Displays/Monitors - what to buy?

BKK-OZ · Post by **BKK-OZ** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:56 pm

I have spent most of my holiday tearing my wee little studio down and re-patching everything, partly because I bought myself a new working desk and I had to, but partly because it was time to ferret out the dust bunnies hiding in my tangle of cables and set them free.

Anywaze, my new set up means I have to get new monitors.
(It is a long story, but the short version is that I now need to mount my monitors on swing arms, and my current monitors don't have Vesa mounts).
I am currently using a Samsung BX2450 (24 inch, HDMI, DVI, etc. it is a nice monitor) and my old CMV 21 inch (which has a big scratch on it, so it needs to go anyway).

So, I have to figure out a few things, such as should I:

- get two 24inch monitors, or one 27inch
- go for IPS or standard LCD/LED

I am trying to stick to a budget of ~$500 for the monitor(s), because I know that the swing arm will cost me ~$185. Any monitor I get needs to have the Vesa mount, so that I can swing it out of the way when I need to.

My options so far are:

- Two X LG IPS235P-BN @ ~$260 (ea)
- Two X Phillips 244EL2SB-75 @~$210 (ea)
- Two X Lenovo L2440P@ ~$375*(ea)
- One Phillips 273E3LHSB-75 @~$380

I also looked at some Asus monitors, but reports seemed to be mixed, many negative about dead pixels, etc.

Suggestions? Ideas? Recent happy/sad purchasing experiences?
All advice most welcome.

*yeah, I know that $375 + $375 > $500, but the maximum resolution on the Lenovo monitor is 1900x1200, whereas the others are all 1900x1080

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 7:09 pm

Can't respond to the monitors mentioned, but the swing arm price seems a little high.

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:09 pm

Not an expert on this, but my son was researching monitors today and came up with an Asus 1920 x 1080. Seems like it was a 26", but I don't know the model. Anyway, he said it had something like 25 or 75 (I wasn't really paying attention) 5-egg reviews on New-Egg. For the price of $250 US, it seems like a steal.

Shoosh

BKK-OZ · Post by **BKK-OZ** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:13 pm

This is the arm I am looking at, it is a 'Kensington Smartfit'. It is the cheapest one that I have found that moves on all axes*, has gas lift, and can carry ~10kgs or so. I know, my requirements sound excessive, but I don't mind spending money on my personal ergonomics, esp. the older I get!

*I actually had to look that one up, axes is the plural of axis.

BKK-OZ · Post by **BKK-OZ** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:17 pm

Shooshie wrote:... my son was researching monitors today and came up with an Asus 1920 x 1080...
Shoosh

Yep, I have been tempted by the Asus stuff too - but it is hard to find authoritative reviews on their stuff, and it seems like the forums always fill up with problems like dead pixels.

I was also looking at this one, an Asus VE278Q, but I just don't know about the quality.

macguy · Post by **macguy** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 9:34 pm

These are really high resolution and look great! You can get them cheap too if you can find them but no 23" has as good resolution I've found for the price. They're much higher resolution than what you've mentioned... but they are a bit hard to find.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2343BWX-2 ... B001N0H8YW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

bad andy · Post by **bad andy** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 9:42 pm

Don't get ripped off on the swing arms. See if monoprice.com has any of the desk mount variety like you've posted.

BKK-OZ · Post by **BKK-OZ** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:15 pm

macguy wrote:These are really high resolution and look great! You can get them cheap too if you can find them but no 23" has as good resolution I've found for the price. They're much higher resolution than what you've mentioned... but they are a bit hard to find.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2343BWX-2 ... B001N0H8YW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They are a bit hard to find - not a current model if one goes by Samsung's site. Also not certain that it has the Vesa mount, but in any regard, they don't seem to be available anymore.

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:59 pm

BKK-OZ wrote:
Shooshie wrote:... my son was researching monitors today and came up with an Asus 1920 x 1080...
Shoosh
Yep, I have been tempted by the Asus stuff too - but it is hard to find authoritative reviews on their stuff, and it seems like the forums always fill up with problems like dead pixels.

I was also looking at this one, an Asus VE278Q, but I just don't know about the quality.

