24LRZKUV/EN]=

[Dalo Harkin]

I went into BestBuy today but the monitor section was sparse to say the least. I spoke to one of the 'Geek Squad' and his response was that the reason for lack of monitors was simply that most people simply bought a TV as a monitor as he had done. There was no market for plain monitors. I assume he is correct. Is there any point in buying a plain monitor or is a decent HD TV just as good?

 

You can use a TV monitor BUT as said before it depends on the usage of the PC - if its for gaming then a TV monitor wont really cut it...

[RandyL]

I went into BestBuy today but the monitor section was sparse to say the least. I spoke to one of the 'Geek Squad' and his response was that the reason for lack of monitors was simply that most people simply bought a TV as a monitor as he had done. There was no market for plain monitors.

 

I think he was full of it by saying such a thing. These days when I go to Bestbuy I find the shelves empty of plenty of items. From computers to games to DVD's etc. Even basic items like commonly used inks, printers, combo drives, external drives, routers etc. the selection is not only limited but even so called stocked items are sold out. Yet if you shop Bestbuy online the selections can be huge.

 

I for one get tired of seeing temporarily out of stock. I notice they always seem to have the big ticket items in stock though. I know shelf space is limited but how much room can the most widely used HP blank ink cartridge take yet often the slot is empty on the shelf.

 

Even the instore selection of computers is limited and a lot of them are sold out. By his reasoning computers must be obsolete too.

[DSTM]

I agree with what your saying,RandyL.

Having owned Shops myself,I was guilty of like practices.

The "temp out of stock" sign was there simply because I chose to order an inferior brand,I could make the largest profit margin on.

I knew the chances of someone walking out empty handed were slim,and they would buy another brand,not as good.

[Cyprus Hector]

Thanks for that advice. I rather fancy the Dell u3011 but very expensive(£1299 on Amazon) or the 2711 (£700) which is somewhat cheaper. Are they worth the money? Should I wait for improved models?