Dead pixels are possible on any monitor, by any company. I think there are one or two on my 23" Cinema HD Display from Apple, circa 2002, which is still going strong and is a great monitor even today. I've just forgotten where they are. I just don't see them anymore. Or maybe they woke up! [zombie pixels!!!]

A dead pixel or two will not be the end of the world. If there are a LOT of them, then that constitutes reason to return it. Personally, when I buy a new monitor, it will be an Apple. I've never been dissatisfied by a monitor from Apple, and I've been getting them in some form or another since 1984. But I'm willing to shell out the extra bucks, even if they are overpriced. I mean… this Cinema Display has lasted 10 years and is still bright and has great color. But if cost is the object, then it's hard to beat an Asus.

Now, about monitor arms; I don't think the price you quoted is at all high. In fact, it's possibly quite low, depending on which arm it is. Here is a site that has rather stiff prices, not the discount online prices we tend to expect. When you find prices lower than this, you're doing well. Above this would be a rip-off. I go to this site, because they have a wide selection of the higher-quality office items. It's a good point of reference. I'd expect to pay about 60% — 80% of their prices at a discount site.

Compare their price to this Humanscale M8 at Amazon.

Better still, add the dual-monitor crossbar at this place, and the price is $360, about what two cheaper monitor arms would cost you. Plus, you have the added advantage of having one of the best monitor arms on the planet, and just one rather than two, which reduces clutter and gives you more desktop space. Something to consider.

Shooshie

BKK-OZ · Post by **BKK-OZ** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 1:35 am

ahhh Mr Shooshie, always generous with your time and advice.

Know what is funny about Humanscale?
Apparently, no one in Oz sells the stuff!
Humanscale's site doesn't show any Oz distributors or retailers.
I suppose I could get it shipped over, but that isn't my preferred thing.

Maybe you are right about the Asus, the prices are pretty hard to fault.

Guitar Gaz · Post by **Guitar Gaz** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:54 am

Just got a 22" Samsung SA350 to use as my second display alongside my iMac. It is really good quality - so I would recommend Samsung as they are not that expensive either.

wylie1 · Post by **wylie1** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:23 am

Has anyone tried using a TV monitor as a display?
I know about the pros and cons put the quality has improved alot in the past.
Just curious I was looking for something around 32".

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:53 am

BKK-OZ wrote:Know what is funny about Humanscale?
Apparently, no one in Oz sells the stuff!

I started thinking about that right after I posted. That's a cryin' shame, because Humanscale is good stuff. Stylish, ergonomic, and well-made. But while I was looking that up I saw dozens of sources for monitor arms. I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting something that works brilliantly on your new workstation desk.

Hmmm… do Ozlanders have a special word for workstation desks? You know, like billabong (pond) or station (ranch)? How about a Dawgeridoo?

Shoosh

twistedtom · Post by **twistedtom** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:10 am

I got a Samsung 27" yesterday, I has reasonable color and sharpness it was on sale so I got it for a good deal. I use Apple displays for critical color adjustments but for general use it is a good display. I looked at a bunch in the store and I am a bit fussy. I also got a 2nd video card; a ATI Radeon HD5770 1gb video card. Photos of my new display bellow.

macguy · Post by **macguy** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:17 am

BKK-OZ wrote:
macguy wrote:These are really high resolution and look great! You can get them cheap too if you can find them but no 23" has as good resolution I've found for the price. They're much higher resolution than what you've mentioned... but they are a bit hard to find.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2343BWX-2 ... B001N0H8YW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They are a bit hard to find - not a current model if one goes by Samsung's site. Also not certain that it has the Vesa mount, but in any regard, they don't seem to be available anymore.

Hmmm... the link shows one available... it's not current but the specs are better than the links you mentioned in your post, or anything "current" by a long shot, and if screen real estate is needed, then the resolution this provides smokes anything out there for it's size. An LCD monitor only takes a few inches of space on a desk so going wall mount seems a bit convoluted for a DAW workspace. I see a lot of people using TV's and mounting them on a wall but the res is terrible (for computing anyway) but it looks "cool"... it all depends on what you're doing I guess... hey TT, that's one killer project room you got there!

